Maximising range

[anotherkiwi]

37.7 mph here. On 26" wheels I feel safe at 35-38 mph. Over that speed I am going to want bigger wheels and suspension up front.

Back on topic: use the assistance levels like you would your front derailler. On the flat and small hills I use level 2 of 5. 5 on steep climbs and 0 or 1 on downhill sections. 1 because sometimes you have a false flat section. Now that I am fit I guess I could limit myself to using 4 on climbs but 5 is more fun (lycra baiting for example .

Use your gears! Get to your comfortable cruising cadence and change as often as you need to maintain that. I am always clicking through the gears to maintain my preferred cadence. Even with a hub motor cadence is the key.

 

[Lancslass]

I forgot to mention, use assist at 0 going downhills, no point in having any assist on if you are doing a downhill stretch.

 

[JohnCade]

If you aren’t pedalling going downhill you won’t be using any battery power. Only a tiny amount used to run the BMS.

 

[Kinninvie]

Oh, now I feel a bit embarrassed about my 23mph

Awwww.....Dont be,most of my rides average 15mph or so.

 

[Lancslass]

If you aren’t pedalling going downhill you won’t be using any battery power. Only a tiny amount used to run the BMS.

But I do generally pedal downhills, or at least I sometimes do, so turning the assist to 0 means I use no battery (doesn't it...?)

 

[JohnCade]

But I do generally pedal downhills, or at least I sometimes do, so turning the assist to 0 means I use no battery (doesn't it...?)

If you’re going downhill and pedalling while using assist in practice you will use almost no power because the motor isn’t doing any real work. You use most power going fast on the flat and going uphill. Just as pedalling on a normal bike going downhill takes almost no effort.

 

[flecc]

Oh, now I feel a bit embarrassed about my 23mph

Don't want to make the feeling worse, but we do have an unofficial 50mph club in the forum, members being those who've done over 50 mph downhill on their bikes. It's gone a bit quiet more recently.

I don't quite qualify, my latest best was just short at 48 mph.

This thread refers.
.

 

[Lancslass]

If you’re going downhill and pedalling while using assist in practice you will use almost no power because the motor isn’t doing any real work. You use most power going fast on the flat and going uphill. Just as pedalling on a normal bike going downhill takes almost no effort.

So might as well be in 0 assist under those circumstances?

 

[Lancslass]

Don't want to make the feeling worse, but we do have an unofficial 50mph club in the forum, members being those who've done over 50 mph downhill on their bikes. It's gone a bit quiet more recently.

I don't quite qualify, my latest best was just short at 48 mph.

This thread refers.
.

I am more likely to be joining the mile high club than the 50mph crowd on Juicy Lucy!

 

[flecc]

I am more likely to be joining the mile high club than the 50mph crowd on Juicy Lucy!

I suppose you could do 25 mph twice and become a member in installments.
.

 

[JohnCade]

So might as well be in 0 assist under those circumstances?

Or not. It just means faffing about with settings.

 

[EddiePJ]

I am more likely to be joining the mile high club than the 50mph crowd on Juicy Lucy!

Juicy does it again.

 

[Lancslass]

Juicy does it again.

Hey - "Lucy in the sky with diamonds......."

 

[OldBob1]

Hey - "Lucy in the sky with diamonds......."

That sounds a cracking name for a bike

 

[Nealh]

Got a nice rhythm to it, could be a song in it somewhere .

 

[Geebee]

I am more likely to be joining the mile high club than the 50mph crowd on Juicy Lucy!

Nah Lucy can do it, all you need is a steep longish hill and get into a tuck, nothing better than passing cars at speed on a dutch style bike
My Tonaro Esprit is a very similar bike and is surprisingly stable at speed.