How to bed the disc brakes on your Centauri SE

Bedding disc brakes

Here's a quick guide to better understand the assist levels on your Centauri SE

<div id="isPasted"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">New to electric bike riding? Are you looking to get the most out of your Vvolt Centauri SE? You&apos;re in the right place. Our handlebar controller is easy to use and offers five levels of assistance to help you go further or get there faster. <br><br>The Centauri SE utilizes torque and cadence sensors to deliver smooth, consistent power that mimics your input. Pedal harder, get more Boost! Below is a quick overview of what to expect in these settings and where you might find them helpful.</span></div><h4 id><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></span></h4><h4 id="assist-levels"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Assist Levels:&#xA0;</span></h4><ul><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div>0 = No assist/speed and distance functions still work</div></li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">1 = Eco/low power&#xA0;</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2 = Tour/average riding&#xA0;</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">3 = Sport / faster riding and small hills</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">4 = Turbo / moderate hills or quick starts in traffic&#xA0;</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">5= &#xA0;Boost / big hills and more extended periods of climbing</li></ul><h4 id="assist-levels-explained-"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Assist Levels Explained: <br></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Eco(1)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eco is a low-power mode that is perfect for maximizing your battery range! The motor still delivers decent pep, but the wattage output is low at around 175w. If you&apos;re looking to get a workout, choose this assist level!&#xA0;</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tour (2)&#xA0;</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This level of assistance is perfect for longer rides and small hills, and it maximizes your battery range on the commute. It offers a moderate boost to your pedaling, helping you maintain a steady pace without getting too exhausted. This is an excellent option for riders who want to distance themselves without breaking a sweat.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sport 3)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This level of assistance is for riders who want extra power to tackle challenging hills and headwinds or to get there faster! Vvolt staff generally use level 3 when pedaling around Portland. Level 3 assistance greatly enhances your pedaling, giving you the extra push to keep up with faster riders or conquer steep inclines.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Turbo (4)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If you&apos;re in a hurry, Sport is the mode for you. This mode will keep you at or near max assist speed while delivering smooth power. The only downside is that you&apos;ll drain your battery more quickly, so it&apos;s best used for commuting and city riding.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Boost (5)</span></p><p style="padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; caret-color: rgba(64, 64, 64, 0.75); color: rgba(64, 64, 64, 0.75); font-family: &quot;Red Hat Display&quot;, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Ubuntu, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif, &quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;; font-size: 16.799999px; letter-spacing: 0.63px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Warp speed, captain! Turbo mode taps the full potential of your motor to give you the absolute maximum power and torque, 680w and 120nm. It&apos;s great for climbing the steepest grades and for quickly accelerating from a stop. Here&apos;s the thing: riding everywhere in Boost is like slamming the accelerator pedal down in your I.C.E. car. It&apos;s not meant to be the primary pedal assist mode, so moderate your use not to overburden your motor. <br></span></p>

Understanding Pedal Assist (PAS) Levels on the Centauri SE

A guide to understanding the optimal pressure to run in your tires.

<h4 id="the-tire-pressure-myth">The Tire Pressure Myth&#xA0;</h4><p>For years, there&apos;s been a myth that higher tire pressure equals better performance. But guess what? That&apos;s not always the case&#x2014;especially if you seek comfort on your eBike journey. While it&apos;s true that skinny tires at high pressure can reduce rolling resistance, they also transmit more vibrations from the road to your body. This can lead to a harsher ride, increased fatigue, and even less control over rough terrain. &#xA0;</p><h4 id="why-lower-pressure">Why Lower Pressure?</h4><p>Lower tire pressure allows your tires to act as natural shock absorbers, smoothing out road bumps, cracks, and imperfections. This can make a big difference on longer rides by reducing strain on your wrists, back, and overall body. &#xA0;</p><p>More tire surface in contact with the road means better grip. This is especially crucial for eBikes, which tend to be heavier and have more torque than traditional bikes. Extra traction improves control when accelerating, cornering, or riding on wet or uneven surfaces. &#xA0;</p><p>Have you ever felt your bike is too twitchy or unstable at high speeds? Lowering the tire pressure slightly can enhance stability, making your eBike feel more planted and predictable. This is particularly beneficial for new riders or those navigating mixed terrain. &#xA0;</p><h4 id="finding-your-sweet-spot">Finding Your Sweet Spot</h4><p>There&#x2019;s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to tire pressure. Factors like rider weight, terrain, and personal preference play a role. Start by lowering your pressure to ~15 PSI from the recommended PSI (usually found on the tire sidewall), then test how it feels. Adjust gradually until you find the perfect balance of comfort, grip, and efficiency. &#xA0;</p><h4 id="myth-busting-isnt-low-pressure-risky">Myth Busting: Isn&apos;t Low Pressure Risky?</h4><p>Not necessarily! While riding with extremely low pressure can increase the risk of pinch flats (where the inner tube gets pinched between the tire and rim), riding within reasonable limits can actually reduce flats. Lower pressure allows the tire to absorb impacts instead of forcing the tube against the rim. It can also extend the lifespan of your tires by reducing excessive wear from road shock. &#xA0;</p><h4 id="the-ebike-advantage">The Ebike Advantage&#xA0;</h4><p>Because eBikes have added weight from the motor and battery, they naturally put more force on the tires. Running slightly lower pressure helps distribute this weight more evenly, improving ride quality, grip, and control. Plus, since eBikes provide motor assistance, you won&#x2019;t need to worry as much about increased rolling resistance from softer tires. &#xA0;</p><h4 id="what-pressure-do-we-run-">What Pressure Do We Run? &#xA0;</h4><p>The ideal pressure depends on your ebike model, tire width, and riding conditions. Here&#x2019;s a rough guideline: &#xA0;</p><p>- For wider tires (2&#x201D; - 2.6&quot;), 15-35 PSI for comfort and traction. We tend to run our Centauri demo tires at about 35 PSI.&#xA0;</p><p><br></p>

All about tire pressure

Mechanicals happen! Here's a quick list to ensure you've got the right tools and items to help keep you rolling in the event of an issue.

<p>Mechanicals happen! Here&apos;s a quick list to ensure you&apos;ve got the right tools and items to help keep you rolling in the event of an issue.&#xA0;</p><hr><h4 id="tools">Tools</h4><ul><li>Multitool<ul style="font-weight: initial;"><li>Your included Vvolt multitool has all the correct hex wrench sizes for making adjustments on the fly.<ul><li>The most common sizes for components on your bike are 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm.&#xA0;</li></ul></li></ul></li><li>Tire Levers (2)<ul style="font-weight: initial;"><li>Tire levers remove the tire bead from the rim. Check out <a href="https://pedros.com/products/tire-levers?srsltid=AfmBOoqP0CcM4Jwpkj-Ql_j4I_qD8kcE8kncOPAgShb8HD4cZNalTpz6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pedro&apos;s tire levers</a>&#x2014;they&apos;re classic!&#xA0;</li></ul></li><li>Portable tire pump<ul style="font-weight: initial;"><li>Modern mini-pumps are efficient and can fit in small bags! <a href="https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/216-Mini-Pumps" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Topeak makes a great mini pump</a>. The Centauri SE uses tubes with Presta valves and has 2.4&quot; wide tires, so ensure the pump you have can adequately fill these high-volume tubes.&#xA0;</li></ul></li><li>Stubby 15mm wrench<ul style="font-weight: initial;"><li>Use this to loosen and tighten the rear axle nuts on your Centauri SE. <a href="https://www.tekton.com/15-mm-stubby-ratcheting-combination-wrench-wrn50115" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Here&apos;s an example</a>.&#xA0;</li></ul></li><li>Leatherman-style tool<ul style="font-weight: initial;"><li>Sometimes, you just need some pliers! We like to carry a leatherman-style combo tool for the pliers and knife, which can help remove debris from a tire.&#xA0;</li></ul></li></ul><hr><h4 id="bits-and-pieces">Bits and Pieces</h4><ul><li>Zip ties (2)&#xA0;<ul><li>You never know when you&apos;ll need to use zip ties, but you&apos;ll be happy to have them when you do!&#xA0;</li></ul></li><li>Tubes (1)<ul><li>27.5&quot; x 2&quot;-2.4&quot; Presta valve tubes, such as <a href="https://www.teravail.com/product/teravail-tube-27.5-inch-presta-valve-650b-211781-1.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this one</a>.</li></ul></li><li>Tire boots<ul><li><a href="https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/products/park-tool-emergency-tire-boots-pack-of-3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">These</a> are helpful if you have a significant gash or hole in your tire after a puncture.&#xA0;</li></ul></li><li>Tube Patch Kit (1)<ul><li>Use <a href="https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/products/park-tool-glueless-patch-kit-carded-and-sold-as-each" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">these</a> as a backup if you get a second puncture!</li></ul></li></ul>

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