The viewpoint that the left throttle helps with balancing the bike controls across both sides of the handlebars is intriguing to me, but it’s precisely because I don’t do that and intentionally arrange my primary ebike controls to only require my right hand.
For context, I mostly ride my Class 3 ebike at 45 kph (28 MPH) on paved bike lanes, on long, uninterrupted stretches of arterial roads going between suburbs. So the primary obstacles to a smooth cruise are: 1) slowing and downshifting on approach to traffic lights, and 2) dodging obstacles or incompetent motorists.
To that end, it is valuable to peak behind and to my left, to check for cars passing from behind. And that’s a lot easier if I can remove my left hand from the bars, while keeping my right hand covering the brake, the shifter, and the horn. On the left-side are the headlights and assist-level buttons, which aren’t critical to dodge a car or trash bin. Oh, and I’m one of those people who has their brakes set up in moto-style, so the important front brake is controlled by my right hand.
Given my use-case, I don’t really have much of a need for a throttle of any style, and I just let my legs turn the pedals to instruct the motor.
I have bikes with both and overall, I think I’d prefer a quality half twist throttle over the thumb throttle but it’s not necessarily a deal breaker. Plus, it’s easier to find grips I like with the thumb throttle. On a related note, I also appreciate it when there’s a cruise control function (I don’t always use it, but it’s nice to have sometimes).
The viewpoint that the left throttle helps with balancing the bike controls across both sides of the handlebars is intriguing to me, but it’s precisely because I don’t do that and intentionally arrange my primary ebike controls to only require my right hand.
For context, I mostly ride my Class 3 ebike at 45 kph (28 MPH) on paved bike lanes, on long, uninterrupted stretches of arterial roads going between suburbs. So the primary obstacles to a smooth cruise are: 1) slowing and downshifting on approach to traffic lights, and 2) dodging obstacles or incompetent motorists.
To that end, it is valuable to peak behind and to my left, to check for cars passing from behind. And that’s a lot easier if I can remove my left hand from the bars, while keeping my right hand covering the brake, the shifter, and the horn. On the left-side are the headlights and assist-level buttons, which aren’t critical to dodge a car or trash bin. Oh, and I’m one of those people who has their brakes set up in moto-style, so the important front brake is controlled by my right hand.
Given my use-case, I don’t really have much of a need for a throttle of any style, and I just let my legs turn the pedals to instruct the motor.
I have bikes with both and overall, I think I’d prefer a quality half twist throttle over the thumb throttle but it’s not necessarily a deal breaker. Plus, it’s easier to find grips I like with the thumb throttle. On a related note, I also appreciate it when there’s a cruise control function (I don’t always use it, but it’s nice to have sometimes).