Guide
E-bike assist levels and display settings explained
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In short
Assist levels set how much the motor adds to your pedalling. Low levels such as eco add a little and save battery; high levels such as turbo add a lot and use the battery fastest. On a UK-legal e-bike, every level stops assisting at 15.5 mph. Display settings for units, wheel size, brightness and auto-off are fine to change, but speed limit and controller settings should be left as the maker set them.
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Most e-bikes have between three and nine assist levels, selected with plus and minus buttons on the handlebar. Brands name them differently, from numbers to eco, tour, sport and turbo. Many riders leave the bike in one mode all the time, which can waste battery or make riding harder than it needs to be. This explainer covers what the levels actually change, how to choose between them, and what the menus on common displays do.
What an assist level changes
On a cadence sensor bike, each level sets a fixed amount of motor power once you start pedalling, regardless of how hard you push. Higher levels feel like a stronger push and reach the assist cut-off sooner. On a torque sensor bike, each level sets a multiplier: the harder you press the pedals, the more the motor adds, scaled by the level you choose. Our torque vs cadence sensor guide explains the difference.
No level makes a UK-legal bike faster than 15.5 mph under power, as set out on gov.uk. What changes is how quickly you get there and how much effort you put in.
Common level names
Some systems also have an auto or eMTB mode that adjusts assist to how hard you pedal. Walk mode, usually by holding a button, moves the bike at up to 6 km/h while you push it.
| Level | Typical name | Best for | Battery use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Off | Riding as a normal bike | None for assist |
| 1 | Eco | Flat roads, long rides, saving range | Lowest |
| 2 | Tour | Everyday riding, gentle hills | Moderate |
| 3 | Sport or eMTB | Hills, headwinds, mixed trails | Higher |
| 4 or 5 | Turbo or Boost | Steep climbs, heavy loads, quick starts | Highest |
How levels affect range
Assist level is one of the biggest factors in range, along with hills, rider weight, tyre pressure and temperature. Riding in the highest level can roughly halve range compared with the lowest on the same route, though the exact figure depends on the bike and terrain. Makers often quote range in eco on flat ground, so real rides are usually shorter.
A good habit is to start in a low level and step up only on hills or into headwinds. Use the gears too: an easy gear and a lower assist level is more efficient than a hard gear in turbo. See e-bike range explained, and use the battery and charge cost tool to estimate miles from your battery's Wh.
- Battery size36 V x 14 Ah= 504 Wh
- Range (54 km)504 Wh ÷ 15 Wh/mile≈ 34 miles
- Cost per full charge504 ÷ 1,000 x 25p= 12.6p
Display settings you can change
These settings are in the user menu, usually opened by holding two buttons together. The manual lists the exact presses for your display. A wrong wheel size setting makes speed and distance readings inaccurate and can push assist beyond the legal limit, so set it to match the tyre size printed on the sidewall.
- Units: miles or kilometres, mph or km/h.
- Clock, brightness and backlight.
- Auto power-off time.
- Trip reset and service reminders.
- Wheel size, only to match the actual tyre fitted, as the speed reading depends on it.
Settings to leave alone
Many displays, especially on kits and budget bikes, have a hidden or password protected menu for the speed limit, current limit, sensor type and throttle. Raising the speed limit above 25 km/h, enabling a throttle beyond walk assist or changing the motor power setting can turn an EAPC into a motor vehicle in law, which needs registration, tax, insurance and a licence. It can also overload the motor, controller or battery.
If a setting seems wrong, ask the seller or a shop to check it. Our controller explainer covers what those settings do, and the UK e-bike law check shows which limits must stay in place.
Note:Do not derestrict an e-bike for road use. Changing speed or power limits can make the bike illegal on UK roads and may void the warranty and any insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Which assist level should I use? Start in eco or level 1 on flat roads and step up on hills, into headwinds or with heavy loads.
Does a higher assist level make the bike faster? It gets you to 15.5 mph more easily but does not raise the legal assist limit.
Why is my speed reading wrong? The wheel size setting may not match the tyre fitted. Correct it in the display menu.
Can I change the e-bike speed limit in settings? You may find the option, but raising it above 15.5 mph makes the bike illegal on UK roads.
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