Derestricting motor - will I notice much difference?

Rob Archer

Just Joined
Sep 14, 2020
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I've recently fitted a Cyclotricity mid-drive E-assist kit to my Surly Disc Trucker. I'm really pleased with it. I do have the throttle fitted (I know it's not road-legal in the UK) and find it handy if I need to accellerate quickly, like on a roundabout, or for the rare hill (I live in West Norfolk!). I have the codes to deregulate it from 250W to 500W. Apart from the legal issues, would I actually notice much difference? How much would it affect my range (currently about 30 miles)? I mostly use the lowest assist setting unless I'm fighting a Fenland headwind. I suppose I'm asking is it worth breaking the law for? Most of the people I know using e-bikes are using 500 or 1000W motors.
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
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6,292
i ride my bike around going 30mph it is not a problem you will get a few more mph out of it but it wont brake any speed records.

range depends on a lot of things so best to try it and see what it uses.
 

vfr400

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 12, 2011
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Basildon
I've recently fitted a Cyclotricity mid-drive E-assist kit to my Surly Disc Trucker. I'm really pleased with it. I do have the throttle fitted (I know it's not road-legal in the UK) and find it handy if I need to accellerate quickly, like on a roundabout, or for the rare hill (I live in West Norfolk!). I have the codes to deregulate it from 250W to 500W. Apart from the legal issues, would I actually notice much difference? How much would it affect my range (currently about 30 miles)? I mostly use the lowest assist setting unless I'm fighting a Fenland headwind. I suppose I'm asking is it worth breaking the law for? Most of the people I know using e-bikes are using 500 or 1000W motors.
If it's easy to do, try it out and let us know how it works out - on private land of course!
 
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Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
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De- restricting will likely release more current and speed, range will be affected.
 
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Rob Archer

Just Joined
Sep 14, 2020
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Well, I took the plunge and derestricted to motor to 500w. I did notice an increase in speed up to 20mph and a noticeable improvement in acceleration away from junctions. Hill climbing improvement was marginal. Range was reduced by about a third though. All in all I didn't find it enough of a benefit to be worth it. Range is more important for me anyway. I've re-restricted it back to 250w/15.5mph and will probably stick with that unless I'm carrying heavy loads uphill sometime.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
19,991
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The improvement in acceleration will be extra current supplied in 500w mode, where the controller will allow all f the available 22a current. In 250w mode the current will be restricted to about 15 -17a draw.
 
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