1. Benefits of An Electric Bicycle
You Cycle More
Many people look down on e-bikes when it comes to their health benefits. They feel that using an e-bike is almost a form of cheating as you don’t go it as manually as with a regular bicycle.
Electric bikes help users get into the habit of cycling more over time. When you are using a regular bike, you need to do a lot of groundwork to make the habit successful. Let’s say for example that you want to start cycling to work every day as a way of keeping healthy.
If you choose to use a traditional bike you need to factor in showering and changing when you get to your destination. While this may not be a barrier to a slew of riders, it is a significant turn off for many more.
An electric bicycle will help you cover more distance with less sweating which leads to an overall increase in your biking. Instead of light/short car trips, you can hop on your e-bike and not worry about working up a sweat that will need a shower. The more you adopt cycling, the more you receive the health benefits it delivers.
Less Strenuous Rides
It Is Eco-Friendly
2. Regular Bikes Vs Electric Bikes
Related article: An In-depth Comparison: Electric Bike Vs. Regular bike
Motors
Related article: An In-depth Comparison: Electric Bike Vs. Motorcycle
Full-power motor
Power-assist motor
E-bikes with power-assist do not use electricity all the time. Instead, they are designed to deliver power when you get tired or feel it’s necessary if you’re going uphill for example. They are easier to pedal unlike full-power ones, and as a result, they can cover longer distances. Full-power e-bikes typically have a range of 10-20 miles while power-assist ones will cover 50-90 miles.
You can position the motor on an e-bike in three different ways to achieve different outcomes. A central motor can be located on the bike’s frame if you want your e-bike to feel like a traditional one. The low center of gravity is what delivers such a ride feel.
Another location for the motor on an e-bike is the front wheel. The central front location delivers a front-wheel steering effect similar to that of a front wheel drive car.
The last position you can consider for an e-bike’s motor is the rear wheel. A rear motor interface with the gears and other parts around it to deliver a feel of better traction control to the rider. As a result, you experience a better grip when riding it.
The Battery
The battery is a critical part of an e-bike as it stores the power you need whenever you switch from pedaling mode to power mode. As a result, they are a key determinant of the range an electric bike can cover.
The best type of battery for an e-bike is one that gives you the power you need without weighing you down. If you use a heavy battery (like a lead acid one used in cars for example), you will find that most of your stored power goes to bearing its weight while in motion.
Lithium-ion batteries are the most ideal for an e-bike. Although they are a bit expensive, they deliver the lightweight aspect you need to use your power optimally and maximize on your range. You can place it on the low side of the frame to provide balance or on the luggage rack as well.
A handy battery tip is to carry an extra one as you cycle to extend your total range. Since they recharge in five to six hours, it does not become burdensome to keep an extra one handy for more juice.
The Sensor
The speed sensor
The torque sensor
Electric-Bike Maintenance
Electric-bike maintenance is similar in certain ways to normal bikes, but in other respects, it differs. Oil the gears and replace any that look worn-out. Ensure that the brakes are fully functional and that the brake pads haven’t worn out or gotten stuck.
Clean and apply fresh grease on the connecting leads to avoid any water damage. Also, you must assess the battery’s charging capacity to avoid keeping one that has lost its charge cycle.