E bikes Explanation

Electric bikes (e-bikes) have become the fastest growing bike category in the world in recent years.There are many different types of e-bike, with variations in motor placement, and control. An e-bike’s motor can be found at the front, rear or centre of the bike, but in this article we'll mostly be focused on those located in the central crank area.

E Bike definition

The ebike combine battery powered motors with pedal power, giving the bike added umph. There are two main types of e-bike, ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’, or just ‘pedal-assist’, and those with a ‘throttle’ that don’t require the rider to pedal. In this article, we’re concerned only with the former.In most e-bikes of this type, the motor kicks in when it senses that torque has increased by a certain amount. These pedal-assist e-bikes call on the motor only to provide assistance; it won’t move forward on it’s own power.

The motor then supplements your pedal power when you’re under strain, allowing you to climb gradients more easily. So it won’t kick in while you’re freewheeling downhill, for example.

Basically, we're not talking about a moped, which is powered exclusively by its motor – on an e-bike, you still need to pedal for the motor to work. And, if the battery runs flat, you can still pedal home as if it were a normal bike.

Pedal assist technology has been incorporated into each of these Road, gravel, commuter and MTB e-bikes, and the style of this incorporation has become increasingly sophisticated with every iteration. So, modern e-commuters remain robust and fun, e-MTBs continue to be agile and responsive, while e-road bikes are just as sleek and accomplished as their manually powered forebears.

The theory of electric bike motor work

Electronic motors, fitted most commonly to the bottom bracket, propel the bike forward when a rider pedals. Pedal assistance is applied when sensors recognise one of the two following circumstances.

For mid to high range e-bikes, sensors measure and regulate how much effort you put into each pedal stroke, known as torque. When it recognises you are putting more power down, assistance will be directed via the motor.

For entry level e-bikes, sensors may measure cadence, which is the pedal rate of the cranks. If you pedal slower, this increases the power output.

Sensitivity and modes can often be adjusted using buttons on an electronic display. These sensor types are often coupled with an automatic throttle which moderates the motor independently.

Electric bike frameset

The design purpose of the ebike frame is to better allow the rider to enjoy the scenery along the way and free the rider's feet. There are many material of electric bicycle frames, but our company Xiamen Tour de Cycling Industry&Trade Co.,Ltd. E bike frames uses the most mainstream and advanced carbon fiber materials. Features light weight and compact design.You can find many kinds of types such as gravel Electric bikes carbon frameset,Bafang M500 drive e MTB frames. more details please click here to review.

Electric bike motors

There are a number of brands that build e-bike motors, but the market is dominated by three - Shimano, Bosch and Bafang. These brands create the pedal-assist crank motors you’re most likely to find on electronic road, MTB, gravel, and commuter bikes.However, aside from central drive motors, there are two other types of drive systems which you may want to choose depending on your intended use.

Central drive motors – Central drive motors are the most common and found underneath the rider in the bottom bracket. Due to their placement, they have a lower centre of gravity, making for a balanced, grounded, and stable riding experience. These are commonly found on electric mountain bikes and mid to high range bikes. With this top end power, you need be sure to keep a regular check on the chain and component wear.

Rear hub motors – Hubs are the central part of a wheel that link spokes to the rim and fixes onto the frame. Rear hub motors offer slightly more rear traction and stability, with a lighter front and heavier rear. As power is directly applied to the gears and chain, the added mechanical complexities raise the cost of the setup and also increase wear.

Front hub motors – Front hub motors are the more affordable and will drag you forward just like a front wheel drive car. With the motor being up front, this design is better suited to long flat rides and commuting. The best part about front hub motors is that they are independent of the chain and drivetrain parts, meaning there is less wear and tear.

For front and rear hub motors, you have two types of motor technology, but both require a purpose-built wheel to house the motor in the hub regardless of which you choose.

The hours of e bike riding

Much like electric cars, one of the reasons e-bikes took so long to go mainstream was the limitation of batteries. But, fear not - modern battery technology has come a long way, and their capacity is now such that a full day of riding is perfectly doable. Meanwhile, new on-board digital screens and controllers ensure you can track your range and make decisions accordingly.

Range varies depending on the battery size and power consumption. Generally, the less reliance you have on pedal assistance, the greater the range. But, if you are prudent, many modern batteries can last beyond 100 miles.

Charging batteries is also easy. For most modern electric bikes, it’s simple case of popping the battery out of its housing, and plugging it into the mains for a few hours.

On some commuter bikes, batteries are found in rear racks, but in most pedal assist bikes they are mounted to the downtube. Increasingly, batteries are being incorporated into the frame design itself.

Pros and cons of electric bikes

As electric bikes grow in popularity, now is the time to consider one for your next two-wheeled steed. To help you navigate that choice, here are some quick pointers to help your decision making process.

PROS

1. Power – Faster acceleration
2. Climbing power ­– The motor carries you faster uphill, reducing fatigue
3. Ride longer –E-bikes will get you more miles in the same time
4. Lowers barriers to cycling – Suits wider ages and abilities
5. Commuting comforts – It’s not as sweaty as a normal bike and is more sustainable than a car.
6. Adjustable – Take control of your ride with adjustable power and customisations
7. Ride further – e-bikes can make some destinations accessible.

CONS

1. Expensive and more parts - Both to buy and replace if damaged, e-bikes have more parts than a normal bike, plus, the torque from the motor increases wear
2. Charging - You do have to charge the battery which takes a number of hours. The dreaded flat battery isn’t impossible despite counter measures.
3. Heavy –increased weight from additional parts, although this is countered by the motor’s power
4. Hub tyres changes – Removing hub motor wheels are harder, making tyre changes and puncture repairs frustrating
5. MTB progress – Added weight can affect bike handling, although top end models offset this well
6. Guilty pleasure – You may feel you didn’t earn that climb relative to a hard pump uphill on a normal bike.

In conclusion

Electric bikes are lowering the barriers for cycling as a sport and as a lifestyle.It has created a more sustainable alternative to commuting by car and made bike commuting more accessible to many.For others, it has ignited a new love for cycling, whether on the trails, in the streets or on the long and winding roads.The extended range and speed at lower effort levels is undeniably impressive. This means you can climb higher and ride further than with a traditional bike.While some bemoan the battery boost, even cycling purists can’t deny that e-bikes are incredibly fun and present new opportunities to those who just want to ride.