Initially, people were sceptical of the capabilities of electric bikes, whether they could work or not on hills or perform well on mountains. But time has proved that electric bikes are more capable than normal bicycles and unlocked more avenues of commuting for riders, like riding on off-roading tracks and mountains.

Electric bikes more or less work in a similar manner on different terrains, but there's a slight difference in how do electric bikes work on hills and on normal terrains.

Let's learn how do e-bikes work on hills and explore the best ENGWE's bikes for downhill and uphill riding and bring home a high-performing ride.

Do Electric Bikes Work on Hills?

How do e bikes work on hills is the most common question asked on different forums and in community discussions of riders. A lot of people who are thinking of planning a vacation trip to take their existing ride along and buy a new mountain bike powered by an electric motor want to know the facts to form their decisions.

Electric bikes like ENGWE L20 Boost come with a torque sensor that makes the working of e-bikes on hills smooth. The sensor attached to the vehicle ensure that when the rider is exerting more force on the pedals to climb the hills, it automatically adjusts the electric motor power and provides more acceleration to keep the ride smooth.

Some e-bikes also come with dedicated sensors or robust frame designs and easy climbing capabilities up to 30° that ensure smooth working on hills.

a person riding a bike on cliff

How do Electric Bikes Work on Hills?

There is no rocket science behind how do electric bikes work on hills because the components of the vehicle more or less remain the same as it is on normal tracks, and the working mechanism is almost the same. For example, you have planned to visit the hills near your city and take your ride to the starting point. When you start exerting force on the pedals while climbing the hills, the speed sensors of your vehicle auto-detect that you are putting more force than usual on the ride.

It automatically increases the acceleration by making the electric motor provide more power and combine it with human force to help riders reach the top of a mountain without getting exhausted or unstable. This is due to the ergonomics-friendly design and lightweight frame material used in production.

  • The Electric Motor Activates Upon Reaching Uphill
  • Torque Sensors Accelerate Power with Auto Detection
  • Human Efforts & Motor Power Works Combinedly to Move Bike Smoothly
  • Battery Keeps the Motor Electrifying to Ensure Smooth Power Flow
  • Swift Gear Shifting Makes the Ride Smooth Until You Reach the Top
  • Pedal Assistance Provides More Acceleration to Make Riders Commute Freely on Steep Slopes

E-Bike Components Complimenting Hilly Rides

If your electric bike is lacking in reliable and high-performing components then there are chances that your e-bike may not perform well on hilly rides. That's why always try to keep in mind the below elements and their specifications to experience how electric bikes work on hills smoothly.

1. Powerful Electric Motor

If your ride is equipped with a less powerful or underperforming electric motor, then it is not possible to enjoy smooth rides. That's why always pick a bike with a minimum 250w, 500w, 750w, or 1000w motor to enjoy high acceleration speed and smooth climbing capabilities.

2. Energy & Weight Efficient Battery

Electric bikes that come with batteries that are too heavy or less efficient, providing low distance covering range, are of no use for riders looking to ride on mountains. Try to buy an e-bike equipped with a lightweight and energy-efficient battery to enjoy a seamless riding experience.

3. Pedal Assistance Sensors

Electric bikes that are equipped with torque, cadence, and other speed sensors provide smooth and more acceleration while climbing steep slopes. When a rider gets pedal assistance from the powerful electric motor, the ride gets smooth and easy, even on rugged terrains.

4. Frame Design & Weight

Smart manufacturers like ENGWE are using aluminium metal to manufacture their bike frames because aluminium is lighter in weight and more durable than steel or other metals. The ergonomics-friendly design also compliments the rides on mountains and provides more stability, and no roll-back feel even on slopes of 50°.

The lighter and more robust the e-bike will be, the more smooth and stable the ride will be on hills.

ENGWE's Top-Selling Mountaineering Electric Bikes to Consider for Buying

We have shortlisted the best 3 mountaineering e-bikes from ENGWE hot picks to help you buy a high-performing, budget-friendly ride for yourself and your loved ones.

1. ENGWE L20 Boost

As the name suggests, it comes with a dedicated power boost button that provides instant acceleration in speed on mountains or steep hills to make the ride smooth.

It is available for just £1,149.00 and is equipped with a powerful 250w electric motor that produces a torque of up to 75 N.m, which is enough to feel thrilling acceleration speed.

You can take this ride anywhere as it comes with fat tyres and an energy-efficient battery that provides a distance covering range of up to 126 Km. Enjoy a seamless riding experience on mountains using its step-thru frame design, torque sensors, and power boost button.

engwe l20 boost e bike for climbing hills

2. ENGWE Engine Pro 2.0

Bring home this high torque outdoor adventure folding e-bike by spending no more than £1,500.00. It comes with an integrated wheel hub motor producing a torque of up to 75 N.m, making the rides smooth and boosted with power on any kind of terrain.

It is a full suspension e-bike that is equipped with a torque sensor and an energy-efficient battery providing a long distance covering range of up to 110 Km on a single charge. Its Shimano Altus 8-speed gears provide instant shift to the low gear required to climb the hill swiftly, and its robust folding frame design gives more stability.

Purchase this high-performing ride and enjoy commuting on mountains and other terrains smoothly.

engwe engine pro 2.0 downhill electric bike

3. ENGWE Engine X26

It is a perfect e-cycle for riders who want to experience aggressive acceleration and thrilling speed, as it is equipped with a high-speed brushless electric motor that produces a torque of up to 70 N.m.

Which is enough to ride with a thrilling speed on steep slopes, off-roading tracks, and gravel roads. Its frame is lightweight and ergonomics friendly, as it is made of aluminium alloy. Riders can ride up to 150 Km on a single charge and climb hills up to 30° without feeling underpowered or unstable while riding.

engwe x26 off road electric bike

Conclusion

After understanding how do electric bikes work on hills, you will surely know that riding smoothly on hills or rough terrains is not that difficult. As a result, electric bikes have now become the top choice of cyclists or environmentally conscious, responsible citizens because of the diverse use cases these bikes are providing, from bringing groceries back home to riding on mountains.

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January 29, 2025