Looking for a Road/Gravel ebike with/without Throttle

Electrically assisted bikes, trikes, etc. that are legal in the UK
Post Reply
Sanditude
Posts: 2
Joined: 24 May 2021, 1:09am

Looking for a Road/Gravel ebike with/without Throttle

Post by Sanditude »

Hi Guys,

Please could someone recommend a good eBike each with 'and' without Throttle in UK? I am not looking for a full-blown eMTB, just a Road/Gravel bike that can climb some minimal hill terrain.

Budget can be upto circa GBP 1500 for a decent-built bike.

Also hope its battery capacity shouldn't exceed 250W to make it road legal as a cycle in UK? or has the 2016 rules changed since..

Thanks in advance,
Sandy.
Nigel
Posts: 463
Joined: 25 Feb 2007, 6:29pm

Re: Looking for a Road/Gravel ebike with/without Throttle

Post by Nigel »

Sanditude wrote: 24 May 2021, 1:14am Hi Guys,

Please could someone recommend a good eBike each with 'and' without Throttle in UK? I am not looking for a full-blown eMTB, just a Road/Gravel bike that can climb some minimal hill terrain.

Budget can be upto circa GBP 1500 for a decent-built bike.

Also hope its battery capacity shouldn't exceed 250W to make it road legal as a cycle in UK? or has the 2016 rules changed since..

Thanks in advance,
Sandy.
Just a small techie point. The power output rules are 250W at the motor.
The battery can be any size you like, and will determine its weight, price, and how far it will take you between charges. (If you could carry the weight, its legal to have a battery able to run 1000 miles).

Not sure what you mean by "throttle" because you are required by law to pedal, and the pedalling action causes the bike to move (you're not allowed a "twist and go" like a moped on a bicycle unless the bike is pre-2016 when they were permitted). Some bikes offer "torque sensing" where the pressure you apply to pedal increases the assistance from the motor.


- Nigel
Sanditude
Posts: 2
Joined: 24 May 2021, 1:09am

Re: Looking for a Road/Gravel ebike with/without Throttle

Post by Sanditude »

Thanks for the reply Nigel!

By 'throttle', I mean the ability of the bike to thrust forward without pedalling. So yes, 'Twist & Go' bikes do qualify as those who has throttle enabled.

And I guess in UK, Throttle is legal only if it auto cuts off (stop supplying thrust) if the speed goes beyond 5 mph (or is it 15 kmph?).

Thanks again.
BlueFox
Posts: 70
Joined: 22 Aug 2016, 3:06pm

Re: Looking for a Road/Gravel ebike with/without Throttle

Post by BlueFox »

Throttle is not legal for ebikes in the UK so not an option, as someone else has already said.

Ebikes have to be electrically assisted only.

If you want twist and go you should get a moped and a licence to ride it!
User avatar
al_yrpal
Posts: 11526
Joined: 25 Jul 2007, 9:47pm
Location: Think Cheddar and Cider
Contact:

Re: Looking for a Road/Gravel ebike with/without Throttle

Post by al_yrpal »

If an ebike has a throttle you need number plates, insurance, VED and helmet.
Legal ebikes are called pedelecs and the motor only kicks in if you peddle. Electric assistance only assists at speeds up to 25kph.

£1500 is about the minimum spend for a decent ebike.

Al
Reuse, recycle, thus do your bit to save the planet.... Get stuff at auctions, Dump, Charity Shops, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Car Boots. Choose an Old House, and a Banger ..... And cycle as often as you can......
hemo
Posts: 1438
Joined: 16 Nov 2017, 5:40pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: Looking for a Road/Gravel ebike with/without Throttle

Post by hemo »

The wording about throttles are ambiguous, yes stand alone /twist and go aren't allowed. One can though have a throttle option that allows pedal first before it can be operated this isn't the same as stand alone /twist and go.
hemo
Posts: 1438
Joined: 16 Nov 2017, 5:40pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: Looking for a Road/Gravel ebike with/without Throttle

Post by hemo »

al_yrpal wrote: 18 Aug 2021, 8:21am If an ebike has a throttle you need number plates, insurance, VED and helmet.
Legal ebikes are called pedelecs and the motor only kicks in if you peddle. Electric assistance only assists at speeds up to 25kph.

£1500 is about the minimum spend for a decent ebike.

Al
Not so, there is a dispensation and a class 250lpm of 250w pedelec that allows a twist and go to be legal & single vehicle approved.. A fee of £55 and a test at one of four MSVA testing stations in the UK can certify said pedelec, on a bike for bike basis to use a throttle. Once in possession of the said certification a pedelec can be ridden as any other with no need for any further requirements, no VED, Insurance, helmet etc,etc.

Wisper bikes in 7oaks offer this option and have the bike tested and certified for legal use for the buyer at an additional cost of about £260 this cover their expenses to get the bike to and from the Southampton testing station.

https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/full-throttl ... gal-again/
Post Reply