I live in Seattle and there are a lot of steep hills.
How will the qurve do and if I need it is there a hillclimbing sprocket available?
ps I weigh 235 lbs and although I'm fairly strong I lose my wind fast as I used to smoke.

Post edited by: bridgidpnh, at: 2008/05/14 13:30

The standard sprocket has 44T and there are 48 and 50T available.

I don't know how steep the hills are where you are but @ 200+ pounds, I have no trouble with moderate hills. I think a 48T would do it for most and the 50T would pull anybody up any hill. I'd suggest you go with the 48T if you have hill you can't pedal a "regular" bike up.

How fast do you coast down the hill. I just bought a Qurve and still have to keep it under 15mph and I went down a hill where I didn't use the motor or pedal and coasted at 25mph. When I came back up the hill at 15mph the bike pulled right up the hill. If it would have been broken in and I could run at 25 or 30 it would have pulled up even better but it came up the hill fine with the standard 44t that the Qurve comes with.

Hey there bridgidpnh! (that's a mouthful, btw!) I'm a fellow Seattleite! I ride around all over here, the only problem I usually have on hills is starting and stopping, as I try to go easy on the clutch when starting from a dead stop. As long as the hill you are riding up is steady without the characteristic stop every block as when climbing capitol hill for instance, you'll be really pleased with the performance. I'm only about 170, and have the Hot Shoe Racer, which if I'm not mistaken only has a 36t rear sprocket, so not the best for climbing. As a pretty active cyclist I have no problem assisting the motor in most situations and maintaining a dignified pace up hills. I think with an appropriate sprocket you will be very satisfied with these bikes performance. Let's get together for a cruise sometime! Where are the other Northwest riders here? Holla Back!

I'm waiting for my stimulus check so I can buy a qurve, and I live in Georgetown, so almost everywhere I want to go is uphill on the way out anyway.
getting up Beacon hill and then up the south side of First hill are the most likely though.
As far as that goes,I avoid going straight up from downtown Seattle as much as possible even if I'm driving my pickup, as it's hell on clutches and I've had three in it already because of the hills around here!
Also, I would much rather have a granny gear as I can go all day by pedal power alone on the flat or even moderate grades.

You may want to go with a 48T then. You can always switch to another sprocket if you don't find the one you get the bike with suitable.

Now about that economic stimulus check....I am not getting one. I guess that's the price I pay for "flying under the radar".

U.ncle S.ugar can give it to somebody else who "needs" it more.

bridgidpnh wrote:
I'm waiting for my stimulus check so I can buy a qurve, and I live in Georgetown, so almost everywhere I want to go is uphill on the way out anyway.
getting up Beacon hill and then up the south side of First hill are the most likely though.
As far as that goes,I avoid going straight up from downtown Seattle as much as possible even if I'm driving my pickup, as it's hell on clutches and I've had three in it already because of the hills around here!
Also, I would much rather have a granny gear as I can go all day by pedal power alone on the flat or even moderate grades.

Hey Homie- I live on Alki now, soon to be moving to Georgetown too! If you want to see/putt around on my bike, I am sure I could meet you out your way sometime this weekend, or whenever you want. Let me know!

email me at tetragammon-at-live-dot-com

Get that GW funny money yet Brigid? Be good to know if you scored that bike.

I managed to demolish my springer fork but I am man enough to admit it was probably due to crashing it into a moving Jeep rather than manufacurer defect. Waiting on a replacement RST as we speak. Hoping to be back up and cruising here in short order..