Range is the number every first-time buyer asks about, and the honest answer is "it depends". Here is exactly what it depends on, and how to work out the real-world distance you will get.
It is the first question almost everyone asks before buying an electric bike: how far will it actually go before I have to charge it? The short answer is that a good fat-tyre e-bike will comfortably cover a real day out, and our bikes publish 60 to 70km of assisted range. The longer answer is worth two minutes, because "range" on a spec sheet and range on your local beach track can be two different numbers.
What "range" really means
Range is the distance an e-bike can travel on one full battery. Manufacturers usually quote a best-case figure: a lighter rider, flat ground, gentle pedal-assist and mild weather. That is a fair benchmark for comparing bikes, but your day-to-day distance moves up or down depending on a handful of things you actually control.
The six things that change your real range
- Throttle vs pedal-assist. Riding on throttle alone is the fastest way to flatten a battery. Add some of your own pedalling and the same charge stretches a long way further.
- Terrain. Soft sand, steep hills and loose gravel ask a lot more of the motor than a flat, hard path.
- Rider and cargo weight. More total weight means more work per kilometre. A loaded esky on the rack counts.
- Assist level. Most e-bikes have low, medium and high assist. Sitting in the highest setting the whole ride uses more charge than mixing it up.
- Tyre pressure. Under-inflated fat tyres drag. Kept at the right pressure they roll more efficiently and give you extra range for free.
- Wind and temperature. A stiff headwind and very cold batteries both shorten a ride. Neither is a fault, it is just physics.
How to read a battery spec (the easy version)
You will see batteries written like 48V 20Ah. Multiply the two numbers together and you get watt-hours (Wh), which is the honest measure of how much energy is on board.
A bigger watt-hour number is a bigger tank. As a rough rule of thumb, plan on roughly 15 to 25km per 250Wh in normal mixed riding, then adjust for the six factors above. It is deliberately a range, not a promise, because your ride is not a lab.
What that looks like across our e-bikes
| Bike | Quoted range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| The Drifter | 60 - 65km | Everyday cruising, beach paths |
| The Strider | Up to 70km | Covering ground, longer rides |
| The Verve | 60 - 65km | Style plus serious pulling power |
Every one of our e-bikes lists its own range on the product page, and the bigger motor options trade a little range for a lot more torque. If you tell us your typical ride, we will help you match the right bike and battery to it.
Five easy ways to get more range
- Pedal along with the motor instead of riding on throttle the whole time.
- Keep your tyres at the recommended pressure.
- Use a lower assist level on the flat and save the high setting for hills.
- Charge fully before a big day, and carry the charger for long trips.
- Keep the battery out of extreme heat and cold when you store it.
This is general guidance to help you compare and plan. Real-world range varies with the factors above, so treat quoted figures as a guide rather than a guarantee. The range shown on each product page is the model's best-case figure.
FAQs
How far can a Makin Memories e-bike go on one charge?
Our fat-tyre e-bikes publish 60 to 70km of assisted riding on a full charge, depending on the model, the motor you choose, the terrain and how much you pedal versus using the throttle. Each product page lists that model's range.
Does using the throttle use more battery than pedalling?
Yes. Riding on throttle alone draws the most power. Adding your own pedalling, even lightly, noticeably extends how far a single charge will take you.
What does 48V 20Ah mean for range?
Multiply volts by amp-hours to get watt-hours, the true measure of battery capacity. 48V x 20Ah is 960Wh, which is a large "tank". As a rough guide, plan on roughly 15 to 25km per 250Wh in mixed riding, then adjust for terrain, weight and assist level.
Will cold weather reduce my e-bike range?
A little. Batteries deliver slightly less on very cold days and a strong headwind also shortens a ride. Storing the battery at a moderate temperature and charging it indoors helps you get its full range.