(A Testimonial By Bob C.)
The Beginning of a Lifelong Passion
My relationship with bicycles spans seven decades—a journey that began in the late 1940s with a simple single-speed bike and has evolved into something I never could have imagined back then.
Like many kids growing up in that era, my first bike represented freedom. But it wasn't long before cycling became more than just transportation—it became a fundamental part of who I am.
The Evolution of a Cyclist
The 1950s: I upgraded to a 3-speed bike to tackle my paper route, rain or shine. Those early morning deliveries taught me discipline and the joy of pedaling through quiet neighborhoods.
The 1960s: High school brought my first 10-speed, which became my daily mode of transportation. I rode it to work, to school, and everywhere in between. This bike stayed with me through the decades, logging thousands of miles well into the 1980s.
The 1980s-2000s: I purchased a city bike with 24 speeds—what seemed like an incredible luxury at the time. This bike carried me through another 20+ years of adventures.
The Milestone Birthdays: My wife blessed me with two exceptional road bikes—an Orbea for my 60th birthday and a Specialized Roubaix for my 65th. These weren't just bikes; they were expressions of love and support for my passion.
The Crash That Changed Everything
Then came 2013. A car accident changed my life in an instant.
The collision resulted in hospitalization and, worse, significant balance issues that persisted long after my physical injuries healed. My wife was understandably concerned—terrified, actually—every time I got back on my bike. But I couldn't give up cycling. It wasn't just a hobby; it was part of my identity.
I continued riding my Roubaix despite her worries and my own challenges. Looking back, I understand her anxiety. I was stubborn, determined not to let the accident end my cycling journey.
A New Chapter in the Arizona Sun
In early 2016, we made a life-changing decision: we would become snowbirds and spend winters in Arizona. What we didn't expect was to fall so deeply in love with the place that we'd sell our Washington home and relocate permanently to Saddlebrooke, Arizona.
Saddlebrooke is breathtaking—nestled at the foot of the majestic Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. But there was one significant detail I hadn't fully considered: it's incredibly hilly.
We noticed recumbent trikes everywhere in our new community. For my wife, this was the answer to her prayers—a stable, safe alternative to my traditional bikes. For me, it represented a compromise I was willing to make for the sake of peace of mind (hers and mine).
The Trike Transition
I purchased a Catrike Road, and during that shopping trip, my wife test-rode a trike and immediately fell in love with it. We bought her a Trail model, and I insisted on adding a hub motor—specifically a Bionix system. It was a decent option at the time, offering adequate power and range to meet her needs.
But there was a problem I hadn't anticipated: I hated riding in Saddlebrooke.
Those beautiful hills that make our community so scenic? They were brutal on a non-motorized trike. In my first three years here, I managed only 1,700 miles—a fraction of what I'd been accustomed to riding. The joy was gone, replaced by the grinding reality of pedaling a heavy trike up endless inclines.
I occasionally borrowed my wife's motorized Trail, but it was too small and upright for my comfort. I was frustrated, increasingly sedentary, and missing the cycling passion that had defined much of my life.
The Research Phase
By 2019, at the age of 75, I faced a decision: give up cycling or embrace electric assistance.
For someone who'd spent 70 years on traditional bikes, this wasn't an easy choice. There was a part of me that saw e-assist as "cheating." But another part—the wiser part—recognized that technology could extend my cycling years and restore the joy I'd lost.
I dove into research with the same intensity I'd once devoted to planning long-distance rides. I compared specifications, read reviews, and studied every hub motor system I could find.
That's when I discovered Falco.
Why Falco Stood Out
The specifications were remarkable—head and shoulders above other hub motors available at the time. The power output, the efficiency, the build quality—everything pointed to a superior system.
My Catrike Road came with 20-inch tires all around, so I ordered a Falco 36V 20-inch wheel system. The investment felt significant, but something told me this was the right choice.
The Transformation
I installed my Falco system in April 2019.
By December 2019, I had already ridden more miles than I had in the previous three years combined.
Let me repeat that: in eight months with the Falco, I exceeded three years of non-motorized riding.
The hills that had defeated me became manageable—even enjoyable. I could choose my effort level, tackle challenging routes without exhausting myself, and most importantly, rediscover the pure joy of cycling that had been missing.
Through 2022, I logged 5,000 miles on that original system. Five thousand miles of Arizona sunshine, mountain views, and the freedom I'd been afraid I'd lost forever.
The Upgrade
As any cyclist knows, once you start thinking about improvements, it's hard to stop.
The Falco support team mentioned I could upgrade my battery to 48V. That sparked an idea: why not go bigger with the wheel size, too?
I removed the 20-inch wheel and, with new parts, spokes, and rim, built a 26-inch wheel for my Road. I also added a SRAM Eagle AXS 11-speed drivetrain—the cassette fits perfectly on the Falco stock hub—along with various other upgrades.
This enhanced system has carried me another 3,000 miles to date. (It would be more, but health issues intervened this year—a reminder that even with the best equipment, our bodies don't always cooperate.)
The Challenge
After sitting idle for much of this year due to health concerns, I finally felt ready to ride again. But something seemed off. The system wasn't performing as I remembered.
Was it the motor? The battery? The controller? Or was it just me, my memory playing tricks after months away from riding?
I reached out to Rakesh at Falco, beginning what would become a month-long troubleshooting process. His patience was extraordinary. Email after email, question after question—he never made me feel foolish or rushed. He genuinely wanted to help me solve the problem.
The Comparison Test
While working through the issues, doubt crept in. Maybe it was time for a change. Perhaps a new trike with a different motor system would be more suitable.
I test-rode ICE Trikes and Azub trikes—premium machines equipped with Bosch and Shimano mid-drive motors. These are the gold standards of the e-bike world, the systems that win awards and dominate the high-end market.
I was impressed. These were exceptional machines, featuring powerful and reliable motors.
I came close—very close—to making a change.
The Revelation
Then Rakesh and I resolved the issues with my Falco system.
I got back on my trike, my familiar Catrike Road with its upgraded Falco motor, and within the first few miles, I knew.
The Falco's power delivery was better—more responsive, more intuitive. The smoothness was superior—no jerking or surging, just seamless assistance that felt like an extension of my own pedaling. And the noise? The Falco ran quieter than both the Bosch and Shimano systems.
I had tested the industry's best, and my Falco outperformed them all.
The Conclusion
At 82 years old, after seven decades of cycling and firsthand experience with the best e-bike systems available, I can make this statement with absolute confidence:
The Falco system is superior.
I'm not changing trikes. I'm not switching motor systems. At this point in my life, I've probably found my forever setup.
More importantly, the Falco—and the incredible support from Rakesh—has given me something priceless: the ability to continue the cycling passion that has defined so much of my life.
The hills of Saddlebrooke that once defeated me? Now they're just part of the beautiful landscape I ride through, day after day, mile after mile.
A Message to Fellow Cyclists
If you're facing challenges that threaten your cycling passion—such as age, health issues, terrain, or balance concerns—don't give up. Technology has evolved to extend our riding years in ways that previous generations couldn't have imagined.
Do your research. Test different systems. But don't overlook Falco. Their specifications speak for themselves, and their customer support sets a standard that larger companies should strive to match.
Gratitude
Thank you, Rakesh, for your patience, expertise, and genuine commitment to keeping this lifelong cyclist on the road.
And thank you, Falco, for building a system that not only meets specifications on paper, but also delivers exceptional performance mile after mile, year after year.
I love my Falco. At 82, probably for the rest of my cycling life.
Have you had transformative experiences with e-bike systems? What keeps you riding despite challenges? Share your stories in the comments below.