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Showed Up to Work Sweaty Despite Using eBike - What Am I Doing Wrong?

by EmilyWatsonabout 1 month ago

I bought an eBike specifically so I could commute to work without showing up drenched in sweat. My commute is only 8 miles and mostly flat, so I thought this would be perfect. But I'm still arriving at work sweaty and gross, which defeats the whole purpose.

I have a Ride1Up 700 Series and I'm using PAS level 4 (out of 5) for most of the ride. I'm barely pedaling - the motor is doing like 90% of the work. But I'm still sweating, especially on warmer days.

Am I doing something wrong? Should I be using an even higher PAS level? Should I just use the throttle and not pedal at all? Or is this just what happens when you ride a bike, even an electric one?

For reference, I'm wearing normal work clothes (button-up shirt and khakis) and carrying a backpack with my laptop. My office doesn't have showers, so I really need to arrive not sweaty.

Do I need to change clothes at work? Buy different gear? Or is there some trick to riding an eBike without breaking a sweat that I'm missing?

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3 replies

3 Replies

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AlexBikes71about 1 month ago

Three things that helped me: 1) Leave 10 minutes earlier and ride slower, 2) Use higher assist levels so you're barely pedaling, 3) Bring a small towel and baby wipes for a quick freshen-up when you arrive. Also, are you wearing breathable cycling clothes or regular work clothes?

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BradleyeBikeabout 1 month ago

I had this problem until I started using throttle-only mode for the last mile. Literally zero effort, just cruising. Also invested in a small backpack with a change of shirt. The 2-minute bathroom change is worth it to arrive fresh.

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EmilyWatsonabout 1 month ago

Merino wool shirts are a game-changer! They're naturally antimicrobial and don't show sweat. I wear one for my commute and it's fine all day. Way better than synthetic fabrics that trap odor.

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