There is no doubt that you have heard about electric bikes‘ amazing abilities and benefits over the last few years. Recently they have grown significantly in popularity as individuals and cities turn to them as forms of sustainable methods of transportation. Because of this, there is also a whole lot of information out there about them.
But what is the important stuff, the true highlights that you should understand about electric bikes? In this article, we will review all the valuable pieces of information about electric bikes (also known as e-bikes). Keep reading to learn about what they are and why they are the next big thing! See here view range for more info.
Table of Contents
How Do Electric Bikes Work?
The only real difference between a traditional bicycle and an electric bike is the motor! It usually looks like a small box set right below the seat, but otherwise, they look identical to the bikes you grew up on. This little box is connected to the battery that powers the motor, which is then connected to the pedals.
Best electric bikes work on a power assist system, meaning that the energy you put into each pedal is matched by the motor doubling it. And with long battery life and easy charging system, they are simple to use too!
And it is this system that people love so much as it allows them to still ride and exercise on their bikes but without the physical strain. E-bikes can reach the speed of 15.5 miles per hour, although they can physically go faster if you are pedaling downhill; this is the legal limit for their assisted speed.
What are Front, Mid-Hub, and Rear Motors?
Where the motor is placed on the bike has an impact on its function and price. But what do front, hub, and mid motors mean? Here is a quick breakdown of all three so you can understand the pros and cons of them all.
Front Motors
These motors are positioned in the front wheel of the bike, meaning it is pulling you along rather than pushing. Many people find this sensation to be strange, but they are common in foldable bikes and touring electric bikes.
Pros:
- Easy to customize your gears
- Usually the cheapest option
- The motor does not wear down the chain
Cons:
- The bike can become unbalanced
- The front tire can slip on steep hills if weight is not distributed properly
Mid-Hub Motors
These types of electric bikes are often the most expensive but also the most favored of the three. Here are some of the pros and cons of these bikes.
Pros:
- Balanced weight distribution
- Easier to carry or lift
- Better for off-roading
- Easy customizability
Cons:
- Drive chain can wear down more quickly
- Not easy to customize gears
Rear Motors
The final category is when the motor is situated on the bike’s back wheel. Only a bit more expensive than a front motor ebike, many people appreciate this model.
Pros:
- Easy to customize gears
- The motor does not wear down chain quickly
- The motor pushes you forward from behind
Cons:
- Needs a specially designed rear wheel
- The bike can be unbalanced
What Are Some Other Features of Electric Bikes?
There are some other elements of electric bikes that are useful to know if you are looking into buying one or renting one soon. Which brakes are installed in your electric bike may be important depending on what you are planning to do with the bike. There are:
- V Brakes: common on off-roading bikes
- Disc brakes: good for breaking in wet conditions
- Caliper brakes: compact and common on race bikes
- Cantilevers: Similar to V brakes but have an extra cable to prevent mud buildup
Everyone likes an easy-to-navigate system, so looking into the display unit of a bike might help you see which ones you prefer. You do not want to ride a bike you are not comfortable with, so checking on this feature is helpful for you to get a feel for the whole machine
Assistance levels are important to consider as well. Most e-bikes will offer a low, medium, and high assistance level for when you are pedaling and often mean the level of power the motor is giving back. So at the low setting, it will match the energy put in, at the medium setting it will give one and a half the energy, and at high settings, it will double it. This is good knowledge for you to understand the settings and power of electric bikes.
How Do They Help the Environment?
One of the big pushes of electric bikes is that they are better for the environment than cars or other forms of transportation. Especially for people who live in big cities, it can be a great and often easier alternative for commuting to work.
Since the bike does not use gas, its carbon footprint is much lower than other transportation options. But there is also the fact that using an electric bike to move around takes one less car off the road. When many people do this, it lessens the traffic on roads and allows bike riders to skip past it!
Many people also think that e-bikes should not count as bikes because you are not exercising to use them, but that is not true! As mentioned before, most electric bikes use a pedal-assist system. So you are still required to put in energy and elevate your heart rate to get it moving. It just makes climbing big hills and getting up to speed easier.
Summary
There is still so much to know about electrical bikes, and these are just the basics! But before you go looking into purchasing your own ebike or are just interested in the new hype around this product, it is good to have a full understanding of the machine. Even though there is much more to learn, this should provide you with a good foundation to move forward into an e-bike world!
About the author
Trevor Fenner is the founder of Electric Bike Paradise, the #1 online retailer of electric bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards, mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, and electric golf caddies. Trevor has been selling bicycles, electric bikes, and electric scooters online since 2010 and eventually established Electric Bike Paradise in late 2013 when he happened to meet a car enthusiast that introduced him to electric bikes. Trevor spent time searching for electric bikes online but couldn’t find a website that offered a wide selection of electric bikes, scooters, and informational articles. That is why he decided to start a website where everyone can shop conveniently, browse buying guides, and read educational posts. The website is called Electric Bike Paradise.