CrampBuster on an X-bike throttle

[Patrick]

Holding back the throttle on my Powabyke X6 has been getting really uncomfortable so I tried out a CrampBuster on it today (the "oversize" one fits better than the "standard").

Accessories, Crampbuster - Oversize, Scottoiler - Automatic Chain Lubrication System

It was a partial success, they're designed to fit on the outside of the handlebar grip so they don't get in the way, but seeing as the twisting portion of the X-bike throttle is a stumpy little thing I ended up with it on the inside pushed up against the power indicator.

It made holding the throttle comfortable and it didn't interfere with the brakes, but it did get make changing gears a bit awkward when I was riding unassisted. I was getting a severe case of X-bike thumb before I fitted it so I'll stick with it anyway.

 

[Rad]

Interesting. I assume it sits against your wrist?

 

[Mussels]

Looks quite good for an ebike, but potentially lethal on a motorbike.

 

[rog_london]

Looks quite good for an ebike, but potentially lethal on a motorbike.

Motorbikes used to quite commonly have 'stay-put' throttles. Before twist grips became common the throttle control was a lever with a friction plate. Even twist grips used to have an adjustable friction screw for the same purpose.

Most of us seem to have survived - as with anything else, you get used to doing things that way!

Rog.

 

[Patrick]

Interesting. I assume it sits against your wrist?

It's more your palm than your writst, I'm still trying to work out the best (well, least worst) way of positioning it.

It would work a lot better on a full width throttle control, which may be a future mod for my X6.

 

[torrent99]

It's more your palm than your writst, I'm still trying to work out the best (well, least worst) way of positioning it.

It would work a lot better on a full width throttle control, which may be a future mod for my X6.

I've got one sitting in a drawer at home. My experiments with it made it even MORE painful as it dug into my palm. So YMMV....

Mussels wanna try it? I can leave it on your bike tommorrow if you like?

 

[Mussels]

Motorbikes used to quite commonly have 'stay-put' throttles. Before twist grips became common the throttle control was a lever with a friction plate. Even twist grips used to have an adjustable friction screw for the same purpose.

Most of us seem to have survived - as with anything else, you get used to doing things that way!

Rog.

I'm guessing motorbikes were a little more sedate back then and the rider had more time to adjust his speed, fewer cars pulling out in front of you as well would have helped as well. I was thinking of my last motorbike accident when my bike was knocked out from underneath me and I was left standing astride the back wheel, if I had a lever fitted to the throttle that back wheel could easily have been spinning very fast.

I've got one sitting in a drawer at home. My experiments with it made it even MORE painful as it dug into my palm. So YMMV....

Mussels wanna try it? I can leave it on your bike tommorrow if you like?

Thanks but I'll pass on that one unless I can attach it to the brake lever as well.

 

[Django]

I'm guessing motorbikes were a little more sedate back then and the rider had more time to adjust his speed, fewer cars pulling out in front of you as well would have helped as well. I was thinking of my last motorbike accident when my bike was knocked out from underneath me and I was left standing astride the back wheel, if I had a lever fitted to the throttle that back wheel could easily have been spinning very fast.

Thanks but I'll pass on that one unless I can attach it to the brake lever as well.

I use this for long distance work on my (very modern) Triumph 1050 Sprint ST with no problems at all; it simply allows you to relax the wrist and use the weight of your palm to hold the speed you want. It does take a little getting used to at first but if you release your grip it snaps back to the closed position so, in that sense, safety is not compromised.

The only potential problem for someone inexperienced and with a powerful bike is that if you twist the throttle as you would without the device it will go round further and more quickly due to the pressure exerted in that action by the palm. Great for pulling wheelies but . . . . . .

For an experienced user it arguably reduces finesse in the twisty sections and I do tend to wind it round out of the way for the fun stuff.

 

[flecc]

Motorbikes used to quite commonly have 'stay-put' throttles. Before twist grips became common the throttle control was a lever with a friction plate. Even twist grips used to have an adjustable friction screw for the same purpose.

Most of us seem to have survived - as with anything else, you get used to doing things that way!

Rog.

In my first job we had a workshop hack bike like that, BSA 250, lever throttle, three speed hand change on the tank r/h, hand lever advance/retard, and a hand adjusted pilgrim engine oil pump down on the l/h crankcase which was adjusted on the road according the speeds being used, plus the usual brake, clutch etc. Hands and arms worked very hard in those days!
.

 

[frank9755]

I find holding throttles open a pain, so I've taken the spring out of mine. So much more pleasant to use!

 

[Rad]

I'm certainly beginning to find my half throttle a literal pain. There are times I have to use my left hand to hold the throttle open as my right thumb is so painful. Any other x byke riders getting twinges in their elbows?

 

[Patrick]

I'm certainly beginning to find my half throttle a literal pain. There are times I have to use my left hand to hold the throttle open as my right thumb is so painful. Any other x byke riders getting twinges in their elbows?

I've had no problems since I started using the crampbuster, I have it so that it points straight up when I'm not using the throttle and horizontal on full throttle. I operate it with the palm of my hand so I just need to rest my hand on it to hold it open.

It does slip a bit over time so I need to adjust it now and again, which is easily done on the go but involves releasing the throttle completely for a moment, so I've got into the habit of making sure it's in the right position as I approach big hills.

At first it felt awkward reaching around it to shift up the gears, but now I don't notice it at all, and my x-byke thumb is a thing of the past.

As has been mentioned above you may not have as much success with the crampbuster as me, and you may not get along with it at all. But it's relatively cheap and just clips on so if you're in pain it may well be worth giving it a shot.

 

[Rad]

I've ordered a crampbuster today Patrick and am hoping it'll do the trick. Otherwise I'm going to have to find some way to bodge a full throttle.

I do hope manufacturers stop using these half throttles, I'm sure they're only supposed to be used in short bursts.

 

[flecc]

I do hope manufacturers stop using these half throttles, I'm sure they're only supposed to be used in short bursts.

I'm a little puzzled by this Rad, since I modified the Torq to a half throttle to make it easier to use with accuracy, and less tiring. Putting it on my website as a modification article resulted in many following it and preferring the half throttle. There's still a very slight tiring element, but I haven't found it a problem over long rides, and I've since added the same mod to my Quando based bike.

I've found it important that the half throttle bit is larger in diameter to assist with grip and the outer part smooth so that sliding the palm is easy. Perhaps the X bike throttle grip areas aren't quite right?

Torq 1 Twistgrip Modification
.

 

[Rad]

Flecc, the x-bike half throttle is of a hard plastic and takes a fair amount of effort to hold open. I find that the inside of my thumb and index finger becomes tired and sore very rapidly. I'm also getting pain radiating from halfway up my forearm terminating at the elbow. It's very very uncomfortable.

 

[bode]

I found the thumb-throttle very awkward when test-riding the Powabyke and other bikes employing it.
It just seems so much more natural and comfortable to use all the fingers in a full hand grip, motorbike style. Even without a Crampbuster, it is often possible to retain the throttle in position just by pressing the fingers or palm of the flat hand on top.

 

[flecc]

Flecc, the x-bike half throttle is of a hard plastic and takes a fair amount of effort to hold open. I find that the inside of my thumb and index finger becomes tired and sore very rapidly. I'm also getting pain radiating from halfway up my forearm terminating at the elbow. It's very very uncomfortable.

That does sound bad, and that risk of RSI needs to be avoided before it becomes permanently painful. My modded one uses rubber grips and the inner swollen part is fairly soft to hold and needs hardly any grip to hold it in place. It's also possible to take the spring right out and some have done that, making it entirely manual opening and closing.
.

 

[Rad]

I've seen mention of people removing the spring Flecc, but I'm completely and utterly technically inept! (Laughably so) . And wouldn't have a clue where to start.

 

[Patrick]

Another idea I had was to put some of that tape they use on racket handles (sports shops stock it) around the throttle, it might let you hold it open without using a vice-like grip.

I never got round to trying it though.