Using throttle to help the bike up stairs?

[BigDykeWithABigByke]

I am looking into an ebike to replace my motorcycle. One of my main reasons is the ability to store the bike in doors, theft is extremely common in the city. Im also looking for a longer range, and thus heavier model, which is kind of a problem living on a third floor walk up, I was wondering if I couldn't use the throttle to help push the bike up my stairs to make the climb easier?

 

[Merle Nelson]

Welcome to EBR Big.....

Sure. I use my throttle frequently to get up parts of the trail I can't ride up and am pushing the bike up. I also used throttle one time when walking the bike down flat parts or slight downhill sections of trail when I had a flat and walked it a few miles out.

The one thing I would say might be useful to you is a "walk mode" that I hear spoken of but have not experienced on the rental bikes I tried or bike I purchased. Without something electronically controlling the throttle (walk mode?) no matter how smooth I try to be I invariably rass the throttle a bit too much and spin the tire on gravel while holding the bike back.

Doing this here and there, day after day, going up stairs I would suspect would wear out ones welcome with owner of said stairs. Others will chime in that have walk mode soon I'm sure.

Again, welcome and enjoy the ebike journey.

 

[Art Deco]

I have a good walk mode on my bike, but I don't think I would want to tackle 3 flights of stairs with it. Maybe if there were big landings between flights. Just saying.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Why not???

 

[Dallant]

I used the rear tire mode (Wheelbarrow - 5:12) to get up a steep narrow outdoor stairs. Worked very well but depends on how far back your fenders reach.

 

[Art Deco]

Why not???

Walk mode is a fixed speed . I slow down as I climb more and more steps, the bike doesn't.

 

[Akrotiri]

I am looking into an ebike to replace my motorcycle. One of my main reasons is the ability to store the bike in doors, theft is extremely common in the city. Im also looking for a longer range, and thus heavier model, which is kind of a problem living on a third floor walk up, I was wondering if I couldn't use the throttle to help push the bike up my stairs to make the climb easier?

I do exactly that when I bring my allant in the underground metro when the escalators aren’t working.

Never had a problem and it works quite well since I can choose which level assist to use. Just keep in mind on shallower staircases and with a mid drive motor to avoid bashing your pedals into the staircase as it could damage your motor internals.

 

[6zfshdb]

I frequently use my throttle to walk the bike up stairs and steep trail sections. Just go easy and keep one hand on the brake lever just in case.

 

[Dallant]

Walk mode is a fixed speed . I slow down as I climb more and more steps, the bike doesn't.

Remember you can use different gears.

 

[PedalUma]

Back on topic for a moment. If the bike is a mid drive than Walk Assist Mode (WhAM) goes through the gears so you can put it in low. I would not use a throttle to go up stairs. They are very sensitive and you are partially supporting the bike by the throttle. The slightest twist can launch it.