Riding an E-bike with a Flat battery

[RuanSw]

Hi all, considering an e-bike for my next purchase.  Question:  can they be ridden with a flat battery?

[ChrisF]

Yes.

 

You could even adjust to zero power assist while riding.

[Zebra]

Yes, you would ‘feel’ the additional weight, obviously, and then some older motors (mine) have a small motor ‘load’ in addition (but less than 5% resistance) given how (some) motors work….

Debate on wether resistance actually exists, but turning a non eBike and eBike upside dow, with chains off to measure, some small extra resistance exists.

But I switch mine down occasionally to zero; very do-able.

Chris

[zeerpuD1]

Yes, you can easily ride without battery assistance. Although I would  keep away from very long steep hills 😁 On my Merida e140 I have done more than 4000km and did over 50% of those with battery in  “off” mode. The “drag” on bikes differ between makes. Merida rides like normal although heavy MTB while my Giant Trance e have a slight “drag” 

Go for it, just check those battery levels while riding and tune the support mode down if need be

[RuanSw]

Thank you Zee!