I've searched thru many old posts where people kinda dance around this question and I know people have a personal preference, so lets hear it. Which is better, a twist or thumb throttle and why? As a newbie, I'd be inclined to think the thumb throttle would be easier to manipulate while pedaling, but I could be completely wrong. Educate me please.

I like the twist throttle better, it reminds me of my motorcycles.

Half twist throttle is the best for me. I haven't tried the thumb throttle, so my review may be a bit biased.

But, in any case, here's what I think about half twist throttle:

a) you get more stability because you're gripping the handlebar vs holding it with some fingers and throttling with your thumb
b) half twist gives you enough control, trust me, and the good thing is you don't have to bend your writst a whole lot to get full throttle.

The first time I tried a thumb-throttle, it hurt my thumb. I couldn't imagine going for miles with it. Twisty sounds better, as I never had a complaint while riding a twist-throttle motorbike.

I much prefer a twist throttle too. I set mine up on my tricycle so it doesn't drop back to zero if I let it go which makes life much easier when it comes to hand signals and other such reasons for having to lift a hand from the grips. That isn't as dangerous as it sounds because I've got two 'clutch' levers which operate a power off switch as well.

Thumb throttle.

The Bionx thumb throttle has very little resistance. I'm familiar with thumb throttle because I snowmobile for hours in the winter. Hint: Snow mobiles (Ski-doo) use thumb throttles.

Ski-doo:

http://www.gravityworxracing.com/DSC00012_edited_op_800x511.jpg

Bionx:

http://electricrider.net/files/bionxGrip.jpg

Thumb throttles on the Bionx allows it to be mounted on many more bikes because it's a thumb throttle. specifically all those bikes that use Gripshifts, like my new one.

I personally have a thumb throttle, and yes it does hurt your thumb at first, when you first start using it. but I have been using the thumb throttle for a few moths now, and I don't notice it any more, until it starts getting cold, then my thumb gets a bit stiff and sore.

I tried the thumb throttle, and have a snowmobile with a thumb throttle, but on my bike conversion I went with the full twist, and like it very much.
I have lever shifters and found for me works very well with the twist throttle.
I would like to try the half twist next

I tried the thumb throttle, and have a snowmobile with a thumb throttle, but on my bike conversion I went with the full twist, and like it very much.
I have lever shifters and found for me works very well with the twist throttle.
I would like to try the half twist next

What's the difference between a full and half twist? (aside from the obvious)

I've searched thru many old posts where people kinda dance around this question and I know people have a personal preference, so lets hear it. Which is better, a twist or thumb throttle and why? As a newbie, I'd be inclined to think the thumb throttle would be easier to manipulate while pedaling, but I could be completely wrong. Educate me please.

I could not make up my mind which to use, having had some 11 motorcycles.
I chose the thumb throttle, can´t say why except my supplier uses one and likes it.
I find it to be good BUT I also have cruise control, so any pressure on my thumb is relieved!

What's the difference between a full and half twist? (aside from the obvious)

The link below describes it a bit more. For me the full throttle is ok, except when someone was trying to help me with a mechanical problem (Bent seat post....another story), and he lifted on the throttle, which broke the little plastic tabs inside which hold it on the handlebar. I was able to glue them, so I am gonna get a replacement. The half twist I imagine would allow you kind of hold the throttle with 2 fingers, with the other 2 on the stationary side for a cheap cruise control.

http://ebikes.ca/store/#Throttles

I'm a m/c rider too and always thought twist would be my preference for eBikes. However, after trying both for a while I settled on thumb. Mostly because it's usually on or off - not much inbetween. For that I prefer my thumb - for long stretches I adjusted the angle so that my resting palm can hold the lever open. Poor man's cruise control...

I find it to be good BUT I also have cruise control, so any pressure on my thumb is relieved!

Cruise control!?!?!? I've gotta see a pic of this.

I'm building my bike with a twist throttle, because it has the 8s gear shifters with brake handles built in one. That helps keep excess stuff from inhabitting your bars. It really all depends on what kind of shifters you have to begin with. Most higher end bikes use thumb/rapid-fire shifters, so twist throttles would necessary, vs lower end bikes that use alot of twist shifters.

The 'kit' I'm putting together will use a Crystalyte thumb throttle / Clyte to WE conversion wire /
Even before I started assembling, I notice how much softer and smoother the Clyte thumb throttle is than the one included in the WE kit. I opted for a left hand throttle w/o the gadget lights since I have a twist shift 7spd on the right and a CA-SA for real battery info. I remember learning to fly and at the time, I thought most of the yoke fiddling with my left hand would be wierd. Nope. So I figur this will just become routine till I get back on the scooter :o

I'm building my bike with a twist throttle, because it has the 8s gear shifters with brake handles built in one. That helps keep excess stuff from inhabitting your bars. It really all depends on what kind of shifters you have to begin with. Most higher end bikes use thumb/rapid-fire shifters, so twist throttles would necessary, vs lower end bikes that use alot of twist shifters.

Even with thumb/rapid fire shifters, a thumb throttle is better. With a twist shifter your hand moves out of position to press the thumb shifter. With the thumb shifters you just move the thumb off the throttle, snap into the next gear and back onto the throttle. All the time your hand is still in the same position.

I actually like the Half Twist throttle more than the full twist throttle. I also have rode a Motocross bike with a full throttle and when I got my new E-Bike and it had the half twist I though it was a bit strange but after just a couple of rides I really like the design and the way it works.

Can twist grips be used with twist shifters? I have a thumb controller on my WE kit which broke off after only a couple hours of use. I think it's from hitting small bumps with my thumb on the paddle. What hurt's my thumb was also fatiguing the plastic. I can't seem to get a new one from Itelectric.ca, as they promised to replace it along with my bad charger, and I'm still waiting after a couple of weeks. I might just buy one from someplace else since I can't seem to get a replacement. I may just look for a left hand throttle since I rarely shift the front ring.