Verve 3+ Gen 3 Lowstep

[Mariasarli]

I have ordered the verve 3+ Gen 3. Apparently it is not compatible with a range extender or integrated second battery. If I carried an extra battery on a long ride, are they easy to swap out?

Also if there are any shorter women (i am 5’ 1” about 27” inseam) with this bike, did you get the small or extra small and was it a good choice? My shop had only mediums and up in the store so i could not try either size.

Finally, I live in a very hilly area and i am not a powerful rider (I’m 66, a bit overweight and just getting back into cycling). If you have this model how is it on steep hills?

 

[dodgeman]

I have a Verve +3 but it’s about 4 years old. You could add a range extender to mine. Maybe you can’t anymore?? How far to you want to ride? With mine I’m pretty much wore out after 30 to 40 miles so I don’t wish for longer range. The batteries an be swapped out pretty easily but it a take a little technique to get them in and out. For example sometimes I turn the key and it doesn’t pop loose and I just hit it with the heel of my hand and it comes right out.

How is it on hills? It all depends on your expectations. On steep hills it’s still a lot of work even turned up for turbo. Turn around and tide that hill on a regular bike without assist you will realize how much it helps.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Finally, I live in a very hilly area and i am not a powerful rider (I’m 66, a bit overweight and just getting back into cycling). If you have this model how is it on steep hills?

Welcome aboard!

The efficiency of a mid-drive motor is generally tied to cadence (pedal rpm). To get the most help from your motor, make a habit of keeping your cadence near the peak of the motor's efficiency vs. cadence curve — at least when climbing. As a bonus, this habit also tends to improve battery range.

My mid-drive's efficiency peaks at 80-90 RPM, which happily matches my legs' preferred cadence exactly. Others may know your motor's optimal cadence, but guessing it's above 70 rpm.

So if your display shows cadence, use your gears and assist levels to stay above 70 rpm on hills till you know the real peak. Your bike's stock gearing (22-95 gear inches) is well suited to this purpose in hilly terrain.

If your display doesn't show cadence, just keep it as high as you comfortably can on hills.