Tonaro,simply the best
- Thread starter scarrabri
- Start date
Thanks scottyf
i do love this bike ,i go to work on it everyday ,and im out along the canals at the weekends ,super fun ,i know there may be better bikes ,but the Tonaro Bighit ticks all the boxes for me ,so thanks my friend ,best wishes Brian.
It all depends how much effort you put in but I would say about 25kph on the optimistic side.
I don`t know about the Bighit because I have the Enduro. I ride country and forest tracks and it is very comfortable. When I say ride them I don`t mean a gentle bimble, I belt down them like a mountain biker. The Enduro has proved to be bomb proof up to now.
It is also brilliant for commuting and even though the Zoom forks are not top class, they do a really good job of smoothing out the potholes.
Steve
Just had a look at the spec of these. Torque statement is totally misleading, but what intrigues me is the claim that the motor is 200W. Surely the the peak power must be way above this, otherwise scarrabri's enthusiastic description does not make sense (unless he weighs about 25kg). I have just calculated that the maximum speed a 100kg bike/rider can go up a 10% hill is 2.3mph per 100W, so that would be 5mph for the Tonaro with no rider input. I know that the power claims of electric bike motors is very dubious and nearly always understated, but does anyone know the true sustained peak power of the Tonaro?
I would have thought that 18 was a bit fast for an average, I can understand that this would be possible on certain stretches, but quite dangerous in others. I wouldn't go that fast. 15mph tops I reckon!
I don't know, but the motor looks to be the same on as the Yamaha XP26, so probably about 400 to 450 watts. Of course it's easy to show huge torque capability with transmission drives, just selecting the lowest of many gears does that automatically.
What's not said is what that does to the transmission. Hub gear makers specify the teeth ratio limits between front and rear sprockets to keep the applied torque within bounds, each hub having a specified maximum capability. The rules are broken at one's own risk.
Yes, I have often wondered about the ratio limit on electric bikes. On my modified Lafree I have a 8 speed Nexus with a 37T/16T combination. This gives a ratio of 2.3 which is within the 2.1 limit specified by Shimano, BUT this assumes there is not an electric motor adding up to 400W. In my case and due to the maximum power assist of 1:1 I think it unlikely that I would exceed the expected torque for a sustained amount of time. I never use the assist in first gear anyway, just in case. The hub has been used for 6 years and over 20,000 miles without a problem. However the Tonaro setup has a throttle, and I know if I had one I would be tempted to go for to go for maximum power a lot of the time, especially up hills. Assuming I put in 100W, that would be in excess of 500W through the chain. OK at speed, but probably not what Shimano had in mind in first gear.
The Tonaros do look interesting and the reports from owners seem better than I would have expected so far. For me, the real test is to see what people say about them after 5000 miles and whether the company is still around in 12 months time.
I agree they do look interesting, and the company are bringing 4 new models to the market soon.products Which seems to indicate that they have made a significant investment, but time will tell of course. It would be interesting to know if they are being manufactured primarily for the European market or/and if they are popular in the home Chinese market.
I think most basic transmissions and chains are stronger than what you think.
Even on motorbikes there not that huge when you think of the torque and power being transmitted through them.
I'd imagine most wear would could from not properly lubricating the chain leading to excessive wear.
Even on motorbikes there not that huge when you think of the torque and power being transmitted through them.
I'd imagine most wear would could from not properly lubricating the chain leading to excessive wear.
Certainly true, but I think the stress due to the addition of motor power may not be as bad as the power wattages indicate. It tends to be steady power at fairly constant rates, compared to the thrust extremes at different crank angles which a rider produces when pedalling.
The Chinese just don't use our types of e-bike, they have always preferred a scooter like machine with step though and high power, typically around 700 watts rating which they don't normally pedal. They also use large capacity lead-acid (SLA) batteries for their cheapness, often mounted in the step-through floor platform of their "bikes".
However, their very high accident rate with these machines which greatly exceed their 12 mph assist limit is prompting the authorities to consider EU type legislation
Something like the Esprit would interest me for commuting. I would lose the basket though and preferably the suspension forks. For stability and handling I do think the battery would be better off lower down as well, behind the seatpost like the Lafree or Kalkhoff.
I am in two minds about the usefullness of a throttle. Whilst I appreciate that at times it might be nice to not have to pedal, this would result in much higher current draw and the need for bigger, heavier and more expensive batteries. Also, whenever I have tried out bikes with throttles, I have come away with the feeling that this is just not something I want to bother with. Some throttles have very heavy springs for one thing and it becomes painfull to use them.
My preference is the opposite as I prefere full control and assistance on demand.
But I actually stop using any assistance once up to speed if i'm lazy. Or dont even use it at all.
Now the motor has loosened up and most of the weight is in a back pack I don't really notice the extra weight of the motor.
Its best to have all options covered. At least then you get to choose.
I'd hate to think companies do themselves out of a potential sale because of a £5 part.
But I actually stop using any assistance once up to speed if i'm lazy. Or dont even use it at all.
Now the motor has loosened up and most of the weight is in a back pack I don't really notice the extra weight of the motor.
Its best to have all options covered. At least then you get to choose.
I'd hate to think companies do themselves out of a potential sale because of a £5 part.
I agree that there is no harm in having a throttle, provided you do not have to use it. Having ridden a Panasonic based system just about every working day for the last 7 years though, I honestly don't think it is such a big deal to not have a throttle. The nature of the Panasonic system is a bit special of course with very smooth instant on/off control. I know the pedelec sensors on some hub powered bikes are much more crude than this and can see that the fine control available with a throttle in traffic would be of great benefit. I think the Kalkhoff approach with variable assistance level switching is quite a good compromise. Wish I had the option of doubling the assistance on my Lafree!
Personally I have been swinging between.....throttle/no throttle for ages and unable to decide, which is why I am very interested in trying the Esprit when it arrives.
Although I love the raleigh dover, there are things against it for me personally, the Tonaro compy I tried was impressive for the short time I was on it, so with that in mind I have been prepared to wait for the arrival of the Esprit......and believe me guys I will be there the instant it arrives in South Molton, I will probably be camping overnight at Phils ready for my test ride
The only con for me at the moment is the weight, as I have to lift it up on the rack of my motorhome.
But I am impressed enough with the bikes/price/battery replacement cost and most importantly the integrity and commitment of Phil, to wait and try the esprit before making my final choice.
Roll on september is all I can say
Lynda
Although I love the raleigh dover, there are things against it for me personally, the Tonaro compy I tried was impressive for the short time I was on it, so with that in mind I have been prepared to wait for the arrival of the Esprit......and believe me guys I will be there the instant it arrives in South Molton, I will probably be camping overnight at Phils ready for my test ride
The only con for me at the moment is the weight, as I have to lift it up on the rack of my motorhome.
But I am impressed enough with the bikes/price/battery replacement cost and most importantly the integrity and commitment of Phil, to wait and try the esprit before making my final choice.
Roll on september is all I can say
Lynda
.....really! Well, it takes all sorts, I suppose.
Those are good, sound reasons for considering the Tonaro range. I'm not sure all our members have grasped the attraction of these bikes but if there's only a grand or thereabouts in one's piggybank.......well, there's not much point looking at the Bosch or Panasonic powered bikes. Tonaro, Juicybike, Kudos, Wisper and several others all have something to offer which will allow most who want to, to get on an ebike.
Regards,
Indalo
Very few motorhomes have the space to store a bike internally therefore, other than using a trailer, it necessitates attaching bikes to a rack or carrying them lashed down on the roof, not easy with heavy ebikes.
Indalo
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