Riding an e-bike is just like riding a bike. Well, almost.
There are just a few additional features and settings that you have to keep in mind when hopping on a battery powered two-wheeler and heading out. Which is why we’ve pulled together this list of e-bike tips and tricks that’ll help you ride like a pro, even if it’s your second time ever putting pedal assist to use. With a mix of general bike upkeep and tactics for the most battery conserving ride, these e-bikes tips and tricks should be easy to remember and even easier to put into use.
E-Bike Tips and Tricks
1. Avoid Letting Your Battery Die Entirely
We also recommend heading out for a ride with a full battery charge, for your maximum enjoyment and safety, which is why it’s so useful to get in the habit of charging after each ride. It can take anywhere from 4 to 5 hours to get a full charge and you never want to leave your battery plugged in (and left unattended) for more than 12 hours.
Yes, your battery pack requires quite a bit of extra thought and care, but it’s worth it, since your Bluejay wouldn’t be quite as fun without it. Learn more about how to care for your e-bike’s battery here.
2. Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly
We know, this definitely isn’t a fun tip or trick. But it’s a relatively easy and quick maintenance that’ll save you a headache down the road. Because no one wants to be stranded in the middle of nowhere, on the side of the road, at the start of a huge hill, with a flat tire.
You might not find it necessary to check your tires before every ride, especially if you’re just taking a spin around the block, but it’s good to get into a regular pressure checking routine. And to make it a requirement before embarking on a really long trek.
Exactly how much air should you be putting in your tires? That information can be found printed on the sidewall of your tire…but it can also depend on where you’ll be riding and what tires you’re riding with. For example, a good rule of thumb for cruising on your Premiere Edition through a city or town streets is between 80 and 130 psi; that number should be a bit lower if you’re taking your Bluejay Sport out to hit the trails.
One more thing: Be sure to use a standard bicycle pump that’s fitted with a Schrader valve attachment with your Bluejay tires. You don’t want to over inflate (or you’ll run the risk of a burst tire) or under inflate (which could lead to loss of control), so stay vigilant with how much air you’re putting in.
3. Stay Seated to Maintain Your Battery Status
Did you know that standing while pedaling can affect how much power your battery needs to provide? So can turning excessively or leaning too intensely.
Since e-bikes naturally have a lower center of gravity, anything that throws off that delicate balance requires your motor to work even harder. This also adds to less stability and in effect, less control you’ll have over the bike.
While you can definitely stand up, stretch those legs a bit and really get into the ride, you might want to keep this in mind towards the end of your day when the battery might be running low on power or on longer trips when saving the battery pack is your key concern. Along with having fun, of course.
4. Go Ahead & Use Pedal Assist On-the-Go
There’s absolutely no need to stop to adjust your pedal assist when exploring (or commuting) on a Bluejay e-bike. We designed our two wheels to offer you the smoothest, most comfortable ride possible, which is why the pedal assist controls are located right on the handlebars. That way it’s simple and easy to add or remove speed with just the press of a button while you cruise around.
When you hit the button to adjust your speed, the power will kick in after just a pedal stroke or two. So get yourself familiar with the feeling of the added boost your Bluejay provides during your first few rides and you’ll be a pedal assist pro in no time.
5. Back Off the Pedals While Hitting Turns
No one wants a damaged bike, which is why you should be really cognizant about pedaling while carving turns. It’s really easy to scrape your gorgeous pedals on the ground while e-biking, especially if you’re really leaning into those curves. The simplest way to avoid these scratches and scrapes is to simply not pedal while you ride out the entirety of a turn.
Keep the pedal on the inside at the noon position and have the pedal facing away from the turn at six o’clock. This will keep those pedals safely out of the ground’s way…or vice versa.
6. But Pedal Faster When Approaching Hills
However, you are going to want to really hit those pedals while you approach hills with pedal assist on. You’ll notice that you won’t have to pedal harder, simply faster. Just make sure you’re in the correct gear to climb the incline and let the pedal assist do what it does best—provide a smooth, powerful ride without too much effort from you.
7. Nail the Smooth Stop
If you want to extend the life of your brakes and your brake pads, this is an important tip to keep in mind. Smooth, even stopping—with a light touch—will not only make for a more enjoyable ride but it’s also a good practice to ensure the health of your bike. While you should always cycle as safely as possible, it’s also best to use your brakes only when you need them and avoid hard stopping when you’re not in an emergency situation. When it’s possible, try coasting at very low speeds rather than coming to a full stop (again, only when it’s safe to do so.
This focus on better braking will also improve your e-bike’s energy levels. Think about it, if you are braking more often than you need to, you’re using a lot of energy to regain speed and get cruising once again.
Want to learn more about Bluejay Bikes? Visit our website here. We also offer plenty of info on how to maintain your bike and best practices for riders on our Owner’s Portal, found here.
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