An Introduction to Electric Bikes: What Are They What are they? How do they work?

When people hear the words electric bicycle and thinks of electric bicycle, the first image they think of is an electric motorbike or scooter but they actually look pretty different. Imagine a normal bicycle. Then add several electrical components , like a motor, battery and controller to boost its power. These components form the foundation of electric bikes on the market!

How do electric bikes work?

 

E-Bikes Electric Bikes control and pedal the bike like an ordinary bicycle. An electric bike will most likely use the same parts. The electric bike is intended to boost the human body's power, not replace it. It allows you to overcome obstacles such as headwinds and hills, and lets you to travel further and not feel tired.

 

Choosing the right electric bike

 

The comfort and the quality of components are just equally important on an electronic bicycle as they would be for a normal bicycle. There are some other things to consider.

 

The motor

 

Electric bike motors are available in a wide variety of ratings for power, ranging from 200W to 1,000W or greater. The legally-enforceable limit in the US is 750W, although various states have the ability to determine their own limits.

 

Consider this limit as of as horsepower. Higher ratings mean that the bike can pull heavier weight, but it will use greater battery power. So, a motor of 750W will drain the battery more quickly than a 250W model however, it is more robust.

 

Another factor to consider is the design and location of the motor. The layout and design of the motor plays an important role in how electric bikes function.

 

The most commonly used type of motor for Electric Skateboard is called a hub motor. It is usually integrated into the front wheel or rear wheel. When activated, it pulls or pushes the wheel to move it along. While this is a great system however, it does have one major disadvantage. It's not connected to the bicycle's wheels. Therefore, it's less efficient when you're driving through hilly terrain or in other areas. Imagine driving your car in one gear all day. You'll still be able to reach your destination, but you won't achieve the same amount of power or speed as if you have all the gears.

 

At Activitybikes, we offer an original mid-drive motor that is integrated with the crank and the gears. This offers several benefits:

 

The bike's current gears are used by the mid-drive motor to provide more power and less battery power.

 

Much better hill climbing power, since you can switch gears depending on the incline as well as

 

The motor is closer to the ground and also the handling is more comfortable.

 

The battery

 

Since the battery can affect the weight, appearance and the range of the bike, its choice is crucial. Batteries play a significant role in the way electric bikes function. The majority of the batteries on the market are in one of these two categories:

 

Sealed Lead Acid (SLA).

 

They were the standard battery type for most electric scooters as well as electric bicycles. These days, most electric scooters still use SLA batteries, while electric bikes (which typically require input from humans) have switched to modern battery technology to make the bike as lightweight as possible.

 

Lithium (Ion/Polymer/Manganese/Etc.)

 

They are the most advanced technology for batteries. Lithium batteries last about three times longer than the SLA battery. Lithium batteries weigh less and have virtually no maintenance.

 

The controller

 

The controller comes in many styles and allows you to regulate the electric assist of the electric bike. It's vital to understand the way electric bikes function. For convenience, the controller is located on the handlebar. There are two kinds of controllers, pedal-activated controllers as well as throttle-based controllers.

 

Pedal-activated system provide electric assistance by pressing down on the pedals. It is not necessary to use a throttle; just pedaling the bike will suffice. Electric bikes with pedals come with a control that is located on the handlebar. This allows you to adjust the amount of assistance that you receive while pedaling. You can set the amount of assistance you want and can range from zero assistance to lots of assistance.

 

Controllers that use throttles operate with an easy throttle mechanism. The throttle can be an a twist-grip or thumb-press type. For electric assistance, you need to pull back on the throttle or press it. Some electric bikes require nothing more than pressing the throttle to allow riders to ride with no pedals.

 

In general, electric bikes are simple to ride, use, and maintain. They require little maintenance, compared to standard Scooter bicycles.