10 Tips To Make Your E-bike Go FASTER!!!

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Parts that I use:

***Question response book giveaway rules***
When you guys asks questions in the comments of my videos, I'll try to answer them. If there are questions that I think would make a good video response, I'll choose them to do a longer segment. If I choose your question for a video response, you'll win a copy of my book The Ultimate DIY Ebike Guide (the paperback or the ebook), or my book DIY Lithium Batteries.

[dsp]

1. Top up your battery;
2. Use higher voltage battery;
3. Swap for a more powerful motor;
4. Swap from knobby tires to road tires;
5. Keep tires at higher pressure;
6. Tune brakes to eliminate rubbing;
7. Add windshield;
8. Crouch;
9. Cool battery;
10. Reprogram/hack controller/motor to disable limits.

[exgenica]

(04:15) There's a 3rd EASY modification that doesn't involve opening anything up. *It does NOT work on all controllers*
A number of ebike motor controllers can be soft-"hacked" (hacked is not really the right word, but people use it, so....) in addition to the tire size and hardware controller internal wire enable/disable methods discussed in the video...
There are videos about it but basically it follows these steps:
You press down the left and/or right brake WHILE pressing the ebike's power ON button and hold them all for 5 seconds or until "E-02" (or possibly similar) appears in the display. Some bikes can be "hacked" this way using either brake handle, while other bikes require both simultaneously...it depends on whether the brake switches are electrically or logically OR'd inside the controller. Some bikes even require the LEFT brake only while others may require the RIGHT brake only...so try all the combinations before ruling out your ebike can't be changed using this method. IF a given method works, you will likely see an "error" code showing in the display the first time it is successful ("E-02"). Obviously, you won't see this error code on ebikes that just have an "idiot" LED controller like the KD26E displayhead used on the AM001908/AM001907 20" folding ebike models (not an LCD alpha-numeric display), and it likely won't work on these "dumb" display head configured ebikes.
If it works, you should only have to do it the one time or until your controller is reset by some means.

Also, on some bikes it MAY "toggle" ON or OFF the high speed enable so if you...as I do...hold down at least one brake lever as you get on the ebike and power it up...the setting MAY "toggle". You'll have to check if it does "toggle" on your ebike and may change how you start your bike if needed.
I haven't seen this ON/OFF speed hack "toggle" happen on the 2 ebikes on which I've seen it performed, but there may be others that work differently. Unfortunately, my ebike did not support this soft "hack".

[davidstorton]

The tire pressure is a biggie, if my tires on my ebike have reduced pressure 50 psi, my bike does 21 mph if it's 65 it does 25 mph

[morganandreason]

I'd be interested in an episode dedicated to controllers and how to mod them and how to find other controllers to exchange them for, in order to make your bike go faster. Another aspect that I'd be interested in is how different settings will affect battery life.

My own ebike isn't adjustable at all. It either helps you by adding 350W until you get to 25km/h, or it's off entirely. Not a recipe for efficient battery use when you basically have to break in order to cruise at a lower speed.

[glennbolton]

Another tip is to lighten the weight on the bike...Dropping 80 pounds off of ME has definitely helped me go faster on my regular bicycle. Can't wait to see how it works on my EBC Model X soon.

[normawingo]

I didn’t realize how many things I need to check for speed improvement, I learn a lot here. Thank you.

[johnstrassberger]

It works, changed the tire size on the computer input from 20 to 24 inches and got 5 more mph.
Thanks John

[coldp]

Thanks for the "MORE SPEED!!!" tips and beat wishes on moving to Boston.

[ajemohaltom]

Nice mention of heat issues. Whenever the limits of an ebike are pushed (which is easy and fun to do)... heat can build up in the battery or wiring or wheel rims and it's nothing to ignore.

[donnyanda]

High i have the speed limiting wire on my controller and i extended it to an off/off switch on the handlebars for on/off road settings.

[josephcortez]

Great information just purchased my 1st.. e-bike and topping out at 20 im hoping to achieve 28-30 on this rad runner plus 2023.your video work and editing is above par!!!

[BKCycles]

Very interesting tips. I hope I will be soon building my e-bike!
Your channel is a great support to me!

[finnban]

This is very much a great idea you’re pointing out. since I already have an E bike, I want it to go faster. The speed limit on there is only 20 mph but I wanted to reach at least 30 mph so that’s pretty much strong advice you’re giving. I like it.

[BrunoPOWEEER]

Yeaaahh just adding a few more items to the “TOO SPEED hack list” haha:
#11 transfer your motor/controller/battery to another bike with bigger tire/wheel.
#12 if you own a Bosch, Shimano, Giant or basically any ebike with speed limit, remove the rear wheel speed sensor and place it facing to the outside (zip tie), place a magnet on the right pedal metal bolt and alight to the sensor. You motor will no longer measure wheel speed but cadence = if you’re at 40kmh your motor will think you’re at +/-19kmh and keep on pumping more POWEEEERR. Manufacturers can’t detect this if one day you have to claim warranty but if you do a USB dongo trick (electronic modification) they can tell.
#13 mid drive bikes = smaller rear cassette gear 11T and bigger front chainring. Don’t go too big on the chainring, otherwise you’re just adding wear and tear on your gearing system including bicycle gears/chain and also the internal gear + may ended up “forcing the controller” generating too much heat and frying it. Bigger chainring means you’re trading your acceleration for top speed.
#14 some advanced controllers like the Savboton, ASI have “Field weakening” settings which is the offset angle between the 3 motor phases, varying it will also increase the top speed using the same battery voltage. Downside? This introduces some inefficiency so the controller runs hotter. There’s also a maximum phase angle and electronic motor speed the controller is able to process.

More ohhh yeahh

*we missed you!! I really thought you’ve stopped the bike to announce the winner of your book, you must have a fantastic memory hahahaha

[thegee-tahguy]

My fat ebike has knoby tires that sound a ferocious dual tire whir when I'm riding, especially above 28mph. It let's people know I'm comin'.

[tpayne]

Cool.

I think most of these tips having to do with drag and resistance also potentially help with range as well, if they are used with range in mind. (key word, "mind" :-) ) Range anxiety competes with need for speed, and all the variables that go into the calculations for each rider make for splendid mental exercise, eh?

Respect.

[HomeShowTV]

Excellent tips. Love the channel. I have a RAD Power Wagon currently. But I am building a new higher performance bike from scratch and your vids have been invaluable. Keep it up.

[JoeOsChannel]

Thinking of getting into E-Bikes soon. Got to test ride a nice Trek today. Love the idea of unclipping the wire that limits speed. Here in Canada, we can do 32 phh but it would be nice to be able to hit at least 40-45 kph.
Good video!

[brianramsey]

Love everything about ebikes, thanks for professional help.

[EarlC-wm]

You gave me some ideas I never considered. I will definitely try a couple. I'll let you know how it works. Thank you for the simplicity of your suggestions.