The power of an electric bike is addictive, especially when you blast up steep hills twice as fast as you usually would. However, an electric bike's limited assisted top speed isn't enough for some people. So, in this article, we'll tell you how to remove the speed limiter on an electric bike. You'll also learn why electric bikes have speed limiters and the pitfalls of removing them.
The Easiest Way To Remove The Speed Limiter On An Electric Bike
The controllers on some electric bikes allow you to tweak specific settings. For example, you can change how much power each assistance mode gives you. Some controllers also provide access to the speed limiter, so you can increase or remove it altogether. Just check the owner's manual to see how to make the adjustment on your electric bike.
If your electric bike controller doesn't give you access to the speed limiter, you'll need to use a more involved method. You could ask your local electric bike shop to do it for you if you don't want to do it yourself. However, they are unlikely to remove the speed limiter for legal reasons.
How To Remove The Speed Limiter On An Electric Bike Manually
The method we're about to share works only for some electric bikes with hub-mounted motors. It is fairly easy and doesn't require specialist tools.
To ride faster with assistance on an electric bike, you can alter how the controller receives data from the transmitter. Most electric bikes with hub-mounted motors have a sensor that measures your speed via a magnet attached to the wheel. Each time the magnet gets close to the sensor, the sensor sends a signal to the controller. The controller uses the signal to call power from the motor depending on the assistance level you're riding in.
By moving the sensor to a different part of the bike, you can reduce how frequently the magnet passes it. Doing so manipulates how the controller calculates your speed. Therefore, by mounting the sensor to a point on your bike that the wheel passes more slowly, the motor will continue to work at higher speeds.
Buy A Tuning Kit
Another method of removing the speed limiter on an electric bike is with a tuning kit. This is a more elegant and professional solution, but it still manipulates how your electric bike's controller calculates speed.
A tuning kit fits onto the speed sensor and signals the controller with a false reading. The signal tells the controller that you're travelling under the limited top speed when you're not. Therefore, the motor will keep delivering power, allowing you to ride faster.
One additional advantage of a tuning kit is that it requires no permanent modifications. This means you can easily remove the kit for any reason.
Why Are Electric Bikes Limited?
In the U.S., Class 1 and Class 2 electric bikes are limited to 20mph, while Class 3 electric bikes can't exceed 28mph with motor assistance. Some people may think that this isn't very fast, but you need to remember that you can still ride over these speeds; it's just that the motor is no longer helping you. You can still charge downhill as fast as you like or continue pedalling to ride faster.
These assisted speed limits are in place for safety reasons. If people could ride electric bikes as fast as they wanted, there would be a horrendous number of serious accidents. You can buy faster electric bikes, which are classed as motorcycles and require licenses and insurance.
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Things To Consider When Removing The Speed Limiter On An Electric Bike
Before removing the speed limiter on an electric bike, you need to be aware of a few things; there are implications and pitfalls.
It's Illegal
If the police catch you riding an unrestricted electric bike, you can be fined. They could also confiscate and destroy your electric bike, which would cause inconvenience and be a financial blow.
You May Void The Warranty
If your electric bike has a technical issue after a couple of months, you may need to contact the manufacturer for a repair. However, if you have removed the speed limiter, in most cases, your warranty will be void. This is still the case if the issue has nothing to do with your modification. Therefore, the manufacturer could charge you to fix the problem, which could be very expensive.
It Will Negatively Affect Battery Life
When you remove the speed limiter from your electric bike, the controller demands more power from the battery. You'll enjoy the extra acceleration and speed, but the downside is that your battery will deplete much more quickly, reducing your range. Over time, the extra demand from the battery and more frequent charging will reduce its lifespan. Therefore, you'll need to replace it sooner than you expected.
Your Electric Bike Will Become More Dangerous
As mentioned earlier, speed limits are in place to make riding electric bikes safer. By removing the speed limiter and riding faster, you put more stress on the components that are not designed for the increase in speed. For example, your brakes might not be powerful enough to bring you to a stop safely in an emergency. Therefore, you should consider upgrading your brakes.
In addition, riding faster requires more skill. Therefore, inexperienced electric bike riders who've de-restricted their bikes may put themselves in danger.
Tips For Removing The Speed Limiter On An Electric Bike
If you're still interested in making your electric bike faster, here are a few things you should consider.
Don't Rush The Modification
It's not too challenging to remove the speed limiter on an electric bike; however, it's easy to get wrong. When making the modification, pay attention to what you're doing and take your time.
Don't Draw Attention To Yourself
Earlier, we discussed the legal implications of riding an electric bike with the speed limiter removed. You'll be fine riding on private land or off-road, but it's a different story when riding on public roads.
When someone rides an electric bike on a flat road or uphill faster than 28mph, it's pretty obvious that they've modified it. So, be mindful of when you use the extra power to avoid attracting attention to yourself.
Wear Protection
You should always wear a helmet when riding an electric bike, but it's even more critical when you've de-restricted it. Riding at higher speed makes the consequences of crashing more severe, so make sure you buy a quality bike helmet.
Final Thoughts
Removing the speed limiter on an electric bike is easy. The most popular methods require altering settings, moving the speed sensor, or installing a tuning kit. However, you need to remember the pitfalls of modifying your electric bike and weigh up if it's worth doing.
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