How-To: E-Bike Power Modes

We’ve joined forces with Australia’s foremost authority when it comes to MTBs/e-bikes, [R]evolution + [E]volution Magazine, to show you why you should be frothing at the bit for an e-bike, and to understand how these things really work. Take it away, fellas…

Understanding how each of the power modes works and when you should switch between those various settings on your e-bike is a vital skill. Now I know, especially when you’re new to e-biking, it’s damn near impossible to tear yourself away from riding in anything other than the most powerful setting you have for the entirety of every ride, however, you will soon come to realise that to get the most performance out of your e-bike, and the most enjoyment out of each ride, you really need to shift between power mode settings continuously whilst you’re out on the trails. 

Pedal-assist e-bike motors are designed to deliver power input from the motor equal to the power your body generates as you spin the cranks. By law, the power tops out or cuts out on any e-bike sold in Australia once the rider reaches 25km/h. There isn’t a throttle shift or anything like that, you simply apply pressure to the cranks like a regular pedal bike and then sensors fitted to the e-bike tell the motor to kick in and that is how your assisted power is delivered.

The way in which the power comes on with an e-bike when you put in as much steam as your legs can deliver is an awesome feeling for sure but you need to be mindful, just the same as when you’re driving a manual transmission car or motorcycle, if you select the wrong gear and dump as much power into it as possible at the wrong time, there will be consequences and it probably won’t be pretty.

Boost/Turbo – high power modes

Obviously, this is the mode you’ll probably want to use for commuting from s to B or for getting to and from the trails (even though you’re actually better off using your Eco mode for this type of riding), but once you get to the trails and you hit that single track that is when you’ll want to start considering shifting between the other power mode settings as well. Your most powerful mode setting is best for steep pinches and for linking uphill switchbacks.
This mode is great for high-intensity rides and can be used to keep a higher average speed while on the trails. It is a good mode to use if you have lots of corners with slow exit speed. As soon as you can get pressure on those pedals, it will assist big time out of corners. Get out of the saddle and work this mode to its full capacity, it can be an amazing ride!

Trail – middle power modes

Some bikes have more than one mode between low and high. The middle mode is a perfect mode for all-round trail riding. The middle power modes are great for steep climbs with loose soil and gravel. Having just enough torque to get you up the pinch but not so much torque that your wheels spin in the soft soil. Different e-bike systems sense your pedal input in different ways, this is also reflected by different power output at your rear wheel. Sometimes it’s better to drop down to a middle power mode before a climb if you think there is a risk of the front wheel lifting or your wheels spinning on rocks or roots.

Eco – lower power mode

Most bikes have an Eco mode. Selecting a lower power mode is great for longer rides and conserving your battery. Using the lower power mode is also perfect for flat transition sections of trail, fire road, or road. Keeping the e-bike in a lower power mode means there will be less torque, (less of a punch when you pedal). It means you won’t be bouncing around between motor assist cut in 24km/h and cut out 25kmph/h. If you were to choose a high power mode on a flat section of road, you would constantly be fighting between motor cut in and cut out, meaning the bike would be jerking on and off as you pedal.

You can keep up to date with everything there is to know about e-Mountain Bikes at revolutionmtb.com.au and their epic magazine, which features loads of interesting stories and interviews.