Range ~ the challenge

the_killjoy

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 26, 2008
822
226
When it comes to what we want most would plump for more range. I feel that the e-bike will have come of age when it can manage the London to Brighton ride on a single charge (54 miles). We are almost there now with the wisper manageing 40 ~ 45 miles on a good 'warm' day.
 

Fecn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 28, 2008
491
2
Warlingham, Surrey
I reckon that something around 60 miles is probably the sweet spot, however the actual milage isn't important to me - I want enough battery life that I can ride the bike all day long for long weekend rides, and given my dawdling pace of about 10mph and the odd stop-off for a pub lunch that probably means about 60 miles.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,559
30,848
I have been out in the past a few times with three batteries on my eZee based Q bike (one spare in each pannier bag) which gives me the potential to just reach 100 miles at it's maximum of 35 miles per charge, but I've only ever done a bit over 60 miles, just part using the third battery.

I think that 60 mile mark is enough too, there's a point where the time in the saddle is more of a limiter than the range, and for me about four hours cycling is my continuous maximum.
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Danny-K

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 25, 2008
281
0
South West
That's the thing about range - if you use it all, to exhaustion each ride, eventually the performance of the battery will deteriorate. I seemed to use the full 27 miles to the battery every ride - with the result that sometime before Christmas it fell-off dramatically to only 15 miles. I think I may have damaged it. However my Salisbury has been off road since then, awaiting some repairs and upgrades. So Flecc's method for us longer-distance riders is the ONLY method - but at what cost in multiple battery purchases?

Been enjoying my Dahon folder ever since, The huge gear range ensures I don't suffer and the slower progress has its own charm.
 

Barnowl

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 18, 2008
954
1
That's the thing about range - if you use it all, to exhaustion each ride, eventually the performance of the battery will deteriorate. I seemed to use the full 27 miles to the battery every ride - with the result that sometime before Christmas it fell-off dramatically to only 15 miles. I think I may have damaged it. However my Salisbury has been off road since then, awaiting some repairs and upgrades. So Flecc's method for us longer-distance riders is the ONLY method - but at what cost in multiple battery purchases?

Been enjoying my Dahon folder ever since, The huge gear range ensures I don't suffer and the slower progress has its own charm.
Good luck with battery and bike repairs Danny. Totally agree that slower progress has its own charms. Can't beat taking it easy and freewheeling on a nice quiet sunny day - warm or cold.