Electric bikes are gaining popularity in today’s time. Many people imagine electric scooters or bikes when they first hear the word – “electric bike”. But that isn’t true. Electric bikes are regular bicycles with various electrical components attached to them.
Motor, battery, and controller are all seamlessly integrated into the design. These are the fundamentals of all electric bicycles in the market.
Now, many people have a lot of questions before buying a mid-drive e-bike. This is because there are a lot of options available in the market.
Read on if you also have a few questions about how electric bikes work and which one to choose for yourself.
How do electric bikes work?
Electric bikes have a motor attached which charges up when you start pedaling. This feature makes driving electric bikes a breeze. Longest-range electric bikes are designed to move forward under the power of the motor while pedal bikes require you to give it some assistance to start.
Most people confuse electric bicycles with motorcycles but they are entirely two different things. The electric motor and battery are not as powerful and don’t last for long as the gasoline-powered engine.
However, e-bikes are better for the environment as they don’t emit toxic exhaust when you ride them. They are also healthier for you as you will have to physically give them some power to ride forward.
Electric bikes are faster as compared to regular bicycles because of a motor attached to them. However, there is a speed limit and you will have to adhere to it. Most electric dirt bikes for adults have a speed limit of 20 – 28 miles per hour (mph).
Electric bikes are categorized into 3 classes that define what an e-bike is. You will have to cross-check with your state laws as some places regulate certain e-bike classes to specific trails and age groups.
- Class 1 – They assist the rider after the pedal speeds up to 20 mph
- Class 2 – They have a motor that is only used to propel the bike to the speed of 20 mph
- Class 3 – They are the fastest bikes and only assist after you have pedaled up to the speed of 28 mph
3 main components differentiate a normal bicycle from electric bikes – the battery, the motor with the controller, and the sensor.
The Battery
The battery fires the motor. It is integrated in different places on the e-bike based on the frame type and size. However, it is usually installed at a lower position and centered on the bicycle so that you can maintain your balance while riding the e-bike.
If you want to calculate the power of the battery and check how long it will last, you will have to see the wattage, voltage, and amp hours of the mid-drive e-bike you are buying.
You can charge the battery of your e-bike just like your phone. The number of hours differs based on the type and model. On average, it usually ranges between five to six hours.
How long do e-bike batteries last?
Most e-bikes have lithium-based batteries. The lithium chemistries differ based on the brands. Manufacturers do claim that some are more robust than others but the most important thing that increases the life of a battery is how well you take care of it.
E-bike batteries usually last between 3-5 years if maintained properly. It’s also essential to note that a lithium-ion battery slowly loses its capacity over time even if it’s not used.
How to charge an e-bike battery without a charger?
There are several ways to charge your e-bike battery if you don’t have a charger or forgot one.
The 2 simplest ways are:
Charging with a car battery
Car batteries are an unexpected power source during emergencies. The car battery uses an inverter to convert DC power from the battery into AC current which charges your mid-drive ebike battery directly.
To charge your electric mini bike battery with a car battery:
- Connect both batteries to an inverter
- Connect your e-bike battery with a temporary charger before connecting it to a regular charger
- Check that the connections are safe to avoid accidents
Use a power inverter
A power inverter is a perfect choice for converting DC power from various sources into AC electricity suitable for charging your e-bike battery.
To charge your mid-drive e-bike:
- Connect the inverter to a power source
- Then, connect your e-bike battery to the inverter
- Ensure all the connections are secure
These are interim solutions until you get a permanent solution to charge your e-bike battery.
The Motor
Motors help to boost your ability to ride. If you are riding for a long distance and get tired in between, you can use the throttle to help you move. A pedal assist also kicks in which allows you to ease the difficulty level of the ride.
Motors help to change the electric power into mechanical work that helps to turn the bicycle’s wheels.
The motor used in electric dirt bikes for adults varies depending on the brand and manufacturer. However, all manufacturers just have three places to integrate the motor – the center of the bike, the rear hub, and the front hub.
Most manufacturers avoid placing the motors on the front hub. You will generally find them in that position on cheaper e-bikes.
What size motor is best for an electric bike?
The size of the motor depends on the type of riding you do. For example, if you are into recreational riding, a 250-watt motor is sufficient for you. It doesn’t mean you can’t go for a 500-watt motor but you don’t need so much power if you are just riding around the neighborhood.
How long does an e-bike hub motor last?
On average, an e-bike hub motor usually lasts 10,000 miles. However, that is dependent on how well you are taking care of your mid-drive e-bike motor. Usually, the most wearable component of a hub motor is bearings (assuming you don’t have a brushless motor). To avoid the wear and tear, you can store your bike inside.
The Sensor
The sensor is one of the most important components of an e-bike. They prevent the electric bikes from going too fast by instructing the motor to turn off the throttle or pedal assist.
The sensor measures speed or torque. Although both are nearly similar. Speed sensor monitors how fast you travel and torque sensor monitors how hard you pedal which means that the harder the pedal, the faster the speed.
Based on the design of the mid-drive e-bike, there are two different sensors integrated- a cadence sensor and a torque sensor.
The Cadence sensor immediately engages the motor once you begin pedaling to give you ride assistance. On the other hand, the torque sensor is more detailed to precision. It responds to your speed and gives you assistance based on that when you are moving. It particularly helps with speed and maneuvers.
Do most e-bikes have a torque sensor?
No, most e-bikes don’t have a torque sensor as they are expensive. Almost all lower-priced models don’t have one.
Riders who have a casual riding style shouldn’t buy e-bikes with torque sensors because you might have to give more effort while pedaling.
How does a torque sensor work on an e-bike?
Torque sensors usually measure how hard the rider is pedaling to determine how much electric power it needs to generate to give a push to the bike. The system is directly proportional as the harder you pedal, the more power it generates and vice versa.
It accurately measures the force you apply on the pedal, sampling 1,000 times per second throughout the entire pedal stroke. It measures everything in real-time and also makes adjustments accordingly.
So, technically it is amplifying your slightest input and making you feel bionic. Torque sensors are for advanced riders and the prices of these mid-drive bikes are also higher because of the level of precision it offers.
What is a cadence sensor on an e-bike?
The cadence sensor is directly related to speed. It provides information to the bike’s motor controller about how fast the pedaling is. Later, the bike’s computer uses this information to determine how much electric assistance the rider requires.
For example, if the rider is pedaling slowly, the motor will provide less electric assistance and vice versa.
A cadence sensor also helps riders optimize their technique and pedaling efficiency. Riders can monitor their cadence and adjust their pedaling speed to what they are most comfortable with.
Do most e-bikes have a cadence sensor?
Cadence sensors are quite affordable, so the low and mid-drive e-bikes usually have them. E-bikes that have a cadence sensor are ideal for casual riding as this sensor allows for effortless cruising without the need for intense pedaling.
If you are a beginner, then you must opt for the best cargo e-bike with a cadence sensor as they are straightforward and will start assisting as soon as you start pedaling.
Conclusion
These are some of the major components of the electric bike for hills. There are certain other things like display, weight, speed, and distance that you should consider before buying an e-bike.
However, once you understand the importance of the main components, choosing a category of e-bikes becomes much easier for you. Remember to list down your use case and riding style first before even starting to look at the best cargo e-bike models.
