How to Make Your Ebike Faster: The Complete Performance Guide

Electric bikes are already fast, efficient, and fun — but riders often wonder if there’s a way to make their ebike even faster. Whether you want stronger acceleration, more top speed, or better performance on hills, the good news is: yes, you can make your ebike feel faster in multiple safe and legal ways.

But there’s also a lot of confusion online. Some tips are outdated. Some are unsafe. Some are outright illegal depending on where you live. This guide breaks everything down clearly, helping you boost performance without damaging your motor, voiding your warranty, or violating local ebike regulations.

First: Understand What Actually Controls Ebike Speed

Before jumping into upgrades, you need to know the factors that truly determine an ebike’s speed:

1. Motor power & torque (W / Nm)

750W motors with 80–90Nm torque accelerate faster and climb better than 500W motors.

2. Sensor system (Torque vs Cadence)

Torque sensors respond instantly → better acceleration.

Cadence sensors feel laggy → slower takeoff.

3. Battery voltage (36V vs 48V vs 52V)

Higher voltage = stronger acceleration and better top speed regulation.

4. Controller limits

Even a powerful motor is capped by firmware for safety and compliance (Class 1, 2, 3 rules).

5. Tire size, pressure, and tread

Underinflated or aggressive tread = slower bike.

6. Rider + cargo weight

More weight = slower acceleration.

Knowing these lets you safely improve speed without breaking anything.

Legal Ways to Make Your Ebike Faster

1. Unlock Your Class 3 Pedal-Assist Mode (If Your Bike Supports It)

Most modern ebikes (including Velotric) come with adjustable Class settings:

• Class 2 → Up to 20 mph
• Class 3 → Up to 28 mph (pedal assist)

Switching to Class 3 instantly increases top speed. This is the safest, easiest, fully legal method.

But only where Class 3 is permitted. Some U.S. states restrict Class 3 usage on certain paths. Always check your local rules.

2. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

Low tire pressure creates rolling resistance — your ebike feels slower even though the motor is doing the same work.

Recommended: 80–90% of the max PSI for speed-focused riding.

Fastest setup:

• Smooth or semi-slick tires
• Standard width instead of fat-tire tread

3. Reduce Total Weight on the Bike

The weight of your ebike can significantly impact its speed. A lighter bike can accelerate faster and maintain higher speeds more efficiently.

Identify Weight Reduction Opportunities

• Frame Materials: Consider the material of your ebike's frame. Aluminum and carbon fiber frames are lighter than steel and can reduce the overall weight.
• Accessories and Extras: Remove any non-essential accessories, like heavy panniers or unused racks, that add unnecessary weight to your e-bike.

Upgrading to Lightweight Components

Lighter components can make a big difference. Swapping out for lighter wheels and tires helps because they take less effort to get moving. This means you can speed up quicker and keep a high pace more easily. Also, as tech gets better, batteries and motors are becoming lighter. Keep an eye out for the latest models that offer this weight savings without cutting down on power. These upgrades can help your bike feel nimbler and respond faster on your rides.

The Benefits of Weight Reduction

Reducing your ebike's weight has a two-fold benefit:

• You'll notice an immediate difference in how quickly you can get up to speed.
• You'll potentially increase your range, as it takes less energy to move a lighter object, putting less strain on your battery with each ride.

4. Keep Your Drivetrain Clean & Lubricated

A dirty chain can reduce speed by 5–10%. Grit increases friction → motor works harder → you go slower.

Clean + lube every 150–200 miles.

5. Use Torque Sensor Mode (If Available)

Velotric’s SensorSwap™ gives you the option to ride with torque-sensing behavior.

Torque sensing:

• Stronger takeoff
• Faster acceleration
• More natural power response

Cadence sensing feels delayed by nature.

Advanced Performance Tips (Safe & Legal)

1. Upgrade Your Ebike Motor

Revving up the motor is one of the most direct routes to a faster ebike. Here's how it can make a difference:

Understanding Motor Power

Your ebike's motor is measured in watts, and generally, more watts mean more speed. Most standard ebikes come with motors ranging from 250 to 750 watts. If you're eyeing that fast ebike category, consider upgrading to a motor with higher wattage within the legal limits of your area.

Considering a higher-wattage upgrade? Explore the Velotric Nomad 2X Fat Tire Ebike, equipped with a 750W motor and full-suspension comfort.

Choosing the Right Motor

When selecting a new motor, look for one that fits your bike's specifications and your riding needs. For instance, a 500-watt motor offers a good balance between speed and efficiency. If you want to make your ebike faster without going extreme, this could be a sweet spot.

Installation Tips

• Compatibility: Check that the new motor fits your ebike's current setup.
• Professional Help: Unless you're handy with ebike tech, having a professional install the motor ensures safety and performance.
• Legal Limits: Be aware of the legal speed and power limits for ebikes in your region to avoid fines or restrictions.

While more power means more speed, it also means quicker battery drainage, so balance your need for speed with the range you require.

2. Battery Boost

The battery is the heart of your ebike's power system, and giving it a boost can lead to better performance.

Increased Voltage

A higher voltage battery can supercharge your ebike, resulting in quicker acceleration and a higher top speed. If your motor is the muscle, think of the battery as the energy drink that keeps it going stronger and longer.

Higher Capacity Battery

When shopping for a new battery:

• Look for one with a higher amp-hour (Ah) rating, which translates to more energy storage and longer riding times between charges.
• Ensure the battery is compatible with your motor and fits securely in your e-bike's designated space.

Maintain Your Battery

To get the most out of your battery and keep your ebike running faster for longer:

• Regularly charge the battery, avoiding complete discharging.
• Store the battery in a cool, dry place to extend its lifespan.
• Monitor the battery's health and replace it if you notice a significant drop in performance.

3. Adjust Your Ebike's Controller Settings

The controller on your ebike dictates how power is delivered from the battery to the motor. Fine-tuning this can effectively make your ebike faster while enhancing the overall ride quality.

Understanding Your Controller

The ebike controller moderates the current flow from the battery to the motor. It manages aspects like speed limit, acceleration rate, and pedal assist levels. A well-adjusted controller can mean smoother acceleration and more responsive handling, contributing to a sensation of greater speed.

Adjusting for Performance

• Speed Settings: Some controllers come with built-in speed limits to comply with local laws. If it's safe and legal to do so, adjusting these settings can unleash higher speeds.
• Acceleration Profiles: Modify how quickly your bike accelerates. A sharper acceleration curve can make your ebike jump off the line quicker.
• Pedal Assist Calibration: For those with pedal-assist systems, fine-tuning the sensitivity can lead to more efficient power usage and a zippier response.

Safety First

Before you start adjusting your ebike's controller, make sure what you're doing is allowed by law. Be careful not to push your motor and battery too hard to avoid damage. It might be a good idea to get help from a professional who knows how to safely speed things up while making sure your ebike lasts a long time.

5. Modify Gear Ratios for Speed

By adjusting or upgrading your gears, you can fine-tune your ebike's performance to better suit your need for speed.

Understand Gear Ratios

• The Basics: Your ebike's gear ratio is the relationship between the number of teeth on the front chainring and the rear cog. A higher gear ratio means more speed but requires more pedaling effort, while a lower gear ratio means easier pedaling but less speed.
• Finding Balance: It's important to find a middle ground that provides enough acceleration to reach a high top speed without making it too strenuous to pedal.

Adjust Your Ebike's Gears

Fitting a bigger chainring can give you a higher gear ratio. This means you could go faster on flat roads. But if you choose a cassette with smaller cogs, it'll be great for speed but might make hill climbing tougher. These gear changes can really help if you're looking to make your rides quicker and more efficient on long stretches of road.

Professional Input

• Consult an Expert: Changing gear ratios isn't always straightforward and can affect your ebike's handling. Consulting with a bike mechanic can ensure that any changes made are appropriate and safe for your specific model.
• Compatibility Check: Ensure that your ebike's motor can handle the new gear ratios without overloading.

6. Upgrade to Faster-Rolling Tires

If you ride mostly pavement, consider switching from knobby or fat tires to lighter tread patterns.

This improves:

• Top cruising speed
• Battery efficiency
• Rolling feel

7. Adjust Your Riding Posture for Aerodynamics

Wind resistance is the #1 limiter once you pass 18–20 mph.

Lower your shoulders a bit → You’ll instantly gain ~1 mph with no mechanical changes.

What NOT to Do (Dangerous or Illegal “Hacks” to Avoid)

Many viral “ebike hack” videos are misleading or damaging. Avoid these:

✘ Cutting speed limiter wires

This voids your warranty, breaks UL certification, and risks motor burn-out.

✘ Installing a mismatched controller

Can cause overheating, electrical failure, or battery damage.

✘ Overvolting the battery (e.g., using a 52V battery on a 48V motor)

This can permanently destroy the motor and controller.

✘ Buying cheap aftermarket motors

They usually lack UL certification (fire risk).

If your bike is UL 2849 / UL 2271 certified, any unauthorized electrical modification removes that safety protection.

For Velotric owners, stick to Class 3 unlock — it’s fully safe and compliant.

How Velotric Bikes Are Designed to Deliver Faster Real-World Riding

Velotric ebikes — especially models like the Nomad 2X, Discover 2, and Summit 1 — include built-in performance features that make them feel faster in real riding without illegal modification:

• 750W motors with strong torque curves
• 90Nm peak torque on top models
• Torque sensing with SensorSwap™
• Optimized Class 3 assist up to 28 mph
• Lightweight frames reducing acceleration lag
• UL-certified systems designed for safe high-output performance

Velotric’s “fast feel” doesn’t come from hacks — it comes from engineering.

Final Thoughts: The Smart Way to Make Your Ebike Faster

You don’t need risky hacks or illegal modifications to boost your ebike’s performance. In fact, most riders see bigger improvements from basic maintenance, tire optimization, battery management, and unlocking Class 3 (where legal).

If you want maximum acceleration and faster-feeling riding without compromising safety, look for features like:

• High-torque motors
• Torque sensors
• Class 3 tuning
• Lightweight frames
• Quality drivetrain components

Modern brands like Velotric build these performance advantages in naturally — so your ebike feels fast right out of the box.