Bosch Walk Assist (Not Smart System)

[Aushiker]

Yesterday I headed out on a planned three-day bikepacking trip, which by my maths was doable on my Riese & Müller SuperCharge 2 (~ 155 km). Anyway, I got defeated by a 20% incline (according to RidewithGPS) (all I can say is it was steep as) rock garden hill climb which had a nice layer of mud thrown on it. Even removing the bikepacking bags did not help in the end. I got around 2/3 of the way up before calling defeat.

Anyway the point of this post is that I am curious as to how others find Bosch's Walk Assist. I accept that it is not designed for climbing really steep hills over rocks and mud, but I did find it frustrating to use. My main bugs with it are:

[1] Having to hold the plus button to keep it active. This can be a hassle when trying to wrangle the bike as well. It would be nice if it could be clicked on and off as needed.
[2] I found the level of assistance varied, i.e., it was not a consistent level. This may have reflected the surface being rocks and mud.

So, for me, it really did not assist; however, I do wonder if it works as it should on a hard surface, such as bitumen.

What are your experiences and thoughts on walk assist?

Even the 'little hill' behind the bike turned out to be painful when I was heading back up. Steeper and muddier than it looks.

 

[Base]

Holding the [+] button is a mandatory safety measure, it just to be different (talking a few years back) for US bikes vs the rest of the world. If you want to use it on a really steep hill you need to be downshifted to the lowest gearing, than it can crawl up on a steady pase. Most of the on/off feeling would be from the walk assist to be over it speed limits, than it cuts out. (Speed limit can also be "crank" rpm).

We've used the walk assist with an overloaded long-join style cargo bike in very steep garages (eurobike building the stand) for a few times and I must say it has plenty off power in that situation. Also bedding in the rear break works great like that.

 

[PCeBiker]

What are your experiences and thoughts on walk assist?

Holding the [+] button is a mandatory safety measure,

I reset my trip meter by holding both the [+] and [-] buttons simultaneously.

I was trying to reset my trip meter last year, and didn't realize that I only had the [+] button pushed, and the bike started taking off across my living room.

Luckily it only goes 6 kph with low power in walk mode and it stopped moving the instant I let go of the button.

I hold the brake lever whenever I reset the trip meter now. (I've got brake switches)

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I can confirm everything @Base said.

It is often the matter of Walk Mode implementation and ergonomics. For example, Vado SL Gen 1 has the Walk mode button located at the bottom of the handlebar remote. As you are pushing a Vado SL uphill or upstairs, the left thumb is pushing the Walk Mode button from the correct direction all the time. Moreover, the assist engages immediately, which cannot be said about all e-bikes...

 

[Aushiker]

Holding the [+] button is a mandatory safety measure, it just to be different (talking a few years back) for US bikes vs the rest of the world. If you want to use it on a really steep hill you need to be downshifted to the lowest gearing, than it can crawl up on a steady pase. Most of the on/off feeling would be from the walk assist to be over it speed limits, than it cuts out. (Speed limit can also be "crank" rpm).

Thanks for the tip. I cannot remember what gear I had downshifted to before I started the big push, but will keep this in mind in the future.

 

[Aushiker]

I can confirm everything @Base said.

It is often the matter of Walk Mode implementation and ergonomics. For example, Vado SL Gen 1 has the Walk mode button located at the bottom of the handlebar remote. As you are pushing a Vado SL uphill or upstairs, the left thumb is pushing the Walk Mode button from the correct direction all the time. Moreover, the assist engages immediately, which cannot be said about all e-bikes...

On the Bosch system you are pressing the + button which is at the top of the remote. Not ideal for walking and pushing, at least when you are fighting rocks at the same time.

 

[fooferdoggie]

the speed is too slow I think 2.5mph on the flats its too slow really. had to use it to get our tandem home and it could not keep up with us.

 

[Base]

Button layout on the remote for the intuvia etc is roughly the same. You would need to push the D button to activate the Walkassit mode and than keep pressing the [+] button.

speed related. you need to shift to the hightest gear (smallest cog/flat mountain with enviolo etc) for the most speed with the walkassist, than it would go up to 6 km/h. with the lowest gear possible it would go slow but it would be rather powerful to push the bike up a hill (fully loaded). Shifting is key in this.

Personally I also use the walkassist to clean the chain and to adjust the shifting with a derailleur e-bike.

I've got a small one of those which clamps just enough on the [+] button so I have 2 hands free, just be careful not to get caught by the chain/spoke/rotor...

 

[wildtrak]

the speed is too slow I think 2.5mph on the flats its too slow really. had to use it to get our tandem home and it could not keep up with us.

Walk assist goes 6kph in the fastest gear, so you should have used a faster gear. That is set with the maximum gear ratio.
And never push the bike when using the walk assist. If it moves too slow, hold it back. The bike needs to do the work. If it senses that you are helping, it stops assisting. Best is to hold it with the left hand (obviously) on the handlebar and with the right hand on the seat. Then you won't get the pedals hitting your legs.

Can be adjusted (if you know how) so it tops out at 150 cadence.
But that would be way too fast to walk it home. I mostly use it for the downhill, goes over 80kph then.
Uphill speed is limited by the grade, 20% grade is possible, but slow though.

The low geared Gen 2 motor in my trailer pushes me with 17kph, no pedaling. That is enough to help the loaded trailer go up any hill.
Here is a video of me riding the walk assist uphill.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Walk assist goes 6kph in the fastest gear, so you should have used a faster gear. That is set with the maximum gear ratio.
And never push the bike when using the walk assist. If it moves too slow, hold it back. The bike needs to do the work. If it senses that you are helping, it stops assisting. Best is to hold it with the left hand (obviously) on the handlebar and with the right hand on the seat. Then you won't get the pedals hitting your legs.

Can be adjusted (if you know how) so it tops out at 150 cadence.

Nope, gears did not make a difference, same speed no matter what. I ended up pushing because it was too slow.

 

[wildtrak]

Nope, gears did not make a difference, same speed no matter what. I ended up pushing because it was too slow.

They do. Try again.
The motor spins a certain fixed cadence. It even works with no speed sensor. Even the cut-off speed is ignored. You can test it by putting a magnet on each spoke and run the walk assist.
The faster the gear you chose, the faster it walks.

 

[fooferdoggie]

They do. Try again.
The motor spins a certain fixed cadence. It even works with no speed sensor. Even the cut-off speed is ignored. You can test it by putting a magnet on each spoke and run the walk assist.
The faster the gear you chose, the faster it walks.

I jsut tested it. the max speed is in the smallest cog but it is still not very fast I can out walk it easily.