The Jetson Journal

Pedal Assist vs Throttle: What You Need to Know

Pedal Assist vs Throttle: What You Need to Know

E-Bikes are a fun and eco-friendly way to upgrade your daily commute or a way to enjoy your free time. There is an E-Bike that will suit everyone’s needs, from beginners to avid adventure cyclists. Regardless of where you are headed, Jetson offers the perfect set of wheels to get you there. 

 

Pedal Assist vs Throttle

An E-Bike is a bicycle that has a battery-powered assistant to make riding easier. Different e-bikes offer different options of assistance, with the most common being pedal assist or thumb throttle. Most E-Bikes come equipped with either thumb throttle or pedal assist, but only a few unique bikes have both options installed. 

 

 If your e-bike is equipped with pedal assist, pedaling engages a small motor that will give you a boost and help you accelerate. This can help you zip up hills as well as easily navigate rougher terrain without over-exerting yourself. There is a safety feature installed, of course, so you will not speed out of control – most motors are set up to stop accelerating once they reach a certain speed. 

With the pedal assist, power is only provided when you pedal, and you can choose the level of assistance you want. If you have the lowest setting on, level 1, there will be minimal assistance and you will feel like you are exercising and riding a regular bike. If you want to get somewhere with little effort, bump up to level 8 of pedal assist and you will get much more support so you can get to your destination without breaking a sweat. 

 

E-bikes that have a throttle, on the other hand, work similarly to a motorcycle or scooter. If the throttle is turned on, the motor will propel the bike forward without you even having to pedal. There are a few different types of throttle configurations, ranging from thumb throttle to full twist throttle.

The thumb throttle is designed to be simple to use, only requiring the push of your thumb to move your bike forward. The lever is small and discreet, leaving plenty of room on the handlebars for other accessories. Full twist throttles, however, require your entire hand to operate and take up the complete end of the handlebar. To use this type of throttle, the rider must twist the entire throttle to accelerate the bike.

 

An important thing to note is that full throttle e-bikes are illegal in some municipalities like New York City, but pedal assist bikes are allowed. Make sure you know the laws in your city before purchasing your E-Bike! 

 

Which E-Bike is Best for You?

 

Adventure E-Bike

The Adventure E-Bike is all pedal assist and is the perfect bike for someone who loves the outdoors. It is great for rough-riding and all-purpose use, allowing you to enjoy your ride in all-terrain locations. The adventure e-bike is recommended for more advanced users, and or users who want to get some exercise while riding their bike. 

This bike comes equipped with pedal assist and can hit a max speed of 20 mph. The maximum range on the bike is an impressive 30 miles with only a 6-hour charge time. Made from a sleek aluminum alloy, the adventure bike has a discreet 250-watt hub motor and is equipped with a comfort saddle. Perfect for long rides in rough terrain!

 

Bolt E-Bike

As the name suggests, the Bolt E-Bike was specially crafted for those who want to get to their destination quickly and efficiently! The bike is all throttle, meaning it is fully electric and has no pedals. This makes it great for running quick errands or getting across town without having to exercise or break a sweat.

 The compact body is perfect for a daily commute and comes equipped with an LED headlight and an LCD Display to show the remaining battery life. It also includes a built-in carrying handle for easy transport. The bike can reach up to 16 mph and has a range of about 17 miles with just 5 hours of charge time.

 

Metro E-Bike

The Metro E-Bike is a compact bike that can actually fold up for the ultimate convenience. This bike is unique because it comes with three levels of pedal assist as well as a twist throttle, giving you the option to work only as hard as you want to get to where you need to go. The Metro is perfect for commuting, but if you are looking for a bike that you can also take outdoor riding you should stick to the Adventure E-Bike.

The foldable body is perfect for easy storage and includes a magnetic folding closure to ensure it stays securely locked. Even though it is compact, the Metro still includes an LED headlight and an LCD Display. The bike can also reach up to 16 mph and has an impressive range of 40 miles with just 4 hours of charge time.

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