I hated the PAS that came with my first controller/motor/pickup/throttle. Minimum speed was 11 mph at level 1, and minimum acceleration was about 250 W, which was too fast for bad pavement I sometimes ride on. When I moved the system to the next bike, I did not bother to install the PAS pickup on the new crank. I ride unpowered the majority of the time, but when the wind is strong in my face or on the 50th or later hill, I use the throttle.
If I ride into the wind more than 2 hours, my throttle hand gets tired. Worth it having electric assist available to avoid 6 hour rides at 140 bpm heart rate, as my route and distance are fixed whatever the wind is doing.
When the first hubmotor wore out, the new one came with a controller not equipped for a pas pickup, or chain tension pickup either. The latter feature is new, allegedly very natural feeling, and available mainly on mid-drive bikes. The mid drive bikes can't be ridden if the chain battery motor or controller die, which has happened to me several times. Since I have a geared hub motor that doesn't drag unpowered, when the battery fails (two of them) or the throttle is taken out by the rain (thrice), or the motor wears out (once), I just keep pedaling until I get to my destination. No tow truck, taxi, or spouse assistance required.
