Geezer Flight
GeezerFlight@gmail.com
Copenhagen Wheel, an owners thoughts.
June 2018
1989 Bridgestone MB-6. Something old, something new.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_Wheel
The Copenhagen Wheel is truly a great ride, but after nearly two years, the best grade I can give would be a C overall. This is June 2018, I still have not tested the wheel in inclement weather conditions. Here is the breakdown.
A Wheel Operation.
A Customer Support
D Speed Restrictions
C- Range
F “Wheel” Android Application
Operation:
Fun to ride! The Copenhagen Wheel really feels natural and responsive. Acceleration and uphill performance is great. You don’t have to think about it. Shifting gears becomes something you seldom do. Upward pressure in your clips when climbing gives a boost you can feel. Spandex cyclists are blown away by an ancient mountain bike(er) passing them going uphill. My advice; pull off at the top, because they will kick your butt on the downhill. The brake feature will save your pads, but any current generated is not noticeable in the battery charge.
I think the Copenhagen Wheel contributes to safety, in that the rider does not mind slowing down, even if is going to cost a lot of momentum. The acceleration is so much fun that you don’t mind slowing down. A good feature on a combined pedestrian trail. In traffic, the CW’s acceleration lets you clear an intersection and get out of the way.
You will find yourself looking for hills!
Customer Service:
Way beyond excellent. At first, same day email response was normal. The team enthusiasm is noticeable. By this spring, it was two or three days for an email response. And, now it is longer than that, but they do come through. My wheel was replaced with no charge last fall when the clicking noise became worse. All I was told was that it was a “rare mechanical problem”. Turnaround was about two weeks, due to ground shipping. It would have been longer if I had not saved the shipping container, a $40 item. Customer Service volunteered to send me one at no charge. I feel guilty that I ended up with a second charger in the wheel exchange, but that makes the bike a real commuter.
Limited Speed and Range:
Before the wheel arrived, talk was up to 40 miles, depending on conditions. My experience has been considerably less. On the Chehalis Western, a trail defined by Google Maps as nearly flat; in Standard Mode, with no hot dogging; maximum range is under 20 miles. And, realize that as battery condition drops, so does performance. It makes the last few miles of a “Western Junction Turn” a misery.
Superpedestrian has waffled on the speed limit restriction. Initially, it was 20 mph. Then it was 25, now it seems to be 22. I asked Customer Support if these were typical numbers. The response was that the “legal” limit is 25, but it starts reducing assist gradually so that you don’t “hit the wall”. The idea that they can impose restrictions is horrible. For instance; you buy a car and the maker arbitrarily restricts it to 55 mph? And, can change the restriction at will? Call me a Geezer, but I believe that mechanical limitations should be the only restriction.
Weight:
When the wheel is not working it is no fun to ride. I blew an ancient knee getting home the first time the app failed me. The CW needs a special vehicle rack, with bottom support, and is difficult to carry up stairs.
Nits:
Cannot be shipped by air. Lithium Ion Batteries! What are you going to do?
Maybe my feet are big, my heel hits the cheap wheel-stay fastener, bending the loose end, and eventually ruining the fastener. I have used zip tie and tape, but a better fastener might be a cheap improvement.
The power switch breaks my thumbnail almost every time. Cold fingers cannot operate the switch worth a damn. Maybe a little plastic key would help?
Smart(?) phone interface: (Saving the worst for last.)
The “Wheel” android application is invasive, asking for way to many permissions in the phone. If you decline to agree to the Terms and Conditions of this invasion, your wheel will not function.
The trip log seldom works, and would be greatly enhanced with a time line. The third party mapping is terrible(and not constrained by your T&C with Superpedestrian). There is other third party software as well. The bug reporting app, for one. Who knows what evil now lurks in your phone?
If there is no internet coverage the “Wheel” app will not load. This can easily leave you out in the country with an inoperative wheel.
I hereby nominate this piece of software for the Steaming Pile award.
Conclusions:
Fantastic wheel design, but with current limitations it has a very narrow focus. With a 2nd charger it becomes a major commuting machine. I must say, the Copenhagen Wheel is the master of the cross-town commute! Given that this is the niche, there is no need for the map or the tracking, or the security issues. We know where we work!
This Geezer’s recommendation is; Superpedestrian should consider a version of the Copenhagen Wheel that doesn’t require the phone “app”. One more switch on the hub instead. Maybe key operated switches? A version like that, I would upgrade this next Bridgestone in a minute.
I read that Superpedestrian just got a load of money to go into the “city bike” business. https://electrek.co/2018/05/24/copenhagen-wheels-founder-ebike-safer/
We wish them good luck and smooth rides. Frankly, I’m surprised Microsoft hasn’t bought them yet.
And, now for something completely different!
The Heraldo de Aragon published this excellent article about Zaragoza AB
http://www.heraldo.es/especiales/base-americana-zaragoza/
A-400M News
The second A400M destined for Zaragoza AB makes first flight.
http://www.infodefensa.com/es/2017/10/24/noticia-segundo-a400m-espanol-realiza-primer-vuelo.html
And is baptized upon arrival.
Heraldo clipping thoughtfully provided by Sr. G. Arteta
The third A-400M is due at Zagagoza AB this June.
There is other news from ZAB:
The Americans are back!
KC-135 Square D Tankers stationed at ZAB
http://arainfo.org/la-base-aerea-de-zaragoza-vuelve-a-ser-americana/
Exercises and injuries at San Gregorio
A dozen Spanish and American paratroopers injured
I found a photo of our old Central Security Control
This is from a video taken during exercise Trident Juncture in 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ErcDq1nn9w&t=51s
The shot is at 51 seconds in.
Notice they have trees on the flightline. SAC would never have approved that!
Also, this recent aerial photo of ZAB.
Nothing I have seen before!
Found at: http://arainfo.org/la-oposicion-no-impide-que-el-gobierno-ceda-la-base-aerea-a-eeuu/
Rota is a busy place these days too.
https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/04/23/inenglish/1524469967_408328.html
Naval Air Station Rota hosted an “open doors” day, and it was a success.
http://rotadirecto.com/web/noticia.php?codigo=9843
Sr. E. Leal, our friend in Sevilla.
Has an excellent new webspace.
https://sanpablousaf.blogspot.com.es/
Enrique is always looking for information about San Pablo AB.
He has created a model of what the base was like back in the day.
Also, notice the "Historical Traveler" under the "Bases España" button
another excellent review of the American Bases, including AC&W sites in Spain.
That photo is so good I can smell the ramp and feel the carbine on my shoulder.
Recollections of a Combat Defense Force Ramp Rat
Geezer Flight Channel
"7 High" update
http://www.geezerflight.net/RRRCamping_in_Spain.htm
With a little help from friends.
SAC Reflex Operations at Morón AB, March 1963
Photography by Bruce Aro
There was a trio of Buffs on the ramp this March day 50 years ago!
March 1963
1991? Desert Storm
Reward offered for additional photos of this scene, any date.
GeezerFlight@Gmail.com
Some good news! A dvd quality print of
"Strategic Air Command"
is now available. It is a "pan and scan", but good quality.
Can anyone identify the instruments in this shot?
Six turning and four burning!
Or not. Look closely. Four instrument clusters 3by5; lower right of left cluster..
For train fans, here is an amazing AVE cab ride from Madrid to Zaragoza.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raSOQlCphLw
What you don't see? Freight, no freight trains to be seen!
First class on AVE is better than airlines.
In other news from our favorite Air Force bases:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/feb/26/forest-service-fairchild-uncover-story-behind-jet-/
The 384th Air Refueling Squadron, from McConnell Air Force Base
joins "Team Fairchild"
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/mar/23/fairchild-gets-a-third-squadron-of-refueling-tanke/
This is the way I remember Plaza Paraiso. It looks like a very early morning.
Notice the SEPU ad on the tramvia.
A wonderful collection of photographs on Flickr.
Toggle the slide show. This stream is updated frequently.
Thanks and a tip of the hat to Sr. Arteta!
I found this C-54 shot the other day.
Photo dated 1962. No Strategic Air Command or 16th AF markings on aircraft.
My memory says we were still flying C-47's for courier duty in '63.
Visiting Brass, is my guess.
Military Comics Department
Remember Willie and Joe?
The only books in the family library that had pictures.
I still know Bill Mauldin's "Up Front" by heart.
Terminal Lance, by Maximilian Uriarte
Our Basque connection. The first place I went when I heard about the nude photo scandal.
He didn't disappoint.
http://terminallance.com/2017/03/07/terminal-lance-wookieegate/
I started reading the strip again from the beginning. It is inspiring!
“Air Force” doesn’t really make sense in space, since there’s no air, but you guys can be renamed to “Vacuum Force,” because of the vacuum of space.
Pizza MRE, the Holy Grail of downrange eating, gets delayed indefinitely
Flash Flash Flash… Pizza MRE is Baaaaak!
Air Force Blues was BACK!
And now is gone again.
Comics and Commentary by Austin May
also, DAKRATS by Greg Drain
Both inactive. Drop a clue, we worry about you guys.
The Bulls of Morón return!
Los Toros de 3973rd CDS new website.
Now with an update on San Pablo AB.
You might be suprised at the state of things today.
http://3973lostoros.com/moron-air-base/san-pablo/
This Geezer wonders if Uncle Sam is still paying rent?
And, don't forget Otto Kosa's 3973CDS
The A Team on B Flight.
another dead soldier
Bar El Sol, Zaragoza, July 24, 2013.
Photos recovered. Zaragoza chapter photos next week, for sure!
Mañana por la mañana, maybe...
June, 2018
