Throttles-please can you talk me through how you use the throttle on a typical ride.

[shemozzle999]

I wonder if the DfT have considered that in the event of an ebike accident and the cause could be attributed to the lack of control of the ebike due to the proposed restrictions whether they could be deemed liable.

I also would be interested to see a copy of the HSE report into the effect of the proposed changes - anyone seen it.

 

[Scimitar]

I should of expected that from you, living in your narrow minded blinkered world

Eddie is the DJ of Smug today

 

[flecc]

I wonder if the DfT have considered that in the event of an ebike accident and the cause could be attributed to the lack of control of the ebike due to the proposed restrictions whether they could be deemed liable.

Because an e-bike that strictly accords to the requirements of the law behaves like an ordinary bicycle, I doubt it would be possible to argue that.

 

[gray198]

I assume you have a hub drive bike without torque sensor? If you had the PAS set at maximum one turn of the crank would be the same effect as the throttle?

Not sure what a torque sensor is or does. Bike is freego Eagle, and I find that sometimes on a hill it is easier to start moving using throttle. The motor does not kick in immediately when using pedals. So is that where a torque sensor would come in

gray

 

[mike killay]

My use of the throttle is to supply power to the motor because I have removed the pedelec. This means that I can fine tune the precise ratio of electric power/manual power.
Torque sensors will only supply a predetermined amount of power, varying with the manual effort and in my mind are not a good idea at all, because if you are worn out at the end of a ride, you cannot access full electric power.
It did occur to me, that if a pedelec is fitted (ie, no daft rationing of power) and the usual power choice panel (Eco, normal, high etc.) is replaced with a throttle to give a more precise choice of power, we would be going a long way to satisfy the regulation.
We would still have full, throttle only power up to 6 kph for those tricky slow speed manouevres and then the lightest of pedalling or even 'under-pedalling, would take us up to 25kph.

 

[morphix]

I moved this post to a new thread for I felt it got lost inside the BEBA survey and I realise how important throttles are to some people.
Can I ask a few questions about the usage of throttles on these bikes.
I assume that the requirement of the throttle is to control power whilst just resting ones feet on the pedals? But assuming the rider has little power in his legs what happens when you come to a steep hill,for you surely have to pedal to get up a steep hill,250 watts will not carry a rider up many hills without some pedalling?
Or do you use the throttle as a means of getting instant power,for example pulling away from a busy junction but at other times are happy to pedal?
How many people use their pedelec without pedalling at all?
I see a lady on an old powabyke quite often,she never pedals,even when going slowly on the pavement,but what does she do when she comes to a hill?Maybe she never goes up hills?
I have some ideas but I need to know how pedelec users use the throttle on a typical bike ride?

Dave

When I first got into e-bikes I didn't touch the throttle ever and wasn't keen on riding that way, preferring PAS. However, after a knee injury and limits to how much I can pedal, I began using throttle and found it actually more convenient than PAS in general, because of the ability to start from a standing start easier (my bike is locked in a single very high gear), and easier when cycling by traffic/pedestrians, with more precise control than PAS, which makes bikes safer IMO.

When I'm using throttle I can get up hills without pedalling at all (even the steepest hills) but I prefer to pedal a bit while using the throttle at full power on hills because it prevents too much strain on my 10Ah battery.

So I generally use throttle all the time now for short distances.. and I pedal at the same time, unless my knee is aching or I'm feeling lazy The only time I use PAS is if I'm going on a long journey and on a straight road...then I find PAS more convenient as I don't have to hold the throttle which can be a bit annoying on longer journeys.

When I'm having to make turns that's the only time I have a problem with throttle and if there's a turn coming up ahead, I'll usually switch to PAS. That's why I wish e-bike's has proper indicator lights like a moped so you don't need to release the throttle!

 

[eddieo]

since I moved over to non throttle bikes ( Daahub has thumb throttle but dont really use it) my dodgy knee down to bodged knee op has actually improved.......Go figure

 

[KirstinS]

Are you saying us throttle jockeys are lazy Eddieo !

 

[funkylyn]

Freedom of choice is the name of the game

If you want or need a throttle you should have one.....for whatever personal reason is valid for you.

If you dont.....then dont.

Its not exactly open heart surgery and certainly doesnt ever warrant 'rubbishing' other peoples needs or wants.

I personally like one for the odd occasion I find it helps....setting off more easily up a hill or in heavy traffic for instance.

Lynda

 

[flecc]

When I'm having to make turns that's the only time I have a problem with throttle and if there's a turn coming up ahead, I'll usually switch to PAS. That's why I wish e-bike's has proper indicator lights like a moped so you don't need to release the throttle!

A left hand twistgrip throttle as on many eZee e-bikes solves that problem in Britain.

 

[mountainsport]

Hi Dave,

Truefully speaking when i first had gotten my ebike i used both of the features depending on what gets tired first for example my legs,feet or my wrist,but these days i'm finding myself more dependent on the throttle,or maybe it's down to me being a lazy person or down to being spoilt for choice. When it comes to hill climbing i do use the best of both worlds at the same time giving me that added power,a fraction of course.

Mountainsport.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Thank you everyone,it is honest feedback such as this thread that allows us suppliers to make bikes that people want. I now understand why riders want their throttles and appreciate that whatever clever alternatives we come up with,it is probably not going to be so ergonomic than a simple twist grip throttle.
We have a number of years to evolve designs which may avoid type approval-in any event it is probable that one or some of us will have a limited range of bikes that will be submitted to type approval,allowing throttle use.
This is with the caveat that David Miall has emphasised that none of the Dft consultations are cast in stone and such decisions may be some way ahead. Unfortunately,my gut feeling is that,despite all BEBA's lobbying,some minister is just as likely to sign up to EN15194 without modification,just as the EU has ignored representations and ultimately signed up to 250 watt limit.
With fair warning I am sure we will come up with suitable bikes to satisfy the UK requirements, it is obvious that the EU is not going to accept throttles,in fact the Germans have specifically and recently outlawed them,so you have to look at the smaller UK based suppliers to provide throttles,I doubt the Bosch equipped bikes,with their bias towards the German market,will ever provide throttles.
Dave
Kudoscycles

 

[Synthman]

When I'm having to make turns that's the only time I have a problem with throttle and if there's a turn coming up ahead, I'll usually switch to PAS. That's why I wish e-bike's has proper indicator lights like a moped so you don't need to release the throttle!

I don't have that problem on my bike.

As for the throttle, this is how I use it. I sit on the bike, put the key in, and twist the throttle all the way. If I'm going up a steep hill I will start pedalling. If I want to get a lot of speed at a standing start, or starting on an incline, I will pedal as hard as I can while the throttle is fully open until the bike picks up speed. I only use the pedal sensor if my battery is really low and I want to conserve power as it doesn't give full power like the throttle. In a line of slow moving traffic it would be impossible for smooth control with that sensor, it is very abrupt.

The other thing is I like taking my corners fast! I've scraped the pedals in the turns many times indeed. I have to remember to make sure the pedal is up before leaning into the turn, but I forget most of the time. Sometimes I carry large stuff on the floorboard of the bike and can't even turn the pedals anyway. So basically I use the throttle the vast majority of the time.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

A left hand twistgrip throttle as on many eZee e-bikes solves that problem in Britain.

This the reason all Wispers have left hand throttles, we changed about two years ago. It seemed obvious to put it on the left, it freed up the gear selector and make right turns so much safer.

Interesting fact!: In the first part of the 20th century US Indian police bikes used to have left hand throttles but that was so they could ride and use a hand gun at the same time!!!

All the best

David

 

[funkylyn]

Interesting fact!: In the first part of the 20th century US Indian police bikes used to have left hand throttles but that was so they could ride and use a hand gun at the same time!!!

All the best

David

Oh NO.....I kinda wish you hadnt told us that......it just brought a vision of a certain "DaaHub loving biker" cycling around carrying a sub machine gun........gaily blasting anyone daring not to ride a bike HE approves of......into bike oblivion.......not a pleasant sight ......

Lynda

 

[jazper53]

Being a left handed E-biker I have the advantage of being able to tote a smith & Wesson on a standard throttle set up with maybe a little pedal assist in between salvos

 

[Jimod]

Interesting fact!: In the first part of the 20th century US Indian police bikes used to have left hand throttles but that was so they could ride and use a hand gun at the same time!!!

All the best

David

Is that going to be your new advertising campaign? Our bikes have a left hand throttle to keep your gun hand free. Of course, as soon as you do that the left handed lot will be complaining.

 

[jackhandy]

Cackhanders unite.... Up the Cuddywhifters....

Somebody should

 

[mike killay]

Motor cycle throttles have an adjustable friction device to keep it open if you let go.

 

[GaRRy]

Motor cycle throttles have an adjustable friction device to keep it open if you let go.

Not on any motorbike I have ever owned. In fact quite the opposite it has spring so if you let go it snaps shut.