I use the Torq for daily commuting from Highgate to central London - a round trip of about 12 miles including a moderately steep hill on the return journey. Overall the bike has been excellent after some early teething troubles (see weaknesses). It's a pleasure to ride and does exactly what it says on the label. Hill performance is reasonable and on the flat it is an absolute joy. Range is about 30 to 35 Km with no pedalling and some hills. Obviously you get more if you help the bike out.
Weaknesses:
1. Teething troubles in the first month including front brake judder and some annoying electrical problems, though 50 cycles were pretty good at sorting things out. All fine now though.
2. The bike comes with a front light powered by dynamo and a rear LED that requires separate AAA batteries. Crazy that the bike doesn't come with lights powered by the main battery.
3. Gear ratio is not suitable for steep hills, which isn't a problem in my area but could be in more hilly parts.
4. The frame is steel which I suspect adds a few unnecessary pounds.
Otherwise nothing of any consequence.
Summary:
A fantastic commuting bike that has revolutionised my journey to and from work. Strongly recommended.
Overall Rating:
(9 / 10)
Reviewer:
Nigel Brownsea
Purchased From:
50 Cycles
Purchase Price:
£1000.00
Time Owned:
4 Months
Local Terrain:
Some Minor Hills
Strengths:
Excellent speed on the flat 22mph bike looks good its the best i have seen i like the back roller brake good in wet weather.
Weaknesses:
Front brake wheel judder have changed brake blocks it has made no difference
Summary:
I would reccomend this bike for the average rider but be careful on really steep hills otherwise its a blast.
Overall Rating:
(9 / 10)
Reviewer:
Andy Cawthera
Purchased From:
50 Cycles
Purchase Price:
£1095.00
Time Owned:
5 Months
Local Terrain:
Flat
Strengths:
Bought it to commute a 13 mile round trip in London with less effort and more speed, it achieves this and is good fun to boot. Great on smooth roads.
Weaknesses:
I am concerned the battery may not last 400-450 re-charges. At first there was no problem, re-charged it each night after my 13 mile round trip and it was always on green even if I did 4-5 miles extra. Sometimes I would do a double trip - 26 miles and it would just touch red. Then after about 4 months it was on red from a 17 mile trip. It now touches red most days. I always peddled fairly hard but now do so much and use the throttle a lot less. I get the 13 mile round trip in OK but wouldn't be confident of 20 even with hard peddling. 50 Cycles have tested the battery and say it is fine. I have asked where I stand if it won t re-charge 400-450 times as advertised and been told that the guarantee is only for 6 months and it hasn't let me down yet (would guess few people will do over 120 recharges in that time I doubt I will do 100 and most of these have been half ones )
3. The bike is the worst I have had for absorbing bumps from the road. I used to be more tired than I wanted to be from cycling 13 miles, 65 a week especially if some was into a strong wind. Now I am tired from be shaken around.
4. Front break judder is a real problem, adjusting the breaks so that they are close to the rim solves it but as soon as a spoke breaks the wheel goes out of true and then the break can t be close and you are peddling against the brakes.
Summary:
Great on smooth roads where it is fast and fun. Six broken spokes, emerging doubts over battery length and a real difficulty with the bike not coping with the bumps and pot holes of S. London so that you feel shaken to bits is a real problem. Have now changed my commuting route from quieter cycle lanes / routes to bus routes and main roads not as pleasant but smother, less shake and better on the battery but this isn't what I bought it for. Without a six month trial of another electric bike it's hard to say how this compares to other makes.
The bikes are made in China and seem to be 20+% cheaper in other western countries why?
Overall Rating:
( 6 / 10)
The opinions expressed are those of the authors/reviewers only. They do not represent the views of www.pedelecs.co.uk
Comment #1
(Posted by slimtim) Rating
thanks to all contributers a great article
Comment #2
(Posted by David Goldstone) Rating
This is an update on my Torq after 18 months.
Mechanically and electrically working well. Pretty much faultless since the early teething troubles. Just a few spots of rust showing through here and there.
My only real gripe is battery life which is proving to be slightly disappointing.
According to the website, the battery should be good for 500 charges: http://www.50cycles.com/info_lith.shtml
My bike has done about 2,500 miles which equates to about 220 charges but for the last 500 miles the battery has been struggling. I am now having to recharge it at both ends and I would be surprised if the battery could last more than about 10 miles on a single charge. It has also lost its ability to push the bike up a steep hill so I have had to change my route.
I spoke with 50 cycles who said that the website data is in optimum conditions. Not quite sure what that means. Anyway, based on my experience, if you use the battery for commuting you will need to budget on a new battery every 18 months or so at £250-£300 a pop. Doesn't change the fact that the bike is great, but should be born in mind.
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(9 / 10)