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Understanding Electric Bike Modes: Throttle vs. Pedal Assist (Pedelec)

May 08, 2013
46 Comments

pedego-city-commuter-twist-throttle-option
A throttle or pedal assist electric bike: which one will you choose?

There are many different types of electric bikes with different ways of activating the electric assist.

In this article you will learn about the different throttle types (twist grip, thumb, push button), pedal assist types (torque sensor and cadence sensor) and which mode may be best for you.

Throttle Mode

The throttle mode is similar to how a motorcycle or scooter operates.  When the throttle is engaged the motor provides power and propels you and the bike forward.

A throttle allows you to pedal or just kick back and enjoy a “free” ride!  Most throttles can be fine tuned like a volume dial between low and full power.

A lot of e-bikes in the US have the throttle feature.  In some countries the throttle electric bike is not allowed; only pedal assist.

Here are a few of the different types of throttles found on electric bikes:

eflow-electric-bike-throttle-and-sram-shifter

This is the half grip twist throttle on the eFlow E3 Nitro electric bike.  The throttle is engaged by twisting the throttle; similar to a motorcycle or scooter.  This is the most common type of e-bike throttle.

prodeco-outlaw-ss-thumb-throttle

This is the thumb throttle on the Prodeco Outlaw SS electric mountain bike.  The throttle is engaged by pushing the throttle “paddle” forward with your thumb.

bionx-thumb-throttle-ohm-xs750

This is the thumb throttle of the BionX system on the OHM XS750 electric bike.  The throttle is engaged by pushing the red button forward with your thumb.

clean-republic-hill-topper-electric-bike-kit-on-off-button

This is the push button throttle on the Clean Republic Hill Topper electric bike kit.  This particular throttle is simply an on/off switch; there is no way to adjust between low and full power.

Pedal Assist (Pedelec) Mode

Pedal assist, also referred to as pedelec, is a mode that provides power only when you are pedaling.  If you are used to riding a traditional bike, the pedal assist mode has a more intuitive feel compared to the throttle mode.

The pedal assist mode is also nice because you can focus purely on your pedaling and you don’t have to hold the throttle in a certain position.

Since you have to pedal, the pedal assist mode will generally give you more range when compared to the throttle mode.  Here are 10 tips to increase your electric bike’s range.

A lot of pedal assist bikes have different levels of assistance, for example: low, medium, or high assist.  Please note that some e-bikes have 4 or 5 pedal assist settings, but for this example we will just stick with low, medium, and high.

Low pedal assist = you are feeling pretty good on the bike.  Low assist provides a little electric assist while you provide more pedal power and get more of a workout.

Medium pedal assist = you have a nice tailwind everywhere you go.  Medium pedal assist can be a nice balance of your pedal power and the motor power.

High pedal assist = you feel like superman!  High pedal assist is when you want to get somewhere quickly and with minimal effort.  This could be useful if you want to get to work without sweating too much.  On the way home you could use the low pedal assist to workout the stress of the day.

easy_motion_neo_jumper_display

This is the display of the Easy Motion Neo Jumper electric mountain bike.  The pedal assist settings can be adjusted up or down using the + or – buttons on the left side of the display.  In this picture the pedal assist is set to the highest level; see the right side of the display.

There are a few different pedal assist types on the market; the torque sensor and the cadence sensor systems.

The torque sensor pedal assist systems measure the amount of power you are putting into the pedals and it will increase or decrease the electric assist based on your pedaling power.

The torque sensor systems have a very intuitive ride feel because they emulate your pedal power very well.  They are also generally found on the more expensive e-bikes or e-bike kits.

The torque sensors are generally found in the bottom bracket, rear drop out, or in the rear hub motor.

easy-motion-neo-jumper-torque-sensor

This is the TMM4 torque sensor on the inside of the rear dropout of the Easy Motion Neo Jumper electric mountain bike.

The cadence sensor pedal assist systems provide assistance when the cranks of the bike are turning.

Compared to the torque sensor system, the cadence sensor will just provide the assist based purely on the level assist you have selected and it will not increase or decrease the assist based on your actual pedal power.  You could be pedaling very lightly or very hard and it will provide the same level of assist.

pedego-city-commuter-pedal-assist-sensor-at-cranks

This is the cadence sensor at the cranks of the Pedego City Commuter electric bike.

The Combination: Throttle & Pedal Assist Mode

Some e-bikes come equipped with both the throttle and the pedal assist modes.

On some e-bikes you can be operating the bike in the pedal assist mode and then get an additional boost by twisting the throttle.

There are also e-bikes that have both modes, but they cannot be used at the same time.

Which Mode is Best for You?

If you want the option to simply cruise along and pedal or not pedal, then you should consider a throttle e-bike.

If you enjoy pedaling and want to a more intuitive e-bike then go for the pedal assist (pedelec).

More and more e-bikes are coming with both systems so you may have the option of using both systems depending on your mood.

I hope this helps in understanding the different electric bike assist modes.

I recommend that you visit your local electric bike dealer to try the throttle and pedal assist modes for yourself to see which one fits your riding style.

If you already have an electric bike, which mode do you prefer and why?  Please leave your comments in the section below.

Thanks!

-Pete

P.S. Don’t forget to join the Electric Bike Report community for updates from the electric bike world, plus ebike riding and maintenance tips!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I’m a fan of pedal assist with a torque sensor (on high). It definitely gives the “super man” feel and allows for a great commute to work! I also like eBikes that allow for throttle override of the pedal assist while in pedal assist mode. Sometimes that extra boost up a hill is really helpful without having to switch modes to get it.

    Thanks for all the great articles Pete!

    Cheers,

    – Adam

    Reply

    • I have ridden 10+ gear bikes since 1957. I have had two Trek pedelec bikes for the last three years, the xm700x and now a police ebike. I don’t think the throttle ebikes should qualify as bicycles, they are motor bikes. There could be some exceptions for the handicapped. I enjoy the 50 gears. 10 manual plus 4 levels of assist., but you have to pedal to go. At almost 80 it allows me to get a good workout without too much stress with my new valve job. My cardiologist want me to keep my heart rate below 140, all I need to do is increase the assist level. Hopefully I’ll be able to ride a few more years!

      Reply

  2. I am a fan of as little components as possible. The less parts and pieces, the less chance of failure. That’s just my opinion. I do not offer pedal sensor components on my DIY kits but I am open to learning what people think / want.

    Reply

    • I’ve had an ebike kit on my old mountain bike for over five years. It is frontwheeldrive, with a thumb throttle and regeneration button for downhill recharge. I’ve ridden pedelecs and, on the whole, don’t like them. find it annoying to have to adjust power assist, and it can be quite alarming/dangerous if on high assist when you pedal off, and you get too great a boost. The thumb throttle is sensitive, easy to adapt to all conditions, works in well with how hard you want to pedal(I never ride mine without pedaling) and i swear by the regen button for both braking and battery recharge. you can overcome the aching thumb/wrist syndrome on a longer ride by setting the thumb throttle on right hand handlebar so your thumb naturally pushes it away from you. And, it’s simple.

      Reply

  3. I like my Pedego Interceptor step through with throttle capabilities.

    Both my wife and I are in our 60’s ,work out and swim several times a week and at least 3 rides a week on our Pedego’s .

    Both of us have knee replacements and I a fused back.

    This type of bike suits us especially on hills ,headwinds or when tired to know we have some power back up on our 20-30 mile Greenways in Raleigh .
    We pedal as much as we can for cardio exercise and just plain fun in the fresh air!
    Enjoy your site Pete.
    Len and Sharron in Raleigh NC

    Reply

  4. My ebike allows for both the throttle and pedal assist to work together. I really like it because I can use the throttle while going through corners where I might ground my pedal. I also use it when negotiating tight places. The pedal assist works great on long hauls and not having to keep your hand on the throttle. If I had to choose one it would be the throttle because I can control the exact amount of assist at any given moment.

    Reply

    • I agree with all your points. My Juiced Fat ebike has torque sensing which I use with minimal assist most of the time. But when I get into traffic or come to a particularly steep hill I put the thumb throttle on full to accelerate up to about 25mph. I think I’d prefer to have a twist throttle for the better variable control though.

      Reply

  5. Pedelecs are pointless. Most people who buy electric bikes want to cruise on electric and pedal just a little. Plus you can keep up with traffic better with throttle and more speed. Its actually dafer for you. Some pedelecs you never know when the darn motor will kick in. The pedelec sensor fails often. Its a nightmare for ebike companies to fix!

    Reply

    • I use my pedelec mode all the time to save on battery charge. The throttle is good for starting off then I switch to pedelec assist level 3. Also my hand gets sore holding the throttle on all the time. I prefer full throttles to half throttles, but my bike only comes with half throttle. A problem with my pedelec mode is the motor stays on for 2 to 3 seconds after I stop pedaling. I would be better if it cut off soon as I stop pedaling.

      Reply

    • I have a pedelec and love it. I have three bikes, and I want to pedal, but when I have a meeting at night that is 7 miles away, I take the e-bike. It is enough of a boost to keep me from wanting to take the car at the end of a long day. It’s fun. Also, the laws on e-bikes continue to change, but it looks like the pedelecs will be classified as bikes, whereas bikes with throttles or self-propelled speeds of more than 20 mph are starting to become classified as “motor” vehicles and requiring registration in some states.

      Reply

    • I ride my pedelec a lot and find it very reliable. I’ve met a lot of ebike users around Tucson and most with pedelec bikes. I see throttle user riding around RV parks. In about 4,000 miles of riding paved bike trails and park roads I have seen only a few throttle users, and they appeared to need them either due to age, + 80’s or physical disabilities. I ride my pedelec for aerobics & to ease high winds and hills. At 77 with a new heart valve it keeps me going with over 65 years of bike riding..

      Reply

      • Re: Throttles

        I like it for stop signs and busy intersections…Otherwise ….As little assist as is necessary. The throttle allows you to be quickly off the stop and clear intersections as quick and safely as possible. The less time taken to get through the better. Also a lot easier on the old knees.

        Reply

  6. The Eurpopeans have it right. Pedelecs are the way to go. I have a Kalkoff. I find it so effortless to pedal that I only need to use the Eco assist level. The only time I use the standard or high assist levels are when climbing 8-10 degree hills. Because pedaling with assist is so effortless, having a throttle is redundant.

    Reply

  7. I bought a torque sensing pedelec just over a year ago and I find this system very intuitive. The harder you pedal the more (and proportional) assist you get. Good for accelerating away in traffic and you don’t have to do anything other than pedal. It is analogous to the power steering on a car but in this case the assist power is on the pedals.
    I have now done 2700 miles of leisure cycling with a range of up to 40 Miles. Usually I leave the assist control in ECO mode (50% extra torque)for most of the ride but as I live on top of a hill I usually finish the ride in MED (100% extra torque) or HI (150% extra torque). Think of a this type of pedelec as having a torque motor which applies an extra torque that is a multiplier of the torque you are applying to the chain. Mine is coupled to a Shamano Nexus 7 seven speed hub, and is great for always being in the right gear by being able to change gear when stationary.

    As a power electronics engineer I had intended designing and developing a torque assist bike so was surprised to find that a few manufacturers brought them out in Europe recently. I bought a Raleigh Vélo Cité with a 36V 10Ahr lithium battery. I would never use a throttle or cadence type unless I was infirm and I am sure that torque sensing pedelecs will become the norm as prices fall.

    Reply

  8. I am in the process of opening a E Bike outfitting business,I have been experimenting with various motor drive systems, hub direct drive motors, hub gear drive, and at last a mid hub drive. I’ m 68years old my first attempt is 1000 w 48 v 15 ah it’s on a Schwinn MTB I’ve put about 750 miles since May of this year , I ‘d like to try a good peddle assist system as mine dose not work properly and the twist throttle has looped me a couple of times, I use the lowest assist level option, on a recent ride I was able to squeeze 62.5 miles out of full charge with the big hub drive, by just nearly cracking the throttle
    The Dirty One

    Reply

  9. I like having both options. The throttle is great for getting a quick burst of speed, like when going through an intersection. It is also good when you are riding in a situation that requires you to be able to vary your speed quickly. I like the pedal-assist when riding on open stretches of road. On my Pedego Interceptor I can change the pedal-assist mode very easily so if I need to drop down from Super Girl #5 to Modest Mouse #2 I can do that quickly.

    Reply

  10. I’ve had 3 throttle bikes and have been riding a pedelec for 2 weeks now, and so far, I liked the throttle. I’m basically a cyclist who likes to keep the pace up going up hills, so I used to ride unassisted a lot of the time, but that’s not really possible with the pedelec. It would be better if it had a 0 setting so you could still use the throttle override, but the only option is to switch the whole thing off. And I agree with Dan, it’s just another thing to go wrong, cost money and add weight. I’ll bet in my case it detracts from the range. Imagine if they told you that you couldn’t switch off cruise control in your car!

    Reply

    • My Easy Jumper is great. I can pedal with assitance or pedal with no assitance. I have used most of its power
      (3/5) in 3 km of switchback trail climbing about 700 m.
      I have pedeled it up hill on a designed MTB trail 14 km in sub alpine and alpine and used less than 1/2 of my battery,
      I have ridden 75 km of paved rolling & flat valleys and got home with 1/2 my power left.
      To go farther pedal without power downhill, on the flats and on gentle uphills or until the legs begin to complane. For me (age 73) cycling is still about exercise as well as fresh air and mountain views.

      Clint

      Reply

      • The more modern and up to date electric bikes like Juiced Bikes Crosscurrent S; allows one to use what is called “eco mode”; this basically neutralizes the extra weight of ones bike and the big fat tires and wheels and gives one enough compensating torque so that one in fact feels as they are pedaling a normal road bike;

        since it uses both the pedal cadence sensor in combination with its own torque sensor; to throttle and control the actual power flowing from one electric bike batteries to be directly supplied to ones electric bike motor; the more one presses down on ones pedal the more electric motor assist one gets as a direct result;

        so by simply gearing down ones electric bike and then spinning fairly fast also as well with half the pressure on ones pedals for example; the corresponding electric motor assist will also be reduced to ones electric bike; this will help to improve, preserve and optimize the electric bike batteries range in miles.

        Reply

  11. I ride a throttle;/combo OHM. Allows me to avoid murdering my knees at all this stops signs that we shouldn’t breez right through. You all stop. Right?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  16. […] The unique innovation in the E-bikes lies in the pedal-assist that propels you along as you bring your foot down, a boost which can be reduced or increased to affect your effort when cycling. The e-bike so changes from a motorised vehicle to a means of exercise at the actual push of a button. Moreover, the accelerator on the handlebars allows you to use the bike like any motorised two-wheeler, based on your own convenience[3]. […]

    Reply

  20. […] The unique innovation in the E-bikes lies in the pedal-assist that propels you along as you bring your foot down, a boost which can be reduced or increased to affect your effort when cycling. The e-bike so changes from a motorised vehicle to a means of exercise at the actual push of a button. Moreover, the accelerator on the handlebars allows you to use the bike like any motorised two-wheeler, based on your own convenience[3]. […]

    Reply

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