Just recently received a free e-bike that’s a lot of fun but also very underpowered. The video is one of the trails I like to take daily.
Posted by WingsOnWednesday@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 42 comments
Hey everyone! I’m a 27 year old male, 6’2, 230lbs. Recently received a free ebike that has a pretty underwhelming battery (48V 10Ah). Suspension is horrific. I can only get about 15 miles on a full charge and highest speed I’ve reached is 21mph but that was going downhill when battery was freshly charged.
The trail I’m on in the video is about 10 miles total trip and a few miles away from my house. Relatively smooth but definitely a bit loose in certain parts.
Would love a bike that can comfortably cruise ABOVE 25mph with decent suspension and good range. I know the cheap bike I’m using here isn’t made for off road trails but I can’t help myself lol. That’s why I’m asking you guys for recommendations. Models? Any reputable models/brands on Amazon or best to order from the manufacturer? I’d prefer to stay under $2k.
This is just a hobby of mine. I don’t use it for commuting as I have no reason to. I recreationally ride about 30-40 miles a week.
Thank you!
Background_Start_327@reddit
What an incredible trail
sand_is_food@reddit
Looks like a trail i used to ride somewhere in socal😉
Ok_Emergency4982@reddit
Most e-bikes come with pedals. I always pedal my e-bike to get the most range from each charge.
trtsmb@reddit
Amazing how many people don't realize that they can actually turn the pedals while cycling :).
trtsmb@reddit
Use less assist and pedal more - battery will last longer.
senoT-Tones@reddit
Bruh remember when these didn’t exist and also some people still don’t have e bikes😂
Caldeagle@reddit
Blaring music on a Bluetooth speaker on a public trail reduces power by 500 watts, that's science
wendyd4rl1ng@reddit
The people on the trails around me are so oblivious my choices are to basically ring my bell constantly or play some music at a reasonable volume so they hear me coming. I find people respond better to the music - they tend to just turn around to see where it's coming from and then move to one side as opposed to ringing the bell which people seem to often take offense to for some reason. I'm just casually moving at like 5-10mph and I calibrate the volume so that you shouldn't really hear it until I'm in your fairly immediate vicinity.
ancienttree4567@reddit
On busy shared paths, even low-volume music can become noise pollution fast depending on the environment and time of day, so it’s one of those solutions that works socially but isn’t always universally ideal.
lFightForTheUsers@reddit
This is kind of my thought too, peeps like to wear airpods or sometimes full on over the ear headphones when running out here. And can confirm they respond better to music - bell ringing, it's a 50-50 shot if they're going to scoot over or scoot further right into my path. I've seen squirrels respond better than humans at time. Music though, they always scoot over and seem more aware / more responsive in navigating yielding between the two of us.
Plus sometimes I get some funny responses since I usually listen to some mix of alternative-metal-prog-numetal setup, like some teens on the sidewalk jamming out while I'm waiting at a red light next to them lol.
WingsOnWednesday@reddit (OP)
Hahaha. It was just my phone. Had music playing while phone on the mount.
rvralph803@reddit
This looks appropriately powered. 🤔
You pedaling or nah?
Because if nah, then nah.
WingsOnWednesday@reddit (OP)
Ghost pedals above 4mph. No way to change it. It’s a cheap bike. Seems appropriately powered until I can’t make it up a hill lol.
rvralph803@reddit
Gears. That's how you change it.
If you get power diminishment through the pedals get a larger front gear or a smaller back gear set.
52t up front, 11t in the rear = 34mph at a cadence of 75
Difficult_Coast2848@reddit
What trail that's a damn road!! 😜🤣
WingsOnWednesday@reddit (OP)
Basically 😂
Ok-Lynx9182@reddit
That's close enough to the legal ebike speed limit that it doesn't matter.
WingsOnWednesday@reddit (OP)
That’s fair. I’d still prefer a bike that has more power and better range though. Some hills I can’t even make it up without me having to put my feet on the ground. That’s how bad it is.
Lanky_Ad6712@reddit
Something doesn't seem right here.
WingsOnWednesday@reddit (OP)
About???
taboo_sneakers@reddit
You can't pedal it?
WingsOnWednesday@reddit (OP)
The PAS is terrible. Basically ghost pedals above 4mph and I can’t change it.
taboo_sneakers@reddit
Can't change the gears? Or the speed of the bike?
WingsOnWednesday@reddit (OP)
No gears. It’s really cheap. Just a cheap 1 through 3 speed governor selector switch.
Ok-Lynx9182@reddit
Have you looked at emmo bikes?
poedraco@reddit
Power and speed are two different things..
If you want more power and torque. You can keep the battery and increase the controller from x to Y.. (ie: 48v 15a to 48v 30a.. This will then everetically give you twice the torque or up to Max whatever the motor can physically output.. Note this may classify as modifying the bike to be faster ETC underneath newer laws.)
Voltage at the other hand is speed. Going from 48 volt to 52 volt will increase it...
Voltage x amps =watts 48v x 10a = 480w 52v x 9a = 468w These batteries will usually do the same size and what not . Just wired differently.
But let's look at it this way.. When you go faster you use more wattage. Which will reduce the range. Going slower well use less wattage. Which means you can go further.. like revving your engine in a car. Going faster just consumes more fuel.
(I also have a 6000kw motor on a 1700w controller. I'm hitting 22-25 30mi out of box.. But it's designed to be more of a tank to pull. Then cruise.
Compared to my other one that is a 25000kw emoto running at 1800w. That's more built for speed.. 40mi nothing original on it left. Double in financial cost
All same battery)
Stokeszilla@reddit
Don't listen to that guy power and speed aren't the same thing.
For 2k, you're looking at entry level models from most major manufacturers. You may find better value for money going to physical bike stores that stock e-bikes and seeing if they have any discounted ex-display models or last seasons models. Some bargains to be had if you shop around.
brdbrd1@reddit
How was it free? Explain
WingsOnWednesday@reddit (OP)
Family member got the bike plus cash in exchange for a MacBook. Family member gave me the bike.
MangoMadnessTsv@reddit
What bike is it please?
WingsOnWednesday@reddit (OP)
G11 Socling ebike. Cheap $200 Chinese bike haha
Ant72@reddit
I just bought a Velotric discover 3. It's $1,999. I had it on an moderate trail last weekend and I loved it. It was a great ride. The battery range is 65 miles, I think.
yarn_slinger@reddit
Looks good to me
Knollibe@reddit
That is why I have a $9,000 amflow. I can pedal my ass up any hill and decide how much leg burn I feel like that day.
Helleri@reddit
21mph on a downhill is adequately powered for an e-bike (albeit a 15mile range is a little sad).
WingsOnWednesday@reddit (OP)
Only happened once lol. Full power I can cruise at about 17-19mph. Not amazing but yes it does get me to where I want to go.
Helleri@reddit
I average likely about 11mph on mine and probably travel about 40-60 miles a week with it (usually 1 long trip plus several quick trips). I could cruise faster but I find that if I go any faster than 12. The lizards have trouble reacting to seeing me and getting out of the way in time. Never actually hit one, but I'd prefer not to hard break over maintaining a speed that let's them disperse easily. Of course that's only ever a potential issue because I prefer sidewalk where possible (paint is not infrastructure and the sidewalk is legal to ride on here). So 9-12 is just reasonable speed. Not hitting lizards or jump scaring anyone at those speeds. There's people that skate board faster than that on sidewalk.
If I want to I can hit 18-20 on a flat and level ground depending on wind direction and strength. As a test of it's limit 27 is the fastest I've gone on the biggest downhill near me, pedaling hard in the toughest gear, with the wind at my back.
poedraco@reddit
To be honest with you majority of them are all the same motor manufacturers. The controllers may vary. But you're already in legal limits. If you want some easy fun things..
That's the money into another battery. Doubling your range. And even as some cases increasing your discharge rate. Sense of you now have two batteries outputting That force.
You can also put a capacitor Bank in parallel with the battery leads. Preferably between the air switch and controller. This will spri it up . Instead of having a soggy top end where it will bounce or be limited. It'll make it feel more responsive. And stronger
Suspension is based on how you're going to Ride it. Disregarding What anyone says about which bike is better or not. Whatever bike you like the looks and feel of. It's always going to be better than something that's more expensive. More smiles per mile. Power can always be changed. Range can always be changed. And even comfort.
At 230 lb. I would look into a spring that is somewhere around 600 lb spring or maybe even a 500.
Just for shits and giggles. I put a Honda Grom suspension on my e-bike. Using AliExpress steel piping, measuring the bolt outter dimer and the suspension inner diameter.. I think it's around 450 lb. But since it has a huge bello reservoir. It is extremely plush. Abnormally nice to ride. And a used one will cost you around $30. (I'd of the Grom eyes are 10mm.. Just found a stainless steel pipe from AliExpress for a dollar. OD-10 ID 8. Cut and file till fit. Greased and applied.. suspension now has a fluid bearing)
Depending Where your majority riding. Phat tires are good for a sand and clay trails. Although they do have achilles heel of bumps where you can have a stretched bead and blow out a lot. I personally find anything 2.5 to 3 in wide more than what anyone needs. But that increases rolling resistance which reduces range and responsive handling. Road use a nice good sticky compound cargo tire is always good. I've got better range off of a 2.4 tire then a 3.0 tire.
My bike ain't pretty but it's fully functional. Going from 17 miles to 40 mi. Just depend on how much mechanical nitty gritty you want to get into
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
Trail speed limits are typically 15mph. And that trail doesn't need a suspension.
If you want a great deal on a fat tire bike that is ideal for loose sand, the Vanpowers Grand Teton Pro is on sale for $899.
WingsOnWednesday@reddit (OP)
Forgot to mention that I am looking for a fat tire. Thank you!
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
Coupon code GAGT700 for $700 off. $899 for the hub drive version. $1299 for the mid-drive version with upgraded components. It's by far the best deal out there in that price range.
cold-corn-dog@reddit
You can add a second battery or maybe replace the one it has.