T4tomo
Legendary Member
Not really because ebikers will insist that ebikes are bikes too.
I don't think they will,.....and if they do they should be soundly beaten with wet head of lettuce.
Not really because ebikers will insist that ebikes are bikes too.
How would you describe and differentiate between the two forms of bike which are being discussed?
I'm not sure but those were my suggestions. Seemed disliked too. It's a bit surprising that there still seems to be no good consensus answer.How about pedal-powered or pedal-only?
I'm not sure but those were my suggestions. Seemed disliked too. It's a bit surprising that there still seems to be no good consensus answer.
They certainly were! My apologies - I should have checked back. I suppose 'leg-powered' would be more accurate as legal e-bikes won't move without pedalling. There must be another thread about this somewhere.
Except there is no such thing as Type Approval - manufacturers must self declare their own compliance, the total opposite of the car world where vehicles and major assemblies are actually tested by the authorities and then formally granted type approval.(Lots of legal ways to have a ebike with a twist and go throttle. They were legal to sell upto about 2016 and still legal to use afterwards. I think Wisper do a range of individually tested ebikes which are legal to buy and its legal to fit a ebike kit with a twist and go throttle even today.
https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/dft-pedal-cycles-converted-twist-go-exempt-type-approval/
Also on many ebikes you can have ghost pedalling where as long as you turn the cranks even if no resistance you have full twist and go functionality. That is fully legal within the EU legislation. It's a bit dangerous though as you have lag between turning the pedals and the throttle operating which is not ideal in fast moving urban traffic. Ideally for safety you want the throttle to respond immediately with your pedalling as you move away from junctions etc.
However it is not legal to buy a prebuilt ebike with a full speed (15.5mph) twist and go throttle unless it has individual type approval like some Wisper bikes.
This is all from a UK perspective possibly not Northern Ireland.
No if you want a pre-built ebike with a full twist and go throttle in the UK you have to go through a type approval process which involves the supplier of the ebike getting each individual ebike tested and approved. Once tested it can be used like any other ebike in the UK without tax or insurance necessary. You don't need to do this though if converting your own bicycle or you bought a ebike before 2016. More information here;Except there is no such thing as Type Approval - manufacturers must self declare their own compliance, the total opposite of the car world where vehicles and major assemblies are actually tested by the authorities and then formally granted type approval.
Ebikes are compliant instead of being type approved (or not as the case may be.) Having a bike from Foreignistan with a dodgy compliance label on th hub is mitigation in court, but not a defence. It is up to us to ensure our bikes are compliant, and the only reasonable means of that is to buy from reputable sources.
Non-e, or non-assisted?
Human powered
But my ebikes are human powered - without my input they wouldn't move -100% human powered above 15.5mph.
(I don't have throttles! If I'm talking to those who know little about e-bikes the niceties regarding throttles and their legality are somewhat irrelevant, it's important to point out that - in the majority of cases, and certainly in my case - you have to pedal to get the bike to go!)
So it is much easier with a twist and go throttle to use power more sparingly.
Interesting new e-road-bike motor system from Mavic X-Tend ebike motor system
I think you'll struggle to find an ebike that is throttle only.
Most have at least a cadence and speed sensor which means you are using power all the time you are moving forward.
The throttles are not very sensitive, but they do give you immediate access to full beans.
It might be more accurate to say a throttle makes it much easier to use power more lavishly
I think this thread has been completely derailed. Has anyone any more comments regarding the recently announced Mavic Extend system?