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Getting your first Bodywel e-bike feels straightforward. The battery is charged, the helmet is on, and the controls look simple. If you already know how to ride a bike, it’s tempting to think everything will feel the same.
In reality, it mostly does — but not completely. That small difference matters. Electric bikes carry more weight, deliver power differently, and respond in ways that can catch new riders off guard. These aren’t things you usually find highlighted in the manual, but they make a real difference once you’re on the road.
Below are six practical observations that experienced riders learn quickly — and beginners usually learn the hard way.
On a traditional bike, stopping your pedaling immediately reduces speed. But for ebike, one of the first things new riders notice is that motor assistance doesn’t disappear instantly.
The delay is short, but it can be noticeable in emergency situations. If you accidentally pedal while you're panic, the motor will be activated and continue to operate.
What helps:
Most electric bicycles are designed that, the motor assist immediately shuts off as soon as you touch the brake. Think of it as a quick power cut-off, very useful when you need precise control.
At any time, when you are driving slowly or fast, turning in a narrow area, or waiting at an intersection, you should keep fingers on the brake lever.
Changing gears while riding uphill is common on normal bikes. On an e-bike, doing the same thing under heavy motor load can put unnecessary stress on the drive train.
Many riders only realize this after hearing a few unpleasant noises during steep climbs. This is not a good sign. It usually means the chain is under excessive tension or the gear change wasn't successful.
What helps:
Planning gear changes slightly earlier helps. We don't recommend shifting on a steep incline. It's better to get off the bike and use the pushing-assist mode to push the e-bike uphill.
If you do need to shift gears while climbing, please pedal the ebike wheel softly, then make a shift, and you can resume pedaling smoothly.
Because e-bikes weigh more, they can feel unstable at very low speeds — especially when turning tightly or riding at walking pace. Many new riders instinctively put a foot down, which can actually make balance worse.
What helps:
Use a technique often called “drag braking.” Apply light pressure to the rear brake while gently pedaling.
It feels counterintuitive, but the balance between motor power and braking force creates stability. Once you get used to it, slow turns feel much more controlled.
If you’ve ever watched your battery level drop suddenly during a steep climb — only to recover moments later — you’re not imagining things. This behavior is normal and related to how batteries respond under heavy load.
What helps:
Don’t judge remaining range while climbing or accelerating hard. For a more accurate reading, check the battery level on flat ground or when stopped. That’s when the display reflects your real remaining capacity.
Tire pressure is another area where assumptions don’t always hold up. Many riders inflate their tires to the highest pressure listed on the sidewall, assuming it improves efficiency. On heavier e-bikes, this can make the ride unnecessarily harsh.
What helps:
Running slightly lower tire pressure improves grip and absorbs road vibrations better. Since the motor assists your effort, you won’t lose much speed, but comfort and control improve noticeably — especially on rough pavement.
After riding fast ebike for a long time at a quiet, smooth speed of up to 25 km/h, it's easy to forget how fast you're actually going. It's the same as driving on an empty highway and then habitually pressing the accelerator when you in the city.
There's nothing inherently right or wrong about this, but riders should control the speed on city streets. You're riding an ebike, you don't have as much protection as you would in a car.
What helps:
Ride defensively. Assume drivers haven’t seen you, and give yourself extra braking distance. E-bikes take longer to stop due to their weight, so begin slowing earlier than you would on a traditional bike.
Most of these things don’t stand out on the first ride. They show up gradually — after a few commutes, a couple of hills, or one awkward low-speed turn. That’s usually when riders start adjusting how they brake, shift, and pace themselves.
None of it is complicated, and none of it takes away from the fun. It simply changes how you approach the ride. Once those habits settle in, the bike feels predictable and easier to handle, even in situations that felt uncomfortable at the beginning.
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