Trigger Style Throttle for Ebikes?!

2Phast2Delirious

2Phast2Delirious

100 W
Joined
Mar 16, 2022
Messages
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I've been using trigger-style throttles since the Go-Ped days (+20 years) and absolutely adore them, so I installed them on all of my eBikes and eScooters. I'd want to hear your comments on the advantages and disadvantages of each of the throttle styles you've used.


These are all the throttle style I've used and my bias opinions...

Full Twist Throttle: Good for under 1000w or off-road riding. City riding at 60v or +2000w might be dangerous because you can accidentally press the throttle merely by turning the handlebars (too many terrifying experiences while waiting at the light). Most are generic and cheap quality.

Half Twist Throttle: (best!) Good handling; safer than full twist throttle. I exclusively use Crystalyte, Wuxing, and Currie-tech brands. Perfect for beginners and intermediates! The only semi-downside is that your thumb and index finger will be a bit sore after riding for +35 min.

Trigger Style Throttle: Coolest, sportiest, and the best handling IMO. Great for long city riding, jumping and easy wheelies! 2cool4skool

Thumb Throttle: Simple and safe. Ideal for kids and noobs (-500w). Most are generic and cheap quality.
 
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Nice, I saw these on Rion hyperscooters and thought they were overengineered and pricey. I'm glad to know there's a low-cost generic version; I might have to look into that!
 
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2Phast2Delirious said:
Nice, I saw these on Rion hyperscooters and thought they were overengineered and pricey. I'm glad to know there's a low-cost generic version; I might have to look into that!
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, Rion was absolutely price gouging on theirs. I know some folks that got them and they certainly felt nice and worked well, but IMO was not worth the price at all. I have the SPINY and it's pretty good. GRIN (ebikes.ca) is launching one in the future as well.
 
A half-twist grip throttle works great for me, as I'm used to motorcycles. I only use the throttle occasionally on my ebikes, so it actually works better than it does on a motorcycle. I do know what happens when the grip gets twisted with no rider sitting on the bike. Those things fly when that happens!

I'll check out those trigger style throttles, so thanks for letting us know. I only throttle with my right hand, but due to a wrecked right thumb no sort of thumb control will do.
 
chuyskywalker said:
I've done 4 hour rides with half twist with no issues. The fact that you can get it to a good position and then just put your hand over it and the "stable" part of the grips is what I love about them.

You're also missing out on this thumb spin style, which is pretty dope:
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The half twist also lets you manipulate the low end of the throttle range more precisely. I use the technique above, but sort of just squeeze the interface while applying small rotating force to make fine throttle movements.
 
After utilizing a half-twist throttle for a while, most will naturally develop a technique to optimize their riding style; its the best throttle in my opinion. You can also get some nice MTB grips, I really like the new ergonomic style.

ergonomic half-grip.png

This is my preferred half-twist throttle. The on-the-fly turbo/eco button is extremely convenient to have and can be fitted on most controllers.


UberScoot 48v throttle.jpg
 
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I have a trigger throttle like the one in the picture on one of my stand-up scooters. One time when I was parking the scooter, I went to grab the brake but grabbed the throttle by mistake. Scooter was still turned on. Nothing bad broke, but it was a surprise. I like half twist throttles the best (probably because I'm most used to them).
 
It would be cool to have a throttle like this but i like the extreme fine control a half twist allows, in particular on really powerful builds where you need to creep on the throttle, otherwise you're about to have a liveforphysics deathbike moment.

High marks for safety too yeah, a slip of the hand is extremely unlikely. You also really want to prevent that on a high power bike.

This trigger throttle seems halfway between a full twist and a thumb shifter in terms of safety. I consider a full twist dangerous.
 
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Gas mini bikes put you in an upright position where you're not leaning on the handlebars so much, so you're not having to rest on what's basically a moving target.

Becomes a big problem when you have a substantial amount of power + you're in a typical, leaning on the frontend stance, instead of upright.
 
I may be an outlier here, but have tried all of the above (not the thumb roll thing though) and prefer thumb throttles.
I find full twist dangerous like Nep, half twist is better, but I find it causes pain after a while.
I have several scooters with trigger style and do like them. Never considered that style for ebikes though.....maybe I should try it.

What I would love is something like the thumb throttles, but that has a dual mode for regen. Like the rolling throttle linked earlier....not sure how it could work though.

Cheers
 
The half-twist throttle on my Arrow 9 has a very stiff return spring which tires my grip and wrist. Hated it! I converted it to a thumb/palm throttle with a hose clamp and a crook from a tree branch. No more gripping. Now I rest my thumb joint (trapezium) on the crook, apply pressure to activate the throttle. Works great! No more tired hand/ wrist.
 
Zambam said:
The half-twist throttle on my Arrow 9 has a very stiff return spring which tires my grip and wrist. Hated it! I converted it to a thumb/palm throttle with a hose clamp and a crook from a tree branch. No more gripping. Now I rest my thumb joint (trapezium) on the crook, apply pressure to activate the throttle. Works great! No more tired hand/ wrist.
Click to expand...
I believe that new riders who are currently using the half-twist throttle may feel some pain after 35 minutes of riding. I didn't realize that until after switching most of my scooters to trigger throttles, my hand felt tired while riding the one with a half-twist. Most OGs who use half-twist throttles have probably developed six packs on their throttle hand to avoid pain. I lost mine after switching to the trigger 😭.
 
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I've always had cruise control on my throttles for that reason. I think i'd get fatigued after about an hour.
 
nicobie said:
⬆️ Well done!
Click to expand...
Thanks, it's not done yet! I rough shaped it with knife and rasp when the branch was 8" long. Couldn't wait to try it so cut it to size and installed it rough. I need to take it off, round the sharp edges/ sand it smooth.
 
neptronix said:
I've always had cruise control on my throttles for that reason. I think i'd get fatigued after about an hour.
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Wow, I always thought the cruise control option was silly, lol. Now I'll definitely use it when my hands get tired!
 
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