Potbihan introduction

[potbihan]

Hello everyone,
I discovered this forum because I am interested in equipping two bikes with electric assistance.

I am French, between Normandy and Brittany for work and family.
I have been mountain biking since 1996 for about ten years, mountain biking without suspensions (Cotes-d'Armor/Ille-et-Vilaine).
Since then I bought two Specialized stumpjumper fsr comp 26" from 2006 and 2012 in 2018 for me and my son.

In parallel, I have two VTC Winora Senegal man / woman from 2012 that I would like to be equipped with a electric motor because they are in very good condition.
The objective is to go to work with VTCs in the summer.
Hence my registration to get advice and share my experiences.

 

[sjpt]

As long as you don't have any very steep hills on the route to work I guess a rear hub conversion would probably be simplest and best. The madness called Brexit means that it is more difficult to suggest particular suppliers, but the technical details shouldn't change much.

I have heard that the French police are a little more rigid on their approach to technically illegal bikes; for example the interpretation and enforcement of rules around throttles.

 

[potbihan]

Hello,
In fact, I prefer a mid motor to have the same behaviour as a motorbike, with weight distribution. It is why, I am interested with the new TO7 motor but there are not lot of information about it. But it seems better in comparison of the tsdz2b motor : more robust.

And, you are right, to be legal, no throttle authorised and 250w maximum.

 

[Nealh]

They are recently new to the market , if I was on the look out for a mid drive I would take a punt on one but for now quite happy with my 44v 250w tsdz2.
Has anyone heard of or tried Toseven mid drive? | Pedelecs - Electric Bike Community

 

[sjpt]

And, you are right, to be legal, no throttle authorised and 250w maximum.

The 250w is continuous, not maximum; same in both UK and EU. Many motors have maximum 3 times that.
Continuous is an ill-defined number applied by the manufacturer;
(probably the marketing division not the technical division?)
It is quite common for the same motor to be rated 250w in UK/EU and 350w in US.

Most important for legality is no assist above 15.5mph / 25kph. (same in EU/UK)

Throttle is very confusing in UK.
I think OK up to 6kph (where it counts as walk assist)
OK? if its a more convenient way to change power level while still pedalling.
Woosh fit one where I believe you just need to pedal occasionally to meet the legal requirements.

 

[potbihan]

To respond to Nealh, the VLCD13 is already included with the motor, in comparison of the tszd2b where the display shall be added in addition.

As said by alexfnoble, "There is some influence as the lead engineer was the engineer responsible for producing the tongsheng motors who's came over to form the new company".

In this case, it can be hope the development is done without the tszd2b weakness.