You ride at your own pace. You ride with your friends. You ride for the sheer joy. You ride. Short distances, long distances, epic climbs and sweeping descents. In rain and in sun. Pavé, strada bianca, city streets, fire roads and goat paths. It's not a race, it's not the destination. It's the journey. Ride your journey.
In late July of 2023, cyclists from around Alberta gathered for the annual Tour Alberta For Cancer, a two-day event which tests endurance and raises money for cancer research. Covering 100km each day, this event is more than just another ride – it’s a rallying call for a cause, and an opportunity for many to cycle farther than they think themselves capable.
On the first day of the ride, amidst the spirited atmosphere and a palpable sense of camaraderie, much of my excitement was directed toward my ride for the day: Le Taureau, a prototype from Cycles Toussaint based in Calgary. But this wasn’t just any bike; it was a titanium frame, electric all-road e-bike; a genre-blurring machine which I was eager to test on a 100km ride.
Right from the outset, Le Taureau made its mark. Despite its electric components, it was surprisingly light, defying the notion that electric bikes are typically bulky and unwieldy. As I navigated the roads, I marveled at how well it handled, carving through turns and gliding effortlessly along straightaways.
What struck me even more was its unassuming appearance. Unlike most electric bicycles that draw attention due to their distinctive, often bulky design, Le Taureau blended in seamlessly with the peloton. This led to a series of conversations with fellow riders, who were surprised to learn that I was pedaling an ebike. It was shocking to many that such a sleek and slim titanium frame could be housing a fully-functioning electric motor.
To truly test the “all-road” ability of the Le Taureau, for the majority of the ride, I opted to keep the power off. On the flat stretches, the electric assist was hardly missed – it was as if I was riding any other nimble road bike. However, as the road began to incline, the true test of Le Taureau’s prowess emerged. The added weight of the battery became noticeable, prompting me to engage the assist system on its lowest setting.
To my delight, the bike performed immaculately. The e-assist allowed me to conquer hills with a newfound ease, and I found myself easily (but not too easily) keeping up with fellow cyclists on their feather-light carbon fiber bikes. The blend of human effort and electric assistance created a synergy that enhanced my overall experience of the ride.
As the final stretch of the first day’s ride drew near, I couldn’t help but appreciate Le Taureau’s versatility. While designed largely with gravel adventures in mind, its performance on a 100km road ride was nothing short of spectacular. This electric all-road e-bike had proven its mettle, showcasing its ability to seamlessly transition between terrains and conquer challenges that lay in its path.
For me, this ride was a rejuvenation of cycling enthusiasm. It hadn’t only been a beautiful day for a ride with great people for a great cause, but Le Taureau had proven to me that boundaries are meant to be pushed, and that the future of cycling holds exciting surprises for us all.
For cycling enthusiasts who are interested in Le Taureau Titanium e-bike with the FSA E-System, a recurring question takes center stage: “How far can I journey on a single battery charge?” This query beckons us to explore the intricate interplay of influencing factors, the divergence of road versus gravel riding, the prowess of eco mode, and the tactical use of assistance levels. In this article, we’ll unravel the core components that shape cycling range, dissect the implications of varied riding types, illuminate the benefits of eco mode, and scrutinize real-life rides to calculate the maximum achievable range for each situation.
The Influential Factors
To truly grasp the expected cycling range with the FSA E-System, it’s vital to comprehend the key factors that hold sway:
1. Bike and Rider Weight: The total weight of the bike and rider collectively affects the energy needed for propulsion. Heavier loads necessitate more power, potentially resulting in a diminished range.
2. Tire Type and Pressure: Tire choice and pressure dictate rolling resistance. Broader tires and lower pressure could elevate resistance, potentially impacting range.
3. Average Speed: Riding velocity corresponds to wind resistance and energy expenditure. Higher speeds often translate to heightened energy consumption.
4. Wind Conditions: Challenging headwinds can escalate energy requirements, compelling greater motor output. Conversely, tailwinds can offer a favorable impact on range.
5. Topography: Uphill sections demand augmented energy input, while downhill stretches can contribute to battery regeneration through regenerative braking.
6. Temperature: Battery efficiency is affected by extreme temperatures. Optimal performance is usually attained in temperate weather conditions.
7. Assist Level: FSA E-System offers five assist levels. Eco Mode (Level 1) provides no assistance, while Levels 2-5 enhance assistance by increasing the motor’s watt output. Higher assist levels correlate with higher energy consumption.
8. Rider’s Ability to Produce Watts: The rider’s physical ability to produce watts of power plays a crucial role. A stronger rider can contribute more to the pedaling effort, potentially reducing the reliance on the motor and conserving battery power.
9. Riding Style: A more aggressive riding style characterized by frequent acceleration and braking can lead to faster battery depletion compared to a smoother riding approach.
Road vs. Gravel Riding
The type of terrain navigated exerts a profound influence on the FSA E-System’s potential range:
Road Riding: Smooth roads with minimal elevation fluctuations generally yield a longer range. Reduced rolling resistance and uniform terrain foster efficient energy usage. Aligning the assist level with the terrain’s contours can optimize battery consumption.
Gravel Riding: Explorations off the beaten path encompass diverse terrains, including gravel, dirt, and uneven surfaces. While the assist system proves invaluable, energy demands typically escalate due to the unpredictable landscape and potential ascents. Employing strategic assist application becomes pivotal in extending range during gravel endeavors.
Unleashing Eco Mode and Strategic Assist Application
Eco mode is the energy-savvy choice within the FSA E-System as this mode provides no assistance and obviously extends battery life and, consequently, range potential. However, it’s important to recognize that Eco mode is not as much fun especially when tackling steep gradients or contending with formidable headwinds.
Strategic Assist Application encourages riders to employ the assist system judiciously. Rather than relying on the motor continuously, riders can selectively engage it during challenging segments or moments of fatigue. This strategic approach can significantly amplify the distance traversable on a single battery charge.
Real-Life Examples: Refining Maximum Range Estimation
Let’s delve into the specifics of two real life example rides and refine the calculation for the potential maximum cycling range:
1st Ride Data: Gravel Ride with Continuous Assist Level 2
Distance: 66 km
Ascent: 376 m
Ride Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Average Speed: 23.2 kph
Temperature Range: 26°C to 33°C, average 28.2°C
Battery Charge Remaining after 66 km: 29%
In this case, the ride primarily consumed 70% of the battery over 66 km with assist level 2. With only 19% of battery capacity left, assuming the rider continues using assist level 2, the range would likely be limited to an additional 17-18 km. Therefore, the refined maximum range estimation for a similar gravel ride would be approximately 83-84 km.
2nd Ride Data: Road Ride with Strategic Assist
Distance: 85.32 km
Ascent: 766 m
Ride Time: 3 hours 21 minutes
Average Speed: 25.4 kph
Temperature Range: 18°C to 25°C, average 20.3°C
Battery Charge Remaining after 85.32 km: 67%
The second ride provides a glimpse into the potential of eco mode and strategic assist application. Over primarily paved roads, the ride covered significant distance and ascent while preserving battery life. With only 33% of battery capacity utilized over 85.32 km, the projected maximum range for a similar paved journey, assuming the rider doesn’t fatigue, could exceed 150 km.
Conclusion
The journey to ascertain the cycling range attainable with the FSA E-System involves a comprehensive understanding of multiple variables, encompassing weight, tire specifics, average speed, wind dynamics, terrain, temperature, and the chosen assist level. The dichotomy between road and gravel riding furnishes valuable insights into the intricate interplay between terrain and range. The synergy of Eco mode and strategic assist application empowers riders to push their boundaries.
The real-life examples underscore the importance of a deliberate approach to riding style and assist selection. Equipped with this knowledge, riders can unlock the full potential of the FSA E-System, venturing further and conquering more demanding routes. As you embark on your electrically-enhanced explorations, internalize these factors and allow your understanding of range dynamics to amplify your cycling adventures.
There seems to be a worldwide shortage of these kits but we managed to locate 20 sets of DIA-COMPE Center-Pull Braze-On Assembly Kits for our Velo Routier frames, First come, first serve!
We have a few blue Velo Routier frames left. Even though we doubled the number of small and medium frames in our last order, they sold out quickly but our Large (57cm) and X-Large (60cm) sizes puzzlingly have not. So we are having the first sale we ever had to move the last of these frames along – reduced from $525 USD to $262.50 USD until they are all sold,.We have only a couple of 51 and 54cm frames left and less thirty-five of the 57cm and 60 cm left in both braze-on and without braze-on configurations.
We haven’t decided to do another run of Velo Routier frames. If we do, they won’t be delivered until spring of 2024 at the earliest.
On May 28th, 2023, four hundred masochists took on the first ever British Columbia edition of the hellish 219 kilometer – 136 mile Belgian Waffle Ride (BWR). About four hundred slightly less masochistic souls lined up to test themselves on the 108 kilometer / 67 mile Wafer Ride or the 52 kilometer – 32 mile Wanna Ride.
Being one of those slightly less masochistic fellows, I signed up for the Wanna Ride with my new La Taureau e-bike prototype—despite only having a mere 200 kilometers under my belt on this titanium all-road beauty.
As we waited for our start horn, the corral buzzed with anxious energy, revved up by the unseasonably beautiful weather and the task that lay ahead. “The climbing numbers are wrong. It’s actually 500 mmore than they said,” one rider said. “It doesn’t include any of the rolling hills along the paved sections of the route.” With the FSA 250W motor neatly hidden in my rear wheel I figured I’d be fine with extra climbing but would soon find out.
When I first began road biking in my mid 40’s, I was riding an aluminum bike which was fine and got the job done. A few years later I added a carbon road bike that I’ve ridden over eighteen thousand kilometers. After moving to Vancouver Island in 2021, I’ve found it more difficult to enjoy road cycling given the limited paved roads often have no shoulder and busy traffic.
More than one Vancouver Island local has mentioned they sold their road bike in favor of a gravel bike to unlock the Island’s beauty on the hidden gravel trails and old logging roads—places my road bike couldn’t take me.
Plus, the experience of zipping through the trees or enjoying a break by a lake is a whole level above the basement trainer set-ups or dealing with the looming fear of drivers staring at their phones.
On a couple of group rides with La Taureau, most people didn’t even realize I was riding an e-bike unless they noticed the glowing button on the top tube. The FSA E-System is so elegantly concealed in the downtube you could probably trick fellow riders into thinking you had unlocked some cycling cheat code.
But that wasn’t my plan. In order to maximize battery life and continue to challenge myself, I kept my assist level at the lowest setting, meaning it only really helped me out when I slipped below 26 km/h – 16 mph. Our prototype bikes were shipped with the European standard motors instead of the North American 32 km/h – 20 mph so when the pace picked up on the flats, the fitter riders on carbon bikes started to pull away.
I’ll confess, I did use a bit of extra e-assist during some of the steep gravel uphills and passed some of those same carbon riders leaving them to wonder how that old fart riding the titanium bike was now passing them without appearing to be breathing that hard. “E-bike on your left!” I occasionally announced with glee, fully disclosing my pseudo-superpower cycling.
The bike tracked well on the descents and was compliant on the single track. Only occasionally, on the really loose gravel sections, did I wish for tires wider than the 33mm ones I had. The worst moment for my ego was around kilometer fifty, when a twenty-something year-old kid on a mountain e-bike slipped past and beat me to the finish line by twenty seconds. But hey, I probably have 25 years on him. And I’ll tell myself he had his e-assist cranked way up.
Of the ~120 Wanna Ride participants, six rode e-bikes. If we merge the times for both categories four out of six of those e-bikes landed themselves in spots among the top ten (1st, 2nd, 6th, and 8th). Even with the extra weight of a motor and batteries, the e-assist obviously improved our ride times.
Hats off to everyone that finished any flavor of the Belgian Waffle Ride, especially those without assistance. Overall the FSA e-system worked flawlessly for my ride and I even managed to arrive at the finish line with 18% battery. Perhaps next year I’ll challenge myself with the Wafer…maybe with the extra external battery.
In the meantime, you can find me out on the trails and backroads on Le Taureau, riding my journey with a smile on my face.
We started Cycles Toussaint without aspirations to be another mega bike corp but to make great, affordable bikes for exploring, randonneurs and light touring. Since we launched the original cro-moly Velo Routier ten years ago, we’ve also worked on several other prototypes including two stainless steel prototypes. We built and tested a Velo Routier 650b prototype. We dabbled with a 700c allroad prototype, the Pave. While feedback was very positive, the minimum order quantity necessary to place a production order was too risky for us to consider.
In the meantime, the allroad / gravel bike concept took off. For us original mountain bikers, it was a déjà vu moment that brought us back to early days of mountain biking exploring fire roads and single tracks on our rigid framed 26” bikes. At the same time the nascent ebike drive trains began to evolve. We had the good fortune to meet the FSA engineers working on a road-specific rear hub electric-assist motor system in Taiwan just before the pandemic shut everything down. It got us thinking.
Life with all its responsibilities made training hard or near impossible at times. We have to battle the middle age spread brought on by metabolic changes as well as VO2max and strength decreases with advancing age. Our ability to keep up with the youngsters was fine on the flats and downhills, but uphill was a totally different matter. Could the developments in electric-assist level the playing field?
Could we design a bike that weighed less than 15kg that would ride, look and handle “normally”? Perhaps with a battery fitted in a slightly oversized downtube? Aesthetically the bike could look like a conventional allroad bike and could fit right in with any group ride. With all of this in mind, the Le Taureau eAllroad project was born!
As a rider and engineer, I respect the application of carbon fiber composites for many high-performance applications. At Toussaint we believe that titanium is the most appropriate choice for the Le Taureau frame with its superior impact resistance and in spite of today’s fashion-driven, throwaway zeitgeist, long-term durability. Titanium has a smooth and lively ride quality that in our opinion has not been duplicated by composites.
It has taken a while for the bicycle industry to recover from the pandemic induced chaos and settle back to its normal cadence that allows small companies like ours to consider placing orders. We finally managed to have three Le Taureau prototypes made up and shipped this past winter to Canada to begin our testing.
We have several tweaks to the design in mind and are planning to launch an Indiegogo campaign to gauge interest for the production run of frames. Here is a preview of the campaign.
The Victoria Day long weekend is upon us in Canada. Colloquially known in parts of Canada as the “May Two-Four”, it is a time for us to plant our gardens only to have them crushed by spring frost, fire up the barbeque for family get-together that can’t happen right now in this cursed year (but hopefully soon), and freeze to death camping, bicycle racing or on an epic expedition ride as it inevitably rains, sleets, snow or all three at the same time at some point on this weekend. Again this year the weather has been crap leading up to and into the weekend as expected so I got off my duff and put together a low-trail “gravel-grinder” build. As some of you may recall we played with some 931 stainless steel tubed prototypes a few year ago which I really regret not putting into production as gravel grinding exploded (oh well) but I went the other way with a “budget” build this time which would retail for about $1300 USD. We didn’t receive the all parts we ordered for this year like many other small operations due to supply chain disruptions in the bike business so I did the build with what I could gather from our inventory and sourcing locally from friendly shops.
I set it up as a 1X10 with a microSHIFT Rear Derailleur Long Cage XLE RD-M61L and a microSHIFT XLE Xpress SL-M850 Rear Derailleur shifter mounted to the stem coupled with a 36T front chain ring. A little unconventional but it worked. A Soma Condor 2 “alternative drop bar” that combines the features of a compact drop bar with those of a riser bar bolted up to a Factory Five F5 Titan 1″ Quill Ste. I found a NOS Diacompe ENE mini-rack a customer changed their mind on that bolted up to the brake posts for my front bag and put on some old Gipiemme track pedals with new NOS straps and toe clips (remember those?) .
I went with some Panaracer Gravel King SK 27.5X1.9 (48mm wide) tires which I ran at about 35psi.
As you can see they fit with ok tire clearance.
Weight with pedals/straps, rack, bottle cage etc. as pictured is about 11.2 kilograms. For the weight weenies, a lighter seat, pedals, no rack etc could easily take another 400-600 grams off the weight to around 10.5kg (23.3Ilb). I have only taken it for few short-ish dirt path and pavement rides so far. The Soma Condor 2 bars did not take long to get used to and the stem mounted shifter, while I did have to move my right hand for of the bars to shift, worked fine. On my second ride, I had no trouble keeping up with my buddies on their “state-of-art”, $7-12k carbon fiber gravel grinders but all us are middle-aged+ dads hauling some pandemic winter weight around so YMMV! The Panaracers were a bit porkier than the 35-40mm tires on the other bikes and the odd side knobs did not inspire great cornering confidence but the extra volume gave a stable and much more cushy ride on the few sketchier, rockier downhills which I really appreciated.
Cheers, Evan.
BTW we have a decent stock of frames (except our 51cm small size which is sold out), 650B wheels sets, Luxe cranksets, Pacenti 38mm 650B white and black tires (but no inner tubes), Tektro long reach side pull brakes (but no Dia-Compe centre pulls), etc. The shuffling of our stock since Angus moved to London UK has been sorted out and our website stock should be up to date; Laurielle and Mike can help you out with your questions sales@cyclestoussaint.com or if you are in Calgary, Vitasport stocks our parts and has some full bike builds in stock.
We hope you are well and safe in these COVID conditions.
We are in the process of setting up a brand new location in London. Angus has moved to the UK with his family. We are excited about the opportunity to expand our enterprise there. We are also planning a new bike for a 2022 release.
However, we must apologise for the delays in our responses and orders over the past 120-180 days. We have slipped in our customer service at Cycles Toussaint. We admit we have been slow with shipping and could be better communicators. But, it most cases we have tried to make amends in some way or another. For example, waiving shipping charges in situations.
Demand has been high with COVID. We are running into a few issues as we grow including enough inventory for the demand, running two locations and even just nail down internal communications with new processes. The funny thing – this often involves family and good friends in the business- so no one can hide:) Our intent is always good. But, we have made mistakes. We are not shy to say so. But, we are excited about the future at Cycles Toussaint.
And we can’t forget our current social venture. Cycles Toussaint provides our very own designed and engineered trishaw bicycle that is durable, simple to ride and easy to service called Ami. The global interest has been amazing. Lead by Jane and Mike, the goal of our venture is to make it simple and easy to have passengers of all ages and capabilities experience the “wind in their hair”. A portion of the cost of each trishaw is forwarded to Cycling Without Age to support the growth of this wonderful movement.
Historically, our business lives has always put the customer first. For some context, Evan, Jane, Mike and I have built a number of people first businesses in our day to day professional life. But, cycling is our passion and in our blood. Cycling is not a numbers game to us like those big brands. It’s also multi- generational. Angus’ Great Uncle Cecil literally caught a death of a cold cycling incessantly from John O’Groats to Lands’ End in the pouring rain of 1936. Angus’ eldest son is currently a professional cyclist and his youngest son is nipping at his heels. Evan was a champion track rider (Pre-EPO;). But put aside the racing, we just enjoy the journey on our bikes and breathing in the global cycling culture from Asia to Europe and beyond. Our goal is to turn the industry on its ear. Our dream is that our customers would one day pass on their Toussaint as an heirloom to the next generation in their family. We always think about providing distinct bikes with a high personal value to our customers, with good thoughtful design-engineering and sold at a very a reasonable price. We are on our own journey as a little company growing, succeeding and sometimes making mistakes. But, that journey is in progress and we are excited about what lays ahead.
Thank you for your consideration and patience. We appreciate that your time is valuable. Please feel free to reach out with any further questions or concerns.
We are living in extraordinary times around the world. We hope all of you and your families are healthy. If your family, friends or colleagues are symptomatic or sick, we send all our love and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Where we live, we have been asked to practice physical distancing to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Physical distancing involves taking steps to limit the number of people you come into close contact with. It can help you reduce your risk of getting sick, and help prevent spreading the virus to others. We encourage you to follow the guidelines put forth by your local governments and the scientific community. Wash your hands and self-isolate, especially, if you think you have been exposed to the virus.
We love cycling and the social aspects of group rides. But, we too urge cyclists, among others, not to flout government restrictions regarding exercise during the coronavirus pandemic in your region. Bicycle solo if possible or with someone who is self-isolating with you.
We are still running our small business, remotely, from our homes leveraging video conferencing to keep in touch. The pandemic has affected our shipping times and may impact our response time, but, we will continue to do our best to keep in touch with all of you. Thank you for your understanding in advance.
The pandemic can also bring economic uncertainty. For small businesses, trying to figure it all out, seeing entire communities make the smart decisions to hunker down is understandable…but a bit daunting too. We want to make sure you know how grateful we are for your continued support during these scary times. We are also doing our best to support other creators and makers that look to us to buy their products. It’s our way to support the people behind each of one of these businesses.
Ride Your Journey 