Riding an electric bike without a battery: independence and safety
Your electric bike will accompany you on your journeys thanks to its powerful electric motor. But what happens when the battery is flat? And is it possible to ride without motor assistance? This guide gives you all the information you need.
Can and should you drive without a battery?
Absolutely, it's possible! As a general rule, you always have the choice of riding with or without motor assistance on your electric bike. Your bike works just like a conventional bicycle, even without a battery. So don't panic if your battery runs out over a long distance and you don't have a spare with you.
And if you deliberately want to pedal without motor assistance, even with a fully charged battery, no problem. Simply deactivate the assistance or leave the battery at home.
Check the contacts before replacing the battery.
Is riding without assistance bad for your bike?
No, you can ride without assistance without any risk to your bike. Modern electric bikes are designed so that neither the battery nor the motor suffers any damage if you don't use them.
However, make sure that the battery does not discharge completely (below 2%), as this can damage it and create a fire hazard the next time it is recharged. We therefore recommend regular use and recharging. Ideally, the battery should be plugged in when it has between 20% and 80% charge remaining.
Automatic low-load cut-off
Your electric bike's electronics won't suffer if you ride without a battery. In fact, most systems switch off automatically when the charge level gets too low, protecting the technology from damage.
Is it difficult to drive without a battery?
Your electric bike is much heavier than a conventional bike, generally weighing between 20 and 28 kilos. This means you'll need to exert greater muscular effort to keep going, especially uphill, where the absence of electric assistance can quickly become a challenge.
However, you'll lighten your bike by a few kilos if you leave the battery at home, which will make the task easier.
Obviously, your own weight, headwinds and the nature of the terrain will also play a part in the effort required. The easiest way is to ride without a battery on a flat route with few gradients.
Riding with or without a battery: the difference in effort
There's a big difference between starting a ride without a battery, or having your battery run out along the way. Indeed, when you start with electric assistance, pedaling is easier. But as soon as the assistance stops, you'll feel a much greater effort than if you started without a battery from the outset. This is due to the weight of the bike and the battery.
What's more, on most electric bikes, the effort expended on the pedals is not transmitted in the same way as on a conventional bike. So you'll need more energy to move forward without a battery.
Some motorizations use energy recovery. As you pedal, the energy generated is recovered and fed into the motor, extending your bike's range. However, this recovered energy will not be available if you ride without assistance. So it's important to think carefully about this feature before you buy.
Are there any electric bikes designed to run without a battery?
Any electric bike can be used without a motor, whatever the make or model. However, when buying one, you can pay attention to certain details to make journeys without a battery more comfortable.
A key factor is the weight of the bike: the lighter it is, the easier it will be to propel it by leg power alone. If you plan to ride frequently without a battery, opt for a lightweight frame.
Finally, it's a good idea to compare the different types of motor to find the one that suits you best, whether with or without assistance. Make sure your bike is in perfect condition before every ride, and have it serviced regularly.