Tonaro Esprit update

[funkylyn]

Just a few updates on range....

Ran battery out on saturday flat out on full power and de-restricted, and managed 18 miles ......unfortunately I was 6 miles from home.... ride home unassisted however, wasnt as tiring as it could have been......the bike rides really well without power on the FLAT.......however I struggled a bit on the inclines !!

Today I restricted the bike again, and flat out on high power got 23 miles before running out of power......but this time I got it right.....only 400yds from home

So being derestricted didnt make as big a difference as I would have thought.

Next step will be to test the range on low power.

The motor is very quiet ......I deliberately switched off iPod to listen again

The nexus hub gears are a dream......

One point to mention the battery really needs to be pulled out of the electric connection to charge up properly.....no need to take it right off the bike though unless you want to.

I am getting very used to this bike now and am forgetting the weight difference from the windsor......at least I managed to avoid a rabbit at high speed without problems !

I have also joined the ''50 mph club''

.............no not really ........... but I did get to 55 kilometers and it was fantastic....

Safe to say that I am really loving this bike.........

More reports to come .....as I now have the throttle fitted......but didnt touch it today.

Lynda

 

[Spinalot]

Hi funkylyn,

How are you derestricting it and what max speed do you get?
I ask cos I would want to do this too.

 

[funkylyn]

Just removed the sensor magnet from the spokes .....

As for max speed.....depends if I'm going down hill.......haha

I will check speeds next time when using the throttle and also de-restricted again and post more details.

Lynda

 

[oigoi]

Thanks for the update Lynda sounds like a very capable machine

 

[TylerD]

Sounding great Lynda. 23 miles is some distance in one go, well done .When you were on full power how much effort did you have to put in to the pedalling? Was it a reasonably relaxed ride or did you feel as though you had worked hard by the time you got home?

 

[funkylyn]

Sounding great Lynda. 23 miles is some distance in one go, well done .When you were on full power how much effort did you have to put in to the pedalling? Was it a reasonably relaxed ride or did you feel as though you had worked hard by the time you got home?

It was VERY relaxed ......I had it restricted today and was trying to keep to the allowed speed, but I usually cycle much faster and enjoyed it more on saturday when it was de restricted......
I would normally do between 20 and 30 miles on a ride...I just love it.
Funnily enough, before I got the speedo fitted I rang Phil to say the power was cutting out too soon ie before reaching what I perceived was the cut off point, so we were a bit concerned, I had to apologize to him yesterday when I realised that in fact I HAD been doing over the cut off speed

I told you I was the F1 safety car driver (in my dreams ) !!

I suppose I try to cycle how I drive.....far too fast

Another point is that the power cut off is quite gentle at 25kms and starts up again once your speed reduces to about 22kms. No coming up against a brick wall anyway..

But lets see how tired I am when draining the battery at low assist.......easy for me to say I like cycling fast when I am being helped so much

Lynda

 

[steveindenmark]

One point to mention the battery really needs to be pulled out of the electric connection to charge up properly.....no need to take it right off the bike though unless you want to.

I am not sure what you mean by this Lynda but it does not sound right. Can you expand on this a bit please?

Steve

 

[mike killay]

Do you mean unplug the 'kettle like' plug from the side?
I always just plug in the 3 pin plug and charhe the battery.

 

[funkylyn]

The battery on the Esprit is a new shape and slotted in under the rear rack.......very neat actually.... and although I had charged it a couple of times in situ, without problem, on saturday it wouldnt charge, apparently it is better to just pull the battery out an inch or two, in other words disconnecting it from where it slots into the bikes electric connection and then charge it, I think you might be supposed to remove the battery for charging, but by just pulling it out a bit you dont actually need to totally remove the battery from the bike.

Lynda

 

[funkylyn]

No Mike, just as I explained above.....hope I have managed to explain it better
Maybe its a new battery design, I'm not sure how it differs from other models...

Lynda

 

[mike killay]

No Mike, just as I explained above.....hope I have managed to explain it better
Maybe its a new battery design, I'm not sure how it differs from other models...

Lynda

Thanks Linda, I thought it was the same as the Enduro

 

[iant30]

Hi Lynda
Based on recommendation I am contemplating buying a Tonaro As I live in the Far North this will probably be without the equally recommended test ride I have however tested locally both a Wisper and a Freego which were both satisfactory and I am told that the Tonaro compares very favourably with these
Are you (or possibly some other member reading this) able by any chance to give me any thoughts on how these bikes compare particularly so far as speed and torque is concerned? I should mention that I am almost 18 stones and anticipate using the bike mainly around town
Many thanks
Ian
Inverness

PS Are there any Tonaro stockists in Scotland?

 

[funkylyn]

Hi Lynda
Based on recommendation I am contemplating buying a Tonaro As I live in the Far North this will probably be without the equally recommended test ride I have however tested locally both a Wisper and a Freego which were both satisfactory and I am told that the Tonaro compares very favourably with these
Are you (or possibly some other member reading this) able by any chance to give me any thoughts on how these bikes compare particularly so far as speed and torque is concerned? I should mention that I am almost 18 stones and anticipate using the bike mainly around town
Many thanks
Ian
Inverness

PS Are there any Tonaro stockists in Scotland?

Hi Ian,

I have tried wispers too and they are undoubtably good bikes, have never tried a Freego so cant comment.

The reason I prefer the Tonaro's is that I prefer the crank drive system and had hesitated for a long time as I didnt want to give up on a throttle, even though I dont use it much, its just handy to have at times.
These are the only bikes at the moment to have both crank drive and throttle.
When I heard about the Tonaros I was very excited and decided to wait until this new model arrived as my other criteria were hub gears and a step thru design.
They are much better at hill climbing than hub motor bikes in my experience.....I tested quite a few at Presteigne a couple of years ago.........and they are certainly fast enough.
I have to say the bike has far surpassed my expectations and you seem to get an awful lot of bike for the money.
I would suggest you contact Phil at Powerpedals and see if he has any owners near you who would be willing to let you try their bikes.
Failing that, I know he would be happy to sell with a full 'send back if not satisfied ' guarantee.
His after sales service seems to be second to none according to other owners on this forum.
The torque is greater with these bikes, if you look on Home Page of Powerpedals electric bicycles you will be able to read more technical data,

In any case, I hope you soon find the bike that suits you personally....it really is a case of try and try again till you find the right one for you and how you expect to use it.

Good luck,

Lynda

 

[vhfman]

Ian
Here is a link to a Scottish Tonaro stockist in Dundee. Which still must be a couple of hours down the road from Inverness, but better than a trip to Devon. May be worth while contacting them to see if they can give you a test ride.

Tonaro in Scotland

Chris

 

[banbury frank]

Hi

I would look at the alien bikes this will climb hills like a mountain goat

They are in Scotland other members have there bikes no bad reports

Electric Bicycles - Aurora £999

Frank

 

[funkylyn]

Ian
Here is a link to a Scottish Tonaro stockist in Dundee. Which still must be a couple of hours down the road from Inverness, but better than a trip to Devon. May be worth while contacting them to see if they can give you a test ride.

Tonaro in Scotland

Chris

As far as I am aware they dont have any Tonaros at the moment.
Best bet would be to try to find other owners in Scotland who would let you try theirs.

Lynda

 

[iant30]

Hi Lynda, Chris and Frank
Thanks very much for taking the time to reply All most helpful.
The crankshaft motor seems to offer a considerable advantage over the bikes which I have tried and
Cyclezee (who has been extremely helpful with his advice) recommends them very highly
I think I will take up Chris' advice to visit Dundee to try a Tonaro there I like the reported performance of the Aliens but as I hope to get a bike through the Cycle2work Scheme I doubt if I can readily acquire a bike for onroad use which is advertised only for off-road use I just hope my employers' scheme gets under way soon before the Far Noth becomes the Frozen North!
It is also very encouraging to learn that the Powerpedals service is so good!
Thanks again
Best regards
Ian

 

[TylerD]

It was VERY relaxed ......I had it restricted today and was trying to keep to the allowed speed, but I usually cycle much faster and enjoyed it more on saturday when it was de restricted......
I would normally do between 20 and 30 miles on a ride...I just love it.
Funnily enough, before I got the speedo fitted I rang Phil to say the power was cutting out too soon ie before reaching what I perceived was the cut off point, so we were a bit concerned, I had to apologize to him yesterday when I realised that in fact I HAD been doing over the cut off speed

I told you I was the F1 safety car driver (in my dreams !!

I suppose I try to cycle how I drive.....far too fast

Another point is that the power cut off is quite gentle at 25kms and starts up again once your speed reduces to about 22kms. No coming up against a brick wall anyway..

But lets see how tired I am when draining the battery at low assist.......easy for me to say I like cycling fast when I am being helped so much

Lynda

Thanks Lynda, you sound very energetic -I feel tired just reading your post.I know what you mean though, my Wisper has been accidentally derestricted -I discovered this after a recent throttle repair when I realised that I had almost touched 20mph on the flat which compared to my usual average of 10 -12 was quite thrilling! I know that I need to go back to get it fixed but the extra speed (on the cycle paths, which are really quiet with no walkers) ) is good fun. 27 downhill with my eyes closed is my absolute tops so far , exhilarating and scary at the same time with visions of what sort of noise my head would make as it hit the ground if I fell off!So I don't think I'll be joining the 40+ (or even the 30+)club anytime soon

 

[steveindenmark]

I have a Tonaro Enduro and my parter Jannie has the Tonaro Compy. We live in an up and down landscape and the bikes are great and are very solidly made. I cannot fault them. I ride 22km to work every day and the Tonaro makes the ride so much easier. Either on the road or along country tracks the Tonaro performs wonderfully.

Phil at Powerpedals who suppiled them provides excellent service.

Steve

 

[funkylyn]

Tyler......the secret to going faster is NOT to think about what would happen if you come off at speed...

Ian........If you ring Phil I know he has quite a few owners up there who would maybe let you have a try......
hopefully before the big snows....

Steve......nice pictures.....you and jannie certainly seem to be really enjoying your bikes....

Next report soon.....hope this good weather keeps up

Lynda