How can an Electric Bike Go Up to 40 MPH!

But the dream of 40 MPH on an electric bike is no longer a reality reserved only for top-dollar, purpose-built speed machines. If you live in a market where there are no speed limits, the power and speed locked away in your e-bike is waiting to be unleashed. Hitting these exhilarating speeds is a combination of knowing what restricts this e-bike and how to make the correct software and hardware adjustments. This guide will cover everything from the simple elements aiding your speed to a step-by-step guide on how to unlock the full potential of your ride, turning that everyday cycle to work or off-road adventure into a high-speed experience.

So, What Determines Your Electric Bike’s Maximum Speed?

Before you can speed it up, however, you need to understand how it’s currently holding you back. Speed isn’t a matter of any one thing; it’s an interplay of power, physics, and programming.

The Holy Trinity: Motor, Battery, and Controller

• Motor: A motor's strength is indicated by its wattage (W). A motor with greater wattage can deliver higher torque and RPM.
• Battery: How much power it can provide to the motor is mainly dictated by the voltage (V) and amperage (A) of the battery. A higher voltage battery can spin the motor more quickly, in turn increasing top-end speed.
• Controller: The e-bike’s brain. It controls the amount of power going from the battery to the motor. The stock controller is typically tuned to ensure the speed and power are restricted due to compliance or component protection.

Physical and Environmental Barriers

• Weight: Rider and Gear: Heavy riders and gear require more power to move, accelerate, and stop.
• Terrain and Road Surface: Hilly or bumpy terrain, such as gravel, riding uphill, or against headwinds creates resistance, slowing you down.
• Wind Resistance: As you go faster, air resistance grows exponentially. How you ride and how aerodynamic your bike is matter a lot.
• Tire pressure: Inflated tires won't slow you down as much due to rolling resistance, allowing you to sustain faster speeds.

The Secret Gates: Software and Regulatory Limits

And, perhaps most significant of all, is the fact that virtually every commercially available e-bike includes a speed limit hard-coded into the software of its controller. Manufacturers do this so they can sell the same model in different areas with different laws (Class 1, 2, or 3 limits for the US and Europe). Well, that is great news for you. It may also mean that your e-bike’s hardware is capable of a lot more than its software allows — and unlocking that potential can be as easy as a settings change.

Solutions to the Bottleneck: An In-depth Analysis

Unlocking Speed Through Software: The Fastest Path to More Power

For most riders, a big speed boost doesn't even require using a single tool. The answer is usually buried somewhere in your e-bike’s display settings or an app on your smartphone. There are numerous video tutorials on YouTube performing these tricks with different models, evidence of just how easy the first step can be.

ENGWE is an excellent entry-level value commuter and touring e-bike brand. They make e-bikes that aren’t just powerful, but intelligent too – for the modern rider. The ENGWE EP-2 Boost is a poster child for this philosophy, an all-terrain, fat-tired e-bike that seems equally at ease flowing through the city as much as it does negotiating rugged trails. It has an intelligent torque sensor, which creates a very smooth and natural feeling of power assistance. And for when you require that extra push, the Boost Mode will get you an impressive 55Nm of torque to climb even the sharpest inclines. The massive 20x4.0 fat tires mounted to wide aluminum-alloy rims provide improved traction and are easy on any terrain. With up to an impressive 120km max range available from the 48V 13Ah removable battery and a peak output of over 650Wh (60% more capacity than the original EP-2), as well as features including a powerful 250W motor, reliable Tektro mechanical disc brakes, quality Shimano gearing, mudguards front and rear, built-in lights, and a suspension fork, you can be sure you’re getting everything you need from your Electric Adventure Bike. Best of all, ENGWE lets its users unlock the full potential of their bike. Fortunately, you can unlock its top speed by following this easy process:

1. Power On: Activate the e-bike display.
2. Enter Settings: Press the top and bottom buttons at the same time to enter settings.
3. Access Speed Limit: Enter the "Setup" menu and select "Speed Limit".
4. Up the Limit: Press the up and down buttons to increase the speed limit as much as possible.
5. Set and Automatically Exit: Press "Set" to be finished. Here is the clincher: press “back” once to leave the speed limit setting, then back one more time to exit the setup menu. This is the sequence to enable the secret setting; you will see it on the screen, and this means you're ready to take your bike past its old limits!

For many other app-based e-bikes on the market, it is similarly simple: you just go into the app and change what class your bike is. A typical five-step process might look like this:

1. Download the App: Locate the manufacturer’s recommended app (e.g., "Orbital Sports" or the manufacturer's proprietary app) on your phone’s app store.
2. Create Account: Download the app and register an account with your email.
3. Pair With The Bike: Start up your e-bike and turn on the Bluetooth on your phone. Scan for and connect to your electric bike in the app.
4. Shift Your Bike's Class: Once paired, toggle over to the app settings. You will often see a 'Class 2' setting.
5. Unlock and Confirm: Tap this setting and choose something like "Unlock Class 3" or an 'off-road' mode. Accept any prompts, and the speed limiter restriction will be raised or lifted from your bike.

Geeky Hardware Changes to Speed It Up to the Max

If software unlocks can't help you achieve your 40 MPH target, get ready for some hardware upgrades. The first two of these mods require a moderate amount of mechanical aptitude but yield the biggest results. Be sure to consider safety and compatibility first.

Tools You May Need:

• Complete allen key set
• Set of wrenches (including pedal and crank wrenches)
• Wire cutters/strippers
• Multimeter to test electrical connections
• Soldering iron (if the controller is not plug-and-play)

Five Key Hardware Upgrades:

1. Controller Upgrade: This is the single best 'bang for your buck' upgrade. Replace the controller to increase the range of acceleration and speed. Make sure the voltage of your new controller is the same as that of your battery.
2. Use a Bigger Motor: The simplest route to more speed is a larger motor. If you replace a 250W or 500W motor with a 1000W or 1500W motor, you get the muscle-rippling power required to penetrate through air at high speeds.
3. Raise the Voltage: Power (P) = Voltage (V) x Current (I). Raised voltage is the direct route to achieving higher performance and motor speeds. With a 48V battery in your kit, upgrading to a controller and motor that can work with a 52V battery will give you an enormous boost in speed.
4. Change Your Gearing: If you feel like your legs are spinning too fast at top speed without adding more speed (we call it “ghost pedaling”), this means your gearing is too low. Rigging up a larger front chainring will give you a higher gear ratio, and you can still contribute pedal power at high speeds of 30-40 MPH.
5. Upgraded Brake System: Keep yourself alive so you can ride another day. If you’re going to go twice as fast, you need to up your stopping power. Upgrade from the stock mechanical disc brakes to a quality hydraulic disc brake system, providing the increased stopping power needed for riding at high speed.

5 Questions Riders Frequently Ask

1. Will I still be covered under warranty if I alter my electric bike to go faster?

   No, in almost all cases. Any software or hardware changes that alter the original factory performance will likely void the warranty.

2. Can you ride an E-Bike that goes 40 MPH on the street?

   This varies depending on your state. In most places, an e-bike this fast would be considered a moped or motorcycle and would require a license, registration, and insurance to be used on public roads. Always check your local regulations.

3. How much will boosting top speed cut into my battery range?

   It will affect it significantly. Forcing a motor to the edge of its range—and battling high wind resistance in the process—draws energy exponentially faster. You can easily see your range drop by 50% or more compared to when riding at average town speeds.

4. What is the #1 safety upgrade I can do for a faster e-bike?

   Brakes. No doubt about it, the most important safety upgrade is proper hydraulic disc brakes. Beyond that, it’s crucial to wear certified safety equipment, such as a full-face helmet.

5. Can I unlock the speed on any electric bike model?

   No. The availability of software unlocking is completely determined by the manufacturer and the controller it uses. Some systems are sealed tight, leaving hardware upgrades as the only means for a speed boost.

Now, unlock the full potential of your ride and experience a wilder battle on the open road.