Top 10 Riding Tips for Road e-Bikes

Written by: Rémy Rossi | November 21, 2024 | Time to read 5 min

Exploring the road on an electric bike means you can go faster and farther than before, so it’s a good idea to have enough snacks and water. Riding an electric bike is still serious exercise and you don’t want to be caught out “bonking” in the middle of a ride with no way to get your energy levels back up. Stash a few bars, gels, or homemade snacks in your jersey pocket or saddle bag, and make sure you have a couple of water bottles.

Road cycling is enjoyable solo but is much more fun in a group. Long flat stretches and painful climbs are much more palatable with a few riding mates to talk to and encourage each other. You’ll discover new routes and make new friends, and that mid- or post-ride coffee stop is a buzzing social meeting. If your cycling buddies are faster than you, road e-Bikes make it easy to keep up with stronger riders.

Despite the odd name, clipless cycling shoes actually clip into the pedals (replacing the traditional toe clips and straps). And just like padded bike shorts, these special shoes can be a major upgrade to your riding experience. Being clipped into and having your feet attached to the bike can feel like a weird concept, but it encourages more efficient and comfortable pedaling. They’ll take some getting used to and every roadie will fall once or twice at the beginning, but you’ll fall in love with clipless pedals.

Have a good understanding of the pedal assist modes of your road e-Bike in order to optimize your battery range and riding experience. Some models even allow you to customize each pedal assist level if you require more or less power. Riding in the lower levels means you’ll have to work a bit more but you’ll save battery and can enjoy longer range. The toggle switch is there to be used, so there’s no need to stick to a single pedal assist level as you ride. 

Cornering on a road bike requires a bit more attention since their narrow tires mean there’s less grippy rubber making contact with the pavement. Compared to an eMTB or other electric off-road bike, road bike tires are significantly skinnier. Avoid braking during a corner and brake well before the turn instead. Some e-Bike riders delay their acceleration out of a corner slightly to avoid the motor engaging while the bike is still in the corner, which could throw off handling. 

Electric bike motors work together with a rider’s own pedaling power to provide a natural-feeling boost. Pedaling at an optimal cadence of about 80-100 rpm will help keep you and your e-Bike’s motor operating in their ideal efficiency windows. Shifting to the right gear and maintaining a fluid cadence will help extend battery life and prevent the motor from overheating.