Tips for Riding your Pedal AWD II
These are some simple tips and lessons I have learned after getting a Pedal Electric AWD II earlier this year.
When Building Your Bike, Be Sure to Check the Pedal Website
In general, bike assembly is pretty simple. That being said the manual that was sent with my bike was inaccurate and contained instructions for installing the wheel with a skewer instead of the bolts and spacer it actually came with. The manual also left out how to install the front fender, not a big deal since it was easy to figure.
Even though it was mostly easy to figure out, the Pedal website contains some helpful videos around building the bike that can be found here.
Here is the specific video for the AWD II (looks like one for the III has been posted as well)
Address Common Build Problems With a Semi-official Pedal Electric YouTube Channel
An entire YouTube channel of extremely helpful videos done by one of the bike techs named Agustin is not referenced on the site. The videos explain how to address and fix common issues, such as lowering the default battery power to improve efficiency.
The channel can be found here. Thanks, Agustin!
Start Out and Cruise in Single-Motor
This tip will become obvious pretty quickly! There are three modes: Rear (left), AWD (middle), and front (right). If you start out in AWD, as in both motors on, you will most likely burn out.
Always start out in single and then switch to dual. On that note though, AWD will put a serious dent in your battery range. Cruise in single-motor unless you’re heading up a hill or in a spot where it's beneficial to keep up with traffic (ie merging into traffic ).
Avoid Hills if You Can
In some areas, it's inevitable that you’re going to need to go up or down a hill. I have several on my commute to work in the suburbs of Seattle but I avoid them when I can.
Going uphill uses a TON of battery power. Sure, you’ll go right up to some pretty steep hills in AWD, but it is going to cost you a ton of juice.
Going downhill also costs you a ton in brake wear. It’s a heavy bike and it takes a lot of skin to bring you to a stop or slow you down. Your stopping distance is also a lot longer than a normal bike.
Use Pedal Assist vs Throttle Only
Using throttle only is another cause of “battery anxiety”. When cruising, I typically do a nice, slow, consistent pedal with the assist at the halfway mark (+/- buttons on the gauge). When done correctly, you should feel a minimal amount of resistance in the pedals and maintain a consistent speed. On average, a rotation of the pedals should take 3 seconds.
It takes a few minutes of practice, but you’ll find the sweet spot with pedaling will give you a nice 20-24mph cruising speed and you’ll gain some battery range. This is especially true with hills.
Use Gears 5–7 for Efficiency
Keep your bike in gears 5–7 for optimal battery efficiency unless you’re pedaling without assistance.
Get a Nice Helmet, GoPro and Handlebar Mount
If you’re traveling on the road in an urban or city environment I highly recommend using a GoPro as a dashcam as a CYA. Mounting the GoPro to your Pedal is rather simple.
You’re traveling pretty fast out there and if a car was to pull in front of you it’s going to hurt! A good helmet is a must — I use a POC Kortal. The biggest thing is to use a helmet with MIPS that covers most of your head. You wouldn’t be out of line investing in a full motorcycle-style helmet either. The more protection the better! Thousand helmets are also quite popular in my area.
Example Ride and Full Review
Thinking of buying one? Here is an example ride so you can see what it’s like!
When the bike is working well, it's for sure a fun ride and a great way to get to work if your place of employment is 8–10 miles away. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that my experience with Pedal has been on the stressful side and I think I got a lemon, but I could be an outlier who got unlucky. It would have also helped if I was in LA and could take the bike to the Pedal shop versus having to go back and forth with a third-party bike shop.
Here is my full review:
