Originally Posted by
njkayaker
You are saying,
No, I am not. And I know you know that.
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There are a bunch of laws restricting access to certain facilities to "nonmotorized vehicles". The e-bikes you have to pedal (that don't have throttles) might exist (in part) to allow them in such places (by them being "motor assist").
(I suspect there aren't many bicycle clubs that allow the don't-have-to-pedal types.)
It would be easier/cheaper for the manufacturers to not have models with and without throttles. So, there's has to be a compelling reason to have both.
I haven't done an exhaustive search, but what all of these appear to have in common is that they are based on Chinese-made conversion kits, which come with an optional throttle. BFANG is one such example Cyc is another. Mine came with one, so I used it, initially for diagnostic purposes, but then I realized it actually had some utility for getting started on a hill. (One of the main problems my wife has with her Class 1 ebike is she finds it very hard to get re-started if she has to stop on a hill. It is reminiscent of riding a fully-loaded touring bike, and she has degenerative arthritis.)
The commercial e-bikes I have seen (Cannondale, which my wife has, Trek, Specialized, Santa Cruz, etc) don't have optional throttles, as far as I am aware.
I took my e-bike conversion out for a quick spin yesterday, and used the throttle more than I ever have before, cumulative, just to play around with it. My average speed on that ride was 11.5 mph. My max speed, about 22 mph, was going downhill unassisted. Even if I had throttled it the whole way, I doubt I would have exceeded about 12 mph. The reason for this is quite simple: I set the bike up with a 30T front chainring (the largest that would fit this frame without a Q-factor atrocity) and I don't have a burning need to go faster. The conversion kit makes it really easy for those interested to re-program and "hot rod" their e-bike. I have no interest in doing that.
My wife could really benefit from having a throttle to get (re)-started, and it could potentially help her avoid further injury. If we could add one to her bike, I would. I decided to keep mine in place if I need to get started under unfavorable conditions or if I need to escape a dangerous situation quickly. This isn't the kind of bike I would take on a club ride, and I actually don't enjoy riding it recreationally. It is an alternative to having a second, back-up car.
BTW, they don't cost a whole lot:
