I don't have much success with polls. My other bike was excluded, even though it was a previous winner.

 

Darn it, I missed the nominations. Tillson is it too late to enter the Outrider Trek Hill-climbing Electric Recumbent?

Edited January 4, 201214 yr by shemozzle999

Seeing as hub motor/throttle bikes are cheap and plentiful thats not to surprising is it....dont make them the best mode of transport though

 

Does for me

 

So now my EBrompton falls into the category of plentiful and cheap (wink)

 

Jerry

Edited January 4, 201214 yr by jerrysimon

I always use the throttle; to give as much or little assistance to my pedalling as required - and often without pedalling too if I just feel like a rest!

I voted always use throttle which is interestingly most popular so far.

 

Jerry

 

I voted for: I do not have an independent throttle on my pedelec.

 

but I do have a dependent one!

I like the idea of a throttle, but not happy about people using them from a standing start. Ive had to repair a few battery connection as I feel it just pulls too much juice, the Powabike idea of having to pedal to 3mph to me is a better system or put better battery connection on.

Does for me

 

So now my EBrompton falls into the category of plentiful and cheap (wink)

 

Jerry

 

Oh come on I was genralising:p I love your brompton, probably best folder going.......

Excluded and now not "pure" beginning to get depressed

 

I use "pure" pedelec in the sense of it not coupled with and dependent on throttle operation.

 

Those pedelec modes that require throttle operation as well to get any power are pointless in my view, combining the disadvantages of both.

I love your brompton, probably best folder going.......

 

Probably? Probably?!

 

Dear me........

Well done David, great idea for a poll and results are interesting;)

 

Regards,

Probably? Probably?!

 

Dear me........

 

OK...bestest ever!

I originally thought I would be a throttle only chap, but within 50 miles I was on pedelec 90% of the time. I had underestimated the childhood instilled 'urge to pedal'.

 

I mostly go everywhere on max assist and dont use any throttle. Where I do prefer throttle is perhaps on seafront promenades and cycle paths that are a bit crowded, it just gives more finite control, and adds to the magic sensation of floating along the seafront at a relaxed 10 mph and taking the bracing sea air. It is somehow more graceful and relaxing than pedalling. I also use the throttle when I've had a few, umm, refreshments, and I'm so grateful, it just takes me home!

OK...bestest ever!

 

I did wink

 

Jerry

Must add, I cannot really pedal all that far, I gave up cycling 10 or more years ago. My e-bike has opened a new (or old) world to me. A throttle is essential for people like me.

A throttle gives the user more choice,for example you can use full throttle up a steep hill,and just a little throttle to help against a headwind or gentle slope,or no throttle at all for pure unassisted riding along the flat.

David... I think it's horses for courses....there are a number of UK customers who find a throttle useful and in some cases essential....for myself I must say a throttle does have the temptation of making me lazy,to my mind it does seem that a throttle changes the spirit of what the pedelecs is all about-that is a bike with a bit of help up hills,a throttle makes it into a mini moped. I find I get good exercise out of a pedelec and ride for longer than I would on a non assisted bike,a throttle would take away that exercise.

Having said the above many of our 2012 bikes (for UK supply only) will have throttles...it does mean that we have to have 2 specs of bike because throttles do not comply with EN15194 and cannot therefore be sold in most mainland Euro countries...when we exhibited at the Utrecht over 50 show in Holland we had one bike with a throttle,the Dutch commented 'why do you need that?'

I will offer throttles if that is what customers want ,with an easy disconnect if not required-we seem as a country to be moving more away from Europe on a political level so we may never sign up to EN15194,I think our government probably have more pressing priorities at present.

Dave

KudosCycles

A throttle gives the user more choice,for example you can use full throttle up a steep hill,and just a little throttle to help against a headwind or gentle slope,or no throttle at all for pure unassisted riding along the flat.

 

Exactly. Throttle only here so I've voted ‘always use throttle’. Not because I don’t like pedalling but I I’ve yet to try a hub powered bike where the ‘pedelec’ function worked to my liking - much better control with a throttle. If I wanted a pedelec I’d go for one of the more sophisticated crank drives - which I do like.

Edited January 5, 201214 yr by jhruk

As I posted before, last winter my gears froze in 1st gear and I had to travel home purely on throttle only.

My bike surprised me by getting me home without cutting out and only 5 minutes slower than if I pedaled the whole way normally.

Overall though I did not enjoy throttle only as without leg movement I became cold very quickly and holding the throttle open for 12+ miles really hurt my hand.

I use throttle for a quick pull away at junctions and traffic lights and maybe starting up a slope and that's it.

If I could only have pedelec or throttle give me pedelec every time.

Now I am the opposite to Baswaldo. I would always want a throttle, and I suspect that the members of the public yet to take up e-cycling would be far more at home with a throttle than pedelec. Most of them are drivers and would find the throttle concept quite natural.

As for crank drivers, the Tonaro offers pure throttle which is to my liking. Panasonic and Bosch have this proportionate power level depending upon pedal input. I can see that real cyclists like this idea because they want to pedal and keep fit. Those who are not interested in such things just want an extremely lightweight moped that can be used as a cycle........that is why many of us deprecate attempts to produce bikes with illegal power levels.

Another one for always use throttle but probably for a different reason than most.

I got my bike because I had my driving licence revoked for medical reasons - I have Parkinsons and only practical way to get to work was walk or bike - as my legs don't always work too well the electric bike was perfect solution.

Although I now have a restricted licence back still use the bike on days when I can't drive and pedal when I can but throttle means I can still get about even if my legs dont want to walk properly or pedal.

I've got a throttle on my Claud Butler Glide 1 but never use it. The biggest benefit to me of a throttle would be in the case where you have to push your bike, for whatever reason, if you then had a walking pace setting it would be great. There is one hill where I live that I can't manage and pushing a 27kg bike up is no joke!

No, as long as I am fit enough I want to pedal I don't want a moped.

throttles do not comply with EN15194 and cannot therefore be sold in most mainland Euro countries...when we exhibited at the Utrecht over 50 show in Holland we had one bike with a throttle,the Dutch commented 'why do you need that?'

I will offer throttles if that is what customers want ,with an easy disconnect if not required-we seem as a country to be moving more away from Europe on a political level so we may never sign up to EN15194,

Dave

KudosCycles

 

Hi Dave thanks for your input, a couple of pointers;

 

1. A throttle is perfectly OK on a bike with EN15194 certification, all but one of our bikes have throttles and all are SGS certified to EN15194. EN15194 allows the use of an independent throttle up to 6kph and between 6 and 25kph as long as the pedals are turning forward.

 

The choice can be made by Wisper owners in the UK to have the bikes converted by the dealer to full independent throttle use. Or of course it can be removed completely although so far no one has asked for this option!

 

All Wisper bikes sold in Holland, France, Germany, Spain etc are equipped with throttles, our Dutch dealer in particular thinks this is one of his main USPs. There is no doubt that the use of a throttle to regulate the amount of assistance required by the rider along with the obvious safety implications is a huge asset.

 

2. If anyone intends selling pedelecs in Europe they must have bikes certified to EN15194. A few European countries already do not allow the import of pedelecs without certification and the majority will follow suit this year.

 

The objective of this post and survey was to find out what the Pedelec community felt about the use of throttles rather than giving bike dealers an opportunity to justify their position in the Market (I am also not blameless on this one!!). We at BEBA believe we have a small (very small) opportunity to persuade the government allow us to retain the option to install and use a full function throttle in the UK. As the only independent voice in the industry we at BEBA wanted to make certain this was what the community wanted. If the survey continues to indicate that the majority find the throttle useful and makes the use of pedelecs safer and more inclusive we will use our findings when we make our presentation.

 

All the best

 

David

Edited January 5, 201214 yr by Wisper Bikes

Those pedelec modes that require throttle operation as well to get any power are pointless in my view, combining the disadvantages of both.

My eZee is like that, which is another reason why I use throttle only.

Thanks for everyone's input so far, if anyone has not yet voted it would be great to get your views as soon as posible, thanks!

 

There is a BEBA meeting on the 24th of this month at which throttles will be discussed. The posts so far have been most useful and informative, giving a solid indication as to the communities state of mind re throttle use. Many thanks to all who have responded.

 

All the best

 

David

OK, I'll jump in with my 2p worth. If you're looking to persuade the Government to allow throttles then go for it. I wanted a throttle but my bike didn't come with one and if I'm honest I now don't mind if I have one or not now, my bike's motor gives me full power as long as the pedals are turning, no matter how hard or soft. Just because some people don't want a throttle is irrelevant to those who want/need a throttle. If you're selling something, I think you'll find you won't put buyers off if a bike has a throttle but the buyer doesn't want/need one but you might put a buyer off if the bike doesn't have a throttle and the buyer wants/needs one. As an example, someone might not be able to ride my e-bike but might be able to, if it had a throttle

If your hope is to get more people onto bikes, more sales for your company, then you should be persuading the Government to allow throttles.

OK, I'll jump in with my 2p worth. If you're looking to persuade the Government to allow throttles then go for it. I wanted a throttle but my bike didn't come with one and if I'm honest I now don't mind if I have one or not now, my bike's motor gives me full power as long as the pedals are turning, no matter how hard or soft. Just because some people don't want a throttle is irrelevant to those who want/need a throttle. If you're selling something, I think you'll find you won't put buyers off if a bike has a throttle but the buyer doesn't want/need one but you might put a buyer off if the bike doesn't have a throttle and the buyer wants/needs one. As an example, someone might not be able to ride my e-bike but might be able to, if it had a throttle

If your hope is to get more people onto bikes, more sales for your company, then you should be persuading the Government to allow throttles.

 

 

Totally agree......

 

Lynda