Giant Twist Freedom

Reviewed by Matt Russ

American motorists got an abrupt wake-up call when gas prices breached the $5 mark. For the first time, we started seeing those tiny little “Smart” cars on the road. The sale of large, gas-guzzling SUVs virtually stopped, while scooter and motorcycle sales went through the roof. And for the first time I noticed people regularly biking to work-- a rarity here in Atlanta. For all the talk of being “green,” gas prices shifted the consumer choice paradigm quicker than any sense of political responsibility or concern for the environment could have. When people get hit in the pocket book, they will change their habits on a dime. Gas prices dropped back down more quickly then they rose, but this is likely a temporary reprieve, not a trend. In Europe, where petrol is a luxury, the face of transportation is very, very different. The most economical cars are the most present on the road and motorists share it with motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles.

Giant Bicycles is one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in the world. They spent years developing the Twist Freedom- DX, touted as the first “hybrid” bicycle. Electric bicycles and gas-powered “moped” bicycles have been around for decades. However, the Twist is something completely new, quite innovative, and maybe a practical and economical alternative for commuters.

For starters, the Twist has an effective range of up to 70 miles in economy mode. Given the average commuter travels under 40 miles, the Twist is a viable option for daily commuting. Most gas or electric-assisted bicycles utilized a relatively inefficient motor connected to the drive train or rim surface. The Twist's motor is located in the front wheel hub, concentrating the motor weight at the center of the wheel and minimizing power lost through friction in the drive train. The “syncdrive” motor utilizes a clutch to engaged or disengage it appropriately to reduce motor drag as controlled by the computer brain. For instance, if the battery goes dead, it will disengage, completely allowing the Twist to function just like a normal bicycle.

Perhaps the most amazing piece of engineering is the “pedalplus” system, which uses technology similar to a power meter. As you pedal, it instantly senses the amount of torque you are exerting on the pedals and sends this information to the computer brain, which in turn adjusts the amount of power assist applied by the motor. You can not move the bike without pedaling; the motor is simply there to assist, not power the bike. However, the amount of assist can be controlled using one of three different modes (sport, normal, or economy), which also gives you options to extend your battery life if it is running low.

The Twist's dual lithium ion batteries are located over the rear hub, balancing out the weight of the bike. Lithium ion batteries are currently the smallest and most powerful commercially available. LI technology powers the new Tesla electric sports car for instance. The batteries are packed into panniers, which also are large enough to fit a laptop and lunch. Fully charging the batteries takes about four hours, which could effectively expand the range to 140 miles if you were to charge them at work.

Riding the Twist is a strange sensation – almost like riding a tandem with Lance Armstrong in the back saddle. The harder you pedal, the more assistance you receive from the motor, keeping your exertion level almost constant. There is no “jerk” as the motor kicks in; it is seamless. You just feel like you added three inches to your quads or have bionic legs. You must shift the Twist just like a normal bicycle using an 8-speed Shimano Nexus twist shift drive train, no doubt chosen for its simplicity and ease of use. If you don't want to work up a sweat, switch it to “sport” mode and you need to apply very little pressure to the pedals. The sport mode is what I would consider a plush ride, thanks to a front shock, and actually handles quite well due to the weight distribution. Cantilever brakes apply enough stopping power even for a bike of this weight. I did try the Twist with the motor turned off and I was surprised that I could still make it uphill without a herculean effort. If you were to lose the motor you would still be able to make it home, albeit more tired than normal.

I wish I could say the Twist was sexy, but it is made strictly with durability, functionality, and utility in mind. Fenders, kick stand, a luggage rack, and an upright beach cruiser position will not win you any stares in the spandex crowd, until you pass them going uphill. The adjustable stem allows for a wide variety of riders. The ride control computer lets you know how much battery you have left and a rear LED light is there for the early morning or dusk commutes. Giant offers a women's version of the Twist, sporting a sloping top tube and one less battery pack. Unless you have difficulty putting a leg over the seat or wear a skirt to work, though, I see no reason to purchase it.

Overall the Twist is a serious piece of commuting technology. I initially thought the $2250 price tag was a bit steep, but if you are considering a purchase such as a scooter, factor in the cost of insurance, gas, maintenance, and the fact that you will need a class 2 drivers license. Round that out with a daily dose of moderate exercise and you have an inexpensive second vehicle that may make you leave the car at home more often than not.