Ghost pedeling or throttle does it matter?

[fooferdoggie]

The OP is confusing. It reads like you're dissing hub drives. It's damn hard to parse posts without any body language to help sort the intent.
That said, I ALWAYS ghost pedal. I'm not fully able and ghost pedaling keeps my legs moving and is actually restorative as the range of motion improves.

sorry I dont mean to be i am really bad at communicating and its hard for me to get across what I mean. Most of the people I see ghost peddling are far fitter then me. I doubt they are doing it because of illness or injury. I am wondering is it so they dont have to use the trottle because it does not make the bike as smooth or is it if they think they are pedaling they would get more range because they are not using the throttle?

 

[PedalUma]

sorry I dont mean to be i am really bad at communicating and its hard for me to get across what I mean. Most of the people I see ghost peddling are far fitter then me. I doubt they are doing it because of illness or injury. I am wondering is it so they dont have to use the trottle because it does not make the bike as smooth or is it if they think they are pedaling they would get more range because they are not using the throttle?

I think it just because it is so convenient, easy to do. On the rear hub bikes, such as the Orbea Gain, you can put the bike in the lowest gear, with the power level all the way up, and ghost pedal at maximum speed. Some people do this while kitted out in bike race costumes.

Orbea Bikes For Sale - New & Used | The Pro's Closet

Shop certified pre-owned used & new Orbea bikes for sale, including the Oiz, Orca & Terra with TPC - The Pro’s Closet. Find specs, prices, model comparisons, reviews, our 2024 best-selling Orbeas list and FAQ's on Orbea mountain, road, TT & gravel bikes. Read our Orbea MTB Buyer's Guide. TPC -...

www.theproscloset.com

 

[fooferdoggie]

I think it just because it is so convenient, easy to do. On the rear hub bikes, such as the Orbea Gain, you can put the bike in the lowest gear, with the power level all the way up, and ghost pedal at maximum speed. Some people do this while kitted out in bike race costumes.

Orbea Bikes For Sale - New & Used | The Pro's Closet

Shop certified pre-owned used & new Orbea bikes for sale, including the Oiz, Orca & Terra with TPC - The Pro’s Closet. Find specs, prices, model comparisons, reviews, our 2024 best-selling Orbeas list and FAQ's on Orbea mountain, road, TT & gravel bikes. Read our Orbea MTB Buyer's Guide. TPC -...

www.theproscloset.com

View attachment 101445

yes myself no way I could have my legs idol the whole time. the guy I saw was maybe going 5 seconds a rotation it was like he was working hard to control how slow he peddled it was kind of strange. I take it ghost peddling and throttle would pretty much use the same battery power?

 

[Gionnirocket]

I only ghost pedal... and backwards at that when throttling up a steep hill as I pass a color coordinated spandex doned d_bag that previously passed me with the stink_eye of condescension.

 

[PedalUma]

One walked it to a bar and asked for a vinegar and water, Please - Gives the fresh all day feeling.

 

[AHicks]

yes myself no way I could have my legs idol the whole time. the guy I saw was maybe going 5 seconds a rotation it was like he was working hard to control how slow he peddled it was kind of strange. I take it ghost peddling and throttle would pretty much use the same battery power?

Just a guess, but I'm thinking you were watching a rookie rider.

I know you aren't a big hub fan, but to get it right, you have to come up with the load/effort (wattage) you're willing to contribute personally, your desired pedaling speed/cadence you want to do that at, and match that with your desired ground speed and the rolling resistance of the surface you are on, along with wind and hill conditions. Bottom line, there's a LOT more to it than just jump on and go. Most new owner/riders soon see there's much more to it than meets the eye.

The guy you were watching may have just had the bike in the wrong gear for instance....

As far as battery consumption, throttle vs. PAS, they should be close to the same - whatever is required to move the bike with all of the conditions mentioned above. Big factors will be what you are contributing personally, and how fast you're going.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Just a guess, but I'm thinking you were watching a rookie rider.

I know you aren't a big hub fan, but to get it right, you have to come up with the load/effort (wattage) you're willing to contribute personally, your desired pedaling speed/cadence you want to do that at, and match that with your desired ground speed and the rolling resistance of the surface you are on, along with wind and hill conditions. Bottom line, there's a LOT more to it than just jump on and go. Most new owner/riders soon see there's much more to it than meets the eye.

The guy you were watching may have just had the bike in the wrong gear for instance....

As far as battery consumption, throttle vs. PAS, they should be close to the same - whatever is required to move the bike with all of the conditions mentioned above. Big factors will be what you are contributing personally, and how fast you're going.

yes I see a lot of rookies and stay clear of them. I have had way to many close calls with newbies since covid. its usually hard to tell if someone is actually putting effort into peddling. I seldom see anyone shifting gears. I am constantly shifting. even roadies don't shift often. we were on our tandem and we cruise around 18.5mph right where the motor is just about cut out. usually putting out 8 watts per mile or less. had a guy on a rad trying to pass us on throttle. he could not quite manage it. so then he had to peddle. once he got past us he kept trying throttle only but nope then would have to peddle some more. I got a kick out of it. my heart rate was about 125 at the time and my wife was higher I am sure. first time I got to make someone else work on their bike.

 

[BlackHand]

Did Elliott think ET would get better range if he kept pedaling?

 

[JesPin0803]

I rarely ghost pedal but find its better and more consistent than using a throttle for longer distances (throttle isnt as easy to control power/speed). This seems to be the case for throttle programmed for power and throttle programmed for speed.

I do the same, plus I broke my right wrist so holding throttle it’s a pain, literally , then there’s the fun part of watching ppl scratching there heads, I’ve had a few asking me if the bike was electric cause I was going faster than I was peddling

 

[Mike_V]

sorry I dont mean to be i am really bad at communicating and its hard for me to get across what I mean. Most of the people I see ghost peddling are far fitter then me. I doubt they are doing it because of illness or injury. I am wondering is it so they dont have to use the trottle because it does not make the bike as smooth or is it if they think they are pedaling they would get more range because they are not using the throttle?

Yes that's true, controlling speed by ghost pedaling, PAS using the computer control, electrically uses power more efficiently than 'throttle'.
Especially true at overall higher speed because, I think, the superior computer modulation of power over varied terrain.

 

[K PierreR]

As many here have pointed out. Ghost pedaling an e bike is like using a therapy bike to loosen up joints and improve range of motion. Not all are able bodied.

I ghost pedal some under two scenarios.
1.) I often start out ghost pedaling until I loosen up vs stretching a bunch in the parking lot. Often I leave my dropper post down to put my knees through a greater range of motion.
2.) I have a BBSHS cadence sensed bike and will ghost pedal to get maximum power for climbing. Maximum power from a Bafang mid drive does not come until you are near max cadence. In the case of the BBSHD that cadence is about 120-130 rpm. I cannot pedal that fast and can no longer contribute my measly power output. If I do not downshift and exceed my own cadence ability, I cannot achieve full power. I have climbed stuff steep enough that I have trouble keeping the front wheel down, I am losing traction on the rear 4.4" fat tire, I have the bike in the lowest gear 42 front/46 rear and pulling 1,600 watts of battery power. At that setting, I am still down around 1,000 watts motor output. My throttle is programed for much lower output.
At the end of the day, e bikes can be justified 100% on the fun factor alone and nothing else.