Can I modify my cheap folding electric bike to pedal faster?
07-19-12, 07:03 PM
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Can I modify my cheap folding electric bike to pedal faster?
I have a super cheap folding electric bike (paid $179 for the whole thing). I knew when I got it that it's top speed was 10 MPH, but it didn't realize just how slow that was, and figured I could pedal too. But pedaling as fast as my legs can go only gets it slightly faster than the motor. Is there a way to be able to pedal faster? I'm thinking replace one of the cogs with a bigger one, but which? (Front or back?) I have an old huffy road bike that I can chop up for parts. It doesn't matter if it's hard to get going from a dead stop, because I have the motor.
07-19-12, 08:16 PM
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You need a smaller rear cog or a larger front chainring. should be doable. If you have a rear coaster brake it may be hard to switch out the rear cog.
If you change the size of the chainring by 10 percent you will go 10% faster (if you pedal the same speed). Which is about one MPH in your case. a more dramatic change would be more useful.
If you change the size of the chainring by 10 percent you will go 10% faster (if you pedal the same speed). Which is about one MPH in your case. a more dramatic change would be more useful.
07-20-12, 09:42 AM
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If it's really cheap, you may not be able to change the size of the front chainring but that is what I would try first because it is easy and cheap.
07-20-12, 01:23 PM
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Well it looks like the front chainring uses the same bolt system as the huffy, so I'll try swapping them today and see what happens. Thanks for the help!
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