"Downshifting" an electric bike
- Thread starter Norris
- Start date
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
There are no special procedures for selecting the assist mode. You can switch from the highest assistance level to the lowest one (or even to Off) whenever you need. The opposite is also valid. You should only make these considerations:
Most of reasonable riders start in the lowest assist mode to conserve the battery charge. When there's significant headwind, the next assist level is chosen; when there is a steep hill ahead, the highest assistance level may be chosen. When riding downhill, many e-cyclists switch the assist off.
However, it is very important to operate the derailleur properly. At any given assistance mode, one should choose such gear ratio as to maintain the preferred cadence. Spinning the crank too slowly (mashing) is bad on your knees and on the battery.
So there are no rules how to "shift" assistance levels but there are rules how to shift the gears. In case of your Pinarello (rear-hub-motor) you just set the assistance level that is comfortable for you and you shift the gears to be at a comfortable cadence.
No more, no less.
Most of reasonable riders start in the lowest assist mode to conserve the battery charge. When there's significant headwind, the next assist level is chosen; when there is a steep hill ahead, the highest assistance level may be chosen. When riding downhill, many e-cyclists switch the assist off.
However, it is very important to operate the derailleur properly. At any given assistance mode, one should choose such gear ratio as to maintain the preferred cadence. Spinning the crank too slowly (mashing) is bad on your knees and on the battery.
So there are no rules how to "shift" assistance levels but there are rules how to shift the gears. In case of your Pinarello (rear-hub-motor) you just set the assistance level that is comfortable for you and you shift the gears to be at a comfortable cadence.
No more, no less.
I think he wanted to know "how" to reduce the assist. There is no display, only one button on downtube to control everything.
Press the button repeatedly: white=0, green=1, orange=2, red=3, and then it should cycle from 0 again.
People complained that looking down and cycling through PAS settings is not very comfortable. At this price they could've installed some double up/down button like on other bikes.
Press the button repeatedly: white=0, green=1, orange=2, red=3, and then it should cycle from 0 again.
People complained that looking down and cycling through PAS settings is not very comfortable. At this price they could've installed some double up/down button like on other bikes.
Last edited:
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
I had the same thoughts when test riding a Specialized Creo. These bike companies building e-road bikes with the power level button on the frame need to move it to the left hood. Since most have a single chain ring it wouldn't take much engineering to incorporate a power level button into the left side brake level. Something like the Di2 buttons I have on my Defy road bike.
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