I have finally installed the Pademelon on my bike and taken it for the first shake down and dial in ride.
Unfortunately, it is not something you young fellas need to get, I don’t think you should get one at all. You young fellas are best without it – that way I can keep this secret for myself.
This would have to be the best product of ’25 imo. It gives the most significant improvement to performance. It should be a mandatory item on a big travel eBikes. I can see that it would also transform a light enduro bike. Even a downcountry bike will charge harder with one.
We have a front tyre connected to a fork, that is the suspension – the pademelon isn’t suspension, its a damper for the steering (duh, as stated) and this translates to better use of the suspension, better front tyre connection and stability and to better suspension actuation as the fork can cycle more effectively through its travel.
First impressions, big travel ebikes are notorious for waggy their head while riding on fire roads, slightly up to very much more on steep up. Transformation; the bike rides easily along the flats, and calmly on the ups. The pademelon will save you energy and extend your stamina. Rough tech ups, game changer. Command and authority on the front tyre. Cleaning tech on the up is easier. On my test ride, I easily cleared a tech section that I often only just clear 3 times out of 5 – it was cheating.
Initially on slow to mid speed turns the feel was changed and I sensed muted feedback and some front wheel pushes. After a few more kilometres I had the feel of the steering and there no issues and I realised I was looking for the feel of the front jiggling offline on small bumps, na, that tyres staying there and its doing all its gripping right there, no changing and jiggling about.
On the fast corners, on switch backs and tech down – again, new levels of command and authority. This is where it really shines, bright! As I progressed, I leaned in more and more and harder and harder.
The accuracy of the front tyre is entirely new and engaging – surprising and exciting. You can work the front tyre harder and it is observably steadier and more stable – you don’t realise how much the front tyre has been jiggling about, and you think you are going wildly fast because you are ragged. Enter new speed.
Doing scandos, off the charts fun and you can do stupid stuff and slap the back tyre with new accuracy, why – because the front hasn’t moved and it is an exact and accurate pivot reference. Charging down trails and popping from side to side onto support over ruts etc, so so good now. Again, accuracy. This gives you superpowers, its Remy in a box accuracy. This has changed my dh focused bike into a Sports DH bike, it is so nimble now.
Jumping, I get lazy after a few and on pops I can be inconsistent with the bars meaning my landings can be wide of the mark – the pademelon gives great pop accuracy and markedly improves my consistency on pops. This equals more fun and more daring attempts, why, the pademelon gives new command and authority.
Indicative of the silly fun I was having I nailed a KOM on a steep track and I’m still dialling in here. Woohoo, this has injected a new level of fun into the bike.
I only see one problem with the pademelon. When I finally ditch the bike, its going to be messy because I am going to be going so much faster. In everything it does, it will save you energy and you will be fresher as a rider everywhere.
