Can you pedal an electric bike

There had always been a question about whether I could commute on my e-bike by only pedaling. I think you might be thinking this, too. Well, there are multiple answers to this. So, the e-bikes are set up to be regular bicycles with motors installed, which helps riders commute easily. Now, innovation has come around so that you also get an option of throttle assist, in which the rider has to accelerate the throttle with minimum effort on the pedals to commute to their respective destinations.

Nowadays, manufacturers are focusing on developing e-bike frames in different styles and designing them in different shapes and sizes. But if we see the truest sense of calling an electric bicycle a bicycle, one must be allowed to pedal it. If you are not able to pedal, then pragmatically, it would no longer be classified as a bicycle.

Manufacturers are pushing their designs of electric bikes, but no matter how they look, if they have pedals and a crank with a drive chain connected to the rear and you can pedal, then they’re a bicycle, and you definitely can pedal it. I purchased a Simple Step-Thru easy-mounting, easy-dismounting e-bike from the brand Sixthreezero earlier this year, which was equipped with a 500W motor. A very close friend of mine also took an EVRYjourney 500W forward-pedaling e-bike. I guess you might be wondering what this forward-pedaling e-bike and Simple Step-Through, easy-mounting e-bike are. So, let me explain them in a simple way in the points below.

Now let’s discover the power of Forward Pedaling e-bike:

• Forward-pedaling e-bikes are not a new concept; they’ve been around for almost 20 years. In forward-pedaling e-bikes, the pedals are moved forward compared to the traditional bike frame. Traditionally, the pedals are situated below the seat, but in forward-pedaling e-bikes, they are moved forward for almost six inches.
• What it actually does is lower the seat towards the ground, and the rider still gets the proper leg extension while riding because the pedals are moved forward.
• I mean to say that you are closer to the ground as soon as you stop, and it is easy to plant your feet on the ground.
• The one advantage I feel in this category is that you feel safer and more confident while riding. The reason may be that it lowers down the center of gravity.
• Many riders like the idea of being lower on the ground and having more control.
• It also has an ergonomic riding position; while sitting on this e-bike, I felt the following advantages.
  • My back was upright.
  • Both my arms were relaxed.
  • I was able to look around and watch comfortably.
  • I was able to ride comfortably and confidently.
  • The seats were also adjustable, and I was able to adjust them according to my height.

Unlocking the Myths of Pedal-Assist e-bike:

The pedal assist just amplifies your power input, which is generated when you pedal. A motor is situated below the seat or may be placed at the rear of your e-bike.

Now, let me try to explain how the power motor works in pedal assist. There are several motors available, such as 360-watt Bafang motors and 500-watt Bosh motors. These motors are fitted in the e-bike, so you can get the required assistance. Different sensors also work with those power motor systems.

Below are the sensors that were installed in my e-bike:

• Torque Sensors: These sensors are responsible for measuring how hard you are pedaling.
• Cadence Sensors: These sensors measure how fast you are pedaling.
• Speed Sensor: These sensors measure how fast you are running on your e-bike.

So, if you go with lower range or rudimentary versions of pedal assist, the manufacturers provide only the cadence sensor to the e-bike. Some of the better models of the bike use torque sensors. But I think the best ones, or the premium models out there, use all three sensors(Torque, Cadence, and Speed), like my case, which I mentioned above. The benefit of all these sensors, as per my experience, is that they will provide the most predictable experience.

Now let’s understand the term Throttle-Assist feature:

If your e-bike is equipped with throttle assist, you will be able to accelerate and commute. To do this, you first have to turn the power on of your e-bike, twist the throttle, and get ongoing. You can say that a throttle is simply a gas pedal like in a motorcycle.

A thumb throttle is usually located on the left side of the handlebar. You use your thumb to throttle as you wish to accelerate or decelerate the speed of your e-bike.

In this case, you didn’t need to pedal. If you use the throttle to make your e-bike go, nothing happens with your feet or legs. You just leave the feet on the pedal, and that’s all.

There is also the option of the twist throttle, which is usually available on the right side of the handlebar. In this case, all you need to do is twist the right handlebar back to accelerate the speed and twist it forward to ease the motor.

Finally, I want to share my thoughts on a good throttle assist e-bike with you. One of my e-bike group community riders has recently upgraded his e-bike, which is a class 3 e-bike where you fully rely upon the throttle assist system feature. But make sure that if you fully rely upon throttle assist, it will burn out your battery bars quickly.

Feel free to watch this out.

Sharing my experience of Pedal Assist vs Throttle-Assist:

Many riders think that they need only throttle to commute because they don’t understand how well the pedal assist motor actually works. I just want to add one important point: when you are at a high level of assistance, you don’t need pedal assistance; you don’t need to pedal much at that time. By the term, a high level of assistance, I mean to say most e-bikes provide over 300 percent of the pedal you put into them.

So, as soon as you put one stroke of the pedal, your e-bike puts three times on top of that, so if you think of it on those terms, it’s pretty easy. You don’t have to work hard to get a lot from the e-bike.

Conclusion:

• An e-bike must be able to be pedaled to be classified as an electric bike.
• But there is always an option if you don’t want to pedal and rely on the throttle twist; it’s totally up to you.

I hope you are doing great & I solved your problem; if not, leave me a comment & I will try to help you fix and solve the issue. Thank you so much for your trust & time; please remember ebikeleague & come back for any difficulty you will eventually face with your e-bike.

WITH LOVE,

Keep your riding passion alive