Have just done the 2nd discharge on (this) battery on the Tonaro Esprit.

 

Managed 24 miles using all power levels and a teeny bit of throttle, varied terrain, including some hills.

When I say all power levels I couldnt actually feel any difference whilst in low power, but that could have been due to me going over a certain speed.....as pointed out to me in the previous Tonaro thread, the settings are controlled by the speed you are doing ?

 

So, actually , it was mostly in top assistance mode.

Little bit disappointed not to get more......... but that is me probably being a tad unrealistic It is , after all, just about within the range stated and still not properly conditioned.

Hopefully it might improve yet ?

 

After the next battery discharge that sensor is coming OFF, for reasons previously explained about generally cycling above the cut off speed and hating the cut off in power !

 

At the moment I am not getting any more range than with the judicious use of my windsors battery......but having to work harder for it

 

I love the hill climbing ability of this bike and am getting used to using the gears more.

 

My question is to other Tonaro owners re range you are getting on your bikes ?

 

Obviously dependant somewhat on terrain and weight etc.....but would be helpful to hear from others

Any comments ?

 

Meanwhile......the upside is, although coming back from a ride out I am generally more exhausted than before......I must surely be getting fitter

 

Lynda

That range is quite normal Lynda, considering the bike's power, the battery capacity and it mostly being in the highest power mode.

 

There are some throttle controlled hub-motor bikes that often give just 15 miles on the same capacity battery, so it could be far worse.

Thanks Flecc.....thats reassuring to know......the range I am getting is adequate....but for longer trips away in the motorhome, maybe wild camped in the wilds of Portugal, I would have to consider carrying a second battery......would this still deteriorate at the same speed as the battery normally used, or could I expect a spare battery to last longer if not used as much ?

 

Lynda

It will last longer Lynda, but not pro-rata since the cells age whether used or not. With two batteries it's best to use them in rotation to get the best out of both.

 

However, as you get used to the bike and get fitter you might be able to delay the second battery purchase.

 

Eventually though, since the range reduces as the battery ages, a second one becomes necessary.

I wonder if it would be possible to fit two batteries, piggy back style, wired to automatically switch to the still charged one, a bit like with my 2 large gas bottles in the motorhome that switch from the empty one to the full one automatically ?

 

Lynda

Probably possible Lynda, but not the best way. The best way is to have them both connected at the same time in parallel.

 

That doubling of the capacity more than doubles the range and also gives a small gain in performance. So that 2 times 24 miles could become not 48 miles but more like 55 to 60 miles, with the bike feeling a touch more lively as well.

 

The reason is that all battery cells have resistance to giving up current and that doubling up reduces the output resistance, making the system more efficient. The downside is the extra weight carried of course.

.

Edited October 17, 201114 yr by flecc

I usually have my Tonaro set on the middle and only use the high power setting for short steep bits and I tend to coast with no power or the lowest setting when going downhill and I don't use the throttle if at all possible. The last time I was out for a longish ride I covered 34 miles and the last green indicator light was just flickering out. I haven't done any real long rides for a while (been incapacitated) so I don't have any other data to pass on. Let's hope your range increases as the battery settles in.

Willin...... Thanks for your input......thats a good range.....I hope you get out on more long rides soon.

 

Flecc.....as always .....a really good idea.....now that sounds REALLY tempting.....more range AND more power......WOW........its a thought for next year thankyou.

 

Lynda

I have a Tonaro and the best I have achieved is 68 miles with power level set to the lowest level though I did use high power on a couple of long hills.

I have a Tonaro and the best I have achieved is 68 miles with power level set to the lowest level though I did use high power on a couple of long hills.

 

Thats an amazing range you got from it.....well done ...you must be a lot fitter than me

 

Lynda

Hi Lynda, I haven't been on the forum for a while just wondering how you've been getting on with the Esprit and if you've decided to keep it? And have you figured out a way of getting it in to the motorhome? I'm going down to Devon this month for a hospital appointment (getting 2 new hips on 29th!!) and have emailed Phil to see if there's any chance of a test run . I wonder too if anyone has any experience of cycling with new hips?!

Hi Tyler,

 

Good to hear from you again.

I absolutely love this bike and I figured out a plan B....if ever I cant get it on the back van bike rack,then in an emergency I can get it inside the van....so that problem solved...yes....bike bought and paid for and I cant wait to try it on those mountains of El Chorro, near where I am in Spain !

 

Cant help you with the new hip query....I am lucky enough to still have my originals working well....but very good luck with your operation.....I'm sure you will be back cycling sooner rather than later.

 

Let us know how you get on

 

Lynda

Thanks Lynda,.Glad to hear you went ahead ,its obviously the one for you , you were right to wait for it (her?) I can just imagine the two of you wheeling along these Spanish mountains passes, what a glorious picture, enjoy!

Sorry Lynda, I'm not stalking you but I meant to ask yesterday if the range has improved atall?

 

ps nice to see the boy winning again!

Hi Lynda,

 

Jannie and I went out a couple of weekends ago and did 55km, mostly on country tracks. I was on my Enduro and Jannie was on her Compy. After the 55kms we both had 3 lights out of 5 left.

 

We never use the throttle as it eats you battery power. We switch off a lot on the flats and downhill. We never use assist 1 because we are fit enough not to need it. Mostly we are on setting 2. What we have found is that if Jannie rides right on my back wheel she saves a lot of battery power.

 

Steve

Sorry Lynda, I'm not stalking you but I meant to ask yesterday if the range has improved atall?

 

ps nice to see the boy winning again!

 

LOL

 

Yes, I've done a bit more and not run out yet, but havent had the time recently to do a full test.

that will probably have to wait till I get in those spanish hills, but I'll post updates.....I do love her though

Yes...wasnt it great.....just knew he would improve once he ditched that pussy cat doll .....FAR too distracting for a little guy like that.....

 

Lynda

Hi Lynda,

 

Jannie and I went out a couple of weekends ago and did 55km, mostly on country tracks. I was on my Enduro and Jannie was on her Compy. After the 55kms we both had 3 lights out of 5 left.

 

We never use the throttle as it eats you battery power. We switch off a lot on the flats and downhill. We never use assist 1 because we are fit enough not to need it. Mostly we are on setting 2. What we have found is that if Jannie rides right on my back wheel she saves a lot of battery power.

 

Steve

 

Thats good steve...I dont use the throttle either.....except occasionally to set off up a hill.

 

Ah...interesting.....do you mean like when the F1 cars hitch a lift in the slipstream......how fast are you cycling for goodness sake

 

Lynda

lNew hips

 

Hi Lynda, I haven't been on the forum for a while just wondering how you've been getting on with the Esprit and if you've decided to keep it? And have you figured out a way of getting it in to the motorhome? I'm going down to Devon this month for a hospital appointment (getting 2 new hips on 29th!!) and have emailed Phil to see if there's any chance of a test run . I wonder too if anyone has any experience of cycling with new hips?!

 

Hi all I have had two hip replacements , last one 2 yrs ago and have no boder on a Wisper 905se can do 30 or 40 mls on it no trouble would like a bit more power for the hills at times , but hips no problem I would recomend a bit of cycling for to build up the mussle when your doctor says its safe to do so .Good luck wit the op.

Cheers Michael Sullivan

Thanks Michael, that's good to hear -and I'll be delighted to be able to do a 40 mile run as that's almost twice as far as I've ever gone in my life!

have now had a go on the Esprit and it is a REALLY nice bike -very smooth and quiet, feels much the same weight as my Wispa so very solid and secure on the road. Am going to give it some serious thought once I'm back on board after the hip op, which has gone fine so far. Geoff at Powerpedals mentioned that the Esprit I tried had been out on loan to the clergy Lynda so keep an eye out for cassock wearing e-bikers!

When I was in Belgium where it was very flat (Ypres) I went 20 miles using level 2 assist only on slopes and into the wind. I still had 3 out of the 4 lights showing.

However I was on average only doing about 10mph because I was sight seeing.

It is amazing how much better a bike is for exploring. I took the bike over in my Campervan. On previous visits to this area, I had driven about in the van.

But on the bike, it was like a whole new district because as soon as anything catches your eye, you can stop etc. You cannot do that in a motor vehicle, in fact you probably won't spot it in the first place.

Lynda,

 

did you not see Jannie riding my Enduro without power and into the wind. She is a F1 rider. I was on my racer and was struggling to keep up.

 

 

Steve

TylerD,

 

So pleased you got to try the Esprit and liked it and I hope you continue to make good progress after the hip-ops......you will soon be back cycling I'm sure

 

Steve,

 

That was impressive.....Jannie made me feel exhausted just watching her go.....

 

I have just got back to Spain in the motorhome and after driving 1100kms on monday and 800+ on tuesday I am not really feeling up to cycling today !

 

However, those mountains and lakes at El Chorro are calling me and its such a lovely warm, sunny, blue sky day I might be tempted out after lunch

 

Cant wait to see how the Tonaro eats those steep hills.....will let you know when I do...

 

Lynda

Hi all I have had two hip replacements , last one 2 yrs ago and have no boder on a Wisper 905se can do 30 or 40 mls on it no trouble would like a bit more power for the hills at times , but hips no problem I would recomend a bit of cycling for to build up the mussle when your doctor says its safe to do so .Good luck wit the op.

Cheers Michael Sullivan

 

Excellent news Michael, I am delighted the bike is performing well for you!

 

All the best

 

David