Eastern Wood Research: E-Motion, Singlespeed

[K-Man]

I love my EWR, but that sub-16-inch chainstay wreaked havoc with chainline, which produced shifting and chainsuck issues. Freezing the drivetrain in the 8-speed era helped (yes, I have a NOS 8-speed XTR cassette in original box, in my basement), but I finally decided to ditch the shifty bits and make a single out of it. One way to end chainline issues, eh?

The serendipitous part of the story is that I was able to run my favorite gear combo (34/20) without any tensioner, sort of... It only works with one particular, badly worn out chain that I had kicking around in my box of worn chains (god likes a re-user, I suppose). A fresh chain is too short, and adding a half link makes it too long. This chain has lasted around a year so far, including a few races (during which I was worried that the chickens would come home to roost and snap the old chain, but that never happened). I really like not having to use a singulator, so when this chain finally expires, I think I'll go scrounging the "used chain" bins at local bike shops and see if I can find the twin to the "magical chain" I've been running.

Nothing else too exciting to report, other than the fact that a Hone crankset/bb, less the granny ring, makes a great singlespeed option. Price is right, one stiff bastard, and the built in ring guard makes getting over big logs and rocks a breeze. As does the insanely tall bb height on the EWR. Picture a deer bounding through the deep woods.

Parts are mix of old school, middle school and new school. Chris King hubs (blew the budget here, hence the need to scrounge the rest of the parts) RS Duke shock, Bontrager tubeless rims, Kore stem, Paul Components V-brakes (actually, those are pricey too), Avid levers, to name a few of the bits.

I'll post my other bikes eventually, but this one has the most interesting backstory, so it gets to bat leadoff. Without further ado, a photo of the EWR in the current configuration, and a shot taken on one of its last rides before the "surgery".....

[mimbresman]

I like the classics. Those never made it out to New Mexico...at least I never saw one. Very cool bike Karl.

[longhaultruker2]

I like the classics.Very cool bike Karl.

ditto!!!:)

[ironspoke]

Is it possible to see a soul???

[Cricket]

Is it possible to see a soul???
do they exist to see
chirp chirp
pric

[K-Man]

Race pic from the 2006 Six Hours of Power (http://www.heartrateup.com/default1.htm), courtesy of www.buffalophotocd.com (http://www.buffalophotocd.com/).

[north20]

I love seeing a classic ride that isn't just adorning someone's garage, basement, or living room.

Bikes like that are meant to be ridden :cool:

[Nash]

Thats groovy K....I seem to remember you having an old Grove Inovations back in the day. Do you still have it?

[K-Man]

Thats groovy K....I seem to remember you having an old Grove Inovations back in the day. Do you still have it?

Hey Nash, I WISH I had a Grove, but no such luck. Maybe you're thinking of my EWR, or your got me mixed up with somebody else in the Burgh with a Grove. But I can't think of anybody 'round these parts with one.:confused:

[K-Man]

I love seeing a classic ride that isn't just adorning someone's garage, basement, or living room.

Bikes like that are meant to be ridden :cool:

Exactafreakingmundo!

Here's a pic of me and the trusty EWR in it's short-lived "huckster" phase, with RS Psylo, for hitting the stunts in the DRHQ backyard.

[bdee]

Nice ride! Looks like a lot of fun when the going gets really technical. How high is that BB?

[K-Man]

Nice ride! Looks like a lot of fun when the going gets really technical. How high is that BB?

Hellzyeah, never ridden a bike that's more fun in the tight technical stuff, but that's exactly what the bike was designed for.

Below are the original manufacturer's spec:
Head tube angle: 72 deg.
Seat tube angle: 73.5 deg.
Effective top tube: 22 5/8 in. (medium frame)
Chainstay: 15.9 in.
BB height: 12.5 in. (measures close to 13.0 in. with modern tires and the Duke up front).

[ironspoke]

Hey Nash, I WISH I had a Grove, but no such luck. Maybe you're thinking of my EWR, or your got me mixed up with somebody else in the Burgh with a Grove. But I can't think of anybody 'round these parts with one.:confused:

I remember back in 1991 (I remember the date because it was just before I got married) when I took a road trip up to State College and stopped in to the Bicycle Shop. I came THIS close to buying a Grove Innovation frame that was hanging from the wall. It was $220. I passed and to this day regret it.

[Bartman]

This year at the Wilderness 101 there was a guy on what looked to be a bone stock circa early nineties Grove. He was wicked fast! I always loved the grove, EWR, and Smorgasbords. Good bikes came out of PA.

[TOZOVR]

Awesome!!!!

Makes me lomg for the days of EWR, Rhygin, nevil etc etc!

Ride the hell out of that thing!

RJ

[K-Man]

.... EWR progenitor Jay DeJesus shreddin' on his own creation (photo courtesy of Rob "Griz"):

[S. cerevisiae]

So the K-Man does ride bikes wi' nae gears. Nice to see vintage steeds in 1-speed config.

Gots to get my digicam out for my two oldies.

[KennBendajo]

I like what you did with it. Very sweet ride.

[Upchuck]

Beautiful bike with a great back story! Sounds like it's seen several incarnations. Some of my favorite bikes were versatile enough for XC racing, bombing techie trails and epic back country adventures. My wife finds it odd that in the end they all seem to end up as SS rigs.:p

[KennBendajo]

I know a guy who used 36 X 18 gear with a 1/2 link for the E-Motion. Heard that works really well, too.

[K-Man]

That's SS tip is also posted on the new EWR bikes website here (http://ewrbikes.com/e-motion_ss_conversion).

[K-Man]

I saw that SS conversion tip posted on the new EWR website (http://ewrbikes.com/e-motion_ss_conversion). :cool:

[K-Man]

for the Eric's Eccentric Eno (http://www.whiteind.com/ENO-hub-specs.html) hub -- brilliant!

And thanks to Scooter at Dirty Harry's (http://dirtyharrys.net/index.cfm) for building a wheel so much finer than I ever could, sporting that fresh White Industries Eccentric SS hub, W.I. freewheel, Mavic ceramic rim (and a Surly fixed cog on the flip-flop, for when I decide to go over to the dark side).

Maiden voyage today:

[KennBendajo]

So how did it ride with the new wheel?

[K-Man]

Sucks. Both wheels started drifting through all the hard turns.

Course, that coulda been coz of all the snow and ice. ;)

Wuz pretty focused on just keeping her upright, so I guess I'll have to reserve detailed comments until I can get better tests conditions, but I can say that the new setup functioned without a glitch.

[mimbresman]

Sucks. Both wheels started drifting through all the hard turns.

Course, that coulda been coz of all the snow and ice. ;)

Wuz pretty focused on just keeping her upright, so I guess I'll have to reserve detailed comments until I can get better tests conditions, but I can say that the new setup functioned without a glitch.

I think you'll find the ENO a huge improvement over the other system you were using. I love riding my ENO wheel. I also like the way it looks and sounds. Thats just an added bonus. The locals here still don't get it.

[unclefuzzy]

ENO's are fan-freakin-tastic little things. And beautiful to boot. They're easily on my list of 'best parts of the past decade' list.

[K-Man]

ENO's are fan-freakin-tastic little things. And beautiful to boot. They're easily on my list of 'best parts of the past decade' list.

When I picked up my new wheel at the builders, and gave 'er the first spin, I couldn't believe how freaking smooth the bearings felt.

I hope the shop guys didn't see the bulge in my pants.

[KennBendajo]

K-Man - I thought I would check in and see how that ENO hub is holding up after 8 months of riding. So waht says ye?

[K-Man]

K-Man - I thought I would check in and see how that ENO hub is holding up after 8 months of riding. So waht says ye?

Two thumbs up.

I'm considering purchasing a 130mm version for one of my road bikes.

[RickB]

Karl - bigger question - have you ridden the new 29er EWR yet, and any feedback on it? Any plans to do a DR test on one? Giving serious thought to getting one this winter...

[K-Man]

Karl - bigger question - have you ridden the new 29er EWR yet, and any feedback on it? Any plans to do a DR test on one? Giving serious thought to getting one this winter...

I'm in line to get an EWR 29er OWB for official Dirt Rag test and review. Hope to get that first week of October, when I return from Interbike.

Note: I did borrow and ride an EWR 29er OWB around the pits at 7 Springs over Labor Day, and was very encouraged by the initial handling impressions (that trademark EWR agility was in effect). But that's a far cry from even a "first ride" so keep your eyes on the DR Blog for reports as my test gets underway.

[S. cerevisiae]

I'm in line to get an EWR 29er OWB for official Dirt Rag test and review. Hope to get that first week of October, when I return from Interbike.

Note: I did borrow and ride an EWR 29er OWB around the pits at 7 Springs over Labor Day, and was very encouraged by the initial handling impressions (that trademark EWR agility was in effect). But that's a far cry from even a "first ride" so keep your eyes on the DR Blog for reports as my test gets underway.

If you weren't such a great person in other matters I'd definitely say you sucked. Sometimes my little green personality drags itself out for air and I have to allow it. Do tell ASAFP. Even if it rides for crap (which I'm certain it won't therebye adding to my hatred of test riders).