In the starting, I was confused to cover this topic or not but later on I found out that it’s a good topic to write a blog post on. As many people are so lost and confused between these throttles. Let me clear out your every doubt.
I have used both thumb and full twist throttle and I don’t think anyone else can tell you better than me. I will cover all the points thoroughly and by the end of this article, you will get a good idea about throttles and which is best in which situation.
What is a Throttle and How many Types of Throttles?
There are 3 types of throttles:
- Thumb Throttle
- Twist Throttle
- Half-Twist Throttle
But we will consider only 2, thumb and full twist for this article and will include half-twist throttle in some places where references will be needed.
Thumb Throttle
A thumb throttle is just another type of throttle where you press the lever with your thumb.
My Experience With Thumb Throttle
I find the thumb throttle a bit uncomfortable in electric vehicles, especially in cycles because there is a gear shifter on the handlebar that makes it uneasy but twisting gear shifter, it’s a perfect combo. Sometimes we get throttle on the left side handlebar that’s another discomfort. There are 2-3 more reasons why I don’t like thumb throttle because it breaks off easily and creates pain in the thumb (this is one of the major issues for me).
But the thing that I like the most about the thumb throttle is it’s good for casual biking like pedalling-pedalling and suddenly you want to rest and push forward, you can do it. It’s perfect for this purpose otherwise I don’t find anything good in thumb throttle personally.
Twist Throttle
The twist throttle is placed on the right-hand side of the handlebar grip where the rider twists to increase or decrease speed.
My Experience with Twist Throttles
Full Twist Throttle
First of all, I have used full twist throttle more than any throttle and personally, my hands are used to it.
The only issue with full twist throttle is a newbie accidentally twists the throttle many times which leads to an accident. This personally happened to me initially but now it’s all set and I still prefer full twist throttle because it gives a good riding feel plus it’s a more common throttle mechanism that is being used in motor vehicles so, I’m more used to it.
The only con I faced in full twist throttle is a pain in the wrist and I’m that person who sweats so much I can’t even explain it to you, in that case, I think about thumb throttle 😝.
Half-Twist Throttle
I haven’t talked about half-twist throttle in the whole article but let me share my experience with you.
Half-twist throttle might be the best for most people as it saves from the accidental race, best for beginners but again I feel discomfort while holding and giving throttle.
“You can just do a simple experiment on how half-twist throttle feels, take your hand hold the full-twist throttle from the right side and use it as if it’s a half-twist. You will understand what I’m trying to explain.”
If you are someone who has never ridden an e-bike, is completely a beginner and wants to learn then definitely go with a half-twist throttle as it will help you not to give unnecessary acceleration and by chance you give you can hold the half-fixed grip immediately to control the acceleration plus balance.
Which One is Best for Me?
Well, it’s really hard to say which one you should go with because it depends on how you ride, where you ride, and which format of riding you do. To make your decision simpler, we have created a table below that will help you clear your thoughts between thumb throttle and twist throttle.
How you ride: Rough, normally, etc.
Where you ride: Rough terrain, city, hills, etc.
Format of riding: City ride, long ride, casual ride, etc.
| Factor | Thumb Throttle | Twist Throttle |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | City rides and casual riding | Experienced riders, long rides |
| Fatigue | Thumb fatigue | Wrist fatigue |
| Precision | Precise at low speed | Precise at high speeds |
| Accidental acceleration | High chances | Low chances |
| Comfort | Comfortable for casual low-speed riding | Comfortable for sustained high-speed riding |
I feel like it’s more about the habits that people have for throttle. Whatever throttle you have used more you’re more comfortable with that only.
Here are My Few Thoughts and Recommendations:
Every rider has different stories and preferences. All I can say is get a test ride before buying and look at your comfortability. Some riders don’t like the thumb throttle because they had bad experiences like breaking off the thumb throttle etc. Whereas some of them have no problem, completely ok with it.
Only half-twist throttle has almost zero accidental acceleration chances otherwise thumb and full-twist throttle are on the same pace.
In twist throttle, some riders faced accidental acceleration or wrist fatigue, etc. But these days many riders prefer half-twist throttle as they feel much safer.
Always select throttle considering these 4 points: ease of use, comfort, riding style & personal preferences.
It’s a good Reddit post on “Which is better, from your experience, a thumb or half-twist throttle?“ must read for better clarity and different experiences.
FAQs
Q1. Which throttle is best for long-distance rides?
Ans. Of course, twist throttle is best for long rides and I would recommend full twist throttle but it’s up to you which one you prefer most. If you’re comfortable with half-twist throttle and have a good command then go with it.
Q2. Can I replace my current throttle with a different type?
Ans. Yes, you can replace your current throttle with your preferred throttle just remember, replacement should be done by a professional do not try on your own and you might need additional components.
Q3. Is one type of throttle more precise than the others?
Ans. I think it depends more on whether you have good throttle control or not. Because all types of rider has a problem with one type of throttle at least. Rest, you can see the chart above where we have talked about precision.
