FatBike Hypermiling: In July 2018, I wanted to see just how much mileage I could squeeze out of my Yamaha
400wh, Yamaha PW drive, Haibike Full FatSix fat tired, dual suspension ebike. I had already ridden some 40 to 60 mile rides but wanted to see if I could do a Century on that bike and battery. I pumped up the Schwalbe Jumbo Jim fat tires to the max air pressure rating of 30 psi & set about riding north from home to access the Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath and the Delaware Lehigh Canal towpath which was across the Delaware River in the state of Pennsylvania. They are an ideal riding area for they are water-level, with very little gradient between locks; even though the geography thru which these canals run through are hilly areas.
Final Thoughts on Fat Bike Hypermiling:
1. At the end of the day, some 12-13 plus hours of riding, I had traveled
95.4 Miles and had
18% battery power remaining in the 400wh battery.
2. I rode exclusively in the Eco and Eco+ power positions, with a few rare times of engaging the High power position. And in the lower power positions, I was basically pedaling the 60 plus pound bike that it was. For my own satisfaction, I proved to myself that I could get over 100 miles on a full battery charge on that 400wh battery. But to what end? It would be akin to pedaling a gas moped exclusively under one's own pedal power, briefly engaging the gas motor on occassion for this grade or that. The quest to explore how much "mileage" out of a battery was fun to think about. Actually doing it on the trail......meh......it was no different than pedaling that same course on my Specialzied Fatboy analog fatty.
3. It convinced me to purchase a spare 500wh battery & I backed that up with the purchase of 2 more. Now, on that same ebike, I could carry a potential of 1900wh should I choose to do so for an extra long trip. And now, I exclusively ride in the full asssist power position, doing my own fat bike version of Hypermiling by spinning the pedals with the lightest possible foot and leg pressure on the cranks, keeping a watchful eye on the power meter for excessive power use. And for that, spinning the pedals, keeping the speed below 15-16 mph to avoid punching thru that wall of wind at those speeds.......I can achieve a consistent, 40 miles on a fully charged 500wh battery riding only in that High Power position.
4. This is just one person's opinion about fatbikeing and hypermiling. It can be done. But it's not much different than trying to hypermile a gas powered moped in the quest to get 500 miles of range out of that tank of gas. It's a good learning lesson to see what can be squeezed out of a battery with careful use; in case for a future ride where you are a long ways away from a battery recharge source. But as for something that can be consistently done on a regular basis? I suppose if you are young and in peak physical condition. And in that case, maybe a trekking or bikepacking ebike would be more appropriate.
Hypermiling at the halfway point of my journey; D&R Canal State Park, Milford, New Jersey. Some 47.5 miles in. Lotsa red clay dust from riding on the D&L towpath in PA, right across the Delaware River from the D&R.
The final tally......95.4 miles on an e-fatbike
With 18% battery charge left. I could have used that leftover power potential to climb out of some hills leading up and down to water level at the river & towpaths. But I was afraid to risk losing that power at the turnaround point as well as ensuring I got home with some power to assist me.
