How to operate Ribble e-bikes

'How to operate Ribble e-bikes' is a step-by-step guide to getting your new Ribble e-bike up and running. Our aim is to simplify the instructions to make riding your new e-bike as easy as ....well riding a bike! In this guide, we'll break down the X35+ motor system's functions and features and touch on the companion app. All of which can only help to enhance your e-bike riding enjoyment.

When we first considered branching out into the e-bike market, the brief wasn't simply to create a range of advanced e-bikes. Our aim was to create the lightest range of electric bikes in the world. To maken this happen, we first needed to give devote some considerable time to deciding which propulsion system was best suited to helping us achieve this goal.

Did we opt for a hub-mounted motor or a mid-drive (bottom bracket) motor? Then, of course, there's the battery to consider. Do we mount it internally for a full stealth build or do we go fully accessible with the battery fitted to the underside fo the downtube?

Both systems have their distinct advantages and disadvantages. The hub drive motor, is not quite as powerful as a mid-drive. However, it is often lighter and isn't as prone to wearing out the drivetrain components prematurely, which is something the mid-drive cannot boast. Having decided on a hub drive motor, one system stood head and shoulders above all others - MAHLE's X35.

This advanced motor system was first conceived by a team of engineers and cycle enthusiasts at the German automotive giant MAHLE. If you've not heard of MAHLE before, they are pioneers in the use of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient technology in the motor industry.

But, what was it about this particular system that made us choose it over the others? In truth, there were many key factors that closely matched our vision for the e-bikes of the present and future;

• While the X35 motor system is both light and powerful, it is also extremely compact. Weighing in at just 3.5 kg for the ENTIRE system.
• Combine this market-leading weight with a 250 watt motor and you have the perfect blend of power and weight. A bike that's so light you can ride it without assistance and feels little different to a non-assisted model. The X35 creates little drag and seamlessly blends into the background when you don't need it.
• The MAHLE X35 system relies on a slimline Panasonic battery fully enclosed within the frame's downtube, which gives our bikes their clean, stealth-like looks. You'd be hard-pressed to work out that they are e-bikes at all if you didn't know precisely what to look for.

Depending on which genre of cycling the bike is designed for, the control button can be found either on the top tube or mounted to the bars

iWoc One Top-Tube Control Unit

This easy to use, multi-function button lets you access all of the functionality of the X35+ system when you're out riding the bike. Literally, all you need for a pedal-assisted ride at your fingertips. The button itself is surrounded by an LED display that illuminates when the button is pressed. The display itself is used to indicate the selected power level, available battery level, and more. The button is used to:

• Turn the system on/off.
• Select the desired assistance level.
• Display the available battery capacity.
• Turn compatible lights on/off (if fitted).

iWoc Trio handlebar-Mounted Control Unit

Certain models of electric bikes with flat handlebars will come equipped with a handlebar-mounted control unit in lieu of the top tube button. This unit has 3 distinct buttons that are used to control the motor system.

Left Image: The top-tube mounted iWoc One features on all of our drop-bar models. Right Image: The iWoc Trio is exclusive to flat handlebar bikes.

Where the instructions refer to a 'short press' this indicates one quick push of the button and release.

Top-Tube Button (iWoc One)

• To turn the system on, short press the button and the LEDs will illuminate.
• During the start-up procedure, the button will initially turn green to indicate everything is working correctly.
• Once the start-up procedure finishes a single solid colour will be displayed. This colour indicates the amount of battery charge that is available to use.
• To turn the pedal-assist system off, simply hold down the button for approximately 2 seconds. At which point the LEDs should turn white and then release.

Handlebar Button (iWoc Trio)

• Short press button C (middel button) turns the system on and a long press of the same buttom switches it off again.
• During the start-up procedure, the button will initially turn green to indicate everything is working correctly.
• Once the start-up procedure finishes the LEDs will display a single solid colour. This colour indicates the amount of battery charge that is available to use.

As mentioned briefly above, whenever a button is pressed the LED will always default back to display the current battery level. For added simplicity, the battery level is displayed using a traffic light-style system, albeit with the addition of the colour white. Here, we break down what each colour indicates:

• White: 75% of the battery or more remains
• Green: 50-75%
• Orange: 25-50%
• Red: 15-25%
• Slow Red Flash: 10-15%
• Rapid Red Flash: Less than 10%

The X35+ SmartBike system offers three levels of power assistance - low, medium and maximum. We would encourage you to try all three out and see which works for you on various terrains. For instance, if it is a less challenging climb, you may find you don't need maximum assistance.

However, when it gets steep you may find you need to crank up the power to keep pace with the group or conquer the climb. Of course, using minmum assistance where possible or just being judicious with max assistance will result in more range. The three power assistance levels are pre-set to offer you a set amount of power at each level.

When you first receive your Ribble e-bike we thoroughly recommend downloading the MAHLE companion app from the Apple Store or Android Play. Once conencted to the bike, you can select 1 of 3 cycling modes - Eco, Urban, and Sport. Each of which offers a slightly different power configuration for each resistance level.

However, if you feel that these pre-sets are not quite to your liking and you are reasonably tech-savvy, you can also customise the power that each level offers. You can find more detailed information about the companion app in our separate MAHLE app blog.

You have turned the system on and the LEDs are now displaying a solid colour to indicate the amount of battery charge available to you. How do you then select an assistance level? It really is very simple and will quickly become second nature to you.

Walk assist

The iWoc trio handlbar unit comes with a handy bonus feature which provides a little extra assistance if you need to push the bike. To activate 'walk assist' mode, simply hold button B for 1-second.

Additional LED Colours

If you regularly use the companion app, you may notice the LEDs flash various colours that don't indicate battery level or assistance mode etc. Here's a brief rundown of what these 'extra' colours indicate:

Blue - If you have downloaded the companion app to your smart device and have previously connected to the bike the LED will briefly display a Blue light to indicate that the bike and app are now connected.

Light Blue - Whilst connected to the companion app, the LEDs will briefly illuminate a light blue colour when you receive a phone notification.

Pink - If the LED displays a solid pink colour, this means that the system has entered 'safe' mode. Contact our helpful and friendly customer service team for assistance.

Pink flash/Coloured Flash - If the LED alternates between flashing pink and other colours this indicates the bike has entered 'demo' mode. The assistance will still work but only for approximately 50 miles. Contact us for further assistance.

With your e-bike purchase, you have the option to link to the MAHLE SmartBike Systems companion app. The app raises interaction between bike and rider to a new level. It's an invaluable tool that enables you to monitor the charging status and other key details of the bike in real-time. To learn more about the app and what it offers read our dedicated companion app blog here.

What sort of range can I expect from the bike? There is any number of factors that can affect what range an e-bike can reach. Rider weight, fitness, route profile, tyre width/pressure and wind strength to name but a few. A rider of 90 kg, over variable terrain, can expect an average distance of approximately 60 miles from full. An optional range extender is also available which extends the available range by a further 70%.

Do I need to pedal to ride this bike? Yes, our e-bikes are pedal-assisted and require rider input at all times. If you stop pedalling, the bike will come to a stop like any non-assisted bike.

Can I ride faster than 15 mph? Yes. Though the motor will only provide assistance up to 15 mph, at which point (by law and as with all e-bikes in the UK) the assistance will cut out. If you drop back below 15 mph, the motor will automatically re-engage but above this speed it's all down to you.

Do I need tax, insurance or a licence to ride the e-bikes? No, pedal-assisted electric bikes do not require you to hold a valid drivers licence, pay tax or take out insurance.

How do I charge the battery? Simply plug the bike into a household power socket using the supplied charger and cable. An optional range extender is also available which can be charged away from the bike. When connected to the bike it charges the main battery when assistance is not being provided. (When the bike is stationary or while descending etc).

What type of battery is it? The system uses a 36V/250Wh Panasonic 18650GA-10S2/P Li-Ion battery hidden within the frame's downtube.

How long does it take to charge the battery? From flat, the battery takes approximately 3.5 hours to reach full capacity.

Do I need to/ Can I remove the battery to charge? No, the slimline battery is mounted within the downtube and can only be accessed via a port underneatht eht bottom bracket. It is necessary to remove the botom bracket to access the battery. Instead, a port located just above the bottom bracket provides easy access to charge the battery (the optional range extender is mounted in place of a bottle cage and can easily be removed and charged away from the bike if there's no socket close by).

Is the battery and /or motor replaceable? Yes, both the battery and motor are easily replaceable.

How will I know how much battery charge remains? The top-tube and handlebar mounted control units indicate battery life at a glance via a simple traffic light system. White means it is at full capacity; progressing down through Green, Amber and Red to indicate a maximum of 25% remaining. You cna slo download a companion app, which displays information about the e-biek system, inclujding available range, current assistance level, remaining battery charge and ride data.

What is the life expectancy of the battery? The battery has a life expectancy of around 500 charge cycles. One charge cycle is equal to charging the battery from 0 to 100% once, 80-100% 5 times or 25 to 100% 3 times.

Can I ride this in the wet? The bike and hub drive motor drive system components are IP54 rated, and are protected against splashing but not full immersion or the powerful effects of a jetwash or a pressurised hose.

What electronic drive system does it use? Ribble e-bikes are built around the Ebikemotion X35+ 36V/250W M1 Motor System.

Can I alter the assistance levels provided by the motor system? Yes, you can cycle through 3 different assistance modes (which can be configured further in the companion app), or choose to have the motor turned off completely; all at the press of a single button.

How does the motor work? The motor is a pedal-assist system (pedelec), a sensor detects the pedalling rhythm and provides assistance based on the assistance level selected.

Is the motor restricted to 15 mph here in the US? Currently, we are unable to ship e-bikes to the US due to stringent regulations surrounding Li-Ion batteries.

Is the amount of assistance supplied by each individual assistance level configurable? Yes, by default each motor map is set to 100%. You can adjust these motor maps in the Ebikemotion app so that the motor limits the amount of available power based on a percentage of the 250W max output.

How does the range extender connect/fit? The optional range extender is supplied with its own bottle cage-style bracket. This cage replaces the bottle cage situated on the seat tube of the bike. A cable then exits the bottom of the battery and plugs into the charging port on the bike which is situated just above the bottom bracket.