Is it realistic to get an e-bike with a good throttle and good pedals?
Posted by Avarria587@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 51 comments
I haven't owned an e-bike before, but I do own a bicycle and just sold my motorcycle. The bicycle has seen better days and I've been thinking about getting an e-bike.
I loved the feel of a throttle on my motorcycle, but I don't need that much power. I would probably only use the throttle on an e-bike occasionally as I would usually rather pedal.
Is it realistic to find an option that has both a good pedaling system and a throttle when I want to use it? A coworker of mine that has ridden for a while claimed it's usually a tradeoff.
jimglidewell@reddit
I have had a Rad Rover 5 for about 5 years. I have zero problems switching between pedal assist and throttle. I pedal pretty much constantly, but if the current PAS assist level is not enough, a twist of the throttle boosts the wattage going to the hub.
I simply would not buy an e-bike without a throttle - it is far too handy for assist up short hills, starting from a dead stop, very slow riding without pedaling, and a quick boost when your speed starts lagging.
My experience is that I get more exercise, and greater range, by judicious use of throttle versus simply dialing up to a higher PAS level.
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
It's good to know you found the feature helpful. It sounds like a good investment. Going up a hill is one area that I struggle with on a regular bike.
jimglidewell@reddit
If you are pedaling, you will get the higher value of the PAS setting or the throttle. They do not add together - you simply get whichever is higher, up to the 750 watt max.
Note that here in Seattle, there are some hills that I still struggle with at max throttle.
CavalierPumpkin@reddit
I don't own the same model as the person you're responding to, but on mine you can absolutely use the throttle to boost motor output while still pedaling, and I think this is pretty typical for Class 2 ebikes.
thephotoman@reddit
The big problem with throttle is that it forces you into hub drive. That is less than ideal for hilly terrain.
I cannot speak to anyone about how motorcycles feel. I have yet to ride one, but I have explicitly scheduled and paid for plans to change that (alas, it’s gonna be frickin’ June by the time I can take basic motorcycle safety, but I have paid for the class).
A class 2 ebike throttle is mostly useful in getting up to speed. It’s not great to have to ride on, and I only do so in my neighborhood when I’m going home, typically just to give myself time to downshift all the way to storage gear. It’s just the reality of the beast: it can only do 20, and it usually means hub drive (it takes a bit of work to make a mid-drive system that could work as a pedal bike and have a throttle).
Maybe I’ll find an electric motorcycle worth using. I don’t know.
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
Is a hub drive a bad system? I legitimately don't know about the differences.
Bring plenty of water for the class! Depending on where you live, they might provide water and it might not be a scorching hellscape. Wear sunscreen, too. I ended up with severe sunburn and heat exhaustion even with drinking water and wearing some sunscreen.
So you find the throttle isn't something you can depend on fully? Like, you can't twist and go 20 mph?
Electric motorcycles are a mixed bag right now. There's a reason I sold my 525 lb gas motorcycle and am looking at an e-bike. I want something I can avoid paying extra to park and that I can pick up and take inside my apartment.
thephotoman@reddit
Hub drive isn’t bad. It has its benefits:
But there are reasons a lot of users prefer mid drive bikes when it’s an option.
BodSmith54321@reddit
Don’t let the mid drive snobs disuade you and there are mid drives with throttles.
KostyaFedot@reddit
In Europe hub is water unfer the bridge. Among legal ebicycles. But we tend to use them as bicycles. With similar maintenance and repairs been easy.
Not as motorcycles or scooters which are plenty as well. Which we use to go faster with throttle.
rshetts1@reddit
A hub system, just like a mid drive has pluses and minuses but the main complaint about a hub motor is that it does not handle hills as well. I've found the difference to be minor and honestly the delivered torque, generally listed as an NM number is the more important factor. Regardless of the motor if that number is 70nm or higher you should have no problem with most hills. My ebike is a hub drive with 90nm and it tackles hills with ease. Also, while I don't go straight throttle very often, when I do it gets me up to 20 with no problem at all.
dstlouis558@reddit
Heck ya look at rad bikes
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
I have two shops about 30 minutes from me that sell them. Pretty cool. I will look into them. Thanks!
dstlouis558@reddit
Hey man im in chula vista if you ever wanna go for a ride! Hit me up!
BodSmith54321@reddit
Rad is going bankrupt.
iregreteverything15@reddit
I really wouldn't worry too much about this. It will probably be fine for you. But only YOU can truly know if this is going to matter. Some people pick up on subtle differences and some people do not. My wife has a Velotric GoMad. It has a 750 Watt Hub motor, a throttle, and a torque sensor (or cadence sensor, but don't bother with it for pedal feel). I have a Tern GSD. It has a Mid Drive 250 Watt Bosch Motor and is Class I pedal assist only.
To me, the Mid Drive Bosch motor has a much more "natural pedal feel." It feels very close to riding a regular bicycle, but it is much easier. The Hub motor on the Velotric, on the other hand, feels much more "motor" like to me. Even in torque sensor mode it feels unnatural. It's not terrible, but it is a noticeable difference.
But my wife can't really tell difference. To her the Velotric feels just fine.
So don't get too caught up in worrying about pedal feel. Just go out and demo some bikes at local shops. Try out a Hub motor type like Aventon, Velotric, or Specialized Globe Haul and see what you think. Then try a Mid Drive motor, especially a Bosch system. Maybe you will notice and prefer one and maybe you will not. Maybe you will find that don't actually want or need a throttle. Nobody on here can tell you. Only you will know what feels right, and what matters to you.
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
You make a good point. Thank you for the advice! I will see if I can visit one of my local shops and see how each option feels.
Fair-Discipline-1005@reddit
When hill is very steepy, I press throttle and pedaling,the biggest e support, I'm not tyred at all...👍
Forest-Dev-Team@reddit
Would you consider a DIY approach? Or are you set on getting a pre built setup?
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
Definitely a pre-built setup without a doubt. I am not handy in the least and tend to break things when I try.
Fair-Discipline-1005@reddit
Don't buy bike without throttle, this is great help... When i'm on long trips, I press throttle and rest from pedaling my legs... The problem is,new regulations don't alow throttle on the newest bikes,or, throttle are limited on 6 km/h,walk mode, what is very stupid...😂
stormdelta@reddit
Of course, there's no reason a bike can't have a throttle and a good torque sensor, it's just less common on cheaper setups.
I have a DIY setup with direct drive hub + torque sensor, and the response on the sensor is as close to instant as any good mid-drive setup I've ridden.
WelcomeAgitated8327@reddit
Riding e-bikes since April 2019, you’re getting good advice here, I’m on a Velotric Discover 3 and love it. I’m a cruiser, just gliding along enjoying being able to actually see what’s along the path/road, did juice the throttle up to deal with stops, path congestion, etc. Haven’t seen anyone mention the comfort but this bike is easy on the old bod, from grips to saddle to suspension.
Only gripe so far is the crappy integration of rear accessories with the MIK mounting system they’ve added, you will need to go third party.
Overall love this bike, highly recommend
RCLogger@reddit
Look at Aventon and Velotric. Most of their bikes have throttles and good torque sensor systems.
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
Will I be able to get it serviced pretty easily? I know some dealers claim they don't like working on bikes sold online.
Though I did read that Aventon has local dealers now? I will look up Velotric! Thanks :).
niffcreature@reddit
There are also cheaper options which may break more but be easier to repair yourself. It sounds like the features you're looking for are lightweight, torque sending and mid drive.
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
Me with a wrench is a scary, though, lol. I would rather take it to someone to fix. I am the least handy person alive and I usually break things more when I try to fix them.
BodSmith54321@reddit
You have to check your local bike shops. Aventon is sold in 1800 stores in the US. Velotric less but some.
RCLogger@reddit
Both Aventon and Velotric have bike shops
Dapper_Challenge2179@reddit
With the right brand you can have them both being equal. The new Velotric D3 allows you to go in and customize the assist levels and throttle response. So if you want a slow start throttle you can adjust it down or if you want it snappier you can adjust it up. Then you can also adjust each level of pedal assist if desired. It also has the option to switch from cadence to torque sensor so you can ride how you like. Can't say enough about it, fell in love with that bike the other day when I took it out. Already sold on the brand because I have an older model that has been awesome. Definitely check it out at the dealer by you, think you will be happy.
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
It sounds like the perfect e bike. It lets you choose what you want. I am going to call a few of my local dealers and see if they can order me one or are willing to work on one if I order it myself.
Dapper_Challenge2179@reddit
They should probably have one in stock and you can test ride it, all of the velotric dealers around here have at least 1 in stock and more on the way. If you do test ride it though, just know that it is in the default setting and you can adjust to your specs in the app later. Oh and 1 other thing that I thought was very cool is they have a class button on it. It allows you to switch from class 1, 2, 3 or custom on the fly.
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
That is pretty cool! It basically allows you to customize your ride to exactly what you want that day.
Recent_Requirement88@reddit
I agree with RCLogger, I own two Velotric models (a Discover 3 and a Nomad 2, and both have excellent torque sensor (as well as cadence sensor) pedaling systems and throttles, which engage very predictably and smoothly. They're very well made and have support at hundreds of bike shops across the country. Both are also step-through designs, which makes them easy to get on and off of.
g11berg@reddit
I replaced my motorcycle with a Specialized Globe Haul ST. Kind of like an adventure motorcycle but on an electric BMX.
weregeek@reddit
The best combination of throttle and torque sensor that I am aware of if the bafang M series. The m series is available also available in higher output configurations than just about everything else. Troxus has a mid-drive model with this motor that is quite nice.
dfarin153@reddit
You may be looking for a Level 2 (20mph assist cutoff) or a Level 3 (28mph assist cutoff) ebike. Check the regulations where you will be riding before choosing. There is some backlash against emotos that has lumped them together with ebikes.
They come with either a twist or thumb throttle. I may be mistaken, but the resistive springs on throttles may feel lighter on an ebike than you are used to. (Never rode a motorcycle.) A higher quality product will feel smotherer because it uses better software and components that control the degree of assist. The higher you set the assistance, the greater the acceleration when pedaling or using the throttle.
As a bike mechanic, I like the lighter weight Level 2 bikes with a 250 Watt rear hub motor because it will be cheaper to repair/replace than 750 Watt mid drives. Some brands of mid drives have better seals than others, so may not rTe as high for range with the same battery. But something with a UL rated battery and motor.
Customers seem to like the heavier tires and more powerful designs that are huge in the market right now.. They worry about potholes while I plan to dodge them or slow down if I cannot. I ride on paved or crushed limestone bike trails and quiet city streets. My car's tail gate rack can handle the lighter version but not a heavy frame set.
Mysterious-Drawer-30@reddit
Highly recommend trying out an Aventon at your local dealer
Lordly_Lobster@reddit
You can buy ebike mid drive motor kits that have pedal assist AND throttle. So I don't see why you couldn't buy a preassembled ebike with both.
yaboi_ahab@reddit
If you want pedaling to feel good, get one with a torque sensor. They're all a little bit different, but pretty much any torque sensor will be leagues better than any cadence sensor in terms of offering a nice, natural-feeling pedaling experience. Sometimes this even translates into a better throttle experience, since the long input delay on a cadence sensor will also be applied to the throttle on some bikes.
Technically the legal system in some places doesn't allow any throttle on a class 3 ebike, but I haven't heard of any cases of this actually being prosecuted. Plenty of bikes max out at 28 on pedal assist, but are sold with a throttle attached and marketed as class 3.
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
I was reading up on the torque sensor options. I noticed Velotric has a switch and lets you choose. It does seem like that's a good thing to look for. Thank you!
Yeah, I noticed a few options from Aventon and Velotric offer 28mph max speed and a throttle up to 20mph. I'll have to check my local laws and see what restrictions there are.
akaBigWurm@reddit
Velotric is the way to go over Aventon, however with either I would not expect the throttle to be good from a stop. They are fine once you get going.
And the throttle becomes more of an after thought, pedaling can be so effortless if you want to be
NelgRetrac@reddit
I disagree. I always tap the throttle from a dead stop. It allows for some momentum from which to start pedaling.
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
Good to know. I am fine with the throttle being an extra feature added on rather than the focus. I just want it as an option.
i_am_blacklite@reddit
Yes.
Terrible_Task_2462@reddit
Had my full licence 15 years and still have two motorcycles but just bought an e bike for the first time. Total game changer if you want to commute at a relaxed paced and want a choice of light cardio or throttle. I’s recommend a bike with torque sensor and thumb throttle that can be unlocked.
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
The relaxed pace is a big part of it for me. I realized I oftentimes out in the country ride my motorcycle around 30 mph or less if I didn’t have traffic pushing me along.
I had also considered a 125cc scooter, but I want something I can bring inside my home. The use of bike lanes is another bonus.
Terrible_Task_2462@reddit
There’s so many upsides in comparison to an owning a motorcycle like you mentioned. You definitely wont regret it. I’ve already bought a second cargo bike and will likely part with my maxi scooter. I did a lot of research too mostly back and fourth with AI chat and learned a lot which helped me make good decisions.
atlasraven@reddit
You can replace pedals and add a twist throttle yourself fairly easily. So just get the bike you want and then customize it as you like.
Purple-Food-9829@reddit
If you want a throttle buy back your motorcycle .
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
Not helpful.
STIHL_Resolve5198@reddit
Not much of one on steep gradients, you need throttle to barely make it up one here, we have a slope city mostly uphill every direction