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I'm a recent Charge Plug owner too - also got a 2nd hand one for £150, and having great fun on it as my first intro back into cycling (and as a single speed too). It's a stylish bike too, mine has the blue frame, with the matching brown handlebar tape and spoon seat.
Was bought more as a pub bike but now looking to see what it can do on longer rides, so looking at upgrades. How has the KMC Z510 chain been for you in the long-term?
Also do any Plug owners know the best mudguards to look out for? I have a crappy rear guard that bounces way too much
Minor9th-
I am about a year in and have the same one. The dark blue with the brown saddle and bullhorn bars. I have put a lot of undulating Yorkshire miles on it. I like it a lot and for lots of rides don't miss gears. Here are a list of thoughts and learning from it.
- No bosses for mudguards. So went for the SKS Raceblade Long. But you need to file the part that attaches to the axle as they are designed for quick release axle thickness. These work well except for the little bit of mudguard on the front which over time kept flying off so I don't have it on now. Clearance for 28mm tyres still with them on.
- Tyres schwalbe marathon plus are brilliant. 28mm and bomb proof but surprisingly quite a quick tyre.
- Freewheel halo clickster really good just keep it oiled. Lie bike on its side and seep some oil in the crack as it were.
- Chains. No idea if this is simply the lumpy terrain I ride but i seem to need a new one at around 1000 miles. Strange after my geared bike where a chain can do 4000 miles. Tried various KMC chains and all last the same so now just getting the B1 wide as it is cheap and lasts the same as any others twice the price. I left one chain a little too long and in the winter grime it munched the teeth on my freewheel and turned them into ninja stars even though I clean and relube regularly. So I will probably change chains more routinely from now on as the B1 us only about 6 quid.
- Also have found it hard to keep the chain from going too loose as the wheel is edged forward by pressure on the pedals. So now I am using tensioners combined with halo nuts which hold things just a bit firmer and can keep the chain at the right tension.
I have piled the miles on it in the last year. Upwards on 5000 miles. Most days a typical ride where I live at lunchtime us 16 miles and 1400 ft of elevation. I can't get over stretches of over 16% without bailing unless they are short. No trips into the Dales on it. I have done 140 miles in a day on the flat in a group ride and kept an 18mph average so it rolls well on its day. Enjoy it.
- No bosses for mudguards. So went for the SKS Raceblade Long. But you need to file the part that attaches to the axle as they are designed for quick release axle thickness. These work well except for the little bit of mudguard on the front which over time kept flying off so I don't have it on now. Clearance for 28mm tyres still with them on.
Nidderdaler
Maybe this is very specific thread but would be interested to share experiences.
Let me start with some questions:
How fast have you taken a descent so far and have you experienced any wobble from the forks at speed? I have probably not gone over 32 miles per hour so far as I am still getting used to the feel of it.
Has anyone employed a solution of where to put a bottle for longer rides? So far I have used the back pocket.
Any recommendations for better brake blocks than the ones standard with the Tektro Calipers these have. Wearing out fast in winter.
So far after a few weeks and 600 miles I am really liking the Plug for all riding except proper hilly Dales country where 42x16 is not low enough. I have replaced the Dicta Freewheel with a Halo Clickster and the chain is now the KMC z510. The revelation to me is a rolling countryside ride of 50-60 miles is absolutely fine on it and not a slow average speed at all. At £150 the least I have ever spent on a bike (for me anyway) but getting so much pleasure from it.