The Hill and The HSD

A friend thinking about buying an e-bike asked how well my Tern HSD S8i could tackle a hill that would be on his route. So I went for a ride to see for myself!

[@moniqueviau2702]

I always appreciate your videos when you present this wonderful bike. I had a HSD S8i that I just sold to a friend. I am now looking for P5i or P00 (carbon belt). HSD are so handy and wonderful. Never a regret. Thank you Donald. 😊

[@lostinlivi]

Thank you very much for your comment! The greater torque from the motors on the 2nd generation HSDs should make quite a difference to the bike's usefulness.

[@catherinepeele5217]

Great video. I found your channel while researching the S8i, and your review video of the bike (along with test riding one) helped me feel confident about taking the plunge. I live in a similarly hilly area and was divided between the S8i and the derailleur model with the Performance line motor. For me, the S8i has been a perfect fit. The motor is plenty to meet my needs even when fully loaded, and the belt drive is a worry-free wonder. Thank you for your videos and your valuable insights!

[@lostinlivi]

Thank you. I'm glad it helped you make your choice.

[@chrisc7262]

Inspiring video 👍 Nice scenery 👌 (the roads are so narrow 😬)

[@lostinlivi]

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

[@bobalinga]

They are great bikes. There's a whopper of a hill on NCN 4 near Bristol that I struggled on my Gazelle (500 thingy motor and 75 nm torque). I'm not 100 percent certain the S8i would get up it and it wouldn't be impossible to push such a heavy bike. On the Gazelle I was in turbo and lowest gear and having to zigzag and hope I didn't have to stop!

[@lostinlivi]

Thanks for commenting. There's a lot of weight to overcome and in my view most of the leisure/utility type ebikes I've seen and worked on are geared too high for anything other than riding on relatively flat terrain.

[@justride2169]

quite hard to ride at windy track my friend. thank god it e-bike, more power up

[@lostinlivi]

Thank you!

[@johnnyboy-f6v]

Love your videos, Donald. Just take it easy though - you're no spring chick anymore! Just joking... you're fitter than me haha. I always try to place where you are on your excursions but with this I was bamboozled. I know it was near Bangour village but not where that hill was. Is there a possibility of adding a link to a map tracing out the route either in the description or at the end just to act as context placement?

[@lostinlivi]

Hi John. The road up to Drumcross is off the A89 just opposite the Tesco depot.

[@aerz290482]

There is something doing a squeaky sound, I am wondering if is the bile seat?

[@lostinlivi]

I have an old Brooks B17 saddle that's been repaired a couple of times. It tends to creak a bit, that's probably what you were hearing.

[@andrewhayes7055]

hat's the gradient of that hill? doesn't look very steep.

[@lostinlivi]

It's not particularly steep. I reckon about 7%

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

How you can cycle in jeans I'll never know, they are so restrictive. PS... Im out of the saddle on that climb on my road bike and substantially quicker than your heavy ebike.

[@lostinlivi]

It can be quite liberating to discover any bike can be ridden in whatever gear you're wearing and that being first to the top doesn't matter! "Ride, just ride" 😉

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

@@lostinlivi Yes just ride but ride in comfortable cycling specific troos.

[@Alejandro89kg]

I have watched a million videos and have never seen a KZbin video that starts at the thumbnail

[@lostinlivi]

I guess that makes this one, One in a Million!