Hello from the Dordogne, France

[rogermunns]

I retired -officially - in 2010 - having moved from Birmingham UK in 2006. Such lovely, unspoilt countryside is crying out for cycling - not totally flat, but no great inclines either. At least, where we live. So a year ago, when a friend here said that she no longer wanted her ex-husband's and her own electric bikes, would I be interested? I bought both of them. They are very similar - a gent's and a ladies' - and both have needed the same attention. My friend could not remember when they bought them, but I suspect probably over 10 years ago. They are ZOOM SWIFT140 bikes, one with 26" wheels, the other 28". Both had lead-acid batteries, totally discharged for several years and useless. I've replaced them with Li-Ion, of course, decent quality but only 8Ah and 10Ah, enough for my wife and I to cruise around locally. Both are pedal-assist but I'm confused, because they have throttles as well. I do have some questions, which I will post in the maintenance section, but in general I am pleased and impressed.

 

[TMH]

...Both are pedal-assist but I'm confused, because they have throttles as well...

Welcome!

10 and more years ago many of the electric bikes had throttle only and no real 'pedal assist' sensors. You pedaled the bike manually and put in some level of power using the throttle when needed. Next came the addition of cadence sensors in addition to the throttle. Now generally you could pedal and get power 'automatically' at a chosen level, or over-ride and get increased power using the throttle. This is most likely what you have - the cadence sensor determines that you are pedaling, and fully turns on the power assist to the assist level you have specified (level 1, 2, 3, etc.) Choosing a higher assist will cause more of a rush when the power comes on as the system knows you have chosen, perhaps, full power of the motor.

Cadence sensors (and the electronics controlling their systems) have improved a lot over the last 10 years, with many now ramping up the power better (instead of digital on/off). Torque sensors are considered to be more natural to many riders as they sense how much you are pushing on the pedals and will ramp up or back off based on the force they sense. Many use the phrase 'seems like I have bionic legs' when referring to how torque sensors feel.

I recently sold the Pedego bikes my wife and I had purchased about 10 years ago. These didn't even have pedal assist yet, just manual pedaling and a twist throttle.

Boy has the engineering and execution of e-bikes changed since our original Pedegos!

 

[Bigal1463]

Welcome Roger.