Saratoga Dave
Well-Known Member
Purchased new April 2019, ordered from warehouse. They have five left! I wanted the display screen - the 2019 has moved all that out to a phone. Three power levels instead of five, that's plenty. Marginally less battery life, but far more at 500 pack than my Trek bike with a Powerpack 400. 20mphClass 1 vs my Class 3 Trek XM700+, which is not appearing to be an issue at all. Now then:
At only three days in and 103 miles, it’s a little early to be making large pronouncements, but I will offer up two quick first impressions on the new ToughRoad.
I was greatly pleased at how easy it is to pedal with the power turned off. While riding it around the parking lot getting the seat height dialed in, I completely forgot to even turn it on, it was so smooth. BIG difference from the Bosch experience. Very promising for range on longer rides or tours. A big plus. The first 20 mile ride I took I did with no power at all for a good third of the trip just because I could.
I could probably ride the entire Erie Canal route on two charges, if careful enough and the wind was right (going backwards, west to east). I’ll let you know, it’s on the agenda again next month.
Whether it’s the Yamaha motor itself, the way Giant tunes them, or a combination of both, the power delivery is extremely, extremely smooth. You hardly feel it come in, and you don’t feel it go out at 20 mph. It’s a very interesting sensation and it’s going to take a while to get familiar with it. I like it, though. I don’t know if I’d say it’s better or worse than the Bosch way, just very different.
It can really climb, and in only Normal mode. No need for Power mode below maybe 12% hill. That extra torque really makes a difference.
Brakes on the Trek are way better! So far, at least.
More to come when I get five or six hundred miles on it and have an opinion based on actual experience. I’m. I’m very pleasantly impressed so far, though. Very solid and aggressive.
At only three days in and 103 miles, it’s a little early to be making large pronouncements, but I will offer up two quick first impressions on the new ToughRoad.
I was greatly pleased at how easy it is to pedal with the power turned off. While riding it around the parking lot getting the seat height dialed in, I completely forgot to even turn it on, it was so smooth. BIG difference from the Bosch experience. Very promising for range on longer rides or tours. A big plus. The first 20 mile ride I took I did with no power at all for a good third of the trip just because I could.
I could probably ride the entire Erie Canal route on two charges, if careful enough and the wind was right (going backwards, west to east). I’ll let you know, it’s on the agenda again next month.
Whether it’s the Yamaha motor itself, the way Giant tunes them, or a combination of both, the power delivery is extremely, extremely smooth. You hardly feel it come in, and you don’t feel it go out at 20 mph. It’s a very interesting sensation and it’s going to take a while to get familiar with it. I like it, though. I don’t know if I’d say it’s better or worse than the Bosch way, just very different.
It can really climb, and in only Normal mode. No need for Power mode below maybe 12% hill. That extra torque really makes a difference.
Brakes on the Trek are way better! So far, at least.
More to come when I get five or six hundred miles on it and have an opinion based on actual experience. I’m. I’m very pleasantly impressed so far, though. Very solid and aggressive.
