Unbridling an electric bike means removing the restrictor to change the speed limit to 25 km/h. Unbridling also means releasing the engine's power to make the bike more powerful. Unbridling your electric bike: what you need to know before and how to do it? This content aims to give the steps to follow to be able to unbridle your electric bike. Let's see what are the steps to follow before and after unbridling, what are the risks involved in unbridling an electric bike? without losing sight of the fact that an electric bike is not like other bikes, so it is also worth considering!
Unbridling your bike and why a speed limit?
The electric bicycle is a technical device which has a motor and electric assistance.
It's designed with a top speed of 25 km/h to meet the requirements of various countries' laws. Some countries allow higher speeds. This is the case in Switzerland, so Batto Bike offers higher-powered motors.
Unbridling your electric bike: what you need to know beforehand and how to do it? The power limit is not set by the motor but by a flange called the manufacturer's flange, which is embedded in the heart of the motor. Unbridling an electric bike: if this flange is removed, the bike is unbridled.
Why would you want to unlock your electric bike?
Obviously, it's simply to boost the electric bike, to be able to go faster, it goes without saying!
But if we dig a little deeper, we could also say that the choice to turn to an electric bike can vary from one person to another. Each person's needs remain different. Thus, the choice of the electric bike It can be ecological and economical, but it can also be a choice of a more practical means of transport, especially in the city. The main reason for wanting to unbridle an electric bike remains this desire to gain speed and power.
If the bike has a higher-capacity motor and battery, the speed in unrestricted mode can reach 50 km/h, which for some people allows them to reach their destination more quickly. When unrestricting an electric bike, be careful; some bikes are more difficult to unrestrict. It's also important to consider the consequences of unrestricting the bike for the future.
How do you unlock an electric bike?
Removing the restriction on an electric bike motor doesn't mean destroying the motor; it simply involves adjusting the bike's power-assist system. Once the restriction is removed, the motor runs normally but produces more power.
To unlock an electric bike, two methods are available:
- At the electronic controller level
The first method is to unlock the electronic controller . This involves tricking the device by giving it false data. The engine power is then modified when the controller no longer receives accurate data. Thus, with this technique, the bike will be able to travel beyond 25 km/h. The speed recorded by the controller will no longer be accurate but will remain at the regulatory threshold.
- At the bridle level
The second method involves completely removing the restriction. The assistance speed will be released and the motor will be able to deliver its full maximum power. The recorded speed will go beyond 25 km/h, and can even reach 75 km/h.
Depending on the type of engine, which de-restriction should you choose?
Both methods seen just before are effective, but it is necessary to know which method will be the best depending on the type of motor of your electric bike.
You must therefore know your motorization before proceeding with the unbridling. Generally, bikes with mid-mounted motors and central motors are easier to unbridle. Motors from Yamaha, Panasonic, Bosch, Bafang and Brose are in these models. Conversely, some motors with hub systems are very complicated to unbridle, or even impossible. Among these are the Go Swiss Drive, Xion motors and Velobecane motors.
How to unlock your electric bike?
Releasing the restriction on your electric bike is a delicate operation to do, it requires knowledge and experience, releasing the restriction on the rear wheel motor of an electric bike is not always easy.
At first glance, the steps involved may seem simple, but in practice they are often more complex and difficult.
Having some electronics skills will be a considerable plus.
Of course, first of all, you need to make sure that your bike can be unlocked. If this is the case, you then simply need to select the recommended unlocking method.
Overall, unlocking can also be done with a unlocking kit or without a kit using the DIY method:
- Using the unlocking kit
Most people prefer to use this kit to unlock their bike. It's a more sophisticated and, above all, more practical device to use. It can be a kit that attaches to the bike, or a kit that requires uninstalling the entire assistance system. For a kit that attaches, it will depend on the bike brand. The principle of the kit remains the same: to trick the controller into thinking that the bike is traveling at a normal speed, i.e., 25 km/h.
- Unbridling the bike without using a kit
This method is called the DIY method. To successfully unlock the engine in DIY mode, you need to focus on the speed sensor, which is responsible for transmitting data to the controller. The controller is the basic element that controls the engine's power. Depending on the situation, you will either have to move the sensor's components or disconnect the sensor cable.
Unbridling your bike: methods and what next?
There's no single best method; all of them work and are doable. For beginners, it's not always easy, that's true.
Kits that don't require any engine casing removal are therefore the easiest to use and are suitable for many engines. Other kits that require removing the engine cover just require a little attention.
Unbridling an electric bike: what about the law?
Yes, before rushing into unbridling your bike, you should first know that this practice is completely prohibited by law. In France, it carries a penalty of up to one year in prison with a fine of up to €30,000, confiscation of the bike, and cancellation of your insurance in the event of an accident. For those who create unbridling kits, they risk two years in prison.
Unbridling and risks?
Releasing the restrictions on an electric bike presents numerous risks and dangers both for the device and for its owner.
- Motor and battery life
After unbridling, the lifespan of the motor and battery will be reduced. Indeed, the bike will be traveling at a higher speed, it will therefore put more stress on both the motor and battery components, and since these components were not initially programmed for this, they will inevitably wear out more quickly.
- Rapid deterioration after unbridling
In addition to the motor and battery, most of the components of an electric bike are also at risk of deteriorating more quickly after unbridling. Chains are no longer robust enough to withstand higher power output. So, if you unbridle, consider changing your chain as well.
- Electric Bike Warranty
With an unrestricted bike, that means no more guarantees!
You can no longer benefit from your manufacturer's insurance. Indeed, any modification made to the machine, and therefore altering its initial condition, voids the warranty. Therefore, without a warranty, there will be no more insurance either.
- Withdrawal of approval
Approval, like the warranty, is revoked when the bike is unbridled. What exactly is approval? To understand, an electric bike that travels at 25 km/h is considered an approved bike that can use all public roads. So, when the bike is unbridled, it is no longer an approved bike, meaning it can be ridden anywhere, which is no longer the case!
- For the resale of your bike
It's difficult to resell a derestricted bike; a shop doesn't even bother thinking about it; all derestricting practices are detected. Only a resale to a knowledgeable individual can be considered, so you must be aware of this.
FAQs
How to modify an electric bike to go faster?
The speed limit can be removed by moving the bike's sensor and magnet, or by disconnecting the sensor cable. It's also possible to unlock an electric bike using a speed-limiting kit. This is the most commonly used solution, but it costs a few hundred euros.
How can I increase the speed of my electric bike?
Unbridling an electric bike is essential if you want to gain speed and power. Indeed, if the bike has a higher-capacity motor and battery, the speed in unbridled mode can reach up to 50 km/h, allowing you to ride faster and reach your destination in just a few minutes.
How to remove the speed limiter on an electric bike?
Another method to remove the speed limiter on an e-bike is to use a tuning kit . This is a more elegant and professional solution, but it still manipulates the way your e-bike's controller calculates speed.
How can I unlock my electric bike?
Releasing the speed limiter simply means removing the speed limiter that was preventing it from reaching its full performance. By releasing the limiter, you'll be able to go beyond 25 km/h and reach your vehicle's maximum speed...
Conclusion
In this content, you have everything you need to know and understand about unbridling an electric bike. While unbridling can allow you to ride faster, this operation can also put you in situations that can become dramatic in the event of an accident or detection and arrest by law enforcement. Therefore, it is necessary to clearly understand from the outset whether you are ready to assume all the risks you will face if you unbridle your electric bike.
