Luxembourg rental ebikes question --- where to find the type of bike that I'm looking for?
Posted by catboy519@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 8 comments
I will be soon going on a vacation to Luxembourg. Once there, I might want to rent an ebike. Problem is: due to some health problems I cannot pedal much so a bike that purely relies on torque sensor won't cut it for me. I don't know exactly how hard I pedal but the point is: Because 10 watt + 400% is still only 50 watt only, and given that I want to climb hills, that just won't work. I need an ebike that will consistently do 250w whenever needed, without requiring me to pedal hard.
So thats gonna be either a rotation sensor ebike, or a specific type of torque sensor ebike that also has a mode for full power regardless of near zero pedaling.
So mostly likey I'm gonna need a rotation/cadense sensor ebike.
Then the second problem: I will probably need a mid drive motor, because hills require alot of torque.
Third problem: as far a I know, bikes with the combo of rotation sensor + mid drive motor are very rare.
The point is: I want to rent an ebike that can climb hills properly, even when I pedal 1 watt only.
I don't have a drivers license so no, a moped isn't an option.
chuckwolf@reddit
Even torque sensors don't multiply your own effort, they add a set amount of wattage to your own effort depending on the assist level.
So it isn't 10 watts of pedal input being turned into 50 watts in PAS 5, it's your 10 watts of input plus the 250 watts the motor produces in PAS 5.
At least that's maintaining 25 kph on flat ground, if you're climbing hills the motor can actually double or even triple the wattage depending on the controller and still be completely legal.
Also a cadence sensor bike with a rear hub will do everything you need under those conditions.
Worried_Document8668@reddit
stuff like bosch, shimano,avinox or specialized absolutely work in percentage multipliers and not fixed wattages.
the percentage will vary depending on mode and top out between 400-600% depending on motor.
some modes also forgoe a fixed multiplier in favor of a dynamic curve depending on torque applied and cadence
catboy519@reddit (OP)
Guess that depends per bike. Not every bike works the same way. Ive rented multiple torque sensor ebikes including bosch systems and they generally struggle (with power) to go faster than 15km/h unless there is tailwind.
DJKaito@reddit
Bikes with a Shimano or Bosch Motor is very common and mid drive motors are the standard here in Germany and is wouldn't be different in Luxemburg. With Bosch depending on the System 625 wh is the biggest you can get with the BES2 and 750 with the BES3 gen 4 what they may have as rentals. The CX has 75 or 85 Nm depending on the System and motor generation. This is more than enough to get through everything.
catboy519@reddit (OP)
As far as I know, Bosch ebikes arent good for people who cant pedal much. Ive ridden on rental bosch bikes before and even using the highest assist, I had to pedal myself into utter exhaustion just to hit 20km/h on the flat.
When I rent an ebike on vacation, the goal isn't to exercise. Its to have a vehicle that can drive a decent speed (25) without requiring me to pedalhard.
DJKaito@reddit
Bosch is the main shareholder as an E-Bike motor. With the Gen4 or Gen5 you don't have really any big problems. Otherwise try getting a Brose motor. They are very light pedaling.
eksistemi@reddit
omg if you're looking for a bike that doesn't need hard pedaling, check if they have throttle-assist models! i rented one last summer that let me cruise uphill with minimal effort and it was a lifesaver for my bad knee.
catboy519@reddit (OP)
You not in Europe? Because in a lot of EU countries, ebikes arent allowed to have a throttle.
Although some ebikes can legally "simulate" a throttle by using a rotation sensor / cadence sensor , which only requires you to pedal a tiny little bit and the motor will go full power.