How to Increase eBike Speed

Are you thinking about increasing the speed of your electric bike? If so, this article is for you. In this guide, we review the most common ways to give your bike more speed.

Tools Needed: Phillips screwdriver, Allen wrench, tuning kit, battery, motor

Everything You Need to Know about Increasing Your E-Bike’s Speed

One of the best things about electric bicycles is their increased speeds, especially when compared to traditional bikes. However, the actual speed you get out of your e-bike can vary depending on a wide variety of factors. As you begin to understand your e-bike, you can better understand how to increase its speed. But just in case you’re looking to purchase a new one, have a look at the top rated e-bikes on the market today.

Understanding the E-Bike Parts Responsible for Speed

Three main e-bike components are responsible for speed.

Motor

Your electric bike’s motor is the primary source of power and speed. Essentially, the motor acts as the engine for your e-bike, providing power to the wheels. Most e-bikes feature either a hub motor or a mid-drive motor. Hub motors sit in the center of either the front or back wheel, while mid-drive motors are placed within the pedal assembly. Also, keep in mind that the type of motor will also determine the e-bike’s ambient noise levels.

Battery

While your e-bike’s motor is the central component responsible for power, it can’t work alone. The battery acts as a power source for your motor. As such, differences in battery voltage can change how much speed your e-bike can produce. Batteries with higher voltages can give motors more juice and thus produce more speed. Similarly, batteries with lower voltages aren’t capable of producing as much speed.

Onboard Computer

Finally, your electric bike’s onboard computer is responsible for managing the relationship between the bike’s motor and battery. The computer is the brains of your bike and can also monitor your bike’s overall performance.

A Warning

Before you move on to learning about the different steps you can take to increase the speed of your electric bike, there are a few warnings to consider. Remember that most e-bikes are restricted to a top speed of 20 miles per hour. If you increase your speed, you may be subject to legal problems. It’s also important to remember that increasing your e-bike’s speed can also increase the amount of danger you face while riding.

Steps

Follow these steps to increase your e-bike’s speed:

STEP 1 ADJUST SPEED LIMITER SETTINGS

Most electric bikes have built-in speed limiters, controlled via the onboard computer. By making adjustments to specific settings like wheel size, you can “trick” the computer into thinking you’re going slower than you are. This way, you’ll be able to push your bike to higher speeds.

You may also be able to remove the limiter entirely by disconnecting the limiter wire. This will likely void your e-bike’s warranty.

STEP 2 INSTALL A TUNING DEVICE

Many online retailers offer tuning kits to increase the speed of your e-bike. These tuning kits can cost upwards of $300 and are fairly easy to install. If you choose to install a tuning kit, remember that the resulting increase in speed can make your bike too fast for public roads.

STEP 3 INSTALL A NEW BATTERY

Since your e-bike’s battery produces power to the motor, you can increase your bike’s overall speed by installing a new battery with a higher voltage. If you choose to go this route, we recommend checking your motor to ensure it can handle the added power.

STEP 4INSTALL A NEW MOTOR

You can also choose to install a new, more powerful motor on your electric bike. Bigger motors are more powerful and will provide more speed. However, you’ll also need to make sure your battery can provide enough juice to a bigger motor. Another option may be to follow this DIY on how to install an electric motor on your standard bicycle.

STEP 5 INSTALL NEW TIRES

If you’ve ever looked at a professional racing bike, you’ll notice that they have thinner tires than traditional bicycles. This is because slimmer tires increase your bike’s overall speed. This is a more reliable and safer speed increase. Remember that slimmer tires are only good for biking on the road but won’t work for electric mountain bikes.

STEP 6ADJUST YOUR RIDING STYLE

If you’re not comfortable installing aftermarket parts on your bike, you can also adjust your riding style. You can bend your body forward to increase your aerodynamics and decrease your overall air resistance. Also, with more practice, you’ll be able to ride more comfortably to achieve maximum speeds.

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