Temporary removal of Level throttle

[JVD]

I'm on the verge of purchasing an Aventon Level. I ride regularly in two different states (CA & CO) and their laws are very similar regarding Class 3 bikes. I do more open road and street-adjacent bike lane riding in CA and can use the C-3 features most of the time. In CO, I do more riding on urban recreational trails that prohibit C-3 operation in many areas. I plan to temporarily remove the throttle while riding in those areas. I don't have the bike yet, but if the throttle removal and re-installation is relatively easy, that will be a big factor in moving ahead with my purchase. Aventon and others state the throttle is removable to make it a C-1. I'm just wondering how easy that would be to do on a semi-frequent basis. Anyone have experience doing this? I do plan to discuss it with the LBS I'm working with once they have one in the shop....hopefully in a couple of weeks.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

Piece of cake. Should take you about one minute, tops.

 

[JVD]

Are the cabling and connections substantial enough to do it a few times a year? It's not like I'm going to do it every day, but I want to be sure it can stand up to that kind of handling. Is it a plug-based setup?

 

[Tom@WashDC]

Just a simple, durable plug. You unscrew the throttle with an Allen wrench, unplug the throttle.

 

[Gordon71]

I'm on the verge of purchasing an Aventon Level. I ride regularly in two different states (CA & CO) and their laws are very similar regarding Class 3 bikes. I do more open road and street-adjacent bike lane riding in CA and can use the C-3 features most of the time. In CO, I do more riding on urban recreational trails that prohibit C-3 operation in many areas. I plan to temporarily remove the throttle while riding in those areas. I don't have the bike yet, but if the throttle removal and re-installation is relatively easy, that will be a big factor in moving ahead with my purchase. Aventon and others state the throttle is removable to make it a C-1. I'm just wondering how easy that would be to do on a semi-frequent basis. Anyone have experience doing this? I do plan to discuss it with the LBS I'm working with once they have one in the shop....hopefully in a couple of weeks.

I don't know about your bike but I'm in a similar situation. There are trails near where I live that only allow class 1. When I ride my bike to the beginning of these trails I stop,turn off the power,and simply unplug the connection to my throttle which converts my class 2 Rad Rover to a class 1. Only takes a few seconds and then when I leave the trails I reverse the process.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Are the cabling and connections substantial enough to do it a few times a year? It's not like I'm going to do it every day, but I want to be sure it can stand up to that kind of handling. Is it a plug-based setup?

My bike uses the same Higo style connector and I have experimented with several different styles of throttle over the past year and have unpluged/plugged the throttle more than a few times without isue.
My display also uses the same waterproof style connector and as I'm always experimenting with the controller programming... that plug gets a lot more unplug/plug cycles. On that one I used a very thin layer of silicone grease on the outer shell of the male plug as they do fit rather tightly and I wanted to reduce the strain of constantly unplugging it. Dielectric grease (very similar if not the same) is also a good lube for this application and both add an extra layer of waterproofing.

 

[6zfshdb]

If your bike has a C-2 or C-3 label on it, removing or disabling the throttle does not necessarily make it a legal C-1 bike in many locations. In my state for example, park rangers use a list by bike make & model to determine it's class. A ranger I encountered on a trail this summer showed me the list on her smartphone. My Pedego came up as a C-2 which technically was illegal on that trail. She said "don't ride like an idiot and no one will bother you." This seems to be the general attitude of LEO's in the areas I ride. To be safe though, I would check the laws where you plan to ride.

 

[Gordon71]

If your bike has a C-2 or C-3 label on it, removing or disabling the throttle does not necessarily make it a legal C-1 bike in many locations. In my state for example, park rangers use a list by bike make & model to determine it's class. A ranger I encountered on a trail this summer showed me the list on her smartphone. My Pedego came up as a C-2 which technically was illegal on that trail. She said "don't ride like an idiot and no one will bother you." This seems to be the general attitude of LEO's in the areas I ride. To be safe though, I would check the laws where you plan to ride.

My Rad Rover has a 1 sticker on the frame which kind of confused me as it does have a throttle and I suspect it would also be on her smart phone. However it is also true that said throttle is the only difference as upper motor size (750) and upper motor top speed (20MPH) are the same for both 1 and 2. Therefore disabling the throttle by unplugging effectively alters a 2 to a 1. That said ,what she said about don't ride like an idiot should be the main factor no matter what is being ridden.

 

[Gionnirocket]

My Rad Rover has a 1 sticker on the frame which kind of confused me as it does have a throttle and I suspect it would also be on her smart phone. However it is also true that said throttle is the only difference as upper motor size (750) and upper motor top speed (20MPH) are the same for both 1 and 2. Therefore disabling the throttle by unplugging effectively alters a 2 to a 1. That said ,what she said about don't ride like an idiot should be the main factor no matter what is being ridden.

Where I ride I've yet to be stopped or seen /heard of anyone being stopped. But what 6z' mentioned and you reiterated about riding practices is key.

 

[Gordon71]

Where I ride I've yet to be stopped or seen /heard of anyone being stopped. But what 6z' mentioned and you reiterated about riding practices is key.

Absolutely. I really think my unplugging of my throttle is more for my peace of mind than anything else. I'm never going to be stopped for doing anything reckless as that's just not me. However if ever challenged, most likely at either when entering or leaving the trail,I have something to point to in order to show compliance with the rules.

 

[JVD]

Just a simple, durable plug. You unscrew the throttle with an Allen wrench, unplug the throttle.

Thanks Tom! Since I won't see the bike in person for a couple of weeks yet (hopefully!), your information is very helpful. It looks like that setup will work fine for my situation.

 

[harryS]

Your biggest hangup will be the grips if you want to pull it off temporarily, If the AVenton has the kind held on with a allen screw clamp, will be easy. Otherwise, if its friction, change them out.

Or wrap the connector throroughly with tape, so they know it wasn;t connected in the unlikely event you were stopped.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

It is held on with a clamp, no need to remove the grips.

 

[Jacob87]

hi .I want to do the same thing but I do not know if it safe. what do you guys think? thank you!

 

[Tom@WashDC]

What is your concern? How would it impact your safety?

 

[Gordon71]

hi .I want to do the same thing but I do not know if it safe. what do you guys think? thank you!

It will be safe as long as you don't do something dumb like I did when the bike was fairly new to me. As you know from this thread,I disconnect my throttle when I use trails where only class 1 are allowed. The only time I've fallen with my bike was on that trail. I was stopped at the bottom of a hill in I think 4th gear and tried to start. Since I had no throttle I stepped down on the pedal which didn't turn and I basically just tipped over. Obviously I should have just turned around and back tracked to a point where I could get into a lower gear before stating up the hill. Anyway I lost a little skin on the arm I landed on,didn't hurt the bike at all,and learned a lesson.