Electric Bikes - How do you use your e-bike throttle?

How do you use your e-bike throttle?

Do you use it all the time? at full throttle? just on hills?

I'd like to get a feel for how people are using their batteries, and how far they are getting on a typical charge.

Thank you

Tyler

I use it on hills full throttle. So for me it is almost an on/off and hardly anything in the middle.

I use it on hills full throttle. So for me it is almost an on/off and hardly anything in the middle.

so as long as you have a nice speed going on flat ground, you don't use it? thats cool.

What about for getting started at an intersection when the light turns green? I find that I'm sometimes half way across the intersection before I'm peddling.

Mine does not have a traditional throttle. It's a panasonic inline motor, and the throttle is in the bottom bracket, the harder you step on the cranks, the more juice to the motor. To control the motor the on/off switch has three settings: off, 100%, 50%. As speed increases the flow to the motor decreases, and cuts out all together at about 16 mph when in the tallest gear (less for shorter gears).

I average about 22 miles a charge.

What about for getting started at an intersection when the light turns green? I find that I'm sometimes half way across the intersection before I'm peddling.

My motor is pedal-activated, so I have to get it started before hitting the throttle. It's activated pretty quickly, though, so I hit the throttle to get through intersections quickly. Usually, I get across at the same time as the car beside me. This sometimes gets a stare of amazement from a person in the car. :D

I also use it to accelerate, climb hills, and deal with wind. I'm worried that I'm using it too much, and I might wear it or the motor out.

Yesterday, I used the throttle a lot. I was almost out of battery charge when I got home after about 21 miles. Manufacturer suggests that I should get about 22 miles per charge, using the highest power level, but with no hills and no throttle. I think the battery did a little better than expected, since there were hills, wind, and throttle usage. Of course, mine also has regenerative braking, so that might have added a little juice.

I've thought of starting this thread too, so thanks! I also use mine at intersections to get going on a green light. On hills, of course, and I find myself using it very slightly quite often if I'm on a slight upgrade, rather than shift gears. This is probably not the most battery economical method, but I just use mine for running errands around my neighborhood (which is very hilly, BTW), so I haven't had to push the battery past 10 miles.

I'm heading out to the store this afternoon to get a digital speedometer. Then I'd like to run my bike around the neighorhood while using the throttle all of the time, I have a Schwinn Izip with 24Ahrs of SLA batteries, and my neighborhood is mostly flat.

I sure hope that I can get some decent range from it. I'm mobidly obese, and I was hoping to use my bike as a means to commute for fitness. But my ride to work is 26kms each way.( I'm estimating about 1.5 hours each way).

As far as I can tell, it'll be impossible to elliminate the health benefits from each ride, but I really need the ability to run that motor all of the time otherwise frequent commutes with the bike will be too difficult and challenging for me.

Update: I just got back from my ride. Here's what my cyclocomputer says:

Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Distance: 26.82 km

max speed: 34.7 km/h
average speed:22.9 km/h


I would estimate that I had the throttle on full for about 20 kms. And, on the last km coming home, I was able to maintain 20-26km/h without pedalling.


Anyway, This is good news,

I have clocked my trip to work at 26.5 km, if I take my truck on the scenic route that allows me to pick up my wife at her work, and my son at his daycare.

Also, it looks like I can do the trip in about an hour instead of 1 3/4 hours like I estimated...

Edit: I didn't mean to imply that I will be picking up passengers, I just meant that the actual trip will be less than 26.5kms

SeizeTech,

Those are pretty good numbers. I believe that you have already joined the masses who are faster than I am. :thumb:

...Plus, you will get faster with time and conditioning. Years ago, when I started going 4-5 miles on a regular bike, it took me 35 minutes. Somewhere around 6-8 months later, I was doing the same route in about 20 minutes. I'm out of shape now, but kind of at the building/toning phase, so I expect to be faster by spring, with or without the motor. I can't wait! (Actually, I can wait, because the whole change takes time, but still, I'm excited for what's coming.)

If that is 5 miles in 20 minutes with a recumbent, thats pretty fast! At 15 mph, you have my respect. in my highschool days, I remember averaging 18 mph on a road bike on 20-30mile trips. So I can totally appreciate the level of fitness that you have.

If that is 5 miles in 20 minutes with a recumbent, thats pretty fast! At 15 mph, you have my respect. in my highschool days, I remember averaging 18 mph on a road bike on 20-30mile trips. So I can totally appreciate the level of fitness that you have.

I did 5 miles in 20 minutes on a Beach Cruiser on an MUP that only had stops every 3 + miles, and that was when I was in my peak condition. I'm averaging 5-8 mph on the recumbent, while riding bike lanes with stop signs and lights. Assisted by the motor, that equals anywhere from 10-18 mph. I went 10.5 miles in 55 minutes the other day. I think that averages to about 10 mph. :notamused: Now I'm really starting to wonder. Maybe I should switch the motor over to my Beach Cruiser.

I use my throttle to accelerate rapidly over busy road crossings and also when navigating very tight uphill turns on paths when pedalling can interfere with steering. I set the motor (Bionx) to accelerate from zero k/mh.

I use it all the time about half to 3/4 When I want to chase down another person on a bike, I use full throttle and peddles. i blow by them then slow down and wait for them. I ask them how they thought I did that? You fit they say. I say I am 61 watch my feet, then pull away with out peddling. It is lots of fun

I enjoy the exercise, so I pedal on my own and only use the throttle when I need to. I am new to using the electric motor, however. I hope I don't get lazy. LOL! I have a thumb throttle and I like have the choice on whether or not to use the "assist". I borrowed an Urban Mover (pedal assist) and found I didn't want help sometimes. That is why I went with a thumb throttle. And no, my thumb hasn't been sore, tired or anything wrong. Very easy.