Zuletzt aktualisiert | last modified: 3. September 2024

Startseite | English | The ElliptiGO SUB

Short description

The small stand up bike (SUB) is no longer available as a new bike. Successor models are the RSUB for the road and the MSUB for use on unpaved roads.

Like the elliptical models, it has 20 inch wheels, but – like the RSUB – a crank, comparable to normal bicycles and an 8-speed derailleur.

Technical data

Tables for gear ratios and speed can be found in the German version of this article.

Summary

In summary, the SUB is the most compact and lightest of my three ElliptiGO. It can easily be taken with you in most cars if you remove the handlebars and front wheel. It also fits easily into a small apartment.

It was the most affordable ElliptiGO model and requires little maintenance. Due to the lack of gear ratios, training on hilly terrain can put even more strain on the knees than is the case with my other two bikes.

The bike is great for the city, especially if the surroundings are rather flat.

For me, it’s a pity that the SUB no longer exists.

Operation and practice

The SUB can make a lot of fun, and you can achieve a very good training effect with it.

As with the 11R, you initially feel a bit wobbly because of the small wheels. With a little practice, the SUB can be driven easily and safely, also on field and forest paths, especially because the pedaling is more familiar than with elliptical bikes.

At first I used the SUB on hilly terrain and rode between 20 and 40 kilometers per training session with up to 700 meters of ascent each time. I found that to be strenuous enough.

I’ve been riding the SUB for over 1000 kilometers in a relatively flat urban environment now. Here you can easily manage over 50 km.

Terrain

Since I bought the SUB used and quite cheaply – it was initially intended as an alternative training device for the 11R in bad weather, I don’t necessarily care about maximum value retention of the components when riding it, but rather about riding fun. I use it as a kind of gravel bike, often on rougher roads. The move to the city has hardly changed anything, because the local bike paths are usually in a worse condition than the field and forest paths at home.

With the 20 inch wheels and the lack of suspension, its off-road capabilities are of course not comparable to the MSUB. You should be careful and take it a little slower, especially on steep descents on unpaved paths. When in doubt, it’s better to push the bike uphill if the wheels start to spin or the lowest gear is not enough. The SUB off-road is a compromise.

Gearshift

In profiled terrain, I find the eight gears of the gearshift and its gear ratio just enough. On steep forest paths I miss at least one mountain gear ratio and the speed could be a bit faster on descents. But the gearshift is an all-rounder and should probably be enough for most SUB owners. In the city and in a flat surrounding, it is ideal for the small vehicle.

On a straight road you can easily reach speeds of up to 25/30 km/h, and an average speed of around 20 km/h can be achieved even on hilly roads.

Tires

Instead of the serial tires, I wanted an all-round model that roll well on the road, have good grip on unpaved roads and accept a relatively low pressure so that it remain reasonably comfortable on rough roads despite the lack of suspension.

The range of available 20-inch tires is manageable. There are some for BMX bikes and many for kids bikes, usually without puncture protection. In the FAQ, the manufacturer recommends a maximum tire with of 20×1.5-1.75″.

After my research, there were still two models from Schwalbe left, the G-One Speed and the Marathon 365. Since the G-One Speed is much more expensive, I had read that it wears out quickly, and I don’t really like the small knobs, I ended up choosing the Marathon 365 in size ETRTO 40-406 | 20×1.50″. The Marathon 365 tires are actually all-season tires and intended for commuters who drive to work in any weather. With Green Guard equipment, they offer comparatively good puncture protection.

I haven’t regretted the decision. The tires roll very well on asphalt and can handle almost any field or forest path, even steeper ones and even at higher speeds. However, with coarser gravel, loose stones and sand, they reach their limits. The fact that they are quite narrow also contributes to this. A moderate speed is recommended, especially when descending on gravel roads or sand.

Schwalbe specifies the pressure range as 3.0-6.0 bar. On dirt roads, I ride at about 3.5 bar, which compensates some of the shock, makes the ride more comfortable and reduces knee strain. The tires have also proven themselves in the city, but with a slightly higher pressure of 4 bar.

The tubes are Schwalbe SV7 with Sclaverand valves. I haven’t had a flat tire yet.

Maintenance and wear

The SUB is similar to normal bicycles in terms of maintenance and wear. Since it doesn’t have a suspension fork that requires maintenance, it’s the least maintenance-intensive of my three bikes.

There is list of torques and a list of maintenance schedule in the operating instructions.

The maintenance intervals depend on the time and a defined usage environment. In my opinion, the replacement specifications for wearing parts should be critically examined for sustainability reasons. Replacement should take place when the parts are actually worn out. Safety-relevant components, such as brake cables and pads, require timely replacement.

The manufacturer’s support videos help with the work.

Chain/ Chainring

The SUB has a front chainring with 60 teeth and a 130 mm bolt circle for five arms. The chain is protected from falling off with a chainring guard on the outside and a chain keeper on the inside. My chain has never fallen off. There is a support video about adjusting the chain keeper. If the chainring is worn out, a replacement is available in the respective ElliptiGO online shops. By the way, the same chainring can be used to increase the gear range for the elliptical bikes.

The first chain on my SUB has reached the 1 mm wear limit after almost 1400 kilometers. I replaced it with a suitably configured replacement from the German ElliptiGO online shop. Like the original, it was a YBN model. After the second chain didn’t last long either, I installed a KMC e8 EPT. This one runs and shifts much more smoothly than the YBN chains, but it did come off the chainring once on a very bumpy bike path. It remains to be seen whether it will last longer.

I clean and lubricate the chain on the SUB as needed, at least every 200 to 300 kilometers.

Gearshift/ Cassette

The Altus RD-M310 rear derailleur is not one of Shimano’s top models, but it shifts extremely precisely and is surprisingly robust.

It has a Shimano CS-HG41-8ao cassette, whose largest sprocket has 34 teeth (11-13-15-17-20-23-26-34T). The smallest 11T sprocket is loose and should be able to be purchased and replaced individually if necessary.

This cassette is dismantled and assembled using a standard, Shimano-compatible lock ring tool.

The rear derailleur and cassette are identical to those of the RSUB. Shimano has published technical documents on the components of the gearshift.

Brakes

Similar to the Long Stride models, the brake installed depends on the model year. My SUB has the same standard Tektro V-brakes as my 11R and there is a sufficient brake performance of the SUB either.

The brake pads need to be checked from time to time, but they last very long. A support video shows how the brakes can be adjusted.

Hubs

After only a total of 1,800 kilometers – if the mileage information was given to me correctly from previous ownership – I noticed that the wheel bearing of the Pro Lite rear wheel hub had significant clearance and was also running a bit rough.

After disassembly, the cause was found to be a damaged bearing ball…

…and – as a result? – an asymmetrically worn cone nut on the cassette side…

The hub itself and the cone nut with dust cover on the other side were undamaged.

After replacing all bearing balls and the damaged cone nut, the wheel runs perfectly again.

I couldn’t find any original Pro Lite parts anywhere. However, it is an M10 axle with a standard length of 146 mm. Individual parts of the Shimano hollow axle for FH-M475 or certain M10 cone nuts from Shimano (e.g. for FH-A550/416/551/410) are suitable as replacements.

The rear hub bearing balls are standard 1/4 inch, 6.35 mm. Nine balls are needed for each side.

I also inspected, cleaned, re-greased and adjusted the front wheel hub, it showed no damage.

Startseite | English | The ElliptiGO SUB

Please note…

(Bike) ohne Sattel [without a settle] is a private, non-commercial project that has no connection to manufacturers, importers or dealers. I am a user only. This website is of German origin and subject to the relevant German legal framework. Please excuse any inaccuracies in the translation. The use of my hints, instructions and recommendations is at your own risk, I assume no guarantee or liability for this! Each user is responsible for complying with the relevant local technical and traffic regulations!

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