Pedal Assist New Rider

[Bluethunder73]

Newbie to e-bikes, what does the 1 – 5 pedal assist mean?

What is the best pedal setting for a new rider?

I am an average adult male under 200lbs riding mostly on flat ground city streets.

 

[Sierratim]

As in most situations, it depends. Some very fit riders will use 0 assist for flat city streets. Others use higher levels.

It also depends on the ebike. Some have fixed assist levels as a function of motor output. Others have programmablele outputs that can be saved and recalled as a function of riding conditions; i.e. one set of lower assist settings for flat streets and another for steep hills.

 

[Bluethunder73]

As in most situations, it depends. Some very fit riders will use 0 assist for flat city streets. Others use higher levels.

It also depends on the ebike. Some have fixed assist levels as a function of motor output. Others have programmablele outputs that can be saved and recalled as a function of riding conditions; i.e. one set of lower assist settings for flat streets and another for steep hills.

Thanks for the good information. I think the bikes I am looking at are all fixed levels. Which if I understand correct means level 1 is more like normal bike pedaling and level 5 is full electric motor once the bike is rolling.

 

[Bluethunder73]

1 - 5 pedal assist doesn't mean anything.
Some bikes have 1 - 3 and some have 1 - 9.

This question is impossible to answer, some bike's "assist level 4" will give you more assist than some bike's "assist level 6"

I guess my question is more what does pedal assist means regardless to levels. The bikes I am looking at have fixed pedal assist from 1 to 5. Which I think means assist 1 is more like normal pedaling with out the electric motor running until you press the throttle trigger. Where level 5 is electric motor engaged as soon as the bike starts rolling.

 

[Bluethunder73]

That really depends on bike to bike.

It's really about motor controller's programming.
In addition, what sensor (cadence or torque?) and what motor (mid drive, direct hub drive, geared hub drive, etc) as well.

Just because it's level 1, it doesn't mean it will feel like normal bicycle pedal feeling without assist. (Some bikes do)
But Aventon ebikes for example, people have reported that they have very strong assist even at level 1.

What I am looking at is a Sondors bike which has a Rear-Mounted Geared Hub 750watt motor with a Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Trigger Throttle as well as a 20amp controller.

 

[Bluethunder73]

You should watch these videos, it might answer some of your questions in terms of motor characteristics?

I'm assuming you're new to ebikes?
In my opinion, these videos are must watch for beginners

Hub Drive vs Mid Drive

Geared hub vs Direct Hub

Thank You for the videos, your correct I am new to e-bikes.

 

[Bluethunder73]

lol based on your answers you just provided, I don't know if those videos will benefit you.
You seem to know the differences between the motors

The videos are still helpful thank you

 

[Bluethunder73]

Then I think that would really depend on the motor programming.
Some level 1 ebikes do provide too much power to call it a "normal bicycle"

Aventon is one of them (according to people here on EBR), and also I found that Juiced CrossCurrent S had way more power to call it a normal bicycle even at level 1.
If you turn off the motor system, it was way too heavy.. because of hub drive.

There is so much to know about e-bikes, but it is all good. So far for my first e-bike I have narrowed it down to good quality small fat tire bikes that look nice. Simply because I want a bike that don't take up lots of storage space and can be easily transported in the back of a truck if needed.

 

[Bluethunder73]

oh you're welcome.

If that's the case, I would like to suggest you watching these videos.

I know you said "750W" motor, but not all 750W motor is the same.

I'm assuming you meant 750W nominal, but the max will be different.

And watch this video too.

Thank You for all the great videos, your very knowledgeable on ebikes. The motor has a 750-watt nominal output with a 100-watt peak output. Which I doubt I will ever reach the full power of the motor sine I am more interested in slower cruising style compared to heavy faster ridding if that makes sense.

 

[Bluethunder73]

So you're looking for at Sondors Fold XS?

I don't know how good it will be for slow riding with cadence sensor.
Generally, it will give you "switch on-off" feeling.
I have no personal experience riding Sondors Fold XS.

You might have better luck asking people on Sondors Forum?
https://electricbikereview.com/forums/forum/sondors/

Thank you for the suggestion as well as all the helpful information. Yes my two main choices so far are a Sondors Fold XS or a folding E-Lux Sierra GT which are both about equally similar.

 

[harryS]

Hi BlueThunder. Hope you can bear this long discourse. My opinions with owning a half dozen different cadence sensor bikes.

On the simpler cadence system ebikes, which includes Sondors, You'll have 5 assist levels, and each assist level is associated with a top speed. For example, PAS1 is 0-12 mph, and succeeding levels bump this up by 2 mph, until you reach PAS5 at 20 mph. Your Sondors has a throttle. SOme systems allow throttle to override the max speed for a PAS level. Others correlate the amount of throttle to the level.

Like Timpo wrote, a cadence sensor is an on/off switch. As soon as the pedals turn, the motor will run. Doesn't matter if they spin fast or slow. So how do we control our bikes? We try to pick a PAS level with a top speed that is right where we want to ride. This simulates natural pedaling. Pedal faster, you go faster wgike sharing more of the effort. Pedal slower, and motor picks up the slack. You will get pedal feedback because you can't spin faster w/o pedalling harder.

More assist levels allows you to find a pedal cadence that feels right for that speed. Bikes that only have three pedal assist levels give cadence sensors a bad name. Often, their level 1 is set too fast for novice riders, and rider is in an overboost situation if a slower speed is wanted. No fun. .

My first ebike is a three level system. Every time I jop on, the first 200 yards, I find it overpowered, but if I start riding at a higher speed, then my natural cadence matches.

In a torque based system, it's completely different. I'll let the experts cover them.

 

[Cowlitz]

I think this video offers the simplest and best explanation of different assist levels. Plus, it is fun to watch. This bike only has three levels, but the explanation is good for all.

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[Bluethunder73]

I think this video offers the simplest and best explanation of different assist levels. Plus, it is fun to watch. This bike only has three levels, but the explanation is good for all.

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Thanks for the video, that explains it real well.