let's pretend...

[Geebee]

This from the original post:



Those are unlikely to be possible on any mainstream legal e-bike, no matter what hub or crank motor.

I can and weigh a lot more, on a standard Tonaro Esprit

 

[flecc]

I can and weigh a lot more, on a standard Tonaro Esprit

I don't know how the Tonaros are supplied in your Australian location, but here in the UK as standard they are PAS. If the optional throttle is added then a 20% hill is just possible at very low speed as you say.

But a hill restart from a standstill without any pedalling as Helen specified?

 

[Geebee]

I dont have a throttle and don't normaly stop on steep hills as there is no need as you are using no energy, having said that in low I would expect it to pull away ok as her weight is only a tad over 50 kg I was 86.6 kg when I first could not exert any power and still climbed the steep hills around here on motor power only.
Helen said without first pedalling so could most likely give minor assist as the motor started although I doubt even that would be needed.
PAS does not effect hill climbing as you just turn the pedals with no power and it acts the same as on throttle, it only effects starting off.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Tonaros have the connector for a throttle tucked inside the frame, so it's pretty easy to fit one anyway.

 

[Helen C]

Helen, what length is the hill and how much of it is 20%?
I can climb 20% grade inclines on my Tonaro and I can put out close to no power ATM, if it is intermittently 20% it will be a peice of cake if it is long and all 20% it would require similar pedal power as riding on the flat at low speed at worst, correction I just checked your weight (25 kg less than me) it will require no effort to climb a 20% grade but will be slow 7 to 8 kph maybe.
The beauty of a crank drive is that if it is to hard you can swap the sprockets to lower the gearing even further.

Thanks Geebee; the hill is 0.8 of a mile long but I'm not sure how much is 20% - certainly not all of it. There's a much gentler incline for part of it, then it gets steep again. So, theoretically, if I stopped, it could either be on the flattish bit or, I could push it to the flatter bit to restart. And as for being slow to climb, that's not an issue at all - it will be quicker than when I walk up!

 

[Helen C]

I've found that I can borrow an ebike for 2 weeks, for free, under a scheme run by my county council. So this will give me a good chance to try an ebike on the local hills. Haven't found out when I can have one, yet, and it won't be for a couple of weeks because I don't have two clear weeks where I would be able to use it - but I'm very pleased to think I can have a real test to see if I would use an ebike the way I think I would.
Seems like a very good scheme
-H

 

[trex]

we'll wait for your report! it's easy to catch the e-biking bug this time of the year.

 

[jackhandy]

Do you have a choice of bike?

 

[Helen C]

Do you have a choice of bike?

No. The shop decides which of the bikes they have available will be most suitable for your needs. I guess ultimately they hope you'll like it enough to buy one, so presumably take a little care to make it work for you. I'll report back once I've been to the shop.
-H

 

[Geebee]

Excellent news, nothing like an extended trial to help decide what is and isnt important to you.

 

[Helen C]

No. The shop decides which of the bikes they have available will be most suitable for your needs. I guess ultimately they hope you'll like it enough to buy one, so presumably take a little care to make it work for you. I'll report back once I've been to the shop.
-H

I know now that it will be a Giant Twist Lite 2, step thru model. Not a model I would have chosen - it seems to be expensive for its spec and I wasn't looking for a step-thru model. However, I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth - it's free! I'll be getting it on the 26th of May, so will report after a few days.

 

[flecc]

I know now that it will be a Giant Twist Lite 2, step thru model. Not a model I would have chosen - it seems to be expensive for its spec

Giant aren't the cheapest, but their build quality is generally high, possibly why they were chosen for this purpose.

 

[Helen C]

Well, I've had the Giant Twist Lite on loan for a week now. Here are my impressions.
The first thing I noticed is how hard a ride it is! I've never had a bike with suspension but did have a suspension seat post on my hybrid. The local roads have a very bad surface and my wrists and head are aching by the time I've ridden some way. However, that's a fairly small thing and I could probably do something to improve that.
The bike rides beautifully on level ground and moderate hills. I haven't done any long distances as, even with power, I need to get my knees used to the action again but I did 13 miles today and it was great fun, despite a strong wind blowing.
However, this particular bike is not suitable for the final hill of my journey. I struggle to get it up the steepest part and today, with the wind and a bit of shopping, I had to get off and push (not much easier than riding it!!).
So, I have come to the conclusion that I do need a throttle (as I always thought I would) and also the torque sensor is probably not for me, either.
I'm glad I was able to have this free trial (not sure if other councils do this but I think it's a great idea) and it has indeed clarified some points for me. I don't know if a rear or crank drive would have worked out better for me, despite the lack of throttle.
It's definitely got me out and about and not put me off wanting an electric bike. I will have to wait till the holidays are over though.
-H

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I think the clue is in the name "Lite" meaning something short of what you actually want. I guess you had the 24v one that only has a small motor. Different bikes have different power. You need something that gives serious power if you had to get off and push. Have a look at the Woosh Big Bear stepthrough that will arrive in June. They sell quick so bag yours now.

http://www.wooshbikes.co.uk/?bigbear-ls

 

[Helen C]

I think the clue is in the name "Lite" meaning something short of what you actually want. I guess you had the 24v one that only has a small motor. Different bikes have different power. You need something that gives serious power if you had to get off and push. Have a look at the Woosh Big Bear stepthrough that will arrive in June. They sell quick so bag yours

Thank you, Dave. I would prefer a step-over frame but it seems I'm too short (5' 3") for that version of the BB. Also, it seems that I'd have to forgo the suspension seatpost Wonder if I could grow a bit?

-H

 

[trex]

there will be a step through Woosh for 5ft-5ft3 riders in about a month.
It will have 24" wheels and will be called the Santana Petite.