5 Things NOBODY Tells You About Electric Bikes

Here are the five things nobody tells you about electric bikes. Michelle and Joe have been thinking about this video for a while. Having ridden and tested loads of electric bikes, there are a few things they've learnt along the way, which not everyone will tell you about.

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[srspower]

My ebikes claimed range is 80 miles so I tested it in turbo all of the time up some steep hills, night riding using integrated lights and a bit of off road and I still got 38 miles before it cut off the power. I think that was pretty good.

[joyousland]

Please let Joe have more air time. Adore his presentation, calm and fun and easy to follow.

[johnrich]

All interesting stuff, and most is general for any bike. Unless I fundamentally misunderstand the drive train system, only the mid-mounted motor increases strain on it. A rear or front hub motor actually reduces strain, as long as the pedals are turning, (level of force determined by you) the motor assists, meaning your legs are the only strain on the crank chain and gears, with hub gears being the exception. I prefer mid and rear hub, I've not tried a front hub motor but have misgivings about leaning, turning/steering, and being pulled along from the front wheel all at the same time, that said your Bromptons seem to do just fine.

[dukeloo]

Very good! When do you use dry lube vs wet lube on your chain? What are the conditions where dry/wet lube work better?

[jackmoore]

Is that a digital pump and if so what make? What pressure do you use on your Brompton ebike? A most helpful vlog and thanks.

[adrianandlaura]

Really enjoy Joe and Michelle’s videos.

[liamflynn]

Sounds a silly question but does the motor realise how steep the incline is, I ask this because on my pure step through it really powers up when the incline is steep. Great feelingbcruising up a big incline.

[toys]

Question about the Specialized vado SL... is that battery removable?

[r.w.]

Many e-bike batteries have a chip inside which allows the manufacturer to see how cold, how hot and how many times a battery has been charged. This information goes to the manufacturer during firmware updates. This could sometimes be used as a loop hole for the manufacturer to refuse a warranty claim if it could be shown the owner mishandled the battery. Another practice to never exercise is installing devises or tampering with the speed sensor to increase to speed of the bike over intended speeds. Doing this can also be detected by the manufacturer and would completely void the warranty on all electrical drive train components.

[roubaix]

Would moving the brake lever to that position not make it more difficult to brake harder in an emergency?

[NileshHingu]

Which one is best eBike hub or mid drive

[ecopennylife]

Good tips, I probably should clean & lube my chain on the weekend 😉

[dean]

What tires do you use on the Vado SL in winter?

[JC-unbg]

Just can’t get over the 15.5 mph speed limit . I could live with 18 . But 20 would be perfect

[stevetaylor]

One thing you don't mention is the eye watering price of mid-motor bikes. Why do they cost so much?

[oliverpolden]

I had a bike that wouldn’t even get to its lower specified range under its lowest power setting, I struggled to get 12 miles out of it. I sent it back.

[d.rabbitwhite]

It'd be best business practice on the part of ebike manufacturers to test bikes under worst case scenarios. Bulky clothing, full packs up long hills in the wind, rain. Living in a hilly, cold area, that is the cold month norm, for me.

[oliverpolden]

Nobody tells you that charging is a faff.