72v Super73 Z1 Full Twist Throttle Mod: Worth It for Longer Rides?
December 3, 2021
If you’ve been riding a Super73 Z1 with a thumb throttle, you already know the deal: it’s easy in stop-and-go city riding, but once you settle into longer cruise sessions, that constant thumb pressure can start to feel like a slow-motion hand cramp.
That’s exactly why I decided to swap over to a full twist throttle on my fully modded 72v Super73 Z1. I wanted something I could hold steadily for longer stretches without fatiguing my thumb and palm.
Why I Wanted a Twist Throttle
On shorter rides, the thumb throttle is totally fine. It’s quick, it feels direct, and it’s easy to blip on and off.
But when I started doing longer rides, I noticed my hand was working harder than it needed to. After about half an hour of holding the same general throttle position, my thumb and the base of my palm would start to ache.
A twist throttle spreads that effort across your whole hand and wrist instead of concentrating it in one small spot. The goal wasn’t “more speed.” The goal was comfort and consistency.
The Parts I Used
I went with a basic full twist throttle (Amazon unit). Nothing fancy—just a straightforward motorcycle-style full twist setup.
One thing I immediately noticed: it comes with its own grip surface. So if you’re picky about grips, plan ahead. You may or may not be able to keep your current grip setup depending on what you’re running.
Installation: Backyard-Mod Friendly
This was a surprisingly simple install, especially because of how my bike is set up.
My Z1 is running a Grin Technologies Phaserunner with a Cycle Analyst. The nice thing about that combo is that a lot of your handlebar controls can be routed and managed without tearing into the bike itself.
The basic process
Removed the existing thumb throttle from the handlebar
Disconnected the throttle input (through the Cycle Analyst/Phaserunner setup)
Plugged in the new twist throttle
Confirmed the signal matched and everything responded correctly
Cleaned up wiring and re-mounted controls (brake lever position, grip alignment, etc.)
Once the wiring checked out, it was mostly about positioning—getting the brake levers and throttle placement feeling natural.
First Ride: The Biggest Difference Is Relaxation
The first few minutes felt different, mainly because thumb and twist throttles require a different kind of muscle memory.
With the twist throttle, I immediately felt less stress through my wrist and palm, and basically no stress on my thumb at all. That alone made the swap feel justified.
Throttle control feels different than a thumb throttle
A thumb throttle tends to have a shorter throw. It can feel easier to jump quickly from low input to high input.
With the twist throttle, I found myself being a little more deliberate. I had to control it with wrist movement, and it took a minute to settle into smooth modulation.
The upside is that once I got comfortable, holding a steady throttle felt more natural. On longer rides, that matters way more than quick blips.
How It Feels on My Phaserunner Setup
One thing I appreciate about the Phaserunner is that throttle behavior feels controlled and predictable. Even when I roll on throttle, I don’t get that abrupt “kick” that can happen on some setups.
That made learning the twist throttle easier, because I could experiment with my wrist position without the bike trying to launch forward unexpectedly.
Braking and Hand Position
I was a little worried that switching to a twist throttle would make braking feel awkward.
In practice, braking felt pretty normal once I got the lever position dialed. I also tend to use my rear brake a lot, so getting that lever position comfortable was key.
What We Like
Way less thumb fatigue on longer rides
Easier to maintain a steady cruising throttle
More relaxed hand position overall
Straightforward install, especially if you’re already set up to swap controls easily
Smooth, predictable feel on a regulated controller setup
Things To Consider
There’s a learning curve if you’re coming from a thumb throttle
Quick “0–100” style input can feel easier on a thumb throttle due to shorter throw
Grip compatibility may be an issue depending on your handlebar setup
Proper positioning matters: brake lever angle and throttle placement can make or break the comfort
Final Thoughts
For my 72v Super73 Z1, the full twist throttle is one of those comfort mods that makes the bike feel more rideable for the kind of miles I actually want to do.
If you mostly ride short city trips with constant stops, a thumb throttle still makes a lot of sense.
But if you’re doing longer cruises and you’ve ever felt that thumb/palm fatigue creeping in, a twist throttle is an easy upgrade that makes the bike feel less like you’re “holding a button down” and more like you’re actually riding.
Links
Want a discount on your Super73? Use my promo code here: https://www.talkable.com/x/fqj0WT
Ebike Full Twist Throttle: https://amzn.to/3DemMe1
RunPlayBack Merch: http://shop.runplayback.com/