Symba on Hills-Ride With Traffic ?

[WayneF]

Hi Symba Riders

I do not yet own one but am strongly considering it.  I live in lower Hudson River Valley in NY and would use one to commute to a train station 8 miles on hilly back roads.   There are some long 5-7% grade hills coming back from the station    I would love to hear from current owners who ride on hills.  Can you sill ride with traffic ?  35-45 mph ?

I am 6 ft. 200 lbs.

Wayne

[Blake]

Hi Wayne,
I live Austin which has a lot of hills and I weigh about the same as you.  On a level roadway I can maintain 50 mph no problem.  However, hill climbing, depending on the grade, is another story.  A long fairly steep hill a short distance from my workplace slows me considerably-from 50 down to about 35.  You might be able to make it work by getting up a good head of steam on the downhill side.  If you can get the dealer to give you a test ride, try to work in a hill or two to see how it feels.

[WayneF]

Thanks.   35 is probably acceptable but I cant get to 50 before a steep section since the hill starts from a traffic light.

 The dealer near me only allows test ride in parking lot.

When you are not on steep hill but just a moderate hill can you maintain 40 ?

[Blake]

Probably, although it might take a while to get there from a dead stop.

[steve_rolfeca]

When I test-rode a brand-new Symba (less than 50km on it, still new and feeling pretty tight), it happily held about 45mph up a mild hill, while carrying my 240lb, 6' 3" frame. When I say happily, I mean that I still had some throttle left. Mind you, it wasn't a very steep grade.

Don't know if that helps...

[WayneF]

This is helpful.  Thanks.

I have long, moderate hills, with just a few short steep sections.

[Morgan]

I've got a few large hills along my commute, and I'm able to maintain 35 mph pretty easily in 4th gear with some throttle left. (Though you're not going to be able to accelerate much going uphill in 4th.) Keep it in 3rd gear and you'll have no problem at all going 35-40 mph uphill. I've found that 3rd is where it's got some pep, even on a hill, 4th is mostly for maintaining speed or accelerating past the 35-40 range on level ground.

-Morgan