Riding An Electric Bike For The First Time? What Should You Pay Attention to?

Riding an electric bike provides riders with fresh excitement. It can also be exhilarating, offering a unique experience, which is different from that of a regular bike. 

Electric bikes like the Honbike HF01 are excellent for getting around town, commuting to your workplace, and engaging in mild exercises. Despite the many similarities thay have with traditional bicycles, there are also tremendous differences that can influence your experience when you are purchasing an electric bicycle for the first time, and you might be looking forward to the benefits embedded in owning one of these two-wheelers and also how to ride them. Read through these few tips on riding an electric bike as a first-timer before embarking on your fun-filled trip.

Safety First

There are some important safety tips to keep in mind rolling out your electric bike. Just as it is second nature for car owners to put on their seat belts, it is crucial to wear your helmet before heading off. E-bikes usually travel at speeds in excess of 20 km/h, so a helmet is one of the necessary precautions to protect yourself from injury.

Furthermore, ensure you dress comfortably and avoid loose clothing that could get cling to the wheels or other moving parts of your electric bike. Of course, you almost don't have to worry about this trouble if you own a Honbike HF01, as the best chainless electric bike on the market, this portable bike comes with Monotork clean shaft drive system, thus the rider doesn't have to worry about any chains troubles and security risks.

Check The Tire Pressure And Become Familiar With The Brake

Before setting off, ensure your e-bike tires are appropriately inflated. If they are slightly deflated, you will experience a slower speed rate, which could blow out or result in an accident. 

Another thing to observe is the kind of brake your electric bike has. The brake is an important element to consider before buying and using the bike. Your brake needs to possess a stopping power that aligns with your motor.

Take time to understand if the brake settings fit your style. Try them on a flat surface to ensure you get accustomed to their effect. There’s a connection between the force used in pulling the lever. The harder the force, the stronger the brake grip. However, the rear brake should be used first when braking. 

Ensure Your Electric Bike Gives You The Right Balance

Your e-bike should have a suitable weight for your body size to have a good balance. If your weight is not aligned with your electric bike, it will cause discomfort when riding. So, you must spend considering time climbing on and off your electric bike. You can also start and stop at intervals to effectively get a good grip.

You can adjust the seat height if necessary. Expert riders may only require their toes on the ground when seated, but first-timers may want their feet flat on the ground to feel more comfortable. Also, riders worldwide prefer lightweight bikes, mainly because they are easy to lift, park, and store, especially the foldable electric bikes. They are suitable for young adults, city commuters and older people cycly to schools, mart, or the office.

Check Your Battery Range and Power

When you want to ride you electric bike, you need to consider the battery performance. It could be challenging to ascertain how much battery life is remaining especially when you are not familiar with its location on the display.

If you cover a 15-25km daily, you can utilize a smaller battery range. However, a 400-watt-hour battery capacity or more is best for longer distances. 250-watt battery power is the best fit for downhill or city terrains, while 500-watt battery power is essential for uphill or rough terrains. 

You must keep your electric bike battery fully charged for your first trip. It is a good habit to ensure it is always charged in case of unforeseen contingencies. You can buy an extra ebike battery for your HF01 to double your mileage, it only weights 1.26kg, lockable and removable with keys. Moreover, it can be fully charged with only 3-4 hours.

Pedal Assist And Throttle

There are pedal-assist or throttle electric bikes. You must get familiar with the assisted model of your bike, how it works and the right occasion to use it. Pedal assist helps you ride on various terrains without much effort, while throttles can go directly.

You may need to pedal your electric bike on flat terrains without utilizing the pedal assist. This is to get comfortable with how your electric bike feels when riding. Then you can begin with the lowest pedal assist level and increase it as you progress on your trip to see how it helps with your speed. 

Depending on your purchase, you may select from the classes of e-bikes available: class 1, class 2, and class 3. Class 1 electric bike has a pedal-assist feature but doesn’t have a throttle, and they don’t go above 20 mph. They are widely accepted on city streets, trails, and bike paths.

Class 2 electric bikes have pedal assistance and throttle, are restricted to cars and vehicle terrains, and go up to 20 mph. The class 3 electric bike has only pedal assistance and a max speed of 28 mph. They are similar to the class 1 e-bikes but have a more speed range. You will have to abide by your region's speed limit and electric bike rules. For example, the UK's maximum speed of an electric bicycle is 25 km/h.

Maintenance 

After returning from each trip on your electric bike, you must carry out a few simple checks before storing it—this help to keep your e-bike in good condition. Also, do not forget to charge up your battery and ensure you utilize the correct charger. An incompatible charger could burn or limit the battery life of your electric bike.

As minute as it may, ensure you clean off any debris, dirt, or grime from your electric bike. This will keep your e-bike looking new and clean and prevent tears and rust. Moreso, secure your electric bike in a safe place where it can’t be stolen. Bikes like the HF01 comes with a foldable design that compresses it in four simple steps and stores it in your home, under your office desk, and car trunk.

Finally, ensure you carefully read your electric bike's user manual and warranty service. Your manufacturer will provide you with the best guarantee to enhance your experience.

Conclusion

We know you can’t wait to have your first experience riding an electric bike. At Honbike, our priority is to provide riders with unique designs compatible with their preference and style. We hope that we have set the stage for you to begin your journey as a first-time electric bike user.