Has Anyone Bought Or Tried The New Torq Trekking?

[Bradwell]

I would be very interested to hear if anyone has bought or tried the new Torq Trekking. How does it compare to the old one and does it come with the new improved Li Ion battery. Also what improvements have been made to the battery.

John

 

[flecc]

No personal experience, but the changes are improvements to the motor's torque to give better hill climbing, and a change to the included battery's cut-out point to give better reliability there.
.

 

[Bradwell]

Come on, somebody on the forum must have at the very least tried one ?

 

[flecc]

Here's Wai Won Ching's long ride on one:

Trekking ride

but otherwise it's seems it's too new for experience. Coming not long after the similar F series and just before the Kalkhoff, it seems to have been lost in the middle where attention is concerned.

I've searched the forum, but turned up nothing useful other than the above link.
.

 

[Ian]

I live within easy cycling distance of 50cycles but as I am perfectly happy with the two Ezee bike I already own I resist all temptation to try out others, it could get expensive.

 

[coops]

No personal experience here either John, but out of curiousity I checked on endless-sphere forums to see if any there have tried the ezee motor kit now available, in a 26" or 700c (28") wheel, from ebikes.ca, which I think uses the same motor as the Torq trekking? Anyhow, the information from the ezee conversion kit thread is surprising: only 17mph top speed in what appears to be a 26" wheel and with a 40V battery, which should be ~10% faster than a 36V?

I've read here about increased torque for the new motor which is made by Ezee themselves, but does that mean the speed of the motor has been reduced, does anyone know?

If thats not the case, I can only think the battery was rather less than 40V, or that for some reason the bike was limited for 15mph at 36V for some reason: I can't see why it should be the case in the U.S., although ebikes is in Canada & I'm not sure what the speed limit is there, so could the kits be sold 'restricted'?

More questions than answers really, sorry but if the rpm@36V for the motor was stated the speed would be fairly easily calculated for any wheel size & battery voltage.

Stuart.

 

[flecc]

That is weird Stuart, especially as the US new torq motor is a 350 watts one. The Quando using the same 250 watt motor as the old Torq gives 17 mph in a 20" wheel with a freshly charged battery at about 37 volts under load.

Certainly sounds like a limiter in place.
.

 

[coops]

Yes, I thought it might be a limiter too - I'll put the question in case it is: I'm sure he'll be pleased if it can be delimited .

If memory serves, the speed limit for ebikes in Canada is lower than in some parts of the U.S., which might explain a limiter? I'd be surprised if the motors are sold to U.S. customers without informing if they could be delimited though? Anyway, this is all too speculative .

If the Torq trekking is stated to do 20mph+ delimited thoug (haven't checked that) then the rpm can't be too different from the original '8fun' Torq/Quando motor: the improved torque then might be mainly due to improved efficiency or power control at low to mid revs, I suppose?

Stuart.

 

[coops]

Just one thing to add, according to this thread which appears to also pertain to the Ezee motor kit sold by ebikes.ca (with some images of the innards too & details of weights) the 'no load' motor speed is about 1km/h per volt in a 26" wheel, which would be roughly consistent with 22mph no-load & around 17mph on-road speed.

Its not clear whether that speed might also have been measured with a limiter in place too, though, if it exists. However, the ezee motor simulation on ebikes.ca does give a top speed of about 18-21mph for a 26" wheel and 19-22mph in 28", for a 37-41.5V range in battery charge level, so a limiter, battery problem or other cause of performance loss is possibly responsible for the reduced top speed of 17mph.

Since both the battery quality and possibility of a limiter are both unknown quantities with that kit as it is being used, and irrelevant (except for the motor) to the Torq trekking, enough said on it in this thread I suppose . Just a few speculative (& possibly irrelevant) posts to conceal the lack of feedback here on the Torq trekking then, John - sorry!

Anyone with any real experience of it feel free to post .

Stuart.

 

[frank9755]

Back to the Torq Trekking!

The other main difference is that they have fitted it with suspension forks. This is most likely a response to feedback from many users on the hammering that they received through the handlebars from the front wheel motor.

Of course, by far the best way to deal with this would have been to do what Flecc did with his T-bike and put the motor in the rear wheel. Fitting suspension forks is another 'workaround' solution. However the drawback, in my purely subjective and theoretical opinion (as I have not ridden one) is that while this is likely to solve the 'hammering' problem, it is likely to reduce the cycling quality that the original Torq undoubtedly had, giving the bike more of a 'cruiser' feel and making it similar to the F-series bikes. While I can understand why Ezee did this to solve a widely reported problem, I feel the launch of the F-series bikes had already solved it, and that the Trekking marks the demise of the original Torq, which was one of the very few electric bikes with claim to 'classic' status.

If I were Mr Ching, for the next Torq I would persist with the idea of a light bike with motor over-geared in 700c wheels, but put the normal forks back and put the motor in the rear wheel - thereby extending the Ezee range into another segment!

Frank

 

[Bradwell]

Hi again, still wondering if anyone has tried or bought the Torq Trekking yet?
They have been out for a couple of months now, but maybe no one is buying them.
I am beginning to think importing a Wisper Works 905se from Germany is better value for money despite the relatively minor negative feedback they have received on the forum.

John

 

[Ian]

I met a chap at the weekend riding one and had a brief chat, he didn't go into specifics but said he was very happy with it. The lady he was with was riding a Lafree Twist which she said they had owned fron new so clearly they were experienced e-bikers.

This forum only represents a tiny percentage of e-bikers, any model could sell large numbers without anyone on this forum knowing anyone who had one.

Why not try one yourself if you are interested John.

 

[flecc]

There's a bit of feedback here John, and as you'll see, I've asked Paul to post here with further information for you.
.

 

[MR E]

Torq Trekking

I have just had my new Torq Trekking delivered this week , and have not had a chance to get it fully unpacked yet-- apart from charging the battery. I am waiting on daylight and time, so I can pop out and try it.

The reason I went for the Torq Trekkking was that after much deliberation on this forum , this was shortlisted with the Kalkhoff Agattu , and Wisper 905se.

I did also consider the powabike euro, but at £645 for base model and nearly £300 for the battery upgrade- decided this was too expensive , as the components were not at the top end of the specification.

But it seems all electric bikes are expensive .

There were some concerns over the Wisper , and the availability of the new 905se city , but the Torq finally won , and so a quick call to 50 cycles to establish availability , and within a few days it's here.

You may have seen a previous post of mine stating that last summer I ordered an Urban Mover UM44 , but it never came , and then summer went!

Anyway--- new year ---new bike , so will update soon.

 

[Bradwell]

That's great Mr E, hope you get some time and a nice day tomorrow to try it out.
Please let us know how it goes.

John

 

[MR E]

Torq Trekking

John

I have assembled my Torq today and took it for a quick spin.
First impressions are great and looks like a well made bike.

Even my neighbours were impressed by the looks , that they had to have a go .

I think they were talking afterwards of selling their little scooter and get an electric bike!

Anyway it is still early days , but I think if you are considering a Torq Trekking , you will not be disappointed

 

[stokepa31]

Hi All

Sorry for the delay. I've been away.

Where to start! In summary i am really over the moon with this bike. Its my first ebike so I don't have comparisons but from the gripes i've read about the last model I think issues have been addressed.

Speed

Its quick! Im a big bloke (although shrinking fast) but the bike still manages about 22km/h (13.6mph) on the flat just on throttle alone. I have every confidence this would be faster if you were of more standard proportions. Not derestricted it yet as I feel this would result in me getting less of a workout and why would I want to get to work even faster when I enjoy the ride so much.

Gears

Really good. (50 cycles tell me they have been ajusted on this model) Not had the top gear flat out yet but the lower gears are more than adequate for steep hills. not sure how many teeth everything has but it works well. I initially found the shifters a bit fiddely but am fine with them now

Brakes

Front disk brake has resolved any issues. no vibration and stops evenly and quickly.

Comfort

Front fork now has suspension as does seat post. makes for a comfortable ride as long as the road surface is not really rough

Lights

Good visibility although do not "light the way". Now run off the main battery. I have an additional set too for safety.

Battery Performance

I have only just finished the first two cycles of charge so I do not think my data is really accurate as the guff tells you to ignore the first two charges. My commute is four miles each way with heavy throttle use on the way an minimal (just on the hills) on the way back. I got three days (24 miles) on the first and second charges before the red came on. I am now going to keep the battery topped off when it gets to amber.

The Look

The bike is really ok. I got the bike through the cycle to work scheme and my colleageus had been extracting the proverbial for weeks in the run up to delivery. Once they saw the bike the attitude changed to comments like "it looks just like a tourer" & "its quite normal". When they got on it and had a whiz roung the car park they were all mad on it. "Its the future" said one.

Wet weather performance

not really had the nerve to get it wet yet. I need to do some research before I let it loose in fowl conditions as I do not want to break my new bike!

one more thing

this bike is big. im 5 11 and can just get my foot flat on the floor with the saddle right down low. Be warned this is not a machine for the vertically challenged!

Let me know if you have any other questions

Regards
Paul

edit - mudguards are secure and functional!

 

[HarryB]

Thank you Paul for the report, it seems most of the problems of the original Torq have been sorted out at the expense of 'less purity' in the design. Some will hate the front forks but for me it is a must around London.

A couple of points. I am 5'8 (and short legged) and my original Torq is fine and the seat is not at its lowest point. I am sure that the new Torq is the same size so will be suitable for smaller people than myself. It may be that your saddle is too low as you never need to have your feet flat on the floor. You should be adjusting the saddle to suit your pedalling rather than how you touch the ground at a stop. At the end of the downstroke it is better your leg is straight or almost straight to get maximum efficiency and it maybe that you end up on your toes when you stop or lean the bike to one side (this is normal). Sheldon Brown is a good source of info on adjusting bikes. Bicycle Saddles


Also if you have the li-ion battery it is better for your pocket to charge it everytime you use it (if at all possible). This will ensure a longer life for your battery rather than waiting for any lights to go amber or red.

 

[stokepa31]

Thanks Harry

I have my normal bike set up with the saddle ajusted like that but read in the guff that the ebike saddle should be kept low to aid a more upright riding position and thus increase control.

I must confess that I will be upping the height as I do not get full leg extention on the down stroke which I know is V inefficient.

Cheers
Paul

 

[HarryB]

Sorry sucking eggs and grandmothers etc - it was more that I didn't want the short folk (like me) being put off what is a great ebike. For me an ebike should be like normal bicycle but with assistance so I am not sure who told you that it should be adjusted any differently. After all you should be pedalling - although I have seen a couple of ebikes being used as (very, very slow) mopeds.