Forte or forza

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,152
30,567
The Forte is now permanently restricted to 15 mph and has to be pedalled for power to be applied. It has a low maintenance hub gear. In other words it's a utility bike for general purposes.

The Forza has a de-restriction option which can up speed to 20 mph or a bit more where that's permitted on private land or roads. It can also be operated on twistgrip throttle only, or by power with pedalling only. It has derailleur gears which need more maintenance. It therefore has a more sporting bias.

So the choice depends on your usage and preferences.
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BillM

Finding my (electric) wheels
Aug 26, 2007
12
1
Derbyshire Hills
Flecc, you say "The Forza has a de-restriction option which can up speed to 20 mph or a bit more where that's permitted on private land or roads. It can also be operated on twistgrip throttle only, or by power with pedalling only."

At the risk of causing you to repeat advice you my have given elsewhere -
can a relative novice derestrict & fit a throttle twist....or would it be better taking it back to 50 cycles for a paid for solution?
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,152
30,567
I very much doubt that 50cycles would do the throttle mod, if it's my twistgrip mod you mean, and I'm detailing that below. For legal reasons they wouldn't derestrict. If you mean adding a throttle to a bike without one, I don't know how a user could do that, but 50cycles might be able to change an EAF bike to a throttle only one if you ask.

Derestriction and the split mod of an existing throttle are well within anyones capabilities though. I've just given derestriction details on this posting only today.

The split throttle mod I've detailed on my site here.

The text there is a bit long winded because I've made the mod reversible, but since no-one ever wants to reverse it, you can look at in a much simpler way.

That is, first free and remove the twistgrip rubber. To do that, you can probe between bar and rubber with a slim screwdriver, add a spot of soapy water and twist the rubber to free it and slide it off. Then remove the insulation around the throttle plug connection, unplug it. Then slacken the allen bolt on the twistgrip and slide it off the bar. Now place the throttle on a level surface and with a hacksaw, cut the handle section exactly in half, keeping the saw perpendiculat to get a straight cut. Discard the outer bit.

Now replace the half twistgrip, also loosening the brake lever and moving that in a bit further, so that both are about an inch further onto the handlebar. Now you need some rubber grips. An easy way to provide the swollen part on the twist section is to bind it with PVC insulating tape back and forth to make a mound, then moisten and slide over a section of the eZee handgrip you removed, cut to the half twistgrip length. Now fit any suitable twistgrip rubber to the outer bar section. The one I'm illustrating below on my Q bike was done in minutes in exactly this way:



The only tricky bit in this is getting off the existing rubber grip. If you use a craft knife to cut off the end cap part first, you'll be able to gently slide a slim screwdriver blade a little way between the rotating plastic sleeve and the grip. Lean the bike away from you a little and trickle in a little drop of soapy water. Rotate the screwdriver either way and the blade will wind around inside the grip and it will suddenly free up. You'll then find it very easy to slide or twist off. Always do that before removing the twistgrip from the bike.

Some users prefer the twisting section a bit shorter, as comfort depends on individual hand sizes. As you see, it's easily altered afterwards if it's needed a bit shorter.

Don't hesitate to ask if you need further help with this.
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BillM

Finding my (electric) wheels
Aug 26, 2007
12
1
Derbyshire Hills
Hmmm. But my forza at least has no throttle at all - just the EAF controller dial. The handlebar grips are just that - immovable dumb grips with no
other purpose than being held or gripped (sometimes quite tightly when going too fast downill!). But definitely not a throttle twistgrip.

Or am I missing something?
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,152
30,567
No, you're not missing something Bill. Later Forzas have been supplied with the EAF instead of a throttle.

It's a bit confusing, since the specification of both Forza and Forte has been evolving, so it's impossible to know in advance which you had. I assumed your's might have the throttle.

Last I knew is that the Forza had the derestriction possibility, and the website now confirms that and says only EAF, no throttle.

The Forte was very recently said by 50cycles to now be restricted only, and on the website it confirms that and says with throttle control.

Frankly I find it impossible to keep up with this constant changing and I wish it would settle to something definite and final.

I believe 50cycles can make some changes, but they'd have to confirm that.
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BillM

Finding my (electric) wheels
Aug 26, 2007
12
1
Derbyshire Hills
I think I'll stick with it as is.....it's as much fun as I need .... but
you know these irresistable urges to fiddle with things that men get....Oh well.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,152
30,567
I know the feeling Bill. When I'd finished with one of mine, the front wheel and motor was in the back and the back wheel was in the front.

Now that's fiddling!