Distance strategy

[Slowdirt]

Hi

I run a Cannondale Jekyll with 250w Bafang motor and 17.5Kw battery. Last year I entered a 45Km race and made it to 40Km before the battery gave out and I pedalled the last 5Km with other riders streaming past me! This year I have entered a multi-day event which has up to 60Km days and a rule that you cannot carry extra batteries. My question is, what strategy do you use to conserve power to the end - do you turn off the assist on downhills? - limit to level one on the flat? get off and push up really steep snotty hills? I have already spent a bit more $ on a "better" named battery so that may make a difference to the standard Ali Express one I got with the kit.

Any suggestions welcomed!

Thanks

 

[steve_sordy]

If I needed to go as far as possible with my existing bike, without making any mechanical mods like tyres, tyre pressures and gears, then I would adjust the settings on the motor. I have a Shimano EP8 and I can limit the max torque (and therefore maximum power for any given cadence). I can also reduce how fast the power comes on line (slower acceleration). I have done this on Profile 2, so all I have to do is to engage it. Profile 1 contains my "max fun" settings.

I believe that switching off the motor for downhill sections is a waste of time, if you need the power, you need it, not after fiddling about for the "on" button and waiting for it to start up and all whilst avoiding pedalling to apply torque during start up. There is also the risk of having an off while you are at it.
Similarly, pushing up hill will be guaranteed to lose you the race and tire you out in the process.

The best thing of course is to get fitter, so that you can maintain a decent speed in lower power modes. I rarely use Boost except for a brief period to get up those short and difficult climbs. If I was in the habit of using Boost, my legs would be weaker for sure,

 

[Madonas]

Another strategy is to reduce the chain ring from 34 or 36 tooth to 30 to 32 tooth. And you can turn power level down .
This is easier on your legs will draw less power on the motor modes.
Of course top speed will be reduced but you will still be able to git the cut off speed of 32 km/h ( 20 mph).
While all name brand motors are not equally efficient, my guess is bafang motors are not all that efficient. I don't know how tunable bafang motors are as well