The hunt for an electric bike for adults at 50 mph has been a crazy one, and it pushes the envelope of what many believe to be possible on two wheels, powered by a battery. The concept of riding noiselessly at motorway speed is one of freedom and exhilaration. But reaching such high performance isn’t just a matter of taking something uniform off the shelf. It's about diving into the technology, learning what can be changed, and being very mindful of the risks and responsibilities. This guide will take you on the essential journeys involved in high-speed e-biking, so you can know the journey to this goal is an accessible and safe one.
What Can Affect The Speed At Which Your Electric Bike Will Go?
The maximum speed of an e-bike is not determined by a single component but is the cumulative effect of multiple key components. Knowing these components is your launchpad for velocity.
Motor Power (In watts):
This is the heart and ‘power’ of your e-bike. The more watts the motor has, the greater the torque, which means a higher potential top speed. The standard 250W or 500W hub motor is fine for your work commute, but speeds closer to the 50 mph mark are almost always powered by motors rated at 2000, 3000, or more watts.
Battery Voltage (V):
Voltage is the equivalent of electrical pressure and drives power to the motor. A higher voltage (say, 72v vs. 48v) lets the motor spin faster. For high speeds, you need a high-voltage battery, period.
Controller (Amps):
This is the brain; it adjusts how much current (amps) flows between the battery and motor, taming or unleashing the horses. You need a high-performance controller to be able to fully utilize powerful motors, and that is why we have the Scrambler.
Gearing:
The bike’s mechanical gearing is a consideration here as well. A larger front chainring means you can carry on pedaling and delivering power at faster speeds without “spinning out”.
Tire Size and Type:
Wider wheels cover a greater distance per turn, meaning the top speed will be higher. Also, the tire's compound and tread will impact rolling resistance.
What the Law Says and the Risks of Derestricting
Even if you live in a market with little to no limits on throttle use, it's important to understand the legality of electric bicycles throughout many areas across the globe. Many times these are in place for safety. In the majority of areas, it has a class system:
- Class 1: Pedal-assist only (no throttle) up to 20 mph.
- Class 2: Throttle-assisted, with motor assistance ending at 20 mph.
- Class 3: Pedal-assist only, but assistance cuts off at 28 mph.
An e-bike that can hit 50 mph is far away from those designations. In most places, such a vehicle is legally either a moped or a motorcycle and subject to licensure, registration, and insurance. Even in non-regulated areas, riding a 50 mph vehicle on bike lanes or multi-use paths can create significant risks to yourself and others.
Open Speed Limits And The Rest
Many commercially available e-bikes are speed-limited by software to comply with local regulations. "Unlocking" or “derestricting” your e-bike is a hot topic, but it comes with real repercussions you should consider before making any changes to your bike. By derestricting these software or hardware limiters, you can extract performance almost immediately – though this isn’t without its dangers. The possible consequences of these changes are presented in the table below.
| Area of Risk | Potential Relevance and Implication |
|---|---|
| Mechanicals | More stress is placed on the frame, fork, brakes, and drivetrains. If a part that was not intended to be used at high speeds fails, it can do so catastrophically. Brake fade becomes a problem in a big way. |
| Electrical System | The motor, controller, or battery can overheat. By doing so, it's possible to permanently damage some parts and cause fires. |
| Warranty and Support | Changing the speed limiter on your vehicle will void your manufacturer's warranty, and we’re not responsible for any damage, bodily harm, accidents, or finger-pointing that may result from tuning your e-bike. |
| Legal and Insurance | You could be driving an unregistered vehicle. If you get into a wreck, your insurance may not cover you, and you could incur serious legal penalties. |
| Safety | At 50 mph, response times are dramatically decreased, and stopping distances are hugely increased. A fall at that speed can easily kill you. Regular bike helmets won't cut it. |
Software Approaches to Bypassing Speed Limits
The simplest way to increase your e-bike’s top speed is honestly by making changes in software. What you can’t see: Many brands offer concealed settings in the display console or on an associated mobile app. Before trying any approaches, YouTube is a good source for this as you may find a step-by-step guide for your particular model. Usually, this is tool-free too–only a few button presses are needed here.
For instance, other bikes such as the TST R002 have a slightly different application-based unlock process:
- Download the App: Locate and install the app “Orbital Sports” on your smartphone.
- Register and Connect: Register an account to connect the e-bike with the app through Bluetooth.
- Change Classification: Find the status of the bike in the app; it may be showing as "Class 2".
- Unlock: Tapping this setting, you need to choose the "Unlock Class 3" choice.
- Confirm: Confirm the change after a brief countdown. This can increase the top assisted speed significantly.
For people who want to get the most out of their investment, Engwe becomes a top choice because it can deliver the ideal commuting design while still having some exciting performance potential in store.
ENGWE L20 3.0 Boost e-Bike
Talk about a versatile e-bike! It is well-positioned to be a game-changer in the industry with its compact full-suspension folding design; it can effectively smooth out up to 90% of road vibrations. No other folding e-scooter comes close! Its headline feature is the “Boost Mode,” which releases an eye-watering 75Nm of torque from its 250W motor, so climbing hills and pulling away at the lights feels as smooth as possible. Fitted with a large 48V 13.5Ah capacity battery good for a huge maximum possible range of up to 135km and an ultra-fast charging time (industry-leading!) via the included 8A fast charger which will see you back on the road in just over two hours, the ENGWE L20 delivers on more fronts than one. Delivering torque in a smooth and responsive manner, the intuitive torque sensor applies power to the pedal to achieve powerful performance while being very easy to ride. The powerful 180mm hydraulic disc brakes provide reliable braking action, though stopping is made easier with puncture-resistant 20x3.0" tires. This premium build is finished with an upgraded specification out of the box, sports speeds up to 25km/h, and offers four levels of Pedal Assist (PAS) modes. Built to take anything on. For the intrepid who simply want to harness its complete potential, there’s often a way to tweak the speed limit off through a clandestine menu accessed on its display for riders in unregulated markets. You would normally do this in a strict order:
- Power On: The e-bike's display is on.
- Into settings: Long press the top and bottom buttons simultaneously to enter settings.
- Page to Speed Limit: Go into the "Setup" menu and select the "Speed Limit" selection.
- Max the Limit: With the up and down buttons, put the limiter at its maximum.
- Set & Exit: Press "Set" to enter. In that case, what you do is press the "back" key once to exit setting the speed limit and then press back a second time to go out of the setup menu completely. This sequence finishes the unlock, and upon coming back to the home screen, you'll see that it worked. This is the process that unlocks the potential of the bike, and the ENGWE L20 3.0 Boost is a perfect option if you need an advanced design as well as higher performance.
High-Performance Options and Their Downsides
If you're after a true 40-50 mph experience, then the traditional route of throwing caution to the wind by removing a speed limiter on an e-bike may not be the most responsible or safe course. There are other choices purpose-built for that level of performance:
- High-Power DIY Kits: You might be able to get there if you build your own e-bike with an amply-powerful hub motor or mid-drive motor kit (such as a 3000W+ variant) mounted on a rugged donor bike (think downhill mountain bike). This requires significant technical skill.
- Electric Motorcycles: There are brands like Zero Motorcycles or LiveWire that make vehicles that are legally motorcycles but are fully electric. They are built with speed in mind from the ground up — they have certified frames, suspension, and brakes doing their duties.
- Sur-Ron or Talaria Type Bikes: Basically a lightweight electric dirt bike that falls somewhere between an e-bike and a motorcycle. They are so fast and powerful that most of these should be for off-road use only.
The Dark Side of Super-Fast Electric Bikes
High velocity is thrilling, but there’s a price. There are lots of downsides to pushing your e-bike to the max:
- Vastly Reduced Range: The more you speed, the more exponential your draw on the battery will be. Increasing your speed by a factor of two can reduce your range by more than half. If you hold the throttle flat, intend a precipitous drain of your battery!
- Increased Wear of Components: Your tires, brake pads, chain, and sprockets will wear out far sooner. Keep in mind that the forces generated at 50 mph are suddenly dramatically more extreme than those at 20 mph.
- Safety Gear Is Essential: The typical bicycle helmet simply won’t suffice. You should also wear a full-face motorcycle helmet (DOT- or ECE-rated), an armored motorcycle jacket, armored gloves, and strong boots.
Making an Educated Decision: The Bike that Matches Your Reality
Before you start investing in, say, an ultra-fast electric bike build or purchase one for yourself, get real about what it is that you’ll need. Where will you be riding? If your commute is on traffic-clogged city streets or paths, a 50 mph machine will not just be impractical, it’ll also kill you. If you have available open (private) land, or your area has wide, empty roads with the right laws - then maybe a high-speed e-bike is a feasible and exciting alternative. And no matter the price or brand, always go for a strong frame, powerful hydraulic brakes, and good suspension! Your health is more important than clearing 100 miles in the shortest time.
Ride smart, ride safe, and enjoy the thrill of unbeatable power that a high-quality e-bike can deliver.
1. If I unlock the speed on my e-bike, will it cancel the warranty?
Yes, almost universally. Any change to the factory-set electronic speed limiter is regarded as tampering by e-bike manufacturers and will void their warranty for the motor, controller, and battery!
2. Is there such a thing as a city-safe e-bike that goes 50 miles an hour?
No, it’s usually neither safe nor practical. There is so much chaos on the street with traffic, reckless drivers, pedestrians crossing anywhere, and uneven roads! The stopping and reaction distances at 50 mph are not suitable for urban core areas.
3. How does high-speed riding affect my battery's range?
It affects it drastically. Wind drag is proportional to the square of speed, requiring much more work from, and power delivered by, the motor. If you continuously ride at maximum speed when compared to a moderate pace, then your maximum range could be reduced by 50-75%.
4. Is there special safety gear I should use for a faster electric bike?
Absolutely. Above 30 mph, you should already be wearing the same gear as a motorcyclist. This is to include a DOT- or ECE-rated full-face helmet, an armored jacket, riding gloves, and sturdy over-the-ankle boots.
5. Is there any electric bike that I can unlock and get to 50 mph?
No. The vast majority of standard e-bikes are not equipped with a motor powerful enough (i.e., power/motor, controller capacity, and battery voltage) to achieve such high velocities. Unlocking them might only add 5-10 mph. A bike that is geared for performance and can break the 50 mph limit will need special componentry.
