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Why choose a bottom bracket kit?

Already the discussion is stormy for the classic VAE, I can already feel the reactionaries coming about a Kit with gas pedal!

The team of 26in in crisis meeting to know if deontologically they can publish and select this opinion or if it is more prudent to transmit to their colleagues of Auto Moto…

Finally they have already bravely passed this stage, another very good test of the previous version exists: http://www.26in.fr/tests/transmission/lift-mtb/lift-mtb-v2-classic/2017_2021.html

And that’s how I got to know the system, so I’m going to try to do a slightly different test or at least try to complete it from my point of view.

So why I chose a kit over a VAE, for several reasons, but the main one, the price.

EABs are very expensive, even if some brands are making efforts.

Moreover I am already quite demanding to choose a classic mountain bike on the geometry/components, and it’s simple, in VAE I found nothing that corresponded to me (without selling a kidney).

Not having an extra bike is also an advantage, in terms of space, maintenance, and especially for those who need to ride a bike a lot to be comfortable on it, it allows you not to have to find your marks every time.

And why would you want an electric kit?

Eating and eating D-, I have no problem climbing, but if I can multiply by 3 the Downhill/Uphill ratio that’s all I ask.

Most of the time my practice consists of DH / negative Enduro with car / station rotations, and Enduro.

Now why the Lift-MTB Kit?

There are not twelve options for pedal kits but most of them are to transform city bikes into electric bikes, sometimes transposable to mountain bikes.

What made the difference with the Lift system was :

– the possibility to dismantle it quickly

– the ISIS axis and not square

– Choices between different standards to match your frame

– no screen if you don’t want it

– the choice of batteries (note that Mathieu can make you lighter batteries on request, their life span is a little less good, but they are 400gr lighter)

We can clearly see that the product has been developed by a passionate mountain biker (a little more than that even considering Mathieu’s past).

Being a do-it-yourselfer, I also like the idea of being able to repair/modify the system without going through endless after-sales services or having to immobilize my bike, there if I have a problem with the kit I remove it.

Editing:

You can download the assembly instructions on the site before buying, but in any case it is done well, I took two hours, quietly taking the time to adjust the system perfectly.

The system is fixed on the ISG legs and is supported by the frame (the Cerflex are there to stiffen).

Test:

I took advantage of a few days off to go down to the south to ride for 4 days and participate in the enduro Les Calades du Plan.

Already the big advantage, I could ride 4 days in a row at more or less 1300/1400 of D- per day (2 days with, 2 days without).

Contrary to a VAE, the gas pedal is made with the trigger, that requires a small time of adaptation but very quickly one forgets it.

The advantage is to be able to give a little gas without pedaling in a technical passage or to help yourself to start again in the steep.

It also allows you to cut the assistance as soon as the ground is flat or rolling to ride normally.

The general impression is that we smooth the ground, by managing the gas pedal we always roll on a false flat rise, it is necessary to pedal but it is cardio.

I took advantage of the system to do the recce for the enduro, it allows me to ride without burning out too much for the next day and on the same bike.

That said, the same circuit without the kit the next day didn’t seem much more tiring to me, but it takes much more time on the other hand.

On the way down, we cut everything off, and put the cable away somewhere.

Contrary to what one might expect, the weight of the system is not a problem, it is well placed.

The bike still weighs 4.4 kg more with the kit.

I also didn’t notice any significant difference in braking and I barely hardened my suspensions. That said, I’m already in the high weight range and my bike is a freeride, the difference would be more noticeable on an enduro bike with a lighter rider.

What disturbed me the most was the pedal spacing, the kit requires a wider spacing and I kept rubbing the pedals in the steepest singles or when leaning the bike.

Nothing dramatic, but it requires a change in the way you drive in certain sections.

Disassembling, so I didn’t take the 10 minutes announced on the website, rather 15 min to disassemble and reassemble the classic crankset while doing things properly (grease, cleaning etc).

It takes me 25 minutes to get back up, which is still pretty fast.

After I have an anti derailleur on the kit and in classic, without them we must save a few minutes.

The battery, I chose to take a 14Ah battery in 500W, with ultralight cells to save 400gr on the classic batteries that the site offers.

Personally, I didn’t feel the extra 2.1kg on my back, I find that around 2kg is quite discreet.

I took some of the gear I usually take with me to lighten the bag, and in the end, it’s fine (a few tools, ½ liter of water, etc.)

For the autonomy I turn around 1300 of D+, that must be able to be optimized with the screen of control and the habit, but personally I wanted not to have a screen in front of the eyes, I find that one spends its time to follow the consumption otherwise (tested in VAE).

Here we have 3 LEDs that give an idea of the load, and we feel it at the power when we arrive at the end. And if the battery is empty, return to muscle.

Conclusion:

It’s a good system to have in addition, especially if you don’t want to do 100% electric and you can’t have several bikes.

System that you can choose to ride or not, depending on where you ride, with whom and when you ride.

The big advantage is to be able to ride more than 1000m of D- in a record time, times when you would not necessarily go for a muscular ride after work or other.

For the complete days dedicated to the bicycle it is a little frustrating with only one battery, we make the same exit as usual but on less time and we just want to return there. I think I will quickly order a second battery.