Are Electric Bikes Good for Hills?

Though the United States was a little slow to jump on the e-bike bandwagon, electric bikes are now rapidly gaining momentum among riders of all skill levels and age groups throughout the U.S. But for adventurous riders and outdoor bikers, the biggest question is whether electric bikes–such as our cafe cruiser e-bike–can handle going up steep hills. 

The answer is yes–if rocky terrains and steep hills are a barrier to your lofty cycling ambitions, look no further. Although some bicyclists are intimidated by tackling steep hills, e-bikes are especially suited to this purpose. Electric bikes are the perfect ride for cruising up every incline, with the extra power that the pedal-assist motor delivers. 

Still, even with the helpful pedal-assist feature, you are still required to put in some effort when riding–but an e-bike will take most of the strenuous work out of the equation. On the other hand, if you want to set yourself up for a more rigorous challenge, you can try riding up a hill on low-power mode to burn some calories. Using the low-power mode will also save your battery capacity, allowing you to ride longer distances for longer periods of time. 

Does the Motor Type Matter?

If you want to pursue hill riding as a challenge on your e-bike, the motor type of your bike can play an important role. A more powerful motor will, of course, give you more of an edge on the climbs. 

E-bikes with middrive motors are more powerful, so these will make the most obvious difference. Others, such as those with hub-drive motors, tend to be less powerful, but they can still give enough boost to ride smoothly. 

Even if you have a motor that is not particularly powerful, though, an e-bike will still give you a significant advantage over a regular bike. The beauty of an e-bike is that you control how much effort you want to put in. 

Another advantage of an e-bike while climbing hills is that you can use your gears. Combining gears with the bike’s power mode gives you additional control over your ride. 

Does the Type of E-Bike Matter?

Because the various classes of e-bikes have different power levels and maximum speeds, the type of e-bike you choose does make a difference when climbing hills. For instance, road e-bikes and mountain bikes are more specifically geared towards offering a smooth and efficient cycling experience; on the other hand, urban e-bikes that offer an upright cycling position may be less efficient when riding up a hill. 

But ultimately, it all comes down to the type of motor and the top speed of the bike. If you’ve got a sturdy ride with a powerful motor, factors like the cycling position become less important. Of course, for all e-bike questions and concerns, the experts at Ride1UP are ready to help and make sure you find the perfect electric bike model to fit your needs!

Wondering if electric bikes are good for the environment? Take a look at our latest post.