New riders and those thinking of getting an e-bike to have questions about these machines. It’s essential to get your facts straight to make an informed opinion about e-bikes.
One of the basic things you’ll want to know is how far an electric bike can go on a single charge. It’s important to understand that this range depends on several factors, including how and where you ride.
What is an e-bike?
An e-bike is a bicycle with an electric motor that helps you pedal. It’s a great way to travel farther with less effort and can save you money on gas.
E-bikes also give you a lot of other benefits, including getting more exercise and changing your surroundings. A recent survey found that 91 percent of e-bike owners ride regularly or daily, much higher than the national average of 55 percent.
Another significant benefit is that an e-bike can replace many car trips, particularly those shorter than two miles. That can save a lot of gas and lower emissions from driving cars.
An electric bike with throttle and pedal assist is often the most popular option among e-bike users because it feels like riding a regular bike. But with the addition of an e-bike motor, you’ll also get more power, which will help you go faster and further.
Most e-bikes have a power switch that lets you control how big of an assist you’ll get. It can vary between 30 to 40-newton meters (N m) on lighter road bikes and 80 N m on heavier trail and cargo models.
How does an e-bike work?
E-bikes use a battery and electric motor to assist when you pedal. Commuters and recreational cyclists alike use these, and they are a fun and convenient way to get around.
These bikes are simple to use, ride and maintain. They have a battery easily recharged with an ordinary electric outlet, and most have an average range of 30 to 70 miles on a single charge.
Some e-bikes have a twist throttle that engages the drive system without you having to pedal. However, it can be perilous if you are not paying attention, so some manufacturers only make e-bikes that use pedal assist.
Pedal Assist (Pedelec): This mode kickstarts the motor and boosts your speed when you pedal. The power decreases as you slow down, and the motor stops working if you stop pedaling or exceed the preset speed limit of your bike.
Pedal assist is the most popular type of e-bike because it allows you to control how much power your motor provides and gives a natural riding feeling. It also makes it easier to climb steep inclines or pop out for a quick errand.
How fast can an e-bike go?
The answer to how fast an e-bike can go depends on the power of the motor and how much weight you’re carrying. Consider the electronic restrictions placed upon the e-bike by the manufacturer and the gradient of the terrain you’re riding through.
A typical e-bike can reach 12-15 km/h (7.5-9.3 mph) from pedaling without assistance. However, if you use the motor, it can increase that to 30 mph or more.
There are different types of motors used in e-bikes. Some are more powerful and can help you climb hills or haul cargo, while others are designed for cruising around town.
Most e-bikes range between 20 and 100 miles on a single charge. But, of course, the battery life will vary depending on how much you ride and whether or not you’re using pedal assist.
The distinction between pedal assist and throttle
When looking for an e-bike, among the most important decisions you should have is whether to go with a pedal-assist bike or a throttle-controlled model. Each option has its benefits and disadvantages, so knowing which is best can help you make the right choice.
Pedal assist uses a sensor to detect when you are pedaling and automatically gives you the appropriate motor power level. The type of sensor you use will determine how subtle or obvious the assistance is.
Most pedal-assist systems use a torque sensor that gauges how hard you push on the pedals and provides the corresponding amount of electric power. Torque sensors tend to be more precise than cadence-style sensors and are therefore preferable for technical riding like mountain biking.
Some pedal-assist e-bikes also add a throttle to switch between a low-speed and high-speed mode anytime during your ride. So it can be convenient if you need an extra boost to climb a hill or feel tired near the end of your ride.
Can I ride an e-bike with a flat battery?
Pedal-assist e-bikes can be ridden with a flat battery because they use physical pedal rotation to power the motor. They usually have a throttle, either a lever that can be operated with the thumb or a rotary throttle.
Throttle-controlled e-bikes cannot be ridden without a battery because they rely on a manual throttle. It’s also worth noting that even some throttle-controlled e-bikes will require pedaling when climbing steep inclines.
It’s important to note that electric bike batteries typically last about 1,000 complete charge cycles before needing to be replaced. How far you can go on a single charge will depend on your riding style, the weather, how much effort you put in, and the assistance level you select.
Many e-bike models are designed with removable batteries that can be taken with you and charged separately. Removing the battery doesn’t deprive you of the ability to pedal on your own, but it will add weight and make it harder for you to ride.
