E-bike tuning
by type at SIP Scootershop
OVERVIEW
Tuning tinkerers have been concentrating on mid-mounted motors since around 2013. E-bikes or pedelecs with rear or front motors cannot be optimised at all, with a few exceptions. Vehicles with automatic gearsticks and dual batteries also cause problems and can usually only be manipulated to a limited extent. However, since nowadays almost only mid-mounted motors are used, the list of e-bikes and pedelecs that can be tuned is extremely extensive.
Tuning specialists choose different approaches to the type of optimisation. At SIP Scootershop, we are expanding our programme to include tuning modules and boxes. In the following, however, we will present all the possibilities.
THE DIFFERENT TUNING OPTIONS
The motors of most pedelecs and e-bikes only work at speeds up to 25 km/h. The speed of a pedelec is reduced abruptly. With pedelecs, the abrupt cessation of motor support is also known as the "wall effect", because all of a sudden the motor resistance has to be overcome. Due to the higher weight of the pedelec, this is much more strenuous than on a conventional bicycle. There are various ways to prevent the "wall effect". The fact is: with tuning, pedelecs and e-bikes can reach speeds far above 25 km/h.
DONGLES
One variant is tuning with so-called dongles. With this method, the speed is halved from a value of 20 km/h. The motor drive is then switched off at 25 km/h. This means that the motor drive is not switched off at 25 km/h, but supports the rider up to a speed of up to 50 km/h. The result is that the speedometer is not affected by the dongle. The result is that the speedometer only shows half values in most cases. The dongle is easily recognisable from the outside and, in addition, the extrapolation of the speed is impractical for many riders.
SOFTWARE
This tuning variant is no longer very common with modern engines because the manufacturers have put a stop to this manipulation. However, it is the most elegant solution because all settings could be individually adjusted and also reversed without any modifications or installations. To do this, you need an EBikeBooster box, for example, but it only works with Heinzmann models.
BOXES
These small boxes are plugged onto the sensor of the bike or pedelec and now this tool halves the transmitted speed, doubling the motor support. It is a wireless device that can be removed in no time. The manufacturer Badass is the market leader here.
TUNING MODULES
These modules contain a chip and cables with connectors. They are installed invisibly under the engine cover and clamped between the sensor and the control unit. Many modules can even be switched on or off via the display while driving. The latest modules, such as the Speedbox B, also have integrated app control via Bluetooth. The control and also the reading of the motor data can be done with the smartphone. However, tools are required for installation and removal. In the following, we will go into more detail about these modules.
The motors are controlled by a speed pulse that tells them how fast a pedelec or e-bike is travelling. If the pulse reaches 25 km/h, the motor switches off. However, if only every second signal of the impulse comes through, 50 km/h can be reached, because the motor is "fooled" into thinking it is travelling at a different speed. With cheap modules, the speedometer then simply displays half the speed.
More sophisticated chips are more advanced: they halve the impulse only from 23 km/h or, in some drives, they are directly connected to the data transmission between sensor and motor, so that the speedometer always shows the correct values. The most modern tuning modules, for example from VOLspeed or Speedbox, even display the total kilometres driven and average speeds correctly.
However, the software version of the bike and pedelec must also be kept in mind. A carelessly installed update from the manufacturer can abruptly end the tuning pleasure. Be careful, because the motor manufacturers and tuning experts are constantly playing a cat-and-mouse game.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
It should be noted that the operation of this type of modified electric bicycle on public roads may be against the law in some countries. The dealer accepts no responsibility for any damage caused by the use of tuning products. Electric bicycles equipped with tuning products must not be used on public roads, cycle paths and squares. Electric bicycles equipped with tuning products may only be used on private property and at your own risk.