A Wet day in Wales

[RichardB]

Russ and I have just returned from Presteigne and I can confirm that it is a long way from most places. It also rained heavily all day long, so those of you who decided not to go are probably feeling very wise.

There was a good turnout of people, several suppliers and a wide range of different bikes to see. The race/rally was a triumph to all the hardy souls who competed, including some very young children. We'll put a full report on the Pedelecs site later, but here are the results of the races.

1st - Ian Johnson riding an Ezee Torque. Ian won both the endurance race and the hill climb event.

2nd - David Henshaw of A to B, who won last year's race.

3rd - Peter Henshaw.

Richard Beniston
Pedelecs UK​

 

[flecc]

Thanks for the preliminary information Richard.

I watched the forecast and weather reports with increasing concern and sympathy for those like yourself who could not avoid going. I hope there was some sort of under cover provision for some of the activities as there was advance warning from the previous days of the forecasts.

Thanks again to you and all the others involved with the day for your efforts on behalf of the electric biking community, they are greatly appreciated.
.

 

[alanterrill]

I went too, and was very saddened to see the rain spoil Pete's hard work in setting it all up. After getting soaked for an hour looking at the stands, I ventured into Presteigne for a cup of tea and the place was deserted -probably how it normally is, but after last years race, when the whole town and more turned out to enjoy the spectacle, it seemed a very dispiriting affair. Even without the rain, the decision to hold the race at 5.30 seems very odd -I can only assume it was to give those who had taken part in the morning's ride a chance to recharge their batteries, but I'd have much preferred a mid afternoon slot. Also the industrial estate was as empty and soulless as any industrial estate on a Sunday afternoon - it may be traffic free, but it can't have been any fun for the participants - riding through the streets of Presteigne last year was fun -lots of people waving and cheering, playing music, and a nip through the churchyard while a christening was taking place. If it's held again, I'd say back to the town, but get the roads closed to traffic this time (not an easy thing to achieve I know, but if the town's shops were behind it, I'm sure it would be possible -Presteigne has a bypass after all.) I stayed to cheer the participants on their way, but didn't stay to the finish as I was soaked to the skin. To those who took part, I salute you!

Alan Terrill.

 

[ITSPETEINIT]

Presteigne rally 2007

My friend John and I enjoyed ourselves immensely. We had debated long and hard about whether of not to go because of the weather. I would have been so disappointed not to have gone - I'm glad we did. It was vastly interesting - exhibits, exhibitors and the rally (race) - even the appalling weather could not diminish the sense of fun we experienced. And what we learned from conversation with those there for any reason.
I (and I am sure, my friend) would wish to thank everybody: The organisers, the exhibitors, the rallyers and not least all the people there who were visiting for the same reasons as myself and friend and those who provided refreshments.
A good day out, notwithstanding...........
Thanks everyone
Peter
PS Congratulations to the winners.

 

[flecc]

Hi
There have been some discussion on the Torqs hill climbing ability, something I personally never ever had a problem with and first place in the Hill climbing shows great testament to our very own Ian Johnson on this forum who claims the same and practised what he preached.

Sorry Scott and Ian, the Torq cannot manage 7% on it's own with an average 75 kilo rider, and a 6% is done rather reluctantly. That's the indisputable machine only facts, where it's bettered by just about any other e-bike. Powerful riders who can keep it up into it's powerband can do very much more of course, capitalising on it's innate speed coupled with their power then to beat any other e-bike, but that is a different matter.

Those of us who through age, fitness or other difficulty no longer have the riding ability we once had are only too painfully aware of this, and any that claim the Torq itself is a good climber has caused others to make mistaken purchases too often, hence the spate of second hand sales.

It would have been good to know the steepness of the Presteigne hill climb, but my inquiring email was ignored.

 

[Flying Kiwi]

Sorry Scott and Ian, the Torq cannot manage 7% on it's own with an average 75 kilo rider, and a 6% is done rather reluctantly.

Many thanks for pointing this out flecc. As you say it's essential that people don't get the wrong idea about the Torqs hill climbing ability (or lack of when it really counts). Additionally, unless we know what other bikes were involved (eg whether there were any Swizzbees or similar high performance/premium priced bikes there as well, ridden by fit riders) I think the placings in themselves don't paint the whole picture. I don't mention this to put a dampener on what was already a wet day but simply because I think it's important people see the whole situation, especially those relying on these forums for an 'independant' source of info regarding the purchase of electric bikes which may sometimes be used on steep hills.

 

[nigel]

Nigel

Its a simple fact that the torq is a very poor hill climber yes? if you maintain your downhill speed ie12mph it will fly up most hills its in it s powerband but start it at the bottom of the hill with no momentum then its very poor i am sure the quando would be a lot better. I am a torq fan for me it ticks most boxes but hills is not one of them.NIGEL

 

[flecc]

Hi

Good job we now have the Forza and Forte in stock for anyone with any doubts on Gearing for the torq.

Regards

50cycles

And I gladly echo that 50cycles, they are a complete answer for provision of a high performance sporty image bike, in that they suit nearly all riders and roads, not just the young and/or very fit.

It's good that your eZee range now has this completeness of abilities available.
.

 

[Grandad]

Next year?

Next year??................ Tour de Blackpool, the next electric bike trade show.

The go faster brigade can add a pickup conductor to connect up to the tram wires.

Burn rubber burn!!

 

[electric.mike]

Grandad

will they have to remove there tyres to get a good contact.

mike

 

[ITSPETEINIT]

Sorry Scott and Ian, the Torq cannot manage 7% on it's own with an average 75 kilo rider, and a 6% is done rather reluctantly. That's the indisputable machine only facts, where it's bettered by just about any other e-bike. Powerful riders who can keep it up into it's powerband can do very much more of course, capitalising on it's innate speed coupled with their power then to beat any other e-bike, but that is a different matter.

Those of us who through age, fitness or other difficulty no longer have the riding ability we once had are only too painfully aware of this, and any that claim the Torq itself is a good climber has caused others to make mistaken purchases too often, hence the spate of second hand sales.

It would have been good to know the steepness of the Presteigne hill climb was, but my inquiring email was ignored.

'It is great that someone, knowledgeable at that, puts a nicely rounded view on the Torq's reported climbing ability. Is it the Torq's climbing ability being talked about, or that of the rider(s)?
I am always amazed that, possibly in their euphoria, riders who have been 'impressed' fail to mention the exact gradient nor their personal profile (weight, age, health and fitness level). Personal sure, but there's no comparative information to appraise otherwise.
One of the speakers at Presteigne spoke of the impact that electric bicyles were making 'out there' and mentioned even 80 year olds as being pulled into the e-market. Not much consolation to them to discover when they try it (in the polder land around suppliers' test routes) and then buy it that it has been over-egged'.
The spin in cycle advertising particularly with the indiscriminate use of "Unsolicited Testimonials" is breathtaking.
The bikes may be 'one size fits all', but the perception of their attributes is not.
Peter

 

[coops]

Grandad & mike

Hahahahahahahaha! rubber saddle/clothing (to prevent shock, or cause shock?!!) optional

Paris-Roubaix eat your heart out!

Brilliant Grandad, that's so funny I can't stop laughing!

 

[ITSPETEINIT]

The Forza and Forte - Climbing

Hi

Good job we now have the Forza and Forte in stock for anyone with any doubts on Gearing for the torq.

Regards

50cycles

Are the statistics for the climbing ability for the Forza and Forte in the public domaine? I have not seen any mention of them.
The rider's gearing is fairly clear and now is comparable with the rider's gearing I have modified on my Torq (40 - 114 inches) which I am beginning to think may have been the precursor to the revision of the rider's gearing applied to the New Forza/Forte.
What of the motor and its capability on hills unassisted? and for a range of weighty riders?
The Forza was "First to the top of the hill" in the Presteigne Hill Climb - by how much? I am now confused as to what proof there is (explicit or implicit) that the Forza is a better climber than the Torq. Agreed that the Quote above does not say so exactly - but then what does it say that not just spin?
Peter

 

[Ian]

Three Cheers For Grandad

Sometimes things can get a little too serious on this forum, however we can always rely on Grandad to come up with something totally non-controversial and very funny

Thanks Grandad

 

[flecc]

The F series has been on the US market for some time now, and derived from consumption/range etc., it's technically possible to make some quite accurate assumptions about the performance when on the UK market version.

They are more powerful than the previous Sprint series motors that we've had here, and that is most likely to be noticed in hill climb ability given that their motor's torque is much greater than that of the Torq bike. Torque is what's needed for hill climbing, not just ultimate power, and certainly not speed.

Ironically, as US dealers pointed out some while ago, the Torq has less torque than the Sprint (hence the former's poorer hill climbing), and ideally those names would have suited better the other way round. However, the Sprint came out years before the Torq and long before it was conceived, so the names could not have been chosen to suit the two.

 

[flecc]

Grandad

And also a thanks from me Jeff, it's great to have our very own resident cartoonist.
.

 

[rsscott]

Presteigne report tomorrow

Hi all,

I will upload a report on Presteigne tomorrow morning, a little later than I had hoped. After my digital camera getting a thorough soaking and throwing up 'card error' on the last photographs of the day, I've managed to recover all the preceding photographs - phew!

cheers
Russ

Russell Scott
Pedelecs UK
​

 

[Tim]

The Forza was "First to the top of the hill" in the Presteigne Hill Climb - by how much? I am now confused as to what proof there is (explicit or implicit) that the Forza is a better climber than the Torq. Agreed that the Quote above does not say so exactly - but then what does it say that not just spin?
Peter

The Forte was in fact first to the top of the hill, followed closely by a Forza if memory serves. The Torq actually managed to make up all the lost ground on the final 1/4 mile or so downhill to the finish line, expertly raced by Ian Johnson who went on to take first place in the electric bike rally on the same Torq! I was in a Torq somewhat further down the field in a bike that had been fitted out for use in wet weather (more of that later).

 

[RichardB]

We've updated the report on the Pedelecs site with lots of details and photographs from the day.

To read the report visit - http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/articles/54/1/Presteigne-2007-Electric-Bike-Rally/Page1.html

​

Richard Beniston

​

Pedelecs UK