Downhill

[Yidakipaul]

This may be a daft question. When going down a steep hill will the motor allow you to go at just 15 mph or do you need to slow using brakes as a non pedelec?
Big Bear coming in 2 weeks.

 

[enndee]

The assist will stop but you can go as fast as gravity and/or your legs can make you go. Watch out when stopping though as bikes don't stop instantly and ebikes tend to have more mass than ordinary bikes which will need more effort stopping...

 

[Yidakipaul]

That's what I was wondering so the assist won't let me go downhill at a slower speed than gravity then?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The Big Bear motor has a free-wheel clutch inside so that the motor doesn't turn when you go faster than it is. It's just like how you can keep the pedals still when you go down-hill. If you can find a steep enough hill, 45 mph should be possible. More if you're brave enough. Nearly every time I go out with a hub-motored bike ( like the Big Bear), I get 40 mph somewhere because we have plenty of nice hills. It's a bit slower going up though.

You will love your big Bear when it comes. You don't have to worry about anything.

 

[Yidakipaul]

Might be a bit of confusion I was looking at going downhill at a slower speed than freewheeling. So would I need to use the brakes or is there a way to let the assist do it. Hope this is a bit clearer. Sorry for any misunderstanding.

 

[enndee]

Afraid not. The are bikes with regenerative braking I believe but few and far between as it appears to be considered to be of little point for the cost of the extra tech. Plus most people want to go faster...

 

[Deleted member 4366]

You could try making a parachute.

 

[oldtom]

Afraid not. The are bikes with regenerative braking I believe but few and far between as it appears to be considered to be of little point for the cost of the extra tech. Plus most people want to go faster...

'Engine braking' works ok..ish, if imperfectly on my bike and I have used it occasionally. Mostly, I prefer to use the bike as I would any other bike but that braking assistance is probably of more use than the energy recovery aspect produced by the facility.

Tom

 

[Yidakipaul]

Thanks for all your replies. All understood