New CaBi bikes equipped with Enviolo Continuously Variable Planetary (CVP) hubs

[Judd]

Those bikes were purchased for the recent expansion of Bikeshare in East Falls Church. They are the same form factor as the CaBi Plus.

Maybe Henry can answer if other jurisdictions are planning on purchasing these bikes. It seems the recent DC expansions have used the old school bikes.

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[secstate]

I hope it’s not a trial — they’re great! The gear range seems to be somewhat higher than on the three-speed versions.

[Smitty2k1]

I rode one a few weeks back. Was surprised I couldn’t find any mention on CaBi’s website about the new bikes, usually they promote those kinda things. Really enjoy the basket form factor on the new ones.

Any news on if/when the e-bikes are coming back? I was in NYC last weekend and noticed they don’t have their Citi e-bikes back in service yet either so it must have been a real issue.

[jrenaut]

I hear the e-assist CaBis are returning this fall.

I rode a CVP version yesterday. It must take some getting used to – I constantly felt like I was in the wrong gear. Although my right calf is still mostly jello compared to pre-surgery, so part of it is probably me.

[Judd]

I like the CVP. Feels like the gear ratio is wider. I also like that it doesn’t slip gears.

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[jrenaut]

@Judd 192537 wrote:

I like the CVP. Feels like the gear ratio is wider. I also like that it doesn’t slip gears.

Maybe I just need to wait until my leg is back to something resembling normal

[Starduster]

@jrenaut 192529 wrote:

I hear the e-assist CaBis are returning this fall.

I rode a CVP version yesterday. It must take some getting used to – I constantly felt like I was in the wrong gear. Although my right calf is still mostly jello compared to pre-surgery, so part of it is probably me.

Maybe that is because the NuVinci’s shifter progresses in the *opposite* direction as a Shimano derailleur or hub setup. A different sort of muscle memory that constantly found me shifting in the wrong direction…

[baiskeli]

@Starduster 192545 wrote:

Maybe that is because the NuVinci’s shifter progresses in the *opposite* direction as a Shimano derailleur or hub setup. A different sort of muscle memory that constantly found me shifting in the wrong direction…

Wow. They should just turn the thing upside down.

[Dewey]

Finally got to try one yesterday after the overnight rain the CaBi bikes at the rack were soaking wet, but the new CaBi CVP bikes are equipped with enclosed Sturmey Archer drum brakes and I found they worked well even on a wet bike, strong and no brake fade going down hill on the Custis Trail towards Rosslyn. The rotary bell on the left grip is louder and more distinct than the ping bell on regular CaBi’s. The hard plastic grips are a little uncomfortable, but the pedals are wide and grippy and the wide tires meant the bike felt very steady. I rode East across Roosevelt bridge so coming up from the Mt Vernon trail I needed to shift down gear, this is the first time I’ve ridden a pedal bike with a CVP up hill and was pleasantly surprised to find I could shift down incrementally while pedalling to dial in a comfortable cadence. One small niggle, I found with the new front cargo tray I could not wedge my backpack into it like on the regular CaBi’s, the front catch for the bungee strap doesn’t work and the bungee itself is too short so I just wrapped it over my bag, but the bungee strap held it in place and stopped it from falling out when riding over bumps. Overall I’m impressed with the new bikes.

[Sunyata]

I also got a chance to ride one of the new CVP bikes. I too was really impressed with the brakes. The older style CaBi’s brakes leave a LOT to be desired, especially coming from years of hydraulic disc brakes. The new Sturmey Archer drums modulate well and stop without that “oh shit” moment that the older brakes have. I found the front basket to be just as well as the older racks for my needs. I was a little worried about my water bottle leaking on my iPad since things were at a pretty flat angle, but it was fine. The bell was a nice surprise. I did not use the shifter other than to put it in the hardest gear, so I have no opinion on the shifting yet.

Overall, I thought the new bikes improved on a lot and hope to see more of them in the fleet.

[josh]

@Sunyata 192632 wrote:

I did not use the shifter other than to put it in the hardest gear

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[Judd]

@josh 192634 wrote:

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Mashers gonna mash.

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