try ebikeblog.org for a fascinating blog about a comparitive test between a torq and a pre production shwinn
I agree that the Swizbee is fast on the flat, you only need to read their claims about speed on their website and have seen how well the only Swizbee did in the 2006 Presteigne event to know that. I'm surprised to read your hill climbing comment - especially for a bike designed by a Swiss/German company! Do you have a link to a reputable source of info about the Swizbee's hill climbing performance please flecc? Was the report based around a user fully conversant with the Swizbee's variable motor assistance controls (additional to the throttle). I think I'd still much rather have a motor drive through the gear train (as on the Swizbee) than a hub motor with permanent gearing.As I assumed, more about speed on the flat than climbing, similar to the Swizzbee performance.
OK thanks for clarifying that you've not seen an independent full review on a website stating as much. Personally, I'd prefer to rely on such reviews or else personal experience before assuming anything at all negative about this bikes hill climbing ability.As I've posted before Kiwi, just quoting experience previously read online. I've no idea of the validity of that any more than anyones experience of any other bike. At least they rode it, more then either of us have done.
Just as a high power consumption hub motor wont necessarily make a bike good at hill climbing, the determining factor is the efficiency of the system which is determined principally by the level of skill shown in its design and manufacture. I think it's important to point out that there are many aspects of electric bikes that aren't under the riders direct control (like the Swizzbee setup) but that in the end the rider still has overriding indirect control.I'm sure you'll agree that a bike driving through a remote variable gearing system not fully under the rider's control doesn't necessarily mean it will be good at climbing,
Firstly I'm not convinced there is a lack of climb capability but I'm open to being persuaded otherwise with good sound independant report results. Secondly I dont think the motor could be a weak point at all. The Swizzbee website states that a very reputable brand Heinzmann 270 Watt motor is used on the bike and thats more powerfull than the motors on all the electric bikes that are legally permitted to be ridden on the roads here in the UK (excluding any manufacturer induced 'variation' with regards to the 250 watt legal limit).any lack of climb ability could also be due to the motor and nothing to do with the gearing system.
Is the bike deliberately being withheld from reviews? If not, I dont believe it is fair to blame the manufacturer. I know there's the famous case of Rolls Royce prohibiting reviews publishing power outputs of its cars motors or fuel consumption figures but I didn't think that sort of thing was applied to the Swizzbee. I could understand magazines having reservations about reviewing it simply because it's very much a niche product which will only ever be owned by a very small segment of the population. On the other hand, many people love to buy magazines containing exotic car reviews just out of interest to see what those owners must 'endure'.It's also fair to say that when a bike isn't available for reviews that we can read, one is entitled to speculate on such evidence as is available, and the manufacturer has only themselves to blame for that.
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I agree that an impartial review is much needed. I'm sure those involved with a particularly fast on the flat hub motor powered bike will be keen to know if there'll be Swizzbee's in the event again. I think that, as with the course, it's best if it's all just sprung on riders on the day. A major advantage of this to the potential buyer is that it doesn't give those involved much time to modify/customise their bikes to a specific course and thus the truely flexible bike will have a distinct advantage.Does anyone know if the Swizzbee will be making an appearance at Presteigne next month ?