Electric bicycles might not steal the show, but the bicycle-making industry is experiencing its electric revolution as well. The objective of electrifying a bike is different than that of a vehicle since bicycles do not inherently pollute the environment. However, there are many advantages to adding electric motors to bikes.
We will examine what an electric bicycle is and how it works in this article.
What are electric bikes?
Electric bicycles function as regular bikes. They still require the rider to pedal to move forward. However, the rider has assistance from an electric motor that helps to pedal less. This means you will still get a workout, just not as much.
When you push the pedal, the small electric motor engages. This is known as pedal-assist and is how you get a boost when navigating up a hill or riding through rough terrain.
Some electric bicycles have a button that you can press to engage the motor, and you won’t have to pedal. However, they are often criticized for taking bicycling out of the bicycle. They are even illegal in some places.
Electric bikes are typically heavier, and you must account for this when gauging braking distances.
The market for electric bikes is growing. It enjoyed a massive 145 percent growth to reach $244 billion in 2020.
Interestingly, more people are buying electric bikes to reduce how much they drive their cars.
The main components of an electric bicycle
There are three main components in an electric bicycle. They are:
The electric motor
This is the component that provides torque when you pedal down the road. More expensive motors produce more torque, giving you more power.
The motor can mount on the front or rear-wheel or mid-drive. Each placement has its advantages.
The battery
Without the battery, you will have to pedal the bicycle on your own. It stores the electricity that makes the motor run. The most common type of battery is li-ion, similar to the kind used in electric vehicles.
How long you can ride depends on the capacity of the battery. Some manufacturers hide the battery inside the frame, making the bicycle no different from a regular bike in appearance.
The average bicycle battery takes between five and six hours to charge fully.
The sensor
This part of the bike detects when you pedal to engage the electric motor. The two types of sensors that you can find on your e-bikes are speed and torque. The former immediately engages the motor when you start pedaling, while the latter responds with just enough assistance to match your speed.
