The Joys of MS...

[Keith Johnston]

Hi. I'm a new member here and like many, was an avid cyclist for years until my MS progressed and made traditional road cycling untenable. Hello ebike. My splurge is a new Trek Verve+3 ebike, a step-through. I love it and it works great (better than my body....). Two challenges:

1. I find that I really need a throttle to help me start off from a dead-stop--I didn't think I did initially, but reality always rears its ugly head and disagrees with me...This is a huge issue for me, especially in the summer when the heat exacerbates all my symptoms. I've been told that Trek does not have throttles on any of its ebikes, and the only way to add one (if possible, at all), would be through a warranty-negating hack of the Bosch drive-train and controller. So, two questions within this: is it even possible to add a throttle to this bike? And if so, how?

And if not, I'll have to modify my physical workouts to facilitate pushing off from a stop. Or, sell my beloved Trek and find an alternative bike (or e-trike) with a throttle.

2. Like others, my feet commonly slip around or fall off the pedals. I can't do cages or clips b/c of leg weakness and inability to quickly remove my foot from a cage/clip. Any other ideas? 3D printer pedal mods??

Any or all thoughts would be most welcome. Thanks so much!

Keith

 

[John from Connecticut]

Hi. I'm a new member here and like many, was an avid cyclist for years until my MS progressed and made traditional road cycling untenable. Hello ebike. My splurge is a new Trek Verve+3 ebike, a step-through. I love it and it works great (better than my body....). Two challenges:

1. I find that I really need a throttle to help me start off from a dead-stop--I didn't think I did initially, but reality always rears its ugly head and disagrees with me...This is a huge issue for me, especially in the summer when the heat exacerbates all my symptoms. I've been told that Trek does not have throttles on any of its ebikes, and the only way to add one (if possible, at all), would be through a warranty-negating hack of the Bosch drive-train and controller. So, two questions within this: is it even possible to add a throttle to this bike? And if so, how?

And if not, I'll have to modify my physical workouts to facilitate pushing off from a stop. Or, sell my beloved Trek and find an alternative bike (or e-trike) with a throttle.

2. Like others, my feet commonly slip around or fall off the pedals. I can't do cages or clips b/c of leg weakness and inability to quickly remove my foot from a cage/clip. Any other ideas? 3D printer pedal mods??

Any or all thoughts would be most welcome. Thanks so much!

Keith

Hi Keith,

I have no knowledge regarding a whether a throttle can be hacked ( added ) to your Bosch Drive Train. Based on the facts you've
presented you want and need a bullet proof, 100% reliable throttle designed for the motor and gearing specific to your Trek.

Yes a hack may work, but I would not consider it an option. Typically a well designed factory throttle/ drive train
provides a smooth controlled acceleration, one that inspires confidence. This is a huge safety issue, in my opinion.

If I were in your situation I'd talk with your Local Bike shop about a different bike. I hate to say this, but you don't want a science project
via a hack. How old is your bike ? Keep us posted.

John

 

[Nova Haibike]

Crank Brothers makes large platform pedals; either the Stamp 1 or 7 come in a large size. Even bigger is the Pedaling Innovations Catalyst. Pair any with sticky shoes made for BMX and mountain biking by Five Ten. You feet will feel glued to the pedals.

 

[Keith Johnston]

Wow, impressively fast and thoughtful responses! Many thanks to you all.

Yes, the studded pedals are my next step. Re the throttle, well, you're not wrong about undertaking a science project, but it's sad....Regardless, I really appreciate the input.

 

[byunbee]

Trek Verve+3 is a great bike and I don't recommend selling it to get one with a throttle as you will lose substantial money on the resell. The only thing I can recommend since Bosch doesn't offer throttle, is to get into the habit of switching to the lowest gear when you are approaching a stop. It'll make start from dead stop much easier.

 

[FlatSix911]

Hi. I'm a new member here and like many, was an avid cyclist for years until my MS progressed and made traditional road cycling untenable. Hello, ebike. My splurge is a new Trek Verve+3 ebike, a step-through. I love it and it works great (better than my body....). Two challenges:
1. I find that I really need a throttle to help me start off from a dead-stop--I didn't think I did initially, but reality always rears its ugly head and disagrees with me...This is a huge issue for me, especially in the summer when the heat exacerbates all my symptoms. I've been told that Trek does not have throttles on any of its ebikes, and the only way to add one (if possible, at all), would be through a warranty-negating hack of the Bosch drive-train and controller. So, two questions within this: is it even possible to add a throttle to this bike? And if so, how? And if not, I'll have to modify my physical workouts to facilitate pushing off from a stop. Or, sell my beloved Trek and find an alternative bike (or e-trike) with a throttle.
2. Like others, my feet commonly slip around or fall off the pedals. I can't do cages or clips b/c of leg weakness and inability to quickly remove my foot from a cage/clip. Any other ideas? 3D printer pedal mods??
Any or all thoughts would be most welcome. Thanks so much! Keith

Keith, welcome to EBR!

As others have mentioned, the mountain bike pedals with aggressive studs will help with grip.

You may want to try the new ABS pedal cages... easy to release and they provide a really solid grip.

Eclypse Strapless Toe Clips | REI Co-op

Made of high-strength ABS plastic, the streamlined Eclypse Strapless toe clips help you maximize pedaling power and keep your feet properly positioned on your pedals.

www.rei.com

 

[RandallS]

Hi. I'm a new member here and like many, was an avid cyclist for years until my MS progressed and made traditional road cycling untenable. Hello ebike. My splurge is a new Trek Verve+3 ebike, a step-through. I love it and it works great (better than my body....). Two challenges:

1. I find that I really need a throttle to help me start off from a dead-stop--I didn't think I did initially, but reality always rears its ugly head and disagrees with me...This is a huge issue for me, especially in the summer when the heat exacerbates all my symptoms. I've been told that Trek does not have throttles on any of its ebikes, and the only way to add one (if possible, at all), would be through a warranty-negating hack of the Bosch drive-train and controller. So, two questions within this: is it even possible to add a throttle to this bike? And if so, how?

And if not, I'll have to modify my physical workouts to facilitate pushing off from a stop. Or, sell my beloved Trek and find an alternative bike (or e-trike) with a throttle.

2. Like others, my feet commonly slip around or fall off the pedals. I can't do cages or clips b/c of leg weakness and inability to quickly remove my foot from a cage/clip. Any other ideas? 3D printer pedal mods??

Any or all thoughts would be most welcome. Thanks so much!

Keith

Regarding the pedals:

The solution I made for my wife's bike (MS also) was to simply screw a metal plate (mending plate from Home Depot cut to size) onto a standard pedal and modify her shoe.
We then took a pair of old shoes and cut away at the sole. We epoxied rare earth magnets into the the void we created in the sole. It worked pretty well to keep her bad foot in place without being clamped in.

Unfortunately her balance doesn't allow her to cycle anymore - she tried out a trike and she didn't enjoy it as she felt quite unstable.

Best of luck in finding your solution!

Randall

 

[Keith Johnston]

Thank you for your ideas and experiences!

The pedals have several good alternatives that I can experiment with, and you all have been generous with your ideas --thank you.

The throttle is problematic, more so after falling in a busy intersection this weekend after trying to push off (in lowest gear ) when the light changed. Bad chest contusions but no broken ribs...I'll keep exploring options but I still love my ebike and biking, and the joys associated with them...!

 

[Saratoga Dave]

Keith, maybe you’ve figured this out already, but if you turn up the assist to Power or whatever the max is labeled when you take off from a stop, the bike will respond far quicker and asssertively, so to speak. Once underway you can just drop it back down. It really does make a big difference, maybe enough to help you.

 

[jaizon]

This is a difficult problem and certainly you shouldn't wait until you have a much more serious accident to solve it.

I'm going against the grain here and recommend that you sell/trade in this bike for one with a built in throttle. There are many many on the market and your safety is of the utmost importance. I do not mean to be cavalier about this but money (or a loss thereof) should not be the most important consideration.

Find the right bike then sort out the rest. It's going to cost a lot to do a conversion, so you have to weigh that against the trade in/sale loss.


There are also magnetic pedals that allow you to vary the amount of force necessary to disconnect your feet (no unusual movements involved).

I truly wish you the best and hope you find a safe way to keep riding.

 

[PatriciaK]

I agree with jaizon. Much as you love this bike, you need a bike with a throttle. The sooner, the better, for your own safety. There are many great throttle bikes out there that you can love as much as you do your Trek. But, you really need to be safe!

Aventon makes quite fun and decent bikes with throttles, if there is a dealer in your area or you have a shop that will assemble it for you:

Aventon Bikes: Electric Bikes Redefining Adventure

1,800+ authorized bike shops & test rides ✅ 2-year warranty ✅ Fast & free shipping over $100 ✅ Explore premium electric bikes, accessories, & more. ✅ Redefine adventure

www.aventon.com

Check out the owner thread here.

For your situation, you would probably go with the 350 model - I've heard the 500 can really take off unexpectedly if you forget too turn PAS too zero when starting from a stop.

 

[Keith Johnston]

Yes, I'm coming to a similar conclusion about selling and finding something else, but will try and exhaust other options first....And Dave, yes, I downshift to lowest gear and highest assist when coming to a stop, but apparently not enough....

Thanks much.

 

[rich c]

Yes, I'm coming to a similar conclusion about selling and finding something else, but will try and exhaust other options first....And Dave, yes, I downshift to lowest gear and highest assist when coming to a stop, but apparently not enough....

Thanks much.

Wondering about adding a friction drive with a throttle just to get going. They come off the tire when not powered. But would add weight. I did a little searching and found someone on Endless sphere trying to add a throttle to Bosch, but was getting an intermittent loss of power after the first attempt on a seperate motor he purchased for experimentation.

 

[Keith Johnston]

A friction drive? You mean something like the old bike lights mounted on the front tire to generate a glimmer of light? Or something similar? Except I guess it would generate the power to the wheel instead of vice versa....? If that's what you mean, do they exist for this purpose? Sounds interesting....

 

[Nova Haibike]

A friction drive?

Most of the friction drives I have seen are class 1 only; no throttle. The One Motor has one, but it would be an expensive solution. I thing you would be better served by a true class 2 e-bike with a throttle. The downside to that is finding one in today's market. It is likely you would have to pre-order one.

 

[rich c]

Something like this, just thinking out loud.

or this.

 

[jaizon]

Attention Rube Goldberg...Calling Mr. Goldberg.

 

[Keith Johnston]

Really appreciate the idea and info---and yes, seems a bit byzantine.

I spoke with an engineer Bosch (bike powertrains) in CA yesterday. He said he'd only been there a year, but thought the idea of a throttle for disabled people to get a start was a great idea and he would ask colleagues about it. He said very difficult to hack the existing system, however (not new news...). I told him I saw a thread on an ebike forum where a German Bosch exec said 'oh yes, throttles on ebikes seem to be a uniquely American desire....' There's that Teutonic humility I love! The engineer laughed and was not surprised...

He said the only thing that can be done with the bike as-is would be to get into the lowest/lightest gear when at a stop and activate the 'walk assist' function--which usually provides up to a 2mph assist when walking/moving a bike--because it could add a 4mph boost to get started in a low gear, then ends when pedaling begins. Bike is about 60#, I'm 6'2" and 190#, so while I appreciated his idea and will experiment, I"m managing expectations.

All indicators is sell the bike and get something else. While very sad, I'm a pragmatic man. Toward that end, any thoughts or recommendations on a recumbent ebike (with throttle, class 2 if possible) in the $1000-3000 range? Recumbents seem unsafe to me b/c of their visibility, but i know many people who love them and I might start looking b/c it's more important that I keep moving and I love cycling--the best counter to disability is mobility!

 

[FlatSix911]

Really appreciate the idea and info---and yes, seems a bit byzantine.
I spoke with an engineer Bosch (bike powertrains) in CA yesterday. He said he'd only been there a year, but thought the idea of a throttle for disabled people to get a start was a great idea and he would ask colleagues about it. He said very difficult to hack the existing system, however (not new news...). I told him I saw a thread on an ebike forum where a German Bosch exec said 'oh yes, throttles on ebikes seem to be a uniquely American desire....' There's that Teutonic humility I love! The engineer laughed and was not surprised...
He said the only thing that can be done with the bike as-is would be to get into the lowest/lightest gear when at a stop and activate the 'walk assist' function--which usually provides up to a 2mph assist when walking/moving a bike--because it could add a 4mph boost to get started in a low gear, then ends when pedaling begins. Bike is about 60#, I'm 6'2" and 190#, so while I appreciated his idea and will experiment, I"m managing expectations.
All indicators is sell the bike and get something else. While very sad, I'm a pragmatic man. Toward that end, any thoughts or recommendations on a recumbent ebike (with throttle, class 2 if possible) in the $1000-3000 range? Recumbents seem unsafe to me b/c of their visibility, but i know many people who love them and I might start looking b/c it's more important that I keep moving and I love cycling--the best counter to disability is mobility!

Take a look at the reviews of the best recumbent bikes and trikes on EBR.

Recumbent Electric Bike Reviews | ElectricBikeReview.com

This style of electric bike positions the rider in a laid back position for comfort and aerodynamics. Cranks and pedals are usually mounted out front on an adjustable boom vs. directly below the seat tube and saddle. Instead of sitting on a saddle, most recumbent ebikes utilize a canvas chair...

electricbikereview.com

Electric Trike Reviews | ElectricBikeReview.com

This type of electric bike has three wheels. Trike is short for tricycle, tri means three. There are two dominant configurations for these wheels including delta which has two wheels in the back and one up front, and tadpole which has two wheels in the front and one in the back. Tadpole trikes...

electricbikereview.com

 

[byunbee]

Take a look at the reviews of the best recumbent bikes and trikes on EBR.

Recumbent Electric Bike Reviews | ElectricBikeReview.com

This style of electric bike positions the rider in a laid back position for comfort and aerodynamics. Cranks and pedals are usually mounted out front on an adjustable boom vs. directly below the seat tube and saddle. Instead of sitting on a saddle, most recumbent ebikes utilize a canvas chair...

electricbikereview.com

Electric Trike Reviews | ElectricBikeReview.com

This type of electric bike has three wheels. Trike is short for tricycle, tri means three. There are two dominant configurations for these wheels including delta which has two wheels in the back and one up front, and tadpole which has two wheels in the front and one in the back. Tadpole trikes...

electricbikereview.com

Recumbent bike or a trike might better option for you since over time you may continually experience balance issues. If you don't want to consider the recumbent or trike options and want a throttle, you probably want to buy a bike with Bafang Ultra motor. GIven that the standard controller has been reported to be jerky at time with some engagement and cutoff delays, Watt Wagons UC Pro may be a better option since they come with a customer controller that provides similar feel as the big brand motors but with much more power and a throttle. Numerous forum members have already pre-ordered the bike (me included).

If you have specific questions, you can ping @pushkar who is the owner.

The New Ultimate Commuter Pro - Delivery Oct 2020

This is the pre-launch version of the upcoming Watt Wagons Ultimate Commuter Pro - aka the Superbike. For pre-orders we are ONLY ASKING FOR THE FOLLOWING - Frame size / Color / Style / Fork. Prototype expected July 2020, Bike Delivery late Oct 2020. Here are the founder specs Motor - Bafang...

wattwagons.com