Cycling without power

[countarthur]

As I'm new to electric bikes I just need to seek your experience. I've done about 200 miles so far and try and switch the motor off when at sufficient speed (and on flat ground or downhill). From a standing start however, how easy should it be to cycle - in my experience its like peddling though treacle and can be quite some effort even in the lowest gear. Is this normal? Many thanks.

 

[D8ve]

no power in first gear it should be easy to spin the pedals. It should only be hard at speed or hills.
You shouldn't need to turn the motor off, leave it in Eco and the assist will fade at 15 mph so you reach a balance of a little assist to effort.

 

[Nealh]

There will be some resistance without power plus the extra weight of the hub, depending on the bikes gearing you should be able to get moving though it will take more effort the a pedal only bike. On a decline its easy peasy as gravity helps greatly, cycling fitness plays its part.

 

[countarthur]

Thank you, very helpful

 

[electrickery]

I am surprised there is enough resistance to notice it. Certainly on my geared hub drive it isn't noticeable.Also if you look at the vid on this thread it shows minimal resistance on the gsm crank motor.
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/gsm-mid-drive-strange-noise.24441/page-2
I used to feel the cycling through mud phenomenon if I switched off power but came to realise that I was in fact in too high a gear for pedal power only. As the others say using eco will more than cancel any weight or resistance and switch off when downhill or a tail wind if you want to maximise range.
Regards

 

[cyberdyne_systems]

I think you get used to a certain amount of assist, and then the bike can feel sluggish when the power is off, generally the bike will weigh more than a non motored bike.

How many gears do you have?

 

[Gubbins]

I look at this in a way everyone can understand..
My ebike weighs 21kg. My road bike weighs 9kg so it's like having a rucksack containing 12 bags of sugar when pedaling without assistance.

 

[Geebee]

Check your gear inches, I find a lot of ebikes geared for the flat or with motor assistance, I was always a spinner so like my gearing low.
A heavy bike and high gearing makes for hard work without the motor.

 

[countarthur]

I think you get used to a certain amount of assist, and then the bike can feel sluggish when the power is off, generally the bike will weigh more than a non motored bike.

How many gears do you have?

8 Gears - now its stopped raining I'm off out to experiment further, many thanks.

 

[cyberdyne_systems]

I agree with Geebee on the gearing, mine has 21, and I wondered why it needed so many, but without assistance it's proved useful once, otherwise you'll never need more, so keep your assistance on!

Another thought, your brakes and all rotating parts are free to move, nothing binding up causing more resistance?

 

[cyberdyne_systems]

8 Gears - now its stopped raining I'm off out to experiment further, many thanks.

Ahh I didn't look down to see you have your bike listed in your signature, very nice looking bike!