Electric Bikes: Harder To Pedal Or Easier Commute?

Electric bikes are designed to make riding easier, but is it harder to pedal an electric bike than a regular bike? In this article, we will explore the differences between electric and acoustic bikes and find out whether it's harder to pedal an electric bike. We will also look at the different types of electric bikes and how their features can impact the pedalling experience.

Electric bikes with a throttle don't require pedalling

If you plan to pedal your electric bike without using the motor, it's recommended to get an e-bike with at least seven speeds. This will make pedalling much easier because you'll have a range of gears to choose from. If the bike is a single speed, pedalling will be very difficult and probably not too enjoyable for long distances.

Even with the motor on, pedalling an e-bike can feel like a workout, but you can dial in the amount of assistance you want, from a little to a lot.

Electric bikes with a battery and motor require pedalling to engage

Pedalling an e-bike without using the motor is more difficult than with motor assistance, and it is recommended to get an e-bike with at least seven speeds to make pedalling easier. Single-speed bikes make pedalling very difficult and are not enjoyable for long distances.

The latest lightweight road e-bikes, such as the Wilier Cento1 Hy, can be ridden at over 25kph by a reasonably fit cyclist on flat roads or downhill. However, on heavier flat bar e-bikes with wide tyres, it is more challenging to maintain this speed. Going uphill or on gradually ascending roads will also cause the speed to drop, with the motor providing assistance.

In the UK and EU, e-bikes with throttles or twist grips on the bars that are not regulated in relation to the power provided via the pedals do not classify as electric bikes.

Electric bikes are easier to pedal with more speeds

If you plan to pedal your electric bike without using the motor, it is recommended to get an e-bike with at least seven speeds. This will make pedalling much easier because you will have a range of gears to choose from. If the bike is a single speed, pedalling will be much more difficult and probably not enjoyable for long distances.

The whole point of electric bikes is to make riding easier, especially when going up hills. You can dial in the amount of assistance you want, from a little to a lot. However, no e-bike is likely to be as easy to pedal as an acoustic bike, as these tend to be much lighter.

On lightweight road e-bikes, riding at over 25kph is possible for a reasonably fit cyclist on flat roads or downhill. However, on heavier flat bar e-bikes with wide tyres, it is more difficult. Your speed is likely to drop on hills, with the motor chipping in to help.

Electric bikes are harder to pedal uphill

That said, it is possible to ride an electric bike without using the motor. If you plan to do this, it is recommended that you get an e-bike with at least seven speeds. This will make pedalling much easier because you'll have a range of gears to choose from. If the bike is just a single speed, it's going to make pedalling very difficult and probably not too enjoyable for long distances.

Even with an e-bike that has multiple gears, pedalling unpowered can feel like a boat anchor. One source says that no e-bike is as easy to pedal as an acoustic bike. However, another source says that while it's not quite as difficult as it sounds, it does depend on the type of e-bike you have. Some e-bikes feature a throttle, which will allow you to ride without pedalling, but this feature does come with some downsides. Other types of e-bikes require riders to pedal in order to engage the battery and the motor.

Electric bikes are harder to pedal on rough terrain

On flat roads or going downhill, riding an electric bike at over 25kph is perfectly possible for a reasonably fit cyclist. However, on heavier flat bar e-bikes with wide tyres, it is a bit more difficult. If you hit a hill or a gradually ascending road, your speed is likely to drop, with the motor chipping in to help you once again.

It's worth noting that, in the UK and EU, if the motor of your electric bike is controlled via a throttle or twist grip on the bars, rather than its power being regulated in relation to the power you are providing via the pedals, the e-bike will not classify as an electric bike.

Some e-bikes feature a throttle, which will allow you to ride without pedalling, but this comes with some downsides. Other types of e-bikes require riders to pedal in order to engage the battery and the motor, but it's not as difficult as it sounds.

Frequently asked questions