E-bikes and thoughts

[mikeduf]

Just bought my first ebike. A Trek Verve + 3.
It is very comfortable for the weekend bike paths and rides around flood control riverbed type of riding.

This bike is considered a class one with a maximum mph of 20. I realize there are some external chips that can be put on to the Bosch motor to de-restrict the speed limit. Some seem quite good without throwing error messages or Bricking the electric motor and voiding warranty.
Can anyone offer any suggestions on a workaround to de-restrict or suggest a faster top speed top tube type of frame ebike. I am not fond of the step through a frame design. Thanks in advance

 

[AZjeff]

Got nothing for hacking your ebike but going to request that you take care to respect the non-motorized trail users and not blast past them.

 

[PF52]

Got nothing for hacking your ebike but going to request that you take care to respect the non-motorized trail users and not blast past them.

+2

There's probably a maximum speed limit posted on the path; if not on a real sign its probably published in their rules somewhere.

 

[Pablo]

Just bought my first ebike. A Trek Verve + 3.
It is very comfortable for the weekend bike paths and rides around flood control riverbed type of riding.

This bike is considered a class one with a maximum mph of 20. I realize there are some external chips that can be put on to the Bosch motor to de-restrict the speed limit. Some seem quite good without throwing error messages or Bricking the electric motor and voiding warranty.
Can anyone offer any suggestions on a workaround to de-restrict or suggest a faster top speed top tube type of frame ebike. I am not fond of the step through a frame design. Thanks in advance

20mph under power is plenty speedy.

My Bosch system on my e-mountain is limited the same, and before I even got the bike I wanted to hack it to 30+. Then, I'm 66, I started riding, mostly gravel and dirt and some pavement with the ebike. 20mph is FINE.

There are hacks but, really if you want a faster ebike, build your own. I was in the business for near 15 years.

 

[JohnnyG]

They are getting rather common around here. In fact, my neighbor got hit head on by one while riding his (pedal) bicycle on the sidewalk the other day. Hurt him pretty good.
I see all ages riding them here, the older folks seem to enjoy it, but don't get very much exercise.
The young kids do what kids do, fast as possible down the road. They most likely exceed the posted 25 mph speed limit of course.
The other day I saw two kids on one e-bike. One on the seat, and the other riding on the handlebars!

 

[JoelB]

My advice? If you want to go over 20mph on 2 wheels buy a scooter and ride out on the street.

 

[supton]

I consider it cheating--"real" bikers have to do all the work.

I'm with the others, 20 is plenty fast. I've noticed that I no longer try to find out how fast I can pedal down a hill; 30 is fast enough now. [I've seen 45, as indicated, and now question my sense of mortality when I look back.] At these speeds it's probably best to get a machine meant for it. [In my defense all my speed was on real roads.]

 

[Pablo]

I went 41 on an ebike. I felt. Exposed.

I didn’t bother trying to wash my skivs.

 

[SC Maintenance]

My advice? If you want to go over 20mph on 2 wheels buy a scooter and ride out on the street.

Or just ride your ebike on the street. I am amazed at how many older people riding their bicycles of all kinds on the sidewalks around here. If your 7, OK. If your 70 get on the street with your vehicle.

 

[Pablo]

Or just ride your ebike on the street. I am amazed at how many older people riding their bicycles of all kinds on the sidewalks around here. If your 7, OK. If your 70 get on the street with your vehicle.

I do get the fear. But street or trail. If the street isn’t safe - many are very dangerous- take bike to trail

 

[tcp71]

I have a 24 mile round trip commute. I swap between my ebike and regular hardtail. It's a class I 20mph pedal assist Bosch CX. It's the Baofeng and lesser named hub drive bikes that get faster speeds. Our pathways are limited to 20km/hr but rarely enforced

 

[Pablo]

I have a 24 mile round trip commute. I swap between my ebike and regular hardtail. It's a class I 20mph pedal assist Bosch CX. It's the Baofeng and lesser named hub drive bikes that get faster speeds. Our pathways are limited to 20km/hr but rarely enforced

Hard to tell in the picture, is that a mullet hardtail?

 

[tcp71]

29er Cube Reaction Perf. with a Rockshox Silver 35 instead of the OEM noodle fork (not shown in this picture, installed later)

https://archiv.cube.eu/en/2021/433100

 

[mikeduf]

Thanks all for the echoed advice that I put in my post. If anyone stopped to read my post I do ride a bike paths and riverbeds and maintain that 20 mph limit. As a class one should. My point here was and two responders actually read and responded correctly, was I was asking does anyone have any suggestions to de-restrict the Bosch motor. Well I called Bosch representative and ask the same question which I already knew the answer. And the short answer is if it breaks your motor your warranty is voided. So the alternative is to go with one of the newer Hub Drive type bikes that are popping up all around and I'm not talking about scooter type high speed 40 mph balls to the wall! I'm talking about a city commuter style top tube road bike with at least 28 mph class 3. I know all the rules and regulations and I can ride my road bike manually at 20 plus miles per hour just with my legs. When the Chain Gang is passing you up on the bike trail or on the surface Street it's a little frustrating that's when you need a little bump especially on the street! Those who are afraid live with it! I choose to be responsible obey the speed limits and use extra power discretionally. I hope that says it all and not trying to offend anybody but I wasn't looking for a lecture on the fear of driving fast on a bike trail.

 

[tcp71]

Thanks all for the echoed advice that I put in my post. If anyone stopped to read my post I do ride a bike paths and riverbeds and maintain that 20 mph limit. As a class one should. My point here was and two responders actually read and responded correctly, was I was asking does anyone have any suggestions to de-restrict the Bosch motor. Well I called Bosch representative and ask the same question which I already knew the answer. And the short answer is if it breaks your motor your warranty is voided. So the alternative is to go with one of the newer Hub Drive type bikes that are popping up all around and I'm not talking about scooter type high speed 40 mph balls to the wall! I'm talking about a city commuter style top tube road bike with at least 28 mph class 3. I know all the rules and regulations and I can ride my road bike manually at 20 plus miles per hour just with my legs. When the Chain Gang is passing you up on the bike trail or on the surface Street it's a little frustrating that's when you need a little bump especially on the street! Those who are afraid live with it! I choose to be responsible obey the speed limits and use extra power discretionally. I hope that says it all and not trying to offend anybody but I wasn't looking for a lecture on the fear of driving fast on a bike trail.

It's a personal thing. I regularly see a fellow on a larger scooter doing about 50mph down the street near work. Full helmet, elbow/knee pads, gloves, etc. I also get passed by the 30mph crowd on my pathway commute. As long as people are careful it doesn't really cause a problem.

 

[MrQuackers]

Or just ride your ebike on the street. I am amazed at how many older people riding their bicycles of all kinds on the sidewalks around here. If your 7, OK. If your 70 get on the street with your vehicle.

Motorists are too distracted these days. If there is a designated bike path on the road, I use it..But if not, riding on the road with the vehicles, it is just a matter of time before you are in the ER or carried by six.

 

[mikeduf]

SoCal is completely ridiculous and you're putting your life out there every time you're riding on the street. You're better odds in a large group Club ride. And I'm talking manual bikes not ebikes. I rode a motorcycle all my life and stopped since the overcrowded and lack of attention here in SoCal with all the people texting and illegals, and the list goes on. I want my Social Security!

 

[SC Maintenance]

Motorists are too distracted these days. If there is a designated bike path on the road, I use it..But if not, riding on the road with the vehicles, it is just a matter of time before you are in the ER or carried by six.

So cyclists are now doing to pedestrians on sidewalks, what there complaining about cars doing to them on the road. Sidewalks, at least here, were not designed as a multi use path and aren't wide enough for a pedestrian and cyclist.

 

[RhondaHonda]

20 is a pretty good clip on a bike. I’d leave it be, especially if you’ll be on trails and not just the open road. I’ve hit 46 on my mountain bike down a real steep road. Those knobbies on pavement made the curve at the bottom pretty dicey.

 

[mikeduf]

Well we have many bike paths here that have a section set aside for pedestrians. Some bypass are only for cyclists and not designed for any pedestrian access. But on all types of paths we get as many pedestrians that are lackadaisic to rules of the road as well as cyclists that do dangerous things. Let's not forget the little gas powered mini bikes that are rampant around here now usually being driven by some drug infested scouter that's looking for a Heist. These people on these little mini bikes Smash and grab at the local Walmarts and stores and then they jump on the river bed and go full speed to get out of the area.