Why Is My E-bike Running Slowly?
Introduction
Electric bikes are a fun and convenient way to travel. Riding an electric bike benefits mental and physical health. It provides the same amount of exercise as riding a traditional bicycle. A high-quality e-bike is usually equipped with a powerful motor and battery that enable it to accelerate quickly, achieving
high speeds in a short time. It can be a little alarming when your e-bike top speed reduces.
A reduction in the achievable speed of your electric bicycle can be disheartening as it usually indicates a problem with a part or more. Any knowledge of the components associated with e-bike speed and the necessary solutions can save a lot of time and energy. To know more about your e-bike and the factors relating to its speed, keep reading.
Reasons Affecting E-bike Speed
Some of the reasons for slowness in electric bikes include:
Low Battery Power
The battery is an important part of the e-bike as it stores all the charge you need to power your ride. It is also a crucial component of the pedal-assist system that boosts your pedaling.
The battery is a good place to start if you find your e-bike is not moving at an appreciable speed. The reason could be that it is a low-voltage battery that cannot expand enough power for the motor to achieve top speed. Another reason could be that the battery is low on juice. The battery information can be found on the e-bike LCD display.
Low Tire PSI
High-quality tires are essential for longevity while you ride at top speed. Your entire navigation skills depend on the tires, so they must be at the right pressure.
When your e-bike starts lagging behind and you still have enough juice in your battery, the tires may be able to provide useful information. Deflated tires tend to interfere with the power output from the motor and battery. Low pressure means increased resistance to rolling smoothly and translating energy generated from pedaling into top speed.
Low Payload Capacity
The payload capacity of an electric bicycle is the total weight it can carry while still providing a smooth and convenient ride. If your e-bike does not have a high payload capacity, adding more weight can cause your bike to slow down a lot more. Taking a ride with a large pet, shopping for a ton of groceries, or moving heavy gear will not work with such an e-bike. You need one with a high payload capacity to ride fast while ferrying loads.
The Cyclist
If there is nothing wrong with the e-bike, the last place to consider is yourself. Depending on how much you are out of shape or have added weight, you may experience slowness when riding. The added weight may have become closer to the payload limit of your bike, thereby reducing the top speed achievable on it. It may also mean you no longer have enough energy to push to attain the speed you want. If you are the reason, try exercising and improving your diet to get back in shape and start riding at your preferred speed.
Tips for Improving E-bike Speed
Nothing beats the feeling of cutting through the air at your preferred speed, with the wind whistling past your ears. Here are some tips to improve your e-bike speed:
Perform Routine Checks
Routine checks are necessary to identify problems before they happen and to take care of what you can before it gets worse. When you make it a ritual to always perform checks, you can always use your e-bike in prime condition. It is ideal to check your e-bike before and after rides, ensuring to clean and oil the necessary components. Performing routine checks is a great way to keep abreast of small things like the increased friction of a badly tuned brake pad that can affect speed.
Charge Battery Always
The battery is a vital part of your commute and should be treated as such. A lack of adequate battery power can cause you to lose a lot of speed while riding. This means you should draw out a plan for how you intend to ensure the battery always has a charge on it when you need it.
Charging after every ride instead of hoping to topup when you find the time is a good way to begin. As long as you ride, keep your battery charged for use. If you are not using it yet, you may want to postpone the charging so carrying an unused full charge for long periods does not damage your battery. Alternatively, opt for e-bikes with better battery power, like the Himiway Zebra, which uses a battery that provides up to 128 km of travel on a single charge.
Pump/Change E-bike Tires
Using deflated tires will increase rolling resistance and cause your bike to move at a considerably slower pace. The air pumped to inflate your tires increases the tire pressure, which will add a boost to your speed. Apart from this, a fully inflated tire is less likely to be punctured by small sharp objects on the road.
Another problem involves using the wrong set of tires. For example, if you are a commuter who rides your e-bike across the city to work and shop for groceries, using tires belonging to a mountain bike will slow you down. Thicker tires provide more traction but are usually in the way of speed. Your best option would be to change these for lighter commuter e-bike tires.
Conclusion
Electric bikes are a faster alternative to driving or using public transit. Professional athletes are also turning to e-bikes to enjoy an adrenaline rush with more convenience than on a traditional bike. When your speed begins to reduce, it may be time to check one or more components that could affect it. These include the tires, battery power, payload capacity, and more.
Knowing the right way to approach the issue of reduced speed can save you time, energy, and money. Sometimes the problem can be fixed with simple actions like pumping the tires or charging the battery. If your best efforts are useless, seek professional help or consider changing your e-bike for a better one. The Himiway Zebra uses a 250W motor and a battery that can provide up to 128 km on a single charge.
