Tonaro,simply the best

[funkylyn]

you are naughty indalo

Although I do have room inside (since I removed the huge table) its too awkward, and unfortunately my rack is a bit high and I dont like to keep having to look for men to help me lift it up.....

Lynda

 

[tangent]

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

Yes it does seem heavy. A lighter saddle, Getting rid of the basket, and probably pointless suspension forks would shed a bit though. I eagerly await your opinions.

 

[funkylyn]

I am hoping the same thing happens with the esprit as the princess, which turned out to be I think around 3 kilos lighter than the official spec.....thats why I am waiting with bated breath.
My current windsor is just over 20 kilos without battery and I dont want to go much more than 22 kilos if possible.
Mind you......if I fall in love with the Esprit I might have to find a strong man to carry around in the van to do the lifting for me
Not quite sure if it would be worth the aggro though

Its all extra weight after all..........

Lynda

 

[eddieo]

Maybe I am wrong after all! As it looks like the Funkypigeon (as seen on TV!) is riding one....why I cant imagine as he can fly!

mind you his has a ghetto blaster mounted on the front..are these optional extras?

do you think Mr Pigeon is possibly scarrabri in drag?

 

[schoe]

Ok my thoughts for what they are worth on the Tonaro.
It is certainly not as attractive as the Haibike or the new Bosch system bikes I aggree with Eddieo(especially the motor thing on the bottom could they not disguise this as a waterbottle like cytronex) however it does seem to have a lot of advantages as I see it these are as follows.
1. Price.
2. No drag when pedalling without power.
3. No noise.(bosch has been reported to be noisy)
4. Excellent range
5. The weight may even be an advantage on the full suspension in ironing out the bumps.
6. It can easily be derestricted to increase speed.
Even the Germans are talking about them but I don't know what they are saying how do you translate the thread here is the link Vorstellung Umbau Rolektro Sport

I like it in the Scott livery )

 

[Fordulike]

Translated:

Google Translate

 

[wd0021089]

Tonaro

Chinese made, but the system is a very close copy of the much earlier Yamaha system. It appears to use the identical motor to the Yamaha XP26 of 1999.

Please see quote below copied from the Tonaro site.

TONARO power assisted electric bicycle is a new high-tech product independently developed and patented by China National Aero-Technology Guangzhou Company Limited.

The way I read the comment is that it is new and not a straight copy of the Yamaha crank motor.

 

[Fordulike]

Please see quote below copied from the Tonaro site.

TONARO power assisted electric bicycle is a new high-tech product independently developed and patented by China National Aero-Technology Guangzhou Company Limited.

The way I read the comment is that it is new and not a straight copy of the Yamaha crank motor.

Wouldn't be the first time a Chinese company that bent the truth a little

 

[wd0021089]

Wouldn't be the first time a Chinese company that bent the truth a little

In order to get a patent you have to be able to show that the design is unique in some way I accept the company may have taken inspiration from the Yamaha crank motor but so what just look at the proliferation of different hub motors out there are they not all basically similar.

 

[steveindenmark]

I have the Tonaro Enduro and have a couple of comments.

With regards to turning the motor into a water bottle looking like thing. May I suggest you print something like "Worthingtons" on the bottle as the motor is more the size of a small keg than a water bottle.

Suspension forks.... the ZOOM suspension forks, whilst certainly not top of the market, do a very good job of smoothing even the biggest potholes out. I would certainly want to keep them.

The throttle...the throttle is a personal thing and I personally don`t use it, ever. It sucks too much power fronm the battery for my liking. Phil at Powerpedals has told me he may have to stop exporting to Denmark as we are not allowed to have throttles here (Jannie and I have them). It is a 5 minute job to remove them.

The bike is heavy but it never feels heavy even when the power is off because the weight is low slung and directly beneath you so you do not feel you are pushing or pulling it uphill.

I know that it is sold in Australia under 2 different names but I cannot recall the names. Designed in Italy I think. Built like a tank. I think I have covered about 2000km on the Enduro on all terrain and in all weather and cannot fault it for performance.

I would like 2 things changed as standard:

The seat is useless. I interchange it with my Brooks on my racing bike. Luckily the seat posts are the same size and both are on quick releases. The original seat is just awful. In my opinion.

The front light is also not very good but it has the battery indicator built into it and so is not that simple to do away with.

Apart from that the bike is bombproof with a big battery range. It is not expensive, climbs hills like a goat and Phil at Powerpedals provides excellent service.

Steve

 

[Graeme]

Maybe I am wrong after all! As it looks like the Funkypigeon (as seen on TV!) is riding one....why I cant imagine as he can fly!

Let me clear up your confusion about why funkypigeon uses his Tonaro Eddie, it's faster than flying!

 

[Graeme]

Hey what a great name for a new model, the Tonaro Eddie!

 

[eddieo]

Hey what a great name for a new model, the Tonaro Eddie!

In Germany they have 2 names the "Spacerider" and "Rolektro Sport" I think your idea better.....

 

[parker]

This is unusual! Birds can fly and can cycle too. Who knew!!!

 

[Graeme]

Hi Brian
Sorry, I've just come across your PM, I note it was sent a few days ago. I can't seem to PM you, but wanted to reply. Hence the PublicPM
Hey no probs, hope you feel you can start contributing to the forum again soon. I feel that the Tonaro needs to get a fair hearing, and your in put is invaluable for those of us who are trying to make sense of the E-Bike world and get feedback from owners. As I am not an engineer or technically minded and I rely on others here to inform me, which is great, but I also rely on getting 'happy vibes' from owners and users of E-Bikes like you. Please keep posting, for the sake of those who need to know about the benefits of the Tonaro's, and Crank Drive bikes.
Hope to read you soon
Graeme

 

[TylerD]

Me too , Brian, I love your enthusiasm and the sheer joy you get from riding your bike-that's something money can't buy (although you did have to buy the (right) bike of course but let's not get in to that again !). Best wishes

 

[flecc]

Please see quote below copied from the Tonaro site.

TONARO power assisted electric bicycle is a new high-tech product independently developed and patented by China National Aero-Technology Guangzhou Company Limited.

The way I read the comment is that it is new and not a straight copy of the Yamaha crank motor.

I think a misunderstanding, it was the motor that I referred to as identical to the earlier Yamaha, rather than the unit. I believe the patent refers to the transmission within the unit from the Tonaro sourced information that I read. On all these crank drive types the electric motor is only a part of the whole power unit, the torque sensing, electronic hardware and software and internal transmission, together with the way they integrate are all vital to the whole. They don't all do that entirely successfully as the new and very different type of Yamaha unit shows.
.

 

[tillson]

it was the motor that I referred to as identical to the Yamaha

And the motor which clears rain off my old Land Rover windscreen. But I do like the Tonaro and would like to try one out more than any other ebike at the moment.

 

[flecc]

And the motor which clears rain off my old Land Rover windscreen. But I do like the Tonaro and would like to try one out more than any other ebike at the moment.

Yes, it's an interesting design and a welcome addition to the flush of crank drives we have now, especially at it's price point. I don't know why Graeme feels the brand isn't getting a fair hearing, the owners are all praising it in here, some of those not owning them like myself have recommended inquirers consider them, others like yourself have expressed high interest levels and the very few outright comments against have been very obviously banter.

That goes with the territory, every new model gaining popularity throughout the life of the forum has always come in for some mickey taking, and the OTT praise by some Tonaro owners has been obviously tempting such a response. What else can they expect with such a thread title as "Tonaro, simply the best". Obviously it will be said that it isn't, and owners shouldn't be so sensitive about such a predictable response to a provocative title.

 

[steveindenmark]

Well I like mine but I don`t know if it is "Simply the best" because it is the only one I have owned and there are things that could be improved. But I served in the army for a long time and we drove land rovers all the time, all over the world in some awful conditions. We could have had much nicer and posher vehicles to drive but we could fix the land rovers with bits of wire and bent nails. The Tonaro seems to be the Land Rover of the electric bike world at the moment.

If I decide I want a more refined bike and promise to keep on tarmac, then I may look for something lighter next year. As it is, I can take my Tonaro Enduro anywhere. I have just spent the weekend on gritty, stoney tracks in the woods and my gears are clunking and there is half a beach in my chain but it still grinds on, literally.

I will post a short video when I sort it out. It will hopefully help dispell this electric bike - Invalid carriage myth.

Steve