How To Derestrict An Electric Bike To Make It Go Faster

Electric bikes (e-bikes) have taken the biking world by storm, providing riders with an added boost on their journeys. However, many e-bikes come with speed restrictions. If you’re looking to push the limits, let’s explore the process of derestriction.

What is Derestriction?

At its core, derestriction is the process of removing or bypassing the speed limit set by the manufacturer on an electric bike. This allows the e-bike to attain higher speeds than originally intended.

When someone derestricts an electric bike, they have used one of many methods to remove, trick, or bypass the speed limiter on the pedal assistance. The reason derestricting an ebike is possible is because all you’re doing is removing the manufacturer’s settings. This gives you access to the full power of the bike’s motor.

Electric bikes typically offer different levels of pedal assistance that are crucial to understanding their performance. These levels usually include options such as Eco, Normal, and High. In the Eco mode, minimal assistance is provided, conserving battery life for longer journeys. The Normal setting strikes a balance, offering moderate assistance for everyday riding. High assistance provides maximum motor support, ideal for tackling steep hills or when you need an extra boost. Knowing how to adjust these settings not only helps in managing your e-bike’s range but also optimizes ride comfort and energy efficiency.

Why Do E-bikes Have Restrictions?

Manufacturers limit the speed of electric bikes for a variety of reasons:

1. Safety concerns
2. Regulatory standards
3. Battery longevity

Class 1 and 2 electric bikes in the U.S are limited to 20mph, and class 3 ebikes are limited to 28mph. These speeds may seem low to some riders, but you need to know that you can ride faster than these limited top speeds.

This is because the limited top speed refers to the speed you can ride while the motor assists you. So, when you ride, you pedal to the maximum speed with assistance before the motor uncouples or switches off. This allows you to freewheel down a hill or continue to pedal to go faster.

The reason for the restriction of speed is safety. It would be extremely dangerous if lots of people were to ride electric bikes without any speed restrictions. They could eventually be built to be as fast or faster than some cars and motorcycles.

In fact, there are classes of ebikes that require licenses, registration, and insurance to ride, as they are deemed motor vehicles.

Benefits of Derestriction:

• Enhanced Speed: With derestriction, your electric bike can outpace standard speeds, making commutes swifter.
• Greater Thrill: For the adrenaline junkies, a faster e-bike offers an exhilarating ride.

Risks to Consider:

• Safety: Higher speeds can lead to accidents. Always wear protective gear.
• Legal Implications: Derestricting might make your e-bike non-compliant with local laws.
• Warranty: The process could void your e-bike’s manufacturer warranty.

Derestriction of an e-bike could lead to significant implications for insurance coverage. When an e-bike is modified beyond manufacturer specifications, many insurance providers may consider it void of coverage under typical plans. This is because the bike’s classification changes, potentially making it more akin to a moped or motorcycle. In the event of an accident, this lack of insurance coverage could expose the rider to severe financial liabilities. It’s important to check with your insurance provider before making any modifications to understand your coverage fully.

Is It Legal To Derestrict An Electric Bike?

It is illegal to ride a derestricted electric bike in most countries, including the U.S. 

If you get caught riding over the assisted top speed on an electric bike, you’re in for a hefty fine and maybe having your bike confiscated. So if you derestrict an electric bike, you do so at your own risk.

In the European Union, regulations are stringent regarding e-bike classifications. If an e-bike’s motor power exceeds 250 watts or the bike supports speeds over 25 km/h with pedal assistance, it is classified as a moped. This classification imposes additional legal requirements, including mandatory registration, insurance, and, in some cases, a driver’s license. Compliance with these regulations is essential to avoid penalties while ensuring safety and legality on public roads. Always verify specific country regulations within the EU, as they can vary significantly.

Are There Any Other Implications Of Derestricting An Electric Bike?

If you’re going to derestrict an electric bike to make it go faster, you need to be aware of a few other things aside from the legal issue. So you need to take these implications into account if you’re thinking about derestricting an electric bike.

Manufacturer’s Warranty

If your bike has a malfunction after a few months of ownership, you’ll need to contact the manufacturer to see if they’ll fix it under warranty. However, if you’ve removed the speed limiter, your warranty will be void, even if it isn’t related to the modification. Therefore, you could be left with an expensive repair bill or an unrideable electric bike.

Reduced Battery Life

When you derestrict an electric bike, the motor calls more power from the battery as you will ride and accelerate faster. Therefore, you’ll notice that your range will be significantly reduced, and you’ll need to charge your battery more. In turn, this will shorten the battery’s lifespan, causing you to replace it sooner.

More Dangerous

Electric bikes have limited top speeds to keep us safe. If you make your ebike go faster, there’s a good chance that the other components, such as the brakes, aren’t designed for increased stresses and speeds.

Faster electric bikes require more skill to handle, so if you’re an inexperienced rider, you may find riding a derestricted ebike tricky.

How To Derestrict An Electric Bike To Make It Go Faster

The Derestriction Process:

1. Know Your Bike: Before attempting to derestrict, identify your e-bike’s motor brand. Popular brands include Bosch, Shimano, and Yamaha.
2. Locate the Speed Limiter: The limiter is typically connected to the wheel sensor. Find this component.
3. Modify or Replace: Depending on your e-bike’s model, either adjust the settings using a specialized tool or purchase a derestriction kit.

Speed limiter technologies in e-bikes have evolved, incorporating advanced features like GPS integration. These systems can automatically adjust assistance levels based on geo-fencing principles, ensuring compliance with local speed regulations. For instance, bikes can be programmed to reduce motor assistance in pedestrian-heavy zones, enhancing safety. These advancements reflect a growing trend towards smart, adaptable transportation solutions that balance speed with safety and regulatory compliance. Understanding these new technologies can help riders make informed choices about derestriction and its broader implications.

Even with all this information, you may still want to derestrict your electric bike. You could try your luck at a local bike shop, but there’s a good chance they won’t do it for you due to legal reasons.

However, there are a few ways you can do it yourself. Some are more involved than others, but here are the two most straightforward ways to make your electric bike faster.

How To Derestrict An Electric Bike Using The Manual Method

The manual method of derestricting an electric bike is the best way to do it if you don’t have many tools. It is the least technical and easiest way to derestrict your electric bike, so it’s a good choice if you’re a beginner or not very technical.

This method changes how the ebike controller receives data from the transmitter.

Most hub-mounted motor electric bikes use a sensor that measures how fast you ride by reading a magnet on the rear wheel. Each time the magnet passes the sensor, the sensor sends data to the controller. 

The controller uses this data to tell the motor how much power to give you, depending on which assistance level you select.

The wheel’s circumference is a critical part of how the controller calculates the bike’s speed. The bigger the circumference, the faster the bike can go. So if you move the sensor to another part of the bike, you can reduce the frequency the magnet passes it. The result is that you’ve manipulated how the controller sees the speed.

If you fit it to a part of the bike that rotates slower than the wheel, the controller will record a different speed. This means the motor will stay engaged at higher speeds.

Here’s how to do it in three easy steps:

You’ll need a 4mm Allen key to remove the sensor and some insulation tape.

1. Find the magnet on the wheel and sensor on your electric bike’s frame and remove them.

Note: It’s a good idea to mark where you’ve removed the magnet and sensor from. This is so you can put everything back as it was if you need to.

2. Relocate the magnet on the electric bike’s pedal bracket. You’ll need to secure it well with the insulation tape so it doesn’t fall off. If you lose the magnet, your electric bike’s electrical system won’t work.

3. Move the sensor, so it faces the magnet on the pedal bracket as it passes it. You may be able to clamp the sensor, but you’ll probably need to use insulation tape. Again, secure the sensor well so it doesn’t fall off during a ride.

How To Derestrict An Electric Bike With A Tuning Kit

Electric bike tuning kits are devices you can fit to your electric bike to improve its performance. 

Using a tuning kit is a more professional and tidier way of speeding up your electric bike than moving the sensor and magnet. But it uses the same principle of altering the speed data received by the controller.

The device fits directly to your electric bike’s sensor and tells the controller that you’re riding below the limited assisted speed. This means the motor will continue to give you power, allowing you to ride over the top speed.

Electric bike tuning kits don’t require you to do anything that will permanently change your bike. As soon as you fit one of these kits, it ensures that the limiter doesn’t engage, keeping the motor working.

The great thing about these kits is that they’re super easy to remove, so you can take your electric bike back to its original condition. This is helpful if you need to make a warranty claim or if you want to sell your electric bike.

Tips For Derestricting An Electric Bike

Take Your Time

Although you can derestrict an electric bike using a simple method, it’s easy to get it wrong. Take your time and pay attention to what you’re doing. This is especially the case if you’re a novice bike mechanic or new to electric bikes.

Be Careful Where You Ride

When you ride a derestricted electric bike, you need to be careful. You will be fine on private land and may not have any trouble riding off-road.

However, you may attract unwanted attention if you exceed the speed limit on the streets on an electric bike. You can face speeding fines and a penalty for illegally modifying an electric bike if caught.

Always Wear Protection

Even if you don’t derestrict your electric bike, you should wear a helmet. But the extra speed will make the consequences of a crash more severe, so always wear an appropriate bike helmet.

Consider Upgrading Other Components

There’s a good chance that the non-electrical components on your electric bike are not designed for the extra power from derestricting the motor.

Therefore, you may want to upgrade some components to be safer and to enhance the ride further. Consider upgrading your tires for ones with more grip and durability. Combined with more powerful brakes, this will give you more control and stopping power. 

Conclusion

Derestricting an electric bike can enhance your biking experience, but it comes with its share of risks. Weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks before making a decision

E-bikes offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional motor vehicles by reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable travel. However, derestricting them for increased speed can lead to higher energy consumption, somewhat diminishing these benefits. It’s crucial for riders to consider the environmental impact and strive to use their e-bikes responsibly. While the thrill of speed may be appealing, maintaining sustainable practices ensures that e-bikes continue to serve as a green mode of transport. Energy-efficient riding habits, like using lower assistance levels on flat terrain, contribute to preserving battery life and minimizing environmental impact.

Derestricting your electric bike to make it go faster requires a little effort. Most of the methods require removing or relocating parts of your electric bike. Doing so is also illegal, so with all this in mind, you need to consider if it’s worth doing at all. Don’t forget that you can ride your electric bike faster than the limiter, but you’ll use your legs rather than the motor.

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