electric bikesit's a brilliant invention. They're fun, they drive unsportsmanlike people in the great outdoors, and they allow for trips you could never take without the active support of a motorcycle. But as exciting and fun riding an e-bike is, after a while many e-bike owners crave more. The electric two-wheeler is limited to 25 km/h, which significantly reduces driving pleasure.
Using circuit boards, chips, adapters and dongles, it is possible to bypass the speed limit. In the following article, we will answer to what extent tuning of e-bikes is allowed in Germany.
What is electric bike tuning?
The term "tuning" is known in the automotive industry. Designates measures intended to improve the performance, handling and appearance of the vehicle. As a rule, cars, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds are tuned. As pedelecs, e-bikes and S-pedelecs have increasingly penetrated the German market, this practice has been extended to e-bikes.
Speed is measured on electric bikes by magnets in the spokes and a sensor in the frame. With each turn of the wheel, a signal is emitted that allows conclusions to be drawn about the speed. In the old days, it was possible to change the circumference of the wheel to achieve more km/h. However, the producers have put an end to that in the meantime.
Nowadays people like to use chip tuning. A chip is placed between the measurement elements, which means that only alternate signals can be received. As a result, the driver can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h. Of course, there are other ways to get around the speed limit.
Why tune up the e-bike?
When you get on an electric bike for the first time, you will be overwhelmed by the motorized assistance. With the powerful transmission, short distances can be covered in a very short time, and even long excursions in mountainous landscapes are no longer a problem for the cyclist, since he can give more power to his own pedaling at the touch of a button.
Little by little the euphoria fades and what was once a luxury becomes a habit. 25 km/h is no longer enough and it seems that you are moving at a snail's pace. It also shows that the e-bike can reach its own limits on very steep inclines.
For this reason, many electric bike owners turn to tuning. Armed with tools and tuning tools, the bike can be outfitted for more speed in just a few simple steps.
Is electric bike tuning allowed?
Adjustment measures are often dismissed as a misdemeanor. In fact, it is a violation of the law. If the technology, mechanics or motor is disturbed, electric bikes no longer respondtraffic rules(StVZO) and is no longer allowed on public roads.
Moped provisions
Legally, electric bikes count as bicycles. Despite the motor support, there is no obligation to wear a helmet, and it is also voluntary to take out insurance. If the speedometer of the bicycle exceeds the limit of 25 km/h, please select oneS-Pedelecdecide. The electric bicycle is classified as a motor vehicle and allows a speed of up to 45 km/h.
The vehicle owner must have their own insurance plate and driver's license, have a class AM driver's license, wear a helmet, and purchase insurance. Of course, this comes with costs that not all vehicle owners want to pay. The easiest way seems to be to rig the ebike with tuning kits to enable the desired motor mount. However, the legal consequences are serious.
This can be a threat in case of violations.
Since tuned electric bikes are no longer counted as 25 pedelecs, the strict rules for motor vehicles apply. Therefore, the use of a tuned electric bike leads to a report for driving without a driving license (§ 21 StVG) and without insurance coverage (§ 6 PflVG).
If an accident occurs with a tuned electric bike, it has serious consequences. The vehicle owner loses warranty rights and manufacturer warranties. In addition, liability insurance refuses financial and legal assistance. This means that property damage and personal injuries must be paid out of pocket. In the worst case, the medical and hospital bills of the accident victims must be paid. In the case of serious damage, the next bill could easily mean financial ruin.
How can the e-bike be legally tuned?
E-bike tuning is prohibited and will be punished with severe penalties. However, there are legitimate methods to improve the performance of electric bikes.
More engine support
The pinion is a small gear that transfers the driving force to the wheel. It is possible to change the sprocket and cassette for more engine support. Most trekking bikes these days have a 10 speed cassette. If you replace this with a 40- or 42-tooth cassette and combine it with a 32- or 34-tooth sprocket on the rear wheel, the conversion increases by 20 percent. The front wheel sprocket, on the other hand, must be reduced in size. This procedure has a great effect on both the hub and the change gears.
Rebuild job may mean the chain is too short - a change is necessary. It also happens that the engine has a problem with the translation and issues an error message. In this case, the software must be adjusted. Replacing the sprocket is a quick and easy way to give your electric bike more motor support without exceeding the top speed of 25 km/h.
Adjust tire pressure
In addition, the conditions of the electric bike can be optimized to achieve greater efficiency of the individual components. Underinflated tires cause your body weight to increase the friction surface on the ground. The flat tire does not ride correctly and represents more resistance. If the tire is over inflated, it becomes difficult to handle.
Unfortunately, the optimum does not exist.tire pressureit's not. It varies from model to model and is also related to the way you drive. Manufacturers often provide information on the ideal tire configuration. Information can be found atoperating instructionsagain.
Adjust the brake caliper correctly
Another obstacle is the brakes. If the pads react too sensitively and slow down even without operating the lever, driving pleasure is reduced. A simple test can give information: if the wheel spins and turns during the first few revolutions, the brake caliper is not adjusted correctly. Unscrewing and holding the brake as it closes moves the caliper into the correct position.
ideal suspension
The suspension affects the grip of the tire. Riding with the wrong suspension will require more effort to steer the bike. A simple tuning solution to this dilemma is to play around with your suspension air pressure.
To do this, you stand on the e-bike with your full weight to gauge how low the fork and shock squat. Some components are equipped with indicators on which the numbers can be read. As a rule of thumb, it is 20 percent for the wheel fork and 30 percent for the shock absorber. To give the suspension more room to manoeuvre, the air pressure is reduced. This results in the tire staying glued to the ground.
You should also take a look at the rebound stage of the suspension. If the spring rate is too high, back pressure is created. If it is too slow, the elastic compensating effect is missing. The advice here is to use the trial and error method. By gradually adjusting the flexibility, the correct rebound pitch for your own electric bike is determined.
Regular e-bike maintenance
Many times the maintenance and care of the electric bicycle is neglected. A big mistake! Cleaning the bike chain, tightening the bolts and nuts can ensure that the battery lasts longer and does not waste energy unnecessarily.
What does legal electric bike tuning bring?
if you decide to do itelectric bicycletuning with a chip is punishable. The two-wheeled electric motor can only be driven on private land if you want to avoid a fine.
Legal tuning deals with the means and methods that increase the efficiency of motorized two-wheelers. The individual components of the bicycle are adapted in such a way that optimal riding conditions exist. Thus, the maximum possible speed is not increased, but steering and driving is made easier. Another advantage is that the engine starts faster.
The Bottom Line: Caution When Tuning E-Bikes
Classical tuning can be done in a few simple steps, but the consequences are so dire that it's best to stay away from tuning kits and the like. If you want to legally obtain your own disc, you have several options. Canshooting teacher,tire pressureysuspensionbe optimized. Higher engine performance is possible with the help of gears.
FAQs
Can you tune an electric bike? ›
E-bike tuning works in different ways: Chip tuning: You plug a tuning module onto the speed sensor. From a certain speed, it is specially designed to ensure that the speed sensor only transmits half or a third of the actual speed to the control unit.
What is tuning on an e-bike? ›Tuning an electric bicycle is removing the pedal assistance limit. This releases all the electrical power from its engine, so that the vehicle runs faster than before. A “normal” e-bike delivered in accordance with the current regulation, is equipped with a 250 watt motor and assists you up to 25 km/h.
Can you chip an electric bike to go faster? ›When you tune an eBike, you simply bypass the limiter and allow the motor to reach its full potential, its a bit like taking the Kryptonite off Superman!! The easiest way to tune or de-restrict an E-bike is to fit a dongle.
How often should you tune your ebike? ›It's important to tune up your e-bike after every 1500 kilometers of riding or every 6 months. However, you may need to service your e-bike more frequently depending on how much wear and tear you put on it.
How do I get the best range on my eBike? ›- Make sure the EnergyPak is fully charged before you start your ride. The range depends on which EnergyPak you have. ...
- Always check tire pressure before you start your ride. ...
- Be smart about how you shift. ...
- Ride in Eco mode. ...
- Ride without support.
Standard E tuning involves tuning the guitar's six strings to the notes E, A, D, G, B, and E, from thickest to thinnest. This tuning provides a versatile range of notes and allows for easy chord shapes and scale patterns.
Do I want a throttle on my eBike? ›A throttle can be useful for many riders, though it does have some drawbacks. If you prioritize long battery life, ditching the throttle can help. But if you need an extra boost to get going through intersections and stoplights, a throttle is a great option.
How fast is 500w in mph? ›If you're looking at a 500-watt motor, that's gonna be able to get you to a top speed of about 20 miles an hour.
Can you change max speed of ebike? ›Generally, manufacturers set an adjustable speed limiter to restrict the maximum speed of your ebikes for safety concerns. But you can adjust and set the speed as per the local government regulations and make electric bike faster. If your bike has a wired speed limiter, you can turn it off by disconnecting the wire.
Can you remove electronic speed limiter? ›To make a long story short, yes, there are ways to disable your car's speed limiter. Like most computers, the functions of your car's engine computer can be modified. But that's not always easy to pull off. Believe it or not, some cars have built-in ways to defeat the governor.
Can Ebikes go faster than 28 mph? ›
Electric Bikes, or EAPCs (Electrically Assisted Pedal Bicycles) assist the rider in reaching 15.5 or 28mph, depending on the motor size. They are quicker to reach these speeds, but still require pedal power to get going. You can exceed these speeds, but your legs will need to do some work.
How fast is too fast for an ebike? ›Class 1: The e-bike will give assistance when you pedal up to 20mph. Once you reach 20 mph, the motor will cut off and any higher speeds come from your pedaling.
How fast will a 1000w electric bike go? ›The maximum speed of a 1000w electric bike depends on many factors, including the weight of the rider, terrain, and weather conditions. Generally, most high-performance electric bikes with a 1000w motor can reach speeds of up to 28 miles per hour (45 kilometers per hour), but this may vary.
How do you Unrestrict an electric bike? ›An electric bike is de-restricted by placing a compact electronic device between the sensor magnet of the wheel and the computer that calculates the speed at which you are moving. This device causes the computer to calculate based on falsified signals thereby leading to the slower current speed.
Can an electric bike go 60 mph? ›It resembles a moped like a Tomos Targa, folds like a bicycle or a Motocompo scooter, but has a top speed closer to that of a motorcycle. With its top speed of 60 mph, this could even outrun some motorcycles in the 125cc class. The Colibri seems to solve a few issues faced by a number of motorcyclists living in cities.
Can eBikes go faster than 20mph? ›The e-bike can continue to increase in speed above 20mph, for instance if you're going down a hill, but you won't get the extra boost from the motor. Basically, above 20mph you have a regular analog bike!
Is it OK to leave battery in Ebike? ›For long-term storage, since a charge of 40-50% is ideal, it's best to keep your battery off the bike, since background drains can slowly discharge a battery. Plug it in (or at least check charge level) every 3-4 months, but don't leave it on the charger for a long time!
Should I leave battery in ebike? ›IMPORTANT STORAGE INFORMATION
They also do not like to be left in a fully discharged state. If Lithium batteries are left flat for an extended period they may no longer be functional. Store your battery between 15 °C (59 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F) in a dry area.
The Flluid-2 is described as an “ultra-long-range powerhouse” with its two removable battery packs totaling 2 kWh of capacity. That doubles the battery capacity of the first-generation FUELL Flluid-1 and enables an impressive range of up to 225 mi (362 km) on a single charge.
How far can a 1000W electric bike go? ›Generally, a 1000W e-bike can travel up to 40-60 miles on a single charge, but this range can be extended with certain battery and motor configurations. It's important to note that riding at higher speeds can reduce the range, and range will also decrease over time as the battery ages.
What is high mileage for an e-bike? ›
Depending on the type of motor and the sort of riding you will be doing, the number of miles on this can swing either way a good 20-50%. Many commuter e-bikes will hit 3.5k miles or more before needing to change their chain.
Is standard tuning the best tuning? ›Standard tuning is the most commonly used tuning that has your guitar strings tuned (from lowest to highest) to E, A, D, G, B, E. Although standard tuning is, well, the standard for most guitarists to learn and play, alternate tunings open up a whole new world of sound.
What is normal tuning? ›To be exact, from low to high, standard guitar tuning is EADGBE—three intervals of a fourth (low E to A, A to D and D to G), followed by a major third (G to B), followed by one more fourth (B to the high E).
What is normal tuning frequency? ›Context: The current reference frequency for tuning musical instruments is 440 Hz.
What is better pedal assist or throttle? ›If you need minimal assistance, perhaps having a bike with throttle-only is a good option. If you are traveling farther distances or want more consistent, nearly-thoughtless power, then the pedal-assist may work well. Some bike brands are offering both throttle and pedal-assist to make that decision easier.
How important is torque on an ebike? ›Power & Torque – Why Torque Matters
On an electric bicycle, torque is the ability to rotate the rear wheel. Higher torque will create more acceleration and get you up steep hills easier. This means a bike with higher torque is easier to get going from a stop, or start on an incline.
How Fast Does a 8000w Electric Bike Go? An 8000w electric bike can reach speeds of 68mph (109kph) on flat terrain, if no speed limiter is in place.
How fast is a 5000w ebike? ›Generally speaking, a 5000w ebike is capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 mph or more.
How fast is 750W in mph? ›On average, a 750W electric bike can reach a top speed of around 28-32 mph on flat terrain with no wind resistance.
Why are ebikes limited to 20 mph? ›The CPSA imposes a 20mph speed limit on electric bikes in order to protect consumers from injury. Electric bikes that go faster than 20mph can pose a danger to riders, as they are more likely to lose control and crash.
Can ebike go 100 miles? ›
The range of an electric bicycle essentially refers to the distance you ride in one battery charge. On average, most ebikes will take you somewhere between 20-100 miles.
Can an ebike go 30 mph? ›DEEPOWER Electric Bikes 20" Fat Tire 1000W Folding Ebike Up to 30 MPH 48V 12.8AH Removable Lithium Battery Shimano 7-Speed Lockable Suspension Fork Beach Mountain Electric Bicycles for Adults.
Do performance chips remove speed limiter? ›Chip Performance can disable the speed limiter of your company car. For example, vehicles for which we regularly perform this are Volkswagen Crafters and Mercedes Sprinters. These are set at 90 km/h. Chip Performance can increase or remove the limiter.
Is there a universal speed limit? ›Think again. For centuries, physicists thought there was no limit to how fast an object could travel. But Einstein showed that the universe does, in fact, have a speed limit: the speed of light in a vacuum (that is, empty space). Nothing can travel faster than 300,000 kilometers per second (186,000 miles per second).
How do you break your limiter in real life? ›- Look Out For “They” Language. ...
- Get In Touch With Your Motivations. ...
- Accept The Discomfort. ...
- Build Confidence. ...
- Ask For Help. ...
- Use A Little Healthy Imitation. ...
- Learn From Losses. ...
- Make Some Space.
In the US, the maximum speed of an e-bike is regulated on a state level – and ranges from 20mph to 28mph. As of 2022, twenty-six out of the forty-four states had adopted a tiered system of classification.
Do electric bikes have ECU? ›The ECU with the driving control motor unit is another important part of electric bicycles and is located between the battery and the motor (Figure 1).
What is the maximum speed of an electric bike? ›A class 1 e-bike is an electric bike that's pedal assist only. It doesn't have a throttle, and tops out at around 18-20 miles per hour. A pedal-assist e-bike has a drive system that only turns on once the rider starts pedaling. Once someone starts peddling, the maximum speed is going to be about 20 mph.
What electric bikes can be chipped? ›Is chipping my e-bike legal? In short, no. Chipping an e-bike is illegal because it affects its classification, changing it from bicycle to moped. This means that if you do chip your e-bike, you will have to adhere to the rules and regulations of driving a moped according to the law where you live.
Is 20 mph on an e bike fast? ›When you're riding a bike, 20mph is an ideal speed. These aren't our fastest electric bikes, but a top speed of 20mph is the fastest class 2 e-bikes can go. Even though they aren't the fastest, they still give you that rush of wind and get you where you want to go quickly.
Do police use Ebikes? ›
Police e-bikes help officers catch criminals
Fresno, California, has a robust bike patrol program that has seen many police officers on BULLS electric bikes. It's a model that has also proven popular with the LAPD.
Regardless of whether you ride a sports bike, a cruiser, an adventure touring hog, or a 3 wheel motorcycle, flashing your engine control unit can increase the performance of your bike.
Do Ebikes have trackers? ›Your e-bike has a well-hidden secret
The GPS tracker for your bike is discreetly installed inside the e-bike, making it invisible to thieves unlike bike locks that are installed externally.
How Fast Does a 5000w Electric Bike Go? A 5000w electric bike can reach speeds of 60mph (96kph) on flat terrain, if no speed limiter is in place.
How fast does a 750W E bike go? ›The top speed of a 750W electric bike varies depending on factors such as the bike's weight, the load and the terrain. On average, a 750W electric bike can reach a top speed of around 28-32 mph on flat terrain with no wind resistance.
Do Ebikes need a special rack? ›Because your e-bike is heavier than a conventional bike, you'll need a rack that's capable of supporting and securely holding a burlier machine. Keep the following in mind as you select a rack to carry your e-bike: Focus on hitch racks: Roof-top racks are too hard to load; most trunk racks aren't stout enough.
Have any electric bikes caught fire? ›Although there aren't national or international statistics on how often the lithium-ion batteries commonly found in E-bikes or scooters catch fire, these incidents do appear to “happen with some regularity — and the numbers are rising,” according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Are electric bikes expensive to repair? ›Ebike Repair Costs
On average, eBike owners spend around $100 to $150 on parts and materials every year, with professional service fees adding another $150. By performing some of the maintenance tasks yourself, you can save on repair costs.