Courtesy of Phil at Pedalpower I have recently been able to test the Tonaro Eagle extensively. It is a big bike which suits me very well (6'1'' and 18st) It comes in any colour as long as its white. It looks good to my inexperienced ebike eye. The crunch came yesterday on my day off when I decided to ride from Inverness to Nessie spotting territory at the Dores Inn, Dores probably about 7 miles up hill and down glen. The idea being that if I got there anytime before sunset my wife would travel out by car and meet me there for a coffee and I would then cycle back home suitably refreshed by a latte and one of their special scones and jam.
I set off with some concerns about my getting more than a few miles out of Inverness before the motor gave up the ghost due to my substantial bulk (As a purely urban cyclist doing no more than c 3 miles per day, I have never in some 50 years contemplated such a lengthy expedition never mind up hills as steep as I would face en route!)
Need I have worried ? Absolutely not! I did use full power support supplemented of course by pedalling. But it was just a breeze! It was the most pleasant trip (into a headwind most of the way) I have ever experienced on a bike! I hardly broke sweat and the bike just sailed up any hill I encountered.( I did pedal most of the way!) Only slight untoward feature was the rather loud cracking type noise when I changed up gear. (I may not have quite got the knack yet)
As I neared the approaches to Dores a roadbike overtook me. The rider looked across a and said " A crank motor- no wonder I couldn't catch you earlier!" All great fun!
I went past the road speed sign which indicated the roadbike was doing about 25mph while mine was reading about 21-22mph.
After coffee etc with my wife I set off once again heading home. A further 7 hilly miles and approx 25 mins later the trip was over. For someone who is effectively not really a cyclist it was just so much fun! (my grandson's comment to me when we are playing Call of Duty and I have just been annihilated by him yet again!)
The power bars show 4 lights when fully charged and throughout the run (using full power a lot of the time) 2 lights. 2 lights remained at the end
Riding position will need some adjusting if I buy the bike (I prefer an upright position) and will investigating trying to get higher gearing.
A very sturdily built bike ideal for someone of my dimensions and around town it was also ideal. I am now looking for excuses to go somewhere in town with it!
Can't speak highly enough about helpfulness; backup and support from Phil at Pedalpower. The business ethic of the recommended dealers is second to none. I also highly recommend Cyclezee who have been most helpful.
INSURANCE
Just to say briefly that Direct Line (my household insurers) would insure the bike for an additional £57 pa Only stipulation is that if away from home the bike needs to have approriate locking device etc. to be covered. Otherwise if the bike were to be kept just at home it would be covered under the policy without additional cost.
Hope all of this may assist those looking at the Tonaro and for insurance cover
Ian
I set off with some concerns about my getting more than a few miles out of Inverness before the motor gave up the ghost due to my substantial bulk (As a purely urban cyclist doing no more than c 3 miles per day, I have never in some 50 years contemplated such a lengthy expedition never mind up hills as steep as I would face en route!)
Need I have worried ? Absolutely not! I did use full power support supplemented of course by pedalling. But it was just a breeze! It was the most pleasant trip (into a headwind most of the way) I have ever experienced on a bike! I hardly broke sweat and the bike just sailed up any hill I encountered.( I did pedal most of the way!) Only slight untoward feature was the rather loud cracking type noise when I changed up gear. (I may not have quite got the knack yet)
As I neared the approaches to Dores a roadbike overtook me. The rider looked across a and said " A crank motor- no wonder I couldn't catch you earlier!" All great fun!
I went past the road speed sign which indicated the roadbike was doing about 25mph while mine was reading about 21-22mph.
After coffee etc with my wife I set off once again heading home. A further 7 hilly miles and approx 25 mins later the trip was over. For someone who is effectively not really a cyclist it was just so much fun! (my grandson's comment to me when we are playing Call of Duty and I have just been annihilated by him yet again!)
The power bars show 4 lights when fully charged and throughout the run (using full power a lot of the time) 2 lights. 2 lights remained at the end
Riding position will need some adjusting if I buy the bike (I prefer an upright position) and will investigating trying to get higher gearing.
A very sturdily built bike ideal for someone of my dimensions and around town it was also ideal. I am now looking for excuses to go somewhere in town with it!
Can't speak highly enough about helpfulness; backup and support from Phil at Pedalpower. The business ethic of the recommended dealers is second to none. I also highly recommend Cyclezee who have been most helpful.
INSURANCE
Just to say briefly that Direct Line (my household insurers) would insure the bike for an additional £57 pa Only stipulation is that if away from home the bike needs to have approriate locking device etc. to be covered. Otherwise if the bike were to be kept just at home it would be covered under the policy without additional cost.
Hope all of this may assist those looking at the Tonaro and for insurance cover
Ian
