New Forza is the real deal.

[hobo1]

I purchased a torq 3 months ago; unfortunately for the hilly area I live in it just missed the mark. I won't go any further as it has already been discussed many times over on the forum. I still enjoy riding it, though I am limited to where I ride. I suppose its horses for courses, & mine isn't the right one.

The F-Series was introduced a couple of months after my Torq purchase. It did look like the bike that would suit me: and being a good Yorkshire man I had to think long and hard before been separated from some more brass. I did take the plunge & the Forza was delivered.

Ezee & 50cycles really have hit the spot with the new Forza: I love it! It rides, handles & brakes beautifully; a real joy. The performance & hill climbing is top notch. The motor is smoother than and not as clunky as on the Torq. The brakes are much sharper with no front judder. The only gripe I have is the Assist Factor Conrol (power knob) positioning. To get the smoothest performance & battery life the power & gears need to be used in unison. So I have had to move it from a more cental right position to the left handside & secured firmer. It now can be used with the left thumb, while using the right thumb for gears. I actually find it better than the twist throttle on the Torq.

It has been an expensive bike year, but the end result has been worth it. (No holidays this year).

Thanks for all the knowledge & advice you all give on the forum.

David.

 

[rsscott]

Hi David,

glad you are enjoying your new bike. So once we had a "two-car family", now we have a "two-bike family"

I'm still waiting for info on this new assistance factor, can you explain to the benefit of all how it works in operation?

 

[hobo1]

Hi David,

glad you are enjoying your new bike. So once we had a "two-car family", now we have a "two-bike family"

I'm still waiting for info on this new assistance factor, can you explain to the benefit of all how it works in operation?

Three bike family Russ: I have a Marin that I have had to stop riding due to giving myself patella tendinitis. Thus electric bikes.

The Assist Factor Control sounds very elaborate, but is just a control knob that can be pre-set numers 1 to 8 increasing power or just twist & use as ordinary throttle control. There is no E-bike switch, its just pedelec.


Cheers David.

 

[hobo1]

Hi all

There is a test report on the F-Series in the latest A to B magazine. You wil then be able to get a more authorative, in depth look at the new models.
If you were allready aware of this sorry.

I hope they agree with my comments or I will look a right burk!

Cheers David.

 

[flecc]

Hi all

There is a test report on the F-Series in the latest A to B magazine.

I hope they agree with my comments or I will look a right burk!

Cheers David.

No you won't David.

I've disagreed with your namesake at A to B on different occasions previously, and think I've been proved right on occasions. It's all subjective after all, and what's wonderful for one may be horrible for another.

I'll be interested to see their view on it being pedelec only, not something that suits me. If the battery runs out to a trickle and a very steep hill has to be walked up, I'd normally use the throttle to drive the bike slowly while I walk alongside. It seems you can't do that if it's pedelec only.
.

 

[hobo1]

Hi Flecc.

I always have the greatest respect for your opinions, & have learnt a great deal from you. That is a very good point you make about the pedelec only: 5 to 1 on Your right.

I have only used the E-bike once on the Torq just to try it out, since then I have always used pedelec. I have not run out of juice yet: if I had I think the penny would have dropped when I had to push it any distance up hill.

The Forte is Tri-mode though for anyone who wants it. But then the good brakes go, and different gearing. Perhaps a Fortza would be the answer.

By the way the forza was Tri-mode when I ordered it, & was changed somewhere down the line. I wonder if the bike A to B tested is that model.

Cheers
David.

 

[flecc]

By the way the forza was Tri-mode when I ordered it, & was changed somewhere down the line. I wonder if the bike A to B tested is that model.

Cheers
David.

Only a few more days before we find out! The US Forza, known as the Fury over there, is definitely a throttle bike, they don't normally have pedelec there.

The brakes on the F bikes have a mystery developing. According to some sources, the Magura HS11 hydraulic has been discontinued, and a Forza that was on demonstration in Italy had a cable V brake on the front.
.

 

[flecc]

Good to hear that the throttle is still available for those who want it Scott.

I'm a little puzzled at the EAF being on the Forza and not the Forte, I would have thought it would be the other way round, throttle for the enthusiast rider and EAF for the take it easy person you describe, rather the way that automatic gearboxes are bought with cars. Or is EAF intended for both in due course?
.

 

[Ian]

I have used the technique of "walking" the bike up steep hills under throttle control to conserve battery power in many marginal range situations. It's a great comfort knowing that the capability is there, and as much of my leisure cycling pushes the range to the limit in hillier parts of the country it is important to me. The thought of pushing, unaided, a 26kg bike up half a mile of 20% is not nice.

Perhaps if the law was changed to pedelecs only perhaps an alternative mode could be devised, something like power on demand up to 7 mph. When used in this mode the bike could be re-classified as a golf trolley or wheelchair and thus remain legal Cartoon Grandad ?

 

[flecc]

Hi Flecc
.

The EAF dial sets the power without having to use Throttle action which crudely measures how much power is used and needed. Similar to the foot action an accelerator peddle requires to maintain a certain speed.

However, you do have to move the legs to activate the EAF and the same with changing gears on a derailleur gearing system. It made sense to let the active ones go for the Forza whilst providing a similar standard of bike with the sometimes prefered Full power throttle and hub gears together.

Thanks for the explanation Scott.
.

 

[slimtim]

bike for sale Hobo? No hills near me!!

I could take that bike off your hands for you. Sounds like you need some space in your garage.

 

[hobo1]

Hi SLIMTIM,

I have left you message in your private message inbox.

Cheers
David.

 

[coops]

So the EAF, in effect, is like a "stickified" throttle in pedelec mode which can be fixed in one of 8 distinct preset power assist levels rather than being continuously variable?

Stuart.

 

[Tim]

So the EAF, in effect, is like a "stickified" throttle in pedelec mode which can be fixed in one of 8 distinct preset power assist levels rather than being continuously variable?

Stuart.

Hi Stuart, no, it is continuously variable between 0 and 8.4. No warp speed 9 unfortunately. It's a pedelec cruise control system.

 

[coops]

Thanks Tim

Doesn't go up to 11 then?

I think I get it now then: a continuously variable dial which allows finer tuning of the power level than a throttle, aswell as staying "set" each time its dialled in, pedelec mode?

Stuart.

 

[JohnInStockie]

That sounds good!

 

[coops]

Hi John

I think it depends on your usage & riding style, see here and the next post.

While finer adjustment of power sounds good, especially for power control for unrestricted use and not having to hold the throttle open which gets tiring sometimes, there are instances I can think where it wouldn't suit me, e.g. when you start pedalling from a stop it will kick in power at the preset level, which is fine if you want the same assist as when moving, but if you want to throttle in power slowly & controlled on setting off, you'd have to "twiddle" it till up to speed, and so on, each time you stop.

A "sticky throttle" would do the same job in pedelec mode more easily, for me, but may not be quite so finely adjustable, especially for unrestricted use...

Shame there's no such thing as a fine-adjustment sticky throttle...

Stuart.

 

[flecc]

At least if we get pedelec and no throttles forced on us European fashion, we'll be able to slide the control around the range while pedalling to simulate a throttle!
.

 

[JohnInStockie]

Could that be the loophole, sorry I meant the best of both worlds

 

[flecc]

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