The SEBIKES Guide to Riding Smarter, Not Harder
Getting the most out of your e-bike battery isn’t about riding slower — it’s about riding smarter. At SEBIKES, we see riders every day who unknowingly drain their battery too quickly just by how they ride, shift gears, and use assist levels.
Most of our bikes come with up to 6 levels of pedal assist, and while riding on Level 6 feels amazing, using it constantly can drastically reduce your range. The good news? A few small changes can almost double your battery life.
1. Don’t Ride on Level 6 All the Time
The highest assistance level is designed for:
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Hills
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Heavy loads
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Strong headwinds
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Quick starts
Not for riding on flat roads all day.
✅ Best practice:
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Use assistance levels 2–4 for cruising
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Save Level 5–6 for hills and bursts of speed
Running full assist constantly is like holding full throttle in a car — powerful, but expensive in battery.
2. Use Your Gears Properly (They’re Not Just Decoration)
Your e-bike has gears for a reason.
Low gears reduce battery strain. High gears increase load.
🚴♂️ Smart gear habits:
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Downshift before stopping
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Use low gears when starting
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Shift early before hills
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Avoid pedalling hard in the wrong gear
When your motor doesn’t have to fight you, it lasts longer.
3. Pedal With the Motor — Don’t Just Sit Back
E-bikes aren’t scooters. The rider is part of the system.
If you rely 100% on the motor, the battery works 100% harder.
✅ Tip:
Pedal lightly but consistently — the motor will assist you instead of replace you.
This single change dramatically improves battery health.
4. Maintain Correct Tyre Pressure
Under-inflated tyres = more resistance
More resistance = more battery usage
🔧 Check pressure weekly.
Use the PSI rating printed on your tyre wall as a guide.
A properly inflated tyre = more distance per charge.
5. Reduce Weight Where You Can
The more weight your bike carries, the harder the battery works.
📝 Remove:
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Unnecessary bags
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Heavy locks when not needed
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Accessories you rarely use
Less weight = better range.
6. Avoid Full Throttle Starts
Slamming full assist from a standstill eats battery fast.
✅ Instead:
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Start pedalling
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Then increase assist level smoothly
This reduces power spikes and saves energy over time.
7. Store Your Battery Correctly
When you’re not riding:
✅ Store in a cool, dry place
✅ Keep battery between 30–80% if not used for long periods
❌ Avoid full drain storage
❌ Avoid heat exposure
Heat is the number one killer of battery lifespan.
8. Charge Smart, Not Constantly
You do NOT need to drain your battery before charging.
✅ Top-ups are good
❌ Full drain cycles are not
Avoid leaving the battery on charge overnight every day if it’s already near full.
Final Advice from SEBIKES
Battery life isn’t only about the battery — it’s about the rider.
If you:
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Use assist levels wisely
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Shift correctly
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Maintain your tyres
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Pedal actively
You’ll ride further, charge less, and extend battery life by months (if not years).
