How to Enhance Your E-Bike’s Performance
Real-World Tips from London’s E-Bike Experts
E-bikes have changed the way we move through our cities, offering a cleaner, faster, and often more enjoyable alternative to crowded trains or sitting in traffic. But just like any high-performance machine, your electric bike needs a little love and attention to keep running at its best.
Whether you’re gliding through Clapham on a VanMoof or tackling your daily commute on a Surly, there are smart and simple ways to boost your bike’s performance—without breaking the bank.
In this post, we’ll walk through key ways to enhance your e-bike’s speed, reliability, battery life, and comfort through upgrades, maintenance, and a few clever tech tweaks.
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Let’s start with one of the most overlooked performance boosters: software updates. Most modern e-bikes, especially VanMoof and Surly are loaded with smart tech. That means firmware updates can improve everything from motor efficiency to app connectivity and battery performance.
We’ve seen countless bikes come through our workshop with glitches that could’ve been fixed with a simple update. In some cases, older firmware can even limit power delivery or cause false error codes. That’s why we always recommend checking your app regularly for available updates—or letting us handle it during your service appointment.
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Not every upgrade is about adding carbon fibre or chasing speed. Sometimes the best enhancements are practical ones that improve comfort, control, or long-term reliability.
Here are a few rider-approved upgrades to consider:
Hydraulic Brakes – If your bike has mechanical disc brakes, upgrading to hydraulic improves braking feel and stopping power, essential for busy urban roads.
Tubeless Tyres – Say goodbye to flats. Tubeless setups reduce rolling resistance and improve ride comfort.
Saddle & Handlebar Swaps – A better fit = a better ride. We help riders customise cockpit setups for improved posture and control.
Drivetrain Enhancements – Silent, efficient pedalling can be achieved with the right chainring or even belt-drive conversions on select bikes.
And yes, we also offer custom builds if you want a bike built entirely around your performance goals.
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Your e-bike’s battery isn’t just a power source; it’s a long-term investment. Treat it right, and it’ll give you reliable range and fast acceleration. Treat it wrong, and you’ll be back in the shop sooner than expected.
Here’s how to keep yours in top shape:
Avoid full discharges—stick to charging between 30% and 90%.
Don’t leave it in freezing temperatures overnight (especially not in a shed or car boot).
Keep the charging port clean and dry.
Use only the charger supplied with your bike.
If your VanMoof or Surly isn’t holding a charge like it used to, bring it in. We offer full battery diagnostics and repairs, including port inspections, charge cycle resets, and motor efficiency testing.
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It’s easy to forget that your e-bike is still, well, a bike. And like any mechanical machine, it needs regular TLC.
At Forbidden Cycles, we offer Bronze, Silver, and Gold servicing packages tailored to how (and how often) you ride. Whether you’re hitting the streets daily or only on weekends, routine checks can prevent bigger issues down the line—from battery faults and brake wear to annoying gear skips.
Our team handles everything from:
Brake servicing and pad replacement
App syncing and firmware resets
Drivetrain cleaning and lubrication
Tyre and spoke checks
Frame inspections and fastener tightening
Remember: a £65 tune-up now could save you hundreds in repairs later.
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Sometimes, performance upgrades go beyond tweaking parts - they’re about building a bike that’s truly yours. From the frame up, we help riders design custom bikes in London that match their commute, terrain, and lifestyle.
Want a city cruiser with ultra-light wheels and custom gearing? Or maybe a VanMoof with integrated accessories, upgraded brakes, and a fresh custom paint job? We can do that.
Our custom projects combine form and function—from durable builds for rough commutes to weekend showpieces with real personality.
Keep Your Ride as Sharp as Your Style
An e-bike isn’t just transport—it’s freedom on two wheels. And when you keep it dialled in, it’ll reward you with smooth acceleration, solid range, and effortless control.
Whether you’re riding the streets of South London or shipping your VanMoof from Berlin, Forbidden Cycles is here to keep you rolling stronger for longer.
