Rad Power Bikes eBike Torque: How much do I need?

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The beauty of an eBike is that it can power up hills and give you the freedom to go places you never imagined going before! But how much motor torque do you need?
Many factors play into how much motor torque is needed. This video reviews the basic physics of eBiking, using the Rad Power Bikes offerings as examples (RadCity, RadRover, RadMini, RadRunner, and RadMission), to give you a better idea of which eBike you should purchase.

[@sammoses9536]

OMG, this is EXACTLY what I've been asking. I'm a newbie, shopping for my first ebike, with a specific hill I need to climb every day. NO ONE out there, not on youtube, not among manufacturers, is doing anything other than guesstimating. I'm like ... I'm a complete newbie, I don't know squat, and I'm already asking questions (e.g. to Luna) that are over your head? I'm not great at physics, but I can plug numbers into formulas. I struggle with phone apps as simple as google maps. But I'll somehow calculate my slope, and follow your formula carefully, and figure out what I need. I suspect it will be a very light bike with 90-120 Nm, like the top Bafangs. You only have 26 subscribers, but I'm pleased to make it 27. Listen, I know physics doesn't trump seat-of-the-pants, but like you said at the beginning, you can't comparison test a dozen bikes you might be considering, and this is WAY better than the info that's out there.

[@tyecook9630]

Well I'm no rocket doctor and found this kinda confusing but one thing I know fer sure is that I love my new radmission and it's just pure joy to ride again!...I don't overthink it, I just pedal and grin!☺

[@wyndward]

Thank you for contributing to the conversation about e-bike watts vs torque for effective hill climbs 👍

[@moderndaypirate8931]

I’ve got some really tedious hills that kill my momentum. I’m looking at an electric mtb. I’ll definitely measure the hills.

[@cameronturk4388]

I’m getting an Electric Mountain Bike too. I’m getting a Scott Aspect E-Ride 940 soon (already put a deposit on it from my local bike seller) which has got a Bosch Active Line Plus Motor and only 50NM of Torque. I’m hoping that will be enough. I live in a little bit of a hilly area but not too hilly.

[@DearSX]

Great video, thanks

[@p1j2]

Unfortunately, all of this information is purely theoretical, and none of it is accurate in the real world. First, Chinese ebike motor torque specs are notoriously overrated. Shenygi's specs are typically not as egregiously out of line as Bafang's, but the direct drive Shengyi motor in your bike that Rad claims to have 40nm will measure in the high 20's. The "80nm" Bafang motor in the other Rad bikes will measure around 40nm. Second, torque is not flat across a motor's speed range. The listed torque is at 0 rpm and very low speeds, and drops off when the motor is turning faster. At 20mph, your motor will only be generating about half its maximum torque. Therefore, your calculations for 20mph are way off.

[@lostwarhead]

can a bike have a 500W motor but have less torque than a 350W motor?

[@김형준-u3x]

gear ratio

[@hambernat6444]

Acceleration doesnt count? When calc from stopped?

[@jeffkopp6046]

Great info, thanks

[@easyebike1541]

Sure! Hope this helped in some way.

[@waterfull2907]

Thanks:)👍🙂

[@thetruth5791]

80nm if you way inn at 70kilo 85with more kilo

[@thetruth5791]

E+3 80nm med 75kilo more then STRONG 4 my Weight

[@francoscioli9078]

Metric Please.

[@GaryFujiokaSr]

This is a faulty scooter, not ebike analysis. No factor for gravity or inertia? If you don’t want to pedal a bike, just buy a scooter or motorcycle.

[@dtvt8421]

zzzzz