Crank Bike with Throttle?

[brucehawsker]

I was wondering if there are any Crank Bikes (Panasonic or whatever) with a throttle on the handlebars, and if so how well they work. For people who want the option not to pedal - possibly with a medical condition that sometimes is a problem after 20 mins light pedalling and sometimes is not noticable - is it the case that they can only use a hub bike??

 

[NRG]

I was wondering if there are any Crank Bikes (Panasonic or whatever) with a throttle on the handlebars, and if so how well they work. For people who want the option not to pedal - possibly with a medical condition that sometimes is a problem after 20 mins light pedalling and sometimes is not noticable - is it the case that they can only use a hub bike??

Flecc could explain it better, I understand crank drives depend on sensing pedal preasure before they start to assist and the thumb throttles available for these bike are just 'walk alongside' one and don't really add any power IE there's not enough to ride the bike even on the flat. I think if you need a throttle then hub or a cyclone type kit is the only choice.

 

[Blew it]

The only one I'm aware of is the Cyclone drive-through-the-chain kit, not a true crank-drive though.

You can read my own report on the Panasonic throttle HERE

 

[flecc]

Flecc could explain it better, I understand crank drives depend on sensing pedal preasure before they start to assist and the thumb throttles available for these bike are just 'walk alongside' one and don't really add any power IE there's not enough to ride the bike even on the flat. I think if you need a throttle then hub or a cyclone type kit is the only choice.

True, the Panasonic system only has the minimum power for the walk alongside mode. More information the status of these on this other thread link.
.

 

[allen-uk]

Go to flecc or blewit for the technicalities.

I looked into this a few months back, as a throttle is ESSENTIAL for me (i.e., not just handy, but vital to get me moving up slight slopes given my absent left leg). I would have preferred a Kalkhoff plus throttle, but the 'walk-beside' thing that they offer is just that, for walking up slopes, etc, and most definitely would NOT work to move me up a slight slope prior to pedalling.

I settled on a Wisper, and have no complaints; it is a fine bike (and it's got a throttle!).


Allen.