What to do when riding your E-Bike downhill to avoid going to fast?
Posted by Flimsy-Story9523@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 62 comments
Downhill or on a steep incline Gravity pushes you down on your bike causing you go faster uncontrollably.
This can cause you to fall off if not kept under control. Especially when you’re about to make a turn.
So what is the best way to ride your electric bike downhill and stay at a speed you can control so you don’t make a turn too tight and fall or fly off your bike?
Moist_Network_8222@reddit
Just use the brakes. Gently, and both wheels.
funcentric@reddit
Yes, but the front one more than the rear.
Dook23@reddit
For this guy who probably doesn’t know what he’s doing, that’s a bad idea. He’s going to end up flipping over.
funcentric@reddit
When we were young, our mom's all taught us to not use the front brake so much because we could flip over the handlebars. It's not only until we grow up that we realize all the braking power comes from the front. The rear is to be feathered. Same as a motorcycle.
Dook23@reddit
When riding a motorcycle you should be using both brakes simultaneously to keep the bike stable and feathering in certain situations. On rough terrain you should rely on the back brake more as well. But my main point was that if this guy doesn't know what he is doing, telling him to use the front brake more is likely going to lead to a crash.
funcentric@reddit
Fair enough.
20indacan@reddit
When I commented I told OP not to pull the front brakes myself, at least not until he has already pressed the back brakes first. Not because I disagree with your statement on braking, but because this adult genuinely is about as experienced on bicycles as we were as children.
My workaround as a kid for the front brakes was to just weaken them a bit. We never had good bikes, and the Walmart mountain bikes always came with stupid strong brakes, like to the point if I flinched and tensed my hand on the handlebars I could flip, and I would flip weekly until my uncle taught me how to loosen them. I don’t think I could flip if I wanted to, but I’m also not 60lbs anymore either haha
junxxxxxxxxx@reddit
OP gonna find a way to flip over his handlebars one way or another. probably flips head over ass trying to put his shoes on in the morning
LilAbeSimpson@reddit
If you’re seriously asking this question you shouldn’t be allowed to operate an E-bike.
20indacan@reddit
Yea, it totally gives “adult who never rode bikes as a child but is tired of paying for Ubers”. People like this are why they are beginning to be regulated, but at least he has the confidence to ask the question in the first place, maybe there’s a tiny chance he won’t end up doing something that makes us look bad as a community
funcentric@reddit
or any bike or car.
band-of-horses@reddit
Based on their post history I think they are seriously asking.
That was a wild ride…
unseenmover@reddit
use.the.brakes.
or.tuck.in.and.enjoy.it
trtsmb@reddit
Why is it uncontrollable? Do you not know how to use the brakes? Maybe you aren't ready for an e-bike and should stick with a regular bike.
junxxxxxxxxx@reddit
just sticking to walking OP
TwoWheel_Detective@reddit
Regenerative braking is the best!
(The tech has been in use for over 100 years.)
Install a front motor kit that supports regen and
enjoy the strongest braking power you never had:)
The other great thing about an added motor in front
is that the main drive runs cooler and more efficient
when climbing those monster hills.
Oh yea, the handling of a bike with two motors is exceptional.
The bike balances front to rear which evens tire wear and just
feels right.
Laserdollarz@reddit
Unironically, skill issue
funcentric@reddit
Lack of skill issue.
Laserdollarz@reddit
What do you do when you go too fast? Please hurry there's a stop sign at the bottom of this hill.
funcentric@reddit
Hahah!
chuckwolf@reddit
This might sound counter intuitive but if your ebike has a cadence sensor put it in the lowest assist level and pedal. the motor is designed to restrict the speed of the motor to a set speed and it will actively try to keep the bike from going faster.
AntEaterApocalypse@reddit
That is not how they work. The assist just tapers off and stops once it reaches the speed limit, same as any other type of pedal assist. What you are thinking of is regen braking which is not common on any ebikes sold these days as they require a motor and controller that are specifically designed for it.
so_many_wangs@reddit
The new Aventons have regen braking on the hub motor models and its pretty damn good. I keep the coasting regen off since it noticeably decreases the coasting range/speed but the brake regen is some actually good tech.
AntEaterApocalypse@reddit
That's cool. Nice to hear the tech is making its way back into mainstream.
Droidstation3@reddit
CAUSE I'M ALL GAS, NO BRAKES WIT IT! YADDDDDDDA MEAN?!
Zloiche1@reddit
Try a anchor?
darforce@reddit
Best answer on all of Reddit today
Fresh-Put645@reddit
I make sure that my fingers are on the brake lever and to engage early. I also ensure that my brake pads have enough material left
Zealousideal-Top4600@reddit
Just did 600km without rear brake pads, only the metal plate left. Worked so far, brake power is okayish, modularion is nearly gone
Fresh-Put645@reddit
Helpful tip. Don’t engage the brakes hard when riding downhill because you will wear the brake pads faster. And if possible, try not to go too fast downhill
Comfortable-Fly5797@reddit
You have these things called "brakes".
Laserdollarz@reddit
Brakes only slow me down!!
funcentric@reddit
I've always heard them called breaks. In literally every post, someone says they need help changing their breaks.
thereia@reddit
These are the breaks!
2shado2@reddit
That's because they aren't too swift.
Happy Cake Day!!🍰😁
Ohgodwatdoplshelp@reddit
Bro literally just brake what are you smoking.
so_many_wangs@reddit
What kind of question is this. Genuinely how can any adult be asking this.
For everyone else with common sense: I recently grabbed an ebike with regenerative braking and highly recommend it. It's got some amazing stopping power on steeper hills and extends the pad life.
junxxxxxxxxx@reddit
stop pedaling / use the brakes
WarcraftTurok@reddit
Ew, drake
King_Wataba@reddit
https://media.tenor.com/yslCjTaMZToAAAAM/kendrick-kendrick-lamar.gif
CaterpillarKey6288@reddit
Buy the new Segway ebike it has regenerative breaking that will hold your speed going down hill, it also has a electric brake to hold you from rolling backwards when stopped on a hill.
AntEaterApocalypse@reddit
Brake. Brake pads and rotors are some of the cheapest and most easily serviced parts on a bike. Squeeze those brake levers.
Bobbiago@reddit
Done be silly. We need something simple and elegant like a parachute which generates electricity to regenerate the battery.
Bwilderedwanderer@reddit
I have a Jake brake installed.
funcentric@reddit
Uncontrollably? Theoretically, it should be the same as going that speed on flats except you're not needing to pedal. You want to brake BEFORE the turn. Same as a car. Don't brake while turning, especially the rear tire.
Going downhill even if you're not pedaling hard, you should be in a high gear. If you're in too low of a gear, it'll be hard to manage your cadence. Use your brakes. Most of the braking power comes from the front. If you're worried about going over the handlebars, you are engaging the brakes too abruptly and squeezing too hard and likely not soon enough and/or not leaning back.
Shoehorse13@reddit
I've tried the Flintstone method where you just drag your feet and that works okay but is hard on the taint and really wears out your shoes quickly. Brakes seem to do a much better job and last longer with none of the negatives.
WarcraftTurok@reddit
I just bombed down a 1/4 mile long 30°+ hill in Austin Texas that I didn't expect and I was already saying before how I needed to service my brakes so I was happy so see my brakes worked literally just well enough to stop me from slamming into hard things at the bottom. But man that was like full squeeze to the bars on both handlebars and it only kinda sorta slowed me down on that decline.
The ride back up was horrible 😆
waronhumans@reddit
I usually just send it and if I start getting uncomfortable with the speed I stop pedaling
TopRepulsive4766@reddit
There are these levers situated near the handgrips on your handlebars. These levers do have a purpose which it seems you are not familiar with. They actuate the brakes. Brakes are devices to slow your vehicle (just in case you were wondering).
Now what you do when you're going too fast is to grip those levers and squeeze. Ta da. You are now slowing down. Yay.
benmooreben@reddit
That’s what those little levers are for by your bike grips.
TeriyakiHairPiece_@reddit
I swear 80% of this sub has never been on a regular bicycle.
BodSmith54321@reddit
There are these levers on the handlebars you pull to slow you down.
SeattleElectricBike@reddit
Brakes?
Is this an actual issue? I'm confused.
IndividualActive786@reddit
The OP’s username checks out…
Famous_Attention5861@reddit
I stand up to increase wind resistance!
Zealousideal-Top4600@reddit
And open that jacket. I have no problem bombing down a hill at 80kph, but i prefer to do it below 60, creating as much drag as possible helps a lot
Miao_Mix@reddit
Use your brakes Idiot
UrbanEconomist@reddit
Always carry a sturdy “safety stick.” If you start going too fast, reach down and shove it between the spokes of your front tire.
UrbanEconomist@reddit
Always carry a sturdy “safety stick.” If you start going too fast, reach down and shove it between the spokes of your front tire.
ebikr@reddit
Jump off.
20indacan@reddit
Stop pedaling and gradually pull your back tire brake. After that brake is fully depressed, lightly pull your front brake as well if needed. DO NOT pull your front brake first and especially not abruptly, it poses a risk of you flipping especially when at a decline going down a hill.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
They are called brakes. The two levers on your handlebar. Slow BEFORE making a turn. Or learn how to lean into a turn.
Almost no one has hills steep enough that properly functioning brakes can't overpower. But if you have stretched mechanical brakes or spongy hydraulic brakes, you may struggle. Maybe you should have your brakes inspected by a bike shop.