range is really a simple equation for eBikes. power available (battery size), efficiency (there’s a small range here, as long as you keep the motor in the sweet spot of speed), and power required to go the speed you want to go. that’s the big variable. by FAR the largest force acting up cyclists on level ground is drag from the air, so the longest “range” eBike is the one with the largest battery that allows a comfortable low-drag riding position, skinny, smooth tires, etc. such a bike ridden on level ground at low speed with a reasonable contribution from the rider will go very, very far. on the drops on a road bike it only takes 100 watts to go 16mph. If the rider provides 50 watts (which is nothing, practically ghost pedaling!) and the bike provides 50, a 500wh battery would last 10 hours, and you’d go 160 miles without breaking a sweat.
fat knobby tires sitting straight up trying to go 25mph, same 50w rider input, it would take 10 times the power from the bike. you’d go 25 miles, in one hour, and then the battery would be dead.
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