is it only expensive bikes that have throttle mode no need to peddle?

[footpump]

hello all being a novice as regards ebikes, I can understand that you have to peddle and have various levels of assistance.
what I assumed is that you could turn off the peddle assist, and use the throttle to go along similar to say a moped so saving my legs when they ache a bit.
it appears that the throttle on my vita uno is only there to get me moving from stationary?

so are there any bikes from say woosh that have this (no peddling /throttle feature) or does one have to go for the expensive german ebikes.

thank you all

 

[trex]

Most German bikes do not have throttle. Some German bikes (Kalkhoff) have startup throttle to help you at traffic lights or changing gears on hills, they can get up to about 12 mph - plenty to get you going.
Almost all Chinese bikes have throttle. The ones with LED display can go up to 12mph on throttle, the ones with LCD display can go up to their maximum setting with throttle.
You need to check the specifications of the bike to be sure.

 

[D C]

I believe Cyclotricity bikes have full speed throttles the same as their kits.

 

[amigafan2003]

If you want a bike with a throttle then easiest way is to just buy a kit and adapt an existing bike.

"Throttle only" isn't EU compliant, that's why you don't see many with that function.

 

[superDove]

Is it possible to change the soft start on a throttle based ebike like a Woosh Bike or similar? I've test ridden a couple and felt vulnerable in traffic due to the slow response.

 

[superDove]

Sorry let me clarify that. If I pedal without power the bike is heavy and slow to get going. If I pedal there's a gap before the motor kicks in so it's slow again. If I used the throttle there seemed to be a gradual application of power which probably protects the motor and drive train but again leads to a slow start. Slow starts make me nervous in heavy traffic. So if I wanted a throttle if also want one that gives you the option of a quick start. Is this possible?

 

[trex]

I don't think you can change the behaviour of the throttle on Chinese bikes.
It is not programmable by the dealers and it will remain slow start to avoid panicking riders. Only bikes with torque sensor will give you instant push off.
Almost all German bikes have torque sensor.
The only current Chinese bike with that function that I know of is the Woosh Sport TS. It uses a motor from XOFO with built-in motor torque sensor.

 

[Kudoscycles]

hello all being a novice as regards ebikes, I can understand that you have to peddle and have various levels of assistance.
what I assumed is that you could turn off the peddle assist, and use the throttle to go along similar to say a moped so saving my legs when they ache a bit.
it appears that the throttle on my vita uno is only there to get me moving from stationary?

so are there any bikes from say woosh that have this (no peddling /throttle feature) or does one have to go for the expensive german ebikes.

thank you all

Foot pump,the addition of the full speed throttle is not about price it's about the area in which the bike was intended to be sold. All of the Bosch engined bikes do not have full speed throttles (that is up to 15.5 mph).there are some which have a get you going facility but this only works up to 4 mph.
Your Vita bike is the same,up to 4 mph.
The only bikes that have throttles are those which were intended for sale exclusively in the UK....throttles are illegal in mainland Europe. The use of the full speed throttle is also a bit of a grey area as far as legality is convened but our government seem not to care too much until they sign up to EN15194 (the legal European standard)...note your Vita bike has been built to EN 15194,it is both a legal and quality standard.
Trex,our Kudos Arriba and Escape 29 er bikes both have torque sensors,it is that which separates them from the Tornado and Typhoon 29er ,which are both speed sensors.
KudosDave

 

[mike killay]

I don't think you can change the behaviour of the throttle on Chinese bikes.
It is not programmable by the dealers and it will remain slow start to avoid panicking riders. Only bikes with torque sensor will give you instant push off.
Almost all German bikes have torque sensor.
The only current Chinese bike with that function that I know of is the Woosh Sport TS. It uses a motor from XOFO with built-in motor torque sensor.

I must differ.
Both my Woosh Gale and Tonaro Enduro give full power at a twist of the throttle.
The slow start is only with the pedelec.

 

[Willber G]

I must differ.
Both my Woosh Gale and Tonaro Enduro give full power at a twist of the throttle.
The slow start is only with the pedelec.

My Woosh Zephyr is the same, up to 12mph.

 

[mike killay]

My Woosh Zephyr is the same, up to 12mph.

My Gale tops out at 12 mph (20 inch wheels), but the Tonaro will go up to 18mph

 

[Cyclezee]

All eZee bikes and retro fit conversion kits are bi-modal, i.e. they have both pedelec assist and throttle for up to 25 Km/h or 15.5 mph in the UK.
In mainland EU pedelec assist is to 25Km/h and throttle to 6 Km/h
The same applies to Heinzmann and Falco kits.
Front motor Ansmann bikes and kits have a 6 Km/h assist button but no throttle.

 

[Kudoscycles]

In reality the throttle above take off speed is somewhat redundant,bikes with a torque sensor on max pas setting (normally high or 5) require very little effort to yield the maximum power of the motor and in circumstances that require some effort from the rider ie up steep hills, you would have to put some effort in (even on BPM motored bikes) so the throttle becomes somewhat redundant. I know of no legal e-bike that will go up steep hills using only the throttle.
KudosDave

 

[mountainsport]

Is it possible to change the soft start on a throttle based ebike like a Woosh Bike or similar? I've test ridden a couple and felt vulnerable in traffic due to the slow response.

Good question superDove.

MS.

 

[mountainsport]

Sorry let me clarify that. If I pedal without power the bike is heavy and slow to get going. If I pedal there's a gap before the motor kicks in so it's slow again. If I used the throttle there seemed to be a gradual application of power which probably protects the motor and drive train but again leads to a slow start. Slow starts make me nervous in heavy traffic. So if I wanted a throttle if also want one that gives you the option of a quick start. Is this possible?

I had clearly understood you the first time.

MS.

 

[hoppy]

In reality the throttle above take off speed is somewhat redundant,bikes with a torque sensor on max pas setting (normally high or 5) require very little effort to yield the maximum power of the motor and in circumstances that require some effort from the rider ie up steep hills, you would have to put some effort in (even on BPM motored bikes) so the throttle becomes somewhat redundant. I know of no legal e-bike that will go up steep hills using only the throttle.
KudosDave

My Tonaro Compy 200 watt climbs 20% on throttle only.

 

[flecc]

I know of no legal e-bike that will go up steep hills using only the throttle.
KudosDave

The best hub-motor e-bike I've ever known was the original eZee Quando. My one throttle only would take my 70 kilos up 14% at about 8 mph and do a throttle only restart from a standstill on 12%. David Henshaw of A to B magazine who was a similar weight found the same, and described the Quando as just flattening hills.

Nothing else rated as legal that I've ever tried compared for motor only climb ability. The downside was 24 Wh per mile on average, about double the average for most e-bikes.

N.B. Current Quandos have the controller current limit one third lower so will not climb the same, though will have much better range.

P.S. Of course crank drive motors can do better at low speeds if geared low enough, but few have throttle options.

 

[mike killay]

My Tonaro Compy 200 watt climbs 20% on throttle only.

So does my Enduro

 

[Willber G]

The best hub-motor e-bike I've ever known was the original eZee Quando. My one throttle only would take my 70 kilos up 14% at about 8 mph and do a throttle only restart from a standstill on 12%. David Henshaw of A to B magazine who was a similar weight found the same, and described the Quando as just flattening hills.

Nothing else rated as legal that I've ever tried compared for motor only climb ability. The downside was 24 Wh per mile on average, about double the average for most e-bikes.

N.B. Current Quandos have the controller current limit one third lower so will not climb the same, though will have much better range.

P.S. Of course crank drive motors can do better at low speeds if geared low enough, but few have throttle options.

That is very impressive for a foldie, my Woosh Zephyr wouldn't manage that!

 

[Cyclezee]

In reality the throttle above take off speed is somewhat redundant,bikes with a torque sensor on max pas setting (normally high or 5) require very little effort to yield the maximum power of the motor and in circumstances that require some effort from the rider ie up steep hills, you would have to put some effort in (even on BPM motored bikes) so the throttle becomes somewhat redundant. I know of no legal e-bike that will go up steep hills using only the throttle.
KudosDave

I'm afraid that I disagree with your statement that throttles are redundant Dave.

Apart from the fact that several legal bikes have the ability to climb quite steep hills on the throttle only, it was pointed out to me by a customer only yesterday that trying to negotiate some tricky low speed mountain biking manoeuvres with pedelec only would be impossible without a throttle regardless of whether the bike has a torque sensor or not

Another instance where a throttle is invaluable is when riding a bike with derailleur gears in traffic then having to stop quickly without having time to change down to a low gear, a throttle helps to get you rolling easily again.

Of course I do realise that the perfect highly skilled rider would have no problem coping with any of these aforementioned issues and could anticipate every possible circumstance in which case the throttle would be redundant

Will the perfect rider please please identify him or herself?