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My point is exactly what I wrote! I know it’s a lot, I overcompensated.

Or are you saying they do this for the feeling only and regen is a byproduct

Yes. I said it’s designed this way to feel like a normal car. But it’s a very elegant solution! Far better to do it that way and re-capture some of the energy than let it leave the system, like heat from brake pads.

I'd say applying a little drag to regen on an ebike going downhill will be more beneficial than allowing the riders to go as fast as possible downhill

That “drag” is braking!

They could still turn it off

Like letting go of the brake lever! Far simpler than adding a new always-on brake that you have to manage separately.

but why would I do that?

Because sometimes you want to go full speed down a hill because it’s the most efficient way of moving forward! If you slow down, you have to pedal more later. If you slow down and save some of the energy, you still have to pedal more later, because you can’t save all of the energy from the hill, you can only save part of the energy.

There’s a maximum speed you feel comfortable going on steeper descents, and you manually brake to manage it. That’s the only time regen makes sense on a bike.

Also, because we’re not talking about drag that only exists on the hill. This system exists at all times in a hybrid, and if you implement it on a bike, you’ll be coasting less on flat ground too any time you stop pedaling! Why would we want that? Would you brake in a hybrid when you’re on flat ground to “save it for later”? No! Braking, and engine braking, slow you down.