Hi there,

 

Apologies in advance for starting my journey on this forum with a complaint. I'm just curious to know what you guys think of the following:

 

I had a relatively cheap cadence/throttle e-bike (first e-bike), and had to sell for several reasons. Last week I started looking for a new good quality e-bike, and settled for the A2B Hybrid 24.

 

I received it today. The build and the feel, the brakes, the suspension, the wheels are all awesome. However, this is my first torque sensing e-bike and I'm utterly disappointed. Frankly, I didn't know what to expect coming from a cadence sensor/throttle background. I'm not quite sure what to think of it, I'm even wondering if I should return it and get a cadence sensor bike. Or it's a matter of getting used to it? I travelled only 4 miles on it so far and I'm not exactly over the moon. In fact, it's depressing to think I paid £1200 for something that I might end up hating.

 

I was also wondering if it's possible to disable the torque sensor, or replace it with a cadence. I don't know, I'm not mechanically minded. Any thoughts?

 

 

Thanks!

4 miles isn't enough. You will have to adapt your riding style a little and that doesn't come instantly. If the bike is comfortable and fits you then you are half way to liking it you just have to learn the rest.

you'll need a few days for your legs' muscles to get used to the torque sensor.

As you have found out the two systems are different.

Cadence is a very forgiving and an easy ride pedal lightly or hard for more effort. TS requires effort the harder you pedal the faster you go and it gives you a good work out, more suited to an athletic cyclist who finds a pedal only bike a liitle to much.

Thanks, guys. I guess like you say it's a matter if getting used to it. I ride a normal bike as well, but use an electric bike when I'm tired or just feeling lazy

You will get used to it. For some three years I owned and rode both types routinely and had no trouble switching between them.

.

I tried an A2B and found it heavy and under-powered.

 

That's in comparison to a Bosch bike, which itself is no ball of fire.

 

I wonder if a torque sensor and hub motor is a good combination.

I tried an A2B and found it heavy and under-powered.

 

That's in comparison to a Bosch bike, which itself is no ball of fire.

 

I wonder if a torque sensor and hub motor is a good combination.

 

I don't really have a problem with the weight. It's heavy alright, but the geometry of the frame makes it easy to handle, plus I usually store it on the ground floor. This is my second e-bike, and perhaps the 5th bike in the past 5 years, and I have to say I find it handles very well. Also, I was surprised how maneuverable it is around corners or with sharp turns. You don't feel much of the weight even when you're pedaling without power on, it's got 8 gears anyway.

 

I'd love to try to Bosch bike, but it means I'll have to sell a kidney to afford it

I'd love to try to Bosch bike, but it means I'll have to sell a kidney to afford it

 

There were Bosch Cube hybribs for sale recently at £1260, all sold now by the look of it.

Some photos...

That is a very striking looking bike, very striking

Edited October 14, 20169 yr by IR772

I hope you don't mind me saying but that bike was at the front of the line when ugly was handed out.

 

Not at all. It's subjective anyway. Perhaps you have a different taste, but I prefer modern-looking vehicles - not big on classics, or mountain bikes with motors. I've got a full suspension specialised MTB and I think it's absolutely stunning looking. However, for me, it'll look totally ugly if it had a motor.

UPDATE!

 

I've been using the Hybrid 24 everyday in the past few days, and I'm starting to get the feel of it. I like the fact that as soon as you push the pedal, even slightly, from stop the bike just goes. In a way, it works like a throttle, gives you a jolt. The difference with the torque sensor, however, you need to keep up the momentum.

 

I don't feel as disappointed. I'm starting to like the torque sensing technology. Having said that, I miss the throttle Who knows! I might end up with 2 electric bikes in the coming few months - one with a throttle. I'll need to find a way to have two bikes in the house without the Mrs. noticing though.

buy your wife one with throttle.

Or buy a Wisper Torque....has a throttle...and allows you to switch from torque to cadence.

Or buy a Wisper Torque....has a throttle...and allows you to switch from torque to cadence.

What does a Wisper Torque involve, can it replace the existing one on my bike? Sorry, not very knowledgeable about electronics!

Hi E Moses, the Wisper Torque is a bike. It has the best of all worlds.

 

1. Excellent Torque sensor.

2. Cadence only mode.

3. Throttle to 4mph and full throttle when turning the pedals forward.

 

Its not something you can fit to your A2B!

 

 

All the best, David

Edited October 17, 20169 yr by Wisper Bikes

I tried an A2B bike that was on the stand next to me,not sure if the same as yours but it had very big batteries,lots of power,weighed 37 kgs.

To my mind it was more an electric motor bike to be used mainly with the throttle.

KudosDave

To my mind it was more an electric motor bike to be used mainly with the throttle.

KudosDave

 

There's no doubt it was designed that way, primarily as a stylish moped rather than an e-bike.

 

I always thought it well designed for its purpose, but best in the 20" wheel version where it's power and climb ability matched that purpose well.

.

They used to be sold by John Lewis. They usually sell high quality goods. I like them. But having ridden a R&M I'm being tempted. I blame David M.

Hi E Moses, the Wisper Torque is a bike. It has the best of all worlds.

 

1. Excellent Torque sensor.

2. Cadence only mode.

3. Throttle to 4mph and full throttle when turning the pedals forward.

 

Its not something you can fit to your A2B!

 

[ATTACH=full]16016[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]16017[/ATTACH]

 

All the best, David

Very nice bike. Believe it or not, I almost bought it, but felt was a bit too expensive. The A2B is more expensive, but I got a good deal, which made it cheaper than the Wisper. Erm...next time perhaps!

I tried an A2B bike that was on the stand next to me,not sure if the same as yours but it had very big batteries,lots of power,weighed 37 kgs.

To my mind it was more an electric motor bike to be used mainly with the throttle.

KudosDave

I think you're referring to the A2B Metro. It's quite lumpy and, as you say, almost a moped rather than a bicycle. Let alone that fact that with the standard battery it comes with the range is no more than 20 miles. You'll need to buy the spare battery to add another 20 miles.

As someone who doesn't yet have an e-bike and doesn't understand the difference between torque-sensing and cadence, I'm concerned about making the right choice if and when I buy an e-bike. I'd optimistically thought that all you had to do with an e-bike was ride it as you would an ordinary bike and it did the rest. Seems maybe not. Advice or further info would be welcome. And how do I know which system a bike I'm interested in uses?

I always think that a torque sensor gives a cyclist help when needed like when on a hill, a cadence sensor may need you to assist it when on a hill.

 

It depends on why you want a bike.

As someone who doesn't yet have an e-bike and doesn't understand the difference between torque-sensing and cadence, I'm concerned about making the right choice if and when I buy an e-bike. I'd optimistically thought that all you had to do with an e-bike was ride it as you would an ordinary bike and it did the rest. Seems maybe not. Advice or further info would be welcome. And how do I know which system a bike I'm interested in uses?

 

Hi Weatear, that's exactly how bikes with Torque sensors work.

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

All the best, David