Can Electric Bikes Exceed 30 mph and How?

Speed is sexy everywhere, and one of the frequently asked questions as electric bicycles become ubiquitous, which you can hear in various discussion forums, is whether or not they can reach 30 miles per hour. For a lot of riders, the 20 mph or 28 mph limit just seems too slow—certainly in markets with lax enforcement. The thrilling answer is yes; the vast majority of electric bikes have far more speed in them than their manufacturers allow. Unlocking that potential, though, means knowing the machine’s limitations and the right methods to address them, whether it be making a few software tweaks or investing in some more serious hardware upgrades. This guide is going to walk you through exactly how you can unlock the full speed of your electric bike.

What Factors Affect the Top Speed of an Electric Bike?

Before you start making changes, it’s important to know all the headwinds and tailwinds that affect your e-bike’s speed. Speed is more than just a strong motor. Speed involves so many factors of engineering, physics, as well as programming.

Core Components:

• Motor Capacity (Watts): The more powerful the motor, the faster you go. A higher wattage motor (750W, 1000W) has more raw power to gain and hold speeds higher than what a 250W motor can do. Notice the continuous (permanent) and peak (short-term) power ratings for both.
• Battery Voltage (V): Consider voltage as the pressure pushing electricity to the motor. A higher voltage battery (48V or 52V) lets the motor spin faster than a lower voltage battery (36V), and that directly corresponds to a higher top speed.
• Controller (Amps): The controller is the bike’s brain; it determines how much current (in amps) flows from the battery to the motor. With a beefed-up controller that is capable of delivering more power, you can unlock the true potential of the motor.

Environmental and Physical Influences:

• Weight of the Rider and Cargo: The heavier the load, the harder the motor has to work to propel it forward, which in turn can slow down the top speed, especially uphill.
• Terrain: It’s always going to be faster riding on a flat, smooth road compared to struggling up an incline or pushing through a soft, muddy trail.
• Tires and Rolling Resistance: With tires properly inflated, a slick road tire has much lower rolling resistance than a large, knobby fat tire, allowing for greater speed on pavement.
• Riding Position: A low, aerodynamic riding position decreases wind resistance, and that really starts to matter when you are traveling above 20 mph.

Built-in Limitations:

• Software and Firmware Limits: This is the most typical speed limit. There is a max speed programmed by the manufacturers into the bike controller as per each region's regulations. This is also the most straightforward restriction to overcome.
• Gearing: As on a traditional bicycle, your feet can only turn so fast. If you can “spin out” (pedal furiously without achieving more speed), your motor might have some juice left to give, but your gears are restricting it.

Software Solutions: The Easiest Way To More Speed

On many modern e-bikes, going over 30 mph takes just a few simple steps. The primary obstacle is the speed limit, a digital fence that can be circumvented in some cases by diving into hidden menus or using a smartphone app. You can find tons of how-to videos for your particular model on sites like YouTube.

Here is how two widely-used unlocking solutions work:

Unlocking with a Smartphone App:

A few brands offer speed adjustments in a separate mobile app. It is typically simple and intuitive to perform such an action.

1. Download the App: The manufacturer-specific app (e.g., “Orbital Sports” for some models) is available in your phone’s app store.
2. Register and Configure: Register for an account and turn on your e-bike. Connect the app to your bike over Bluetooth.
3. Find Settings: Click around the app to find a "Class," "Mode," or "Speed Limit" setting.
4. Change Classification: You can change your bike from being a "Class 2" e-bike. Try to find a way to change it to "Class 3" or an "unlocked" mode.
5. Confirm and Ride: Just answer the onscreen questions to confirm the change. With a short countdown or soft restart, your e-bike's speed limiter will be gone or raised.

Accessing Through the On-Board Display:

This technique consists of a “secret handshake” of button presses on your e-bike’s display to unlock an advanced settings menu.

1. Access P-Settings: The machine may need to be on: Hold down two keys (such as 'Up' & 'Down') while the display is on in order to enter the "P-Setting" menu.
2. Find the Speed Limit: Navigate through the settings until you see an option marked "Speed Limit," "SL," or something comparable.
3. Raise the Value: If this option works, you power up the value to its maximum (e.g., 99 km/h or the highest value available).
4. Save the Setting: Press the mode or power button shortly to save the new value.
5. Exit Correctly: Exiting the menu is an important element. You either need to hold the button combination again or just let the menu time out for the setting to stick.

ENGWE: Powerful, Capable and Ultimately Unlockable

If you’re looking for a rugged, all-terrain electric mountain bicycle which is easy and convenient to enhance for performance, the ENGWE would be a good choice! ENGWE bikes are designed to be great all-rounders, ready for adventure with their sizeable power and features. One such example is the ENGWE EP-2 Boost, an all-terrain fat tire e-bike that’s as intelligent as it is tough. It also boasts an intelligent torque sensor for smooth and easy power-assist, creating a sense of natural riding. For those really steep inclines, a one-of-a-kind Booster Mode provides an ultra-responsive 55Nm of torque. Its robust 20x4.0 fat tires mounted to a pair of one-piece wheels offer added stability on all surfaces with less fatigue. Featuring a 120 km long-range battery and a compact folding frame, the EP-2 Boost will be your partner on everything from quick trips to big adventures. Although it is very strong out of the box, people have learned how to unleash its full potential via a simple sequence on screen.

The steps generally involve:

1. Power On: Switch on the display of the e-bike.
2. Enter Settings: Long press the top and bottom buttons at once to enter settings.
3. Find/Select Setting: Scroll through the options to find and select "Speed Limit."
4. Adjust the Value: Use the up and down buttons to increase the setting to its maximum.
5. Set and Exit: Press the "Set" button to confirm. Here’s the key part: hit “Back” once to exit the speed limit setting; hit it again to exit the setup menu. This sequence is a hidden switch that completes the unlock. You'll know it worked when you get to the main home screen.

Hardware Upgrades (Recommended for the Hardcore Speed Freak)

If software changes aren’t sufficient, hardware changes will turn your electric bicycle into a real speed machine. This is much more complicated and expensive, not to mention likely voiding your warranty, but the results can be substantial.

How to Upgrade a Controller, Step-by-Step

This is a very common first upgrade for anyone looking to get more power out of their current setup.

1. Gather Your Tools: You will need a set of screwdrivers, wire cutters/strippers, and perhaps new connectors or even a soldering iron.
2. Safety First: Always remove and disconnect the battery from your electric bike.
3. Locate the Controller: The controller is typically found in the frame of the bike or inside a separate box. Photograph each wire connection before you start.
4. Unplug and Detach: Cautiously unplug your old controller from the motor, battery, display, throttle, and brake sensors.
5. Install the New Controller: Bolt on the higher-amp new controller and carefully re-attach all wires according to the diagram for your new controller. Double-check every connection before proceeding. Once everything is tight, you can connect the battery back up and test the bike at walking speed.

Riding an e-bike at over 30 mph is possible for anyone who’s willing to get into its software and hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does unlocking my e-bike void the warranty?
Almost certainly, yes. Any change that disturbs the bike's factory performance settings, from electronics to the motor, is generally an acceptable cause to void the warranty on a product produced by the manufacturer.

2. Is it legal to ride an unlocked e-bike that has a top speed of 30+ mph?
It depends entirely on your local and regional jurisdiction. In many locales, e-bikes are sorted into categories based on speed and power, and riding an unlocked bike on public roads could be illegal. It is your own responsibility to investigate the norms and regulations of the country where you reside or are staying.

3. Does the battery drain faster with the top speed unlocked?
Yes, absolutely. Higher speeds mean a lot more power is drawn from the motor, which will drain your battery much more quickly, therefore reducing your range on a single charge.

4. If I make my e-bike faster, do I need to upgrade my brakes?
It is highly recommended. The stock brakes are designed for the original top speed of the bike. The faster you go, the more stopping power you need to stay safe. Don't neglect safety; upgrade to hydraulic disc brakes or larger rotors.

5. Can all electric bikes be unlocked to go faster?
No. Although most e-bikes can be modified, there are some with deep-seated factory firmware restrictions in the controller or motor which cannot be unlocked without a high level of expertise and additional hardware.