Collection: Fast E-Bikes

We love speed and all things fast. We’ve all jumped on a bike, scooter, or skateboard at the top of a steep hill, thrown caution to the wind and bombed down the slope to feel the rush of wind in our hair and the blood pumping through our bodies. It’s a rite of passage that stays with us, and even as we grow older, the call of going as fast as we possibly can never truly goes away.

Speed is fun, and that is no different when it comes to electric bikes. If you’re after a high-velocity thrill that brings back your childhood memories, a fast ebike is ideal for you.

On the other hand, fast e-bikes have more powerful motors, and with that extra power comes additional torque. This is great if you’re going to be climbing a lot of hills, or hauling large amounts of luggage and equipment when you cycle.

All states impose a speed limit on electric bikes, although that limit varies from state-to-state. Some states, such as Victoria, have more extensive laws that state your e-bike motor should cut out at 25 KPH, so if you want to go faster, you have to pedal harder. Others place restrictions on the overall motor power output.

In any case, it’s not illegal to own a fast e-bike, particularly if you’re going to be using it on private land. The laws relate more to how you use your electric bike. Like using any vehicle on public roads, you have to observe speed limits and make sure you comply with local laws.

Most e-bikes in Australia are limited to a 25 KPH speed limit. Retailers in Australia often won’t stock anything that can go faster, so manufacturers impose a factory limit on speed.

Because of this, anything that can go over 25 KPH can be considered ‘fast,’ or at very least faster than normal.

The range of e-bikes at Electric Kicks are capable of going speed from a law-abiding 25 KPH to an enjoyable 50 KPH, so whether you want something that just helps you get from A to B with half the effort, or you want something with a bit more punch, you’ll find it at Electric Kicks.

Truthfully, speed should be one of your last considerations. A fast e-bike is great, but to be a truly valuable addition to your inventory of transport methods, it needs to do more than just get from A to B quickly.

Range

Fast e-bikes have more powerful motors that draw more power from the battery. Opening up the proverbial cannons on your e-bike will drain your battery even faster, which increases the risk of running out of power in the middle of a ride.

A fast e-bike should also have a high-capacity battery capable of handling the motor’s power (or at very least, a swappable battery you can change when the first one runs out).

Weight

More powerful motors are heavier, and once you factor in the larger battery required to power those motors, the weight of a fast e-bike can quickly add up.

Always remember that sometimes a less powerful e-bike can actually go just as fast or even faster than a more powerful e-bike because of the difference in unit weight. For example, a 20KG bike with a 500W motor will be able to go just as fast as a 35 KG bike with a 750W motor. It’s important you know this because you don’t necessarily need to go for a higher motor power to get a fast electric bike. Sometimes just choosing something a few kilos lighter can get you a faster ride.

Brakes

Going fast is great, but being able to curb that speed and come to a stop quickly is important too. Electric bikes don’t have regenerative braking in the same way electric scooters do, so you need to ensure you have powerful brakes. At a minimum, choose mechanical brakes, but for the best stopping power, focus on e-bikes with hydraulic disc brakes.

Local Laws

Gunning around private land is one thing, but try it on a public road and the Police tend to frown on that sort of stuff.

Australian laws on e-bike use vary for each state, and those laws change frequently. Always make sure that you know whether your e-bike is legally allowed to be ridden on public roads before you ride, and if so, make sure you know the laws to which you need to adhere.

Practicality

As we’ve already covered, the more powerful the e-bike, generally the heavier it becomes. To avoid making e-bikes too heavy, manufacturers try to curb weights elsewhere in the bike. There are a number of ways they can do this, but three of the most common methods include removing suspension, using lighter wheels (hereby limiting the bike to on-road use) and using lighter frames.

This affects ride comfort and can reduce the overall carry capacity of the e-bike, so when purchasing a fast electric bike from a reputable supplier, make sure that the bike is actually capable of handling the type of riding you expect to be doing.