Electric bikes, or e-bike, have changed the way people commute or go recreational cycling. They have also revolutionized the adventure biking experience. E-bikes are becoming popular, but many people are still confused about their features and which model to pick.
If you are a new or seasoned rider, this guide will definitely help you to know more about how e-bikes work and how to select the best one for yourself.
Components of an ebike
1. Frame – The backbone of your e-bike
It’s the most important part of any bicycle, the frame is the foundation of an e-bike. Think of it like a skeleton that houses all the components of your e-bike together.
Frames are composed of various materials that can vary in size, weight, and shape. The best cargo bikes are usually made with a lightweight alloy that provides excellent resistance to corrosion.
Apart from the material, the size of your frame is equally important. Frames are available in small, medium, and large sizes and you can choose one based on your height and size.
The reason behind choosing the right frame is that it will make your miles in the saddle much more comfortable as you won’t be too overstretched or too compressed when pedaling.
Many companies also take the one-size-fits-all approach by giving an adjustable seat post that can move up and down based on the height of different riders.
2. Motor- It keeps your e-bike moving
The motor is one of the most important parts of any e-bike as it helps you to drive forward. The best cargo e-bikes offer pedal assist and throttle functions which are the most fun components of e-biking.
Ebike motors are responsible for generating the power so that you can move forward. The power is measured by Wattage (W) and torque (Nm). Generally, there are two types of motors installed in ebikes – mid-drive and hub-drive.
Mid-drive motors are located where the cranks sit and pull the chain forward, simulating the exact same motion you would do with your legs while pedaling. They often come with torque sensors that measure the foot torque of the rider in Newton-Meters. It simply means that when you pedal harder, the motor responds by offering more power.
Hub-drive motors are often installed near the rear wheel of the e-bike. There are a series of planetary gears enclosed at the hub that usually provide power to the e-bike. This action rotates the motor around the axle which also rotates the wheels. Hub-drive motor’s power is usually calculated in watts.
When choosing an e-bike, check two different numbers that are listed for wattage on an electric motor; one is called “peak” wattage and the other is called “nominal” wattage.
The difference between these two is pretty easy to understand. Peak wattage refers to the maximum power the motor can draw over a short period. It’s sometimes also referred to as “surge wattage”.
Nominal wattage is your average operating power pull which is the number listed on e-bike descriptions.
3. Battery – The power behind your pedals
All e-bikes require a battery to provide energy to all the electrical components of the bike. Without a battery, you simply just have a bike.
It gives power to all the other components like the motor, controller, and display. You can almost think of it like the gas tank in your car.
Most of the e-bike batteries are made of lithium-ion cells and are measured in ampere-hours (Ah). This gives the rider a general idea about the range they might see when riding their e-bike. On average, the more ampere hours = more miles.
4. Controller – The brain of your e-bike
Controllers are exactly what they sound like because they control the electricity flowing through the e-bike. We think of it as the brain as it also directs the electricity like the brain directs the thoughts.
You can think of it like a middleman between the battery and all the other systems like it tells the battery to direct power to different systems like your motor or display.
5. Display and Controls – You need them
Display and controls are located on the handlebars of a mid-drive e-bike. They allow you to operate and understand what is going on with your ebike.
The display helps you to keep quick track of things like your battery life, speed, mileage, and pedal-assist level. The best cargo e-bikes usually come with clear, easily readable displays that show all of the things above. Some displays even come in full color.
Also, your controls are often located near the display which is how you actually set things like your pedal-assist level or turning your e-bike on or off.
6. Brakes – Helps you in slowing down
Now you know most of the components that help you to move your e-bike forward but let’s take a look at a component that helps you slow down.
It is an extremely important part of any moving vehicle – the brake system. There are a lot of different types of brake systems that are used in e-bikes – the main ones are mechanical or hydraulic. The major difference between the two is how the brake caliper is actuated.
Mechanical disc brakes work by running a metal cable down from the brake levers to the brake caliper. When you pull the brake lever, tension is applied on the metal wire which causes the caliper to apply pressure to the brake rotor to stop the e-bike.
This provides great stopping power but comes with its own set of disadvantages. Mechanical brakes require riders to provide direct input to the levers which control the calipers which means that how hard you pull is how hard you will stop.
Over time, these brakes will require readjustment as you will be stretching the metal cable and that will make it fall out of tolerance. This is not that big of a deal but you will require maintenance.
Hydraulic disc brakes work the same way but they don’t need a metal wire to apply pressure to the caliper. They instead use hydraulic fluid. These brakes provide a better user experience as the riders don’t have to squeeze the brakes too hard while riding and overall it requires less maintenance.
7. Drivetrain – Riding Essentials
The drivetrain includes a crankset, freewheel, derailleur, and chain or belt. These parts are responsible for transferring the physical pedal power to the rear wheel causing it to spin and move forward. It’s based on the same principle of how an analog bicycle works.
Now, how does each component of the e-bike work?
- Crankset
It’s often called the cranks which includes the crank arms and front chainring. The pedals are connected to crank arms where your feet go. The chainring rotates once you start pedaling and rotating the crank arms, which turns the rear wheel and pulls the chain forward.
- Freewheel
The freewheel refers to the cluster of gears that are connected directly to the rear wheel. This helps the rider to shift their e-bike chain to various individual gears which in turn affects the chain tension.
The different levels of the chain tension are responsible for how easy or difficult it is to pedal on various inclines or declines.
- Derailleur
This component helps in moving the chain laterally across the freewheel sprockets in order to change gears. Analog bicycles usually have two derailleurs, one at the chainring and the other at the rear in the freewheel.
They are the most complex portion of the drivetrain and have pulleys, springs, and a system of cables. They are quite reliable but require adjustment over time.
All of these individual components come together to form the drivetrain and help you to move forward.
8. Suspension – Comfortable Riding
The best cargo e-bikes will have a suspension system to give you a smoother and controlled ride. Suspension systems are beneficial as they absorb shocks and bumps on the road to give you a softer, more comfortable riding experience.
9. Wheel and Tires- Keep on Rolling
Wheels are one of the most important inventions in the human industry. Without them, there would be practically no transport. Wheels come with a rigid metal frame for a tire to stretch around.
The tire provides traction after making contact with the riding surface. Tire surfaces often come with a variety of tread patterns which can provide various benefits depending on where you plan to ride.
Tires with a smooth tread with no protruding knobs are called street tires. As the name suggests, street tires are best for commuter e-bikes as they work well on paved surfaces.
Tires with an aggressive bumpy tread are commonly used for riding in rougher terrain or off-road adventures as they provide more grip while riding.
Conclusion
These are pretty much all the components that go into building the best cargo bikes, mid-drive e-bikes, or e-bikes in general.
Once you have an understanding of what each component does, it’s easier to decide what you want in your e-bike. This basic knowledge will help you to make an informed choice while buying your first or next e-bike.
