Hi All
Went for a 5.5 mile trip out on the bikes yesterday at out local reservoir. Me on my 57 diamond, wife on her 45 wave and my daughter in her trail a tot strapped to my bike.
Having spent what seemed to be hours building the thule ride on bike rack, Manufacturing a home made number plate, swapping cars with my mum as she has the tow bar mount for the rack, moving the child seat, fitting the rack, putting the bikes on and packing the trail a tot I was about ready to sleep.
I thought my front tyre needed more air but after ten minutes headscratching over the woods valves I gave in. They will have to go and soon.
We got to Draycote at about 3.30pm and it was sunny but very windy. Trail a tot fits nicely to my 57. This was the first time my wife and I had had chance to properly test the bikes other than a swift two miles I did on delivery day. Indeed it was the first time my wife had used it with the battery installed.
Last week when we went to the same location without my daughter on our normal bikes, we had a row within 200m of starting as she was moaning about legs aching (bent legs will do it every time) and the gears being too difficult. This week within 200m she was beaming. My daughter in the back was screaming with delight at her first time in the trailer and I was loving it.
The bikes are simply amazing. The upright riding position is very comfortable and that panasonic motor works in complete harmony with your input. She found the gears far easier than a drailure set up and even found the pause to change gear fine. Draycote has a few short steep hills and even with the trailer on, the bikes just eat them up. I found that keeping a slow steady cadence seemed to produce the most power from the motor when climbing.
quite a few people came over to look at the bikes when we stopped for a break to let Maddy play but none realised the bikes were electric.
My bike is an 18 tooth srocket and Michelle's is still on the 22. she is more than happy to keep it the same and I think i'm going to stick at 18 having tested some hills.
my bike has now done 7.5 miles, 5.5 of which were towing Maddy. I still have 4 out of 5 lights lit and my wifes is still full after 5.5 miles.
We cant wait to get out again and are thinking of trying Rutland next which is a big ride. I can't see my Torq getting much use from now on. I am definately a convert to the panasonic system.
I give this bike ten out of ten with only those woods valves being pain in the butt. I have since read the woods valves thread and still cant sus them out, so off to the LBS tomorrow for four shraeder tubes.
Went for a 5.5 mile trip out on the bikes yesterday at out local reservoir. Me on my 57 diamond, wife on her 45 wave and my daughter in her trail a tot strapped to my bike.
Having spent what seemed to be hours building the thule ride on bike rack, Manufacturing a home made number plate, swapping cars with my mum as she has the tow bar mount for the rack, moving the child seat, fitting the rack, putting the bikes on and packing the trail a tot I was about ready to sleep.
I thought my front tyre needed more air but after ten minutes headscratching over the woods valves I gave in. They will have to go and soon.
We got to Draycote at about 3.30pm and it was sunny but very windy. Trail a tot fits nicely to my 57. This was the first time my wife and I had had chance to properly test the bikes other than a swift two miles I did on delivery day. Indeed it was the first time my wife had used it with the battery installed.
Last week when we went to the same location without my daughter on our normal bikes, we had a row within 200m of starting as she was moaning about legs aching (bent legs will do it every time) and the gears being too difficult. This week within 200m she was beaming. My daughter in the back was screaming with delight at her first time in the trailer and I was loving it.
The bikes are simply amazing. The upright riding position is very comfortable and that panasonic motor works in complete harmony with your input. She found the gears far easier than a drailure set up and even found the pause to change gear fine. Draycote has a few short steep hills and even with the trailer on, the bikes just eat them up. I found that keeping a slow steady cadence seemed to produce the most power from the motor when climbing.
quite a few people came over to look at the bikes when we stopped for a break to let Maddy play but none realised the bikes were electric.
My bike is an 18 tooth srocket and Michelle's is still on the 22. she is more than happy to keep it the same and I think i'm going to stick at 18 having tested some hills.
my bike has now done 7.5 miles, 5.5 of which were towing Maddy. I still have 4 out of 5 lights lit and my wifes is still full after 5.5 miles.
We cant wait to get out again and are thinking of trying Rutland next which is a big ride. I can't see my Torq getting much use from now on. I am definately a convert to the panasonic system.
I give this bike ten out of ten with only those woods valves being pain in the butt. I have since read the woods valves thread and still cant sus them out, so off to the LBS tomorrow for four shraeder tubes.
