I am excited to be able to help people get by with their ebike journey. Here at ebikewizard.com, I share my expertise and over a decade of experience riding, testing, and troubleshooting ebikes of all kinds.
Electric bikes are trending these days because of the great pedaling assistance that they offer. People from a wide range of age groups can enjoy using electric bikes as you really don’t have to do much work. So, it doesn’t matter if you are too young or too old, riding an electric bike does has no concerns with this. But only if you fit in the recommended age criteria.
Well, a very commonly searched question these days regarding electric bikes is about the fastest electric bike existing. This is probably because people really don’t want to stay behind even if they are on two wheels. So today we have come up with this great article to let you know more about the speed of electric bikes and answer your favorite questions: what is the fastest electric bike?
How Fast is an Electric Bike?
Well, this is one of the most popular questions e-bikers are concerned with. With this come several other questions like how fast is safe to ride an electric bike? What is the legally allowed riding speed for an e-bike? In case you expect a straightforward answer to all these questions, then you might not find it ever. It is because there come many variations answering this question depending mainly on the type of e-bike you are purchasing and the area where you plan to ride it.
For better understanding let us consider two countries where an e-biker must ride, the first one in the US and the second one in Europe. In the first country, the maximum speed he can keep is 32 km/h, which is about 20 mph. Whereas in the second country, he can only reach up to 25 km/h which makes about 15.5 mph. Also, different types of e-bikes have different features and must run on different terrains. Considering two major terrains, a smooth and rough one, the e-bike will definitely run faster on the smoother surface than on the rough surface.
Does The Speed Of An Electric Bike Dependent on its Motor?
Yes, the speed of an e-bike majorly depends on the motor installed in it. In normal bikes, only using your leg power you can achieve a speed of 12 to 15 km/h that makes between 7.5 to 9.5 mph. While in e-bikes this speed is easily doubled with the help of the motor.
For this always keep in mind that the more powerful a motor is the higher will be the speed limit. But this relation is not linear, it comes with a few deviations too. Here are some speed values produced by different motors on flat terrain.
- 20 mph: by a 250 W motor
- 25 mph: by a 500 W motor
- 28 mph: by a 750 W motor
- 35 mph: by a 1000 W motor
- 40 mph: by a 1500 W motor
The fastest motors that can be installed in an electric bike are the 250 W motors.
How Are Electric Bikes Classified?
The three main classes of e-bikes include pedal-assisting e-bikes up to 20 mph, pedal-assisting and throttling e-bikes up to 20 mph, and pedal-assisting e-bikes with a 28 mph speed limit. Let’s brief about each category below:
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Pedal-assisting e-bikes up to 20 mph:
These bikes only come with pedal assistance features for saving you from mechanical work throughout the ride. But once a speed limit of 20 mph is reached this pedal assistance function becomes non-functional.
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Pedal-assisting and throttling e-bikes up to 20 mph:
These bikes also have the highest speed limit of 20 mph but they also come with a throttle mode along with pedal-assistance properties. Thumb type or twist type throttles on the handlebars are the most common. As soon as you activate the throttle, your e-bike will propel immediately without having any pedaling demands.
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Pedal-assisting e-bikes up to 28 mph:
These bikes feature simple pedal assistance but their maximum speed limit is 28 mph. This higher speed limit is beneficial for allowing you to ride faster and travel more distance in a short time.
What is the Fastest Electric Bike?
BAKCOU Flatlander: The fastest hunting electric bike
BAKCOU is mostly concerned with designing electric bikes that are good and efficient for outdoor enthusiasts. The feel you’ll get after sitting on this bike will be like experiencing an engineered hunting tool that is fine-tuned for increasing the running speed.
The best thing about thing bike is that it is not only the fastest but also very affordable. This electric bike manufactured by BAKCOU features off-road toughness with high-end components and high power for tackling with the flatter grounds. Without delaying any further delay let’s start discussing the details now:
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Frame and design:
High-grade aluminum alloy 6061 frames are used in the construction of the frame of this e-bike. The stand-over height is kept to 29.5 inches whereas the average weight is 63 pounds. In addition to this skid-proof aggressive-looking pedals are also installed in this e-bike which prevents slipping incidents. Also, this e-bike also features a shock-absorbing seat post which saves your body from major dislocations or injuries when you ride the bike over sudden bumps. Lastly, 740-millimeter handlebars featuring locking handle grips are also installed to allow your hand surface to grip properly to the handles.
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Motor and battery:
A 750 W rear hub motor is fitted in this e-bike which really is not famous for giving high-speed results. But the torque and power adjustments are set in a way to take the maximum speed limit of the e-bike to over 35 mph.
An extended-distance Lithium-ion 48V 14.5 Ah battery is used to power this e-bike which allows you to enjoy an equally impressive range of more than 40 miles. In case this is not sufficient for your bike riding session you can also opt for battery up-gradation and install either 17.4 or 21 Ah version.
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Wheel and brakes:
The 27 by 4 inch Maxxis Minion fat tires are out of the best features of this e-bike. This bike also has air-suspension forks offering shock-absorption characteristics.
BAKCOU did not only focus on high-speed limits when constructing this bike, it also prioritizes the suitable control options for dealing with this speed rate. This means that these bikes are featured with high stopping power snd have dual-piston hydraulic brakes with 180-millimeter rear rotors and 203-millimeter front ones.
Is High Electric Bike Speed Better than Low Speed?
Ah Yes! This is actually a personal preference though. Depending on where you are at in life and what you like to do will determine this. We understand that riding an electric bike at high speeds is fun and can give you a rush, but in reality, it is more dangerous as well. Not all streets are maintained and if riding too fast you could hit a bump and really hurt yourself. A high-speed electric bike might be a better choice than a slower electric bike. The reason being that you can always adjust the speed lower if you are on a faster electric bike, but you cant increase the speed on a slower one. This way a high-speed e-bike is the right choice for most riding experiences including commuting, leisure cycling, or racetrack riding.
What are the Factors to Consider When Buying the Fastest Electric Bike?
You really need to understand that speed is not the only thing that you have to notice in an electric bike, there are several other things too that you should take into account, like:
1. Battery charging time:
Usually, 3 to 5 hours are required by a normal capacity battery to get fully charged from 0 charging. But this time may increase if you have to charge a high-capacity battery. For cutting down on your battery charging time it is recommended to buy fast chargers.
2. Battery number:
The good thing is that you can keep installing two batteries simultaneously in your e-bike for extending the length of your ride. In other cases, you can always keep an additional battery as a backup with you to use in the hour of need.
3. Battery mounting options:
If the battery is mounted in the frame, then you will get more room for keeping your bottle and an additional small bag back. Also for easy charging and replacement, external battery mounting is preferred.
4. Motor location:
Mid-drive motors are installed in the bottom bracket whereas hub motors are. Mid-drive motors help you enjoy a balanced and stable ride. Whereas the hub motors allow you to feel being pushed along.
5. Motor torque:
The torque value for a fast electric bike lies somewhere between 40 and 80 Nm. There are different variations observed in the torque values on different pedal-assistance settings.
What Are Some Special Features of Electric Bikes that you Should Know?
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Pedal feel and pedal-assist activation:
The is a strong relation between pedal-assist with the performance of e-bike. The smoother is the performance the better will be the pedal assistance. So always go for test rides to see how your future rides will be before you finally select your e-bike.
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Pedal-assist settings:
There are almost 3 to 4 setting options when it comes to pedal-assist settings of an e-bike. The highest one is the turbo mode allowing you to enjoy an extra speedy ride. Whereas the lowest one is the eco mode allowing you to save battery and enjoy a slow ride.
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Lighting:
Good lighting adds more to your e-bike riding experience. Having a ride at night won’t be the issue anymore. The lighting source is more advanced in high-end e-bikes and has more setting options.
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LCD display:
A handlebar-mounted LCD display helps you monitor pedal-assist mode, speed, battery life, and miles were ridden.
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Racks:
Racks are good for bearing extra weight on your e-bike. You can also mount multiple racks on your e-bike, only they should be the right size.
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Built-in security:
In some electric bikes, there are rear-wheel locks connected to the frame. In other bikes, there are locks installed in the batteries that use the key to match a bike lock which is purchased separately.
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Smartphone integration:
You can connect some e-bikes wirelessly with your smartphone also. This allows you to take advantage of multiple apps including service records, GPS, and additional screen capabilities. You can also unlock your bike’s lock with some apps.
What Precautionary Measures you Should Take When Riding the Fastest Electric Bike?
- Keep your e-bike on the side of the road having the least traffic. This saves you from high chances of accidents and injuries.
- Make sure that your bike lights and horn work properly.
- Always wear your protective bike equipment during the ride to save yourself from major injuries.
- Apply the brakes early so that your e-bike actually stops where you want it to.
Conclusion
People who are looking for a new electric bike are definitely most concerned with this question. On the other side, people who often purchase electric bikes know that speed is not the only thing; they focus on several other details too. If you really want to experience safe and enjoyable e-bike riding, then you should be well aware of the local rules of the area where you plan to ride your bike. Moreover following the recommended speed limit ranges is must always be ensured.
Do fast electric bikes make a loud noise?
No, electric bikes do not make loud noise even when running at high speeds. They feature quiet operation motors which only produce a humming sound when working.
Can you ride a fast electric bike if the battery ends?
Yes, you can still ride a fast electric bike if the battery runs out by doing some mechanical work and pedaling efficiently to reach your place.
Are there any fast electric bikes available that you can ride without a license?
Yes, there are fast electric bikes that you can ride without having a license. The maximum speed limit you can achieve with such bikes is 15.5 mph.
I am excited to be able to help people get by with their ebike journey. Here at ebikewizard.com, I share my expertise and over a decade of experience riding, testing, and troubleshooting ebikes of all kinds.