How Does An Electric Bike Work? – Everything you need to know
How Does An Electric Bike Work?
Electric bikes of all types give you lots of advantages. But, if you are new to them, you may not know how they actually work. So, I thought I would break down the details to answer the question of, how does an electric bike work?
I will go through all the basics, the components, how they feel to ride and what they can do.
Going from a traditional bike to an electric bike should be too difficult for many. The process of jumping on your bike and pedalling to get moving is the same, as is pulling on the brake levers to stop.
But the addition of a battery and electric motor does mean you need to be aware of a few things. By knowing about them, you will be able to make a more informed decision about buying the right electric bike for you. You will also be able to make the most of it.
The Different Types Of Electrical Assistance
Electric bikes have pedal assistance, or they can be ridden just using a throttle.
To ride a throttle assisted bike, all you need to do is use a throttle to engage the electric motor. The throttle will either be activated via a switch or a twist grip, similar to a motorbike or scooter. Therefore, you don’t need to put in any effort to move forwards.
Riding a pedal-assist electric bike is very similar to riding a regular bike. The motor engages as you pedal, amplifying your input into the pedals. The amount of assistance you get depends on the mode you select on the controller mounted on the handlebars.
However, you can buy pedal-assist electric bikes that also have a throttle mode. The advantage of riding these bikes is that you have the best of both worlds. You can have an effortless ride using the throttle or get some exercise with pedal assistance.
Electric Bikes In Detail
The motor, battery and controller are the additional components that make a bike electric. The feeling of riding an electric bike is very similar to riding a traditional bike. As you pedal, the motor seamlessly kicks in, giving your pedalling an extra boost. The assistance makes setting off easier and makes riding into headwinds and uphill much more manageable. You can ride for longer distances before you start to feel tired. Therefore, you can explore trails further afield or commute much more easily.
I found the electric power to be pretty addictive, especially when it comes to climbing hills. When I was riding an electric fat bike in the southwest of France earlier this year, I looked for steeper and more challenging hills to climb.
How The Assistance Levels Work
As I mentioned earlier, electric bikes have a controller mounted on their handlebars. The controller will either be integrated into an LCD screen or have separate buttons to select the level of assistance you want.
Depending on which electric bike you ride, it will have 3 or 4 modes. Some electric bike controllers have customisable levels that you can set yourself. But most electric bike manufacturers will set the assistance levels.
You can ride an electric bike without the motor kicking in. Therefore, if your battery goes flat, you can still ride home. You will definitely feel the bike’s extra weight, though, so this is something you really want to avoid doing if you can help it.
Electric bike manufacturers have different names for their assistance levels. But, most of them will call the lowest level “Eco” mode. Generally, the eco mode will give you about 120% of pedal assistance. This mode will help you to extend your battery life, as you need to put more effort into your pedalling. Eco mode is also great if you fancy a workout or when riding on flat terrain, where you don’t need too much help.
The mode above eco mode will probably be called standard, touring or trail mode. The highest assistance level will likely be called “Boost” or “Turbo”. The highest mode can amplify your pedalling by 300%, depending on the model of your electric bike.
Higher assistance modes drain your battery much more quickly than lower ones. To ensure you can get to your destination before the battery runs flat, you will need to be mindful of how you use the motor.
Electric Bike Batteries
To properly talk about all the ins and outs of electric bike batteries, I will need to write another blog (coming soon). But here is a summary of the things you need to know.
You will notice that electric bikes will have their batteries mounted internally or externally. Internal batteries make the bike look more sleek, and the battery is well protected inside the frame. However, they are a little more awkward to remove for charging.
External batteries sit somewhere on the outside of the bike’s frame. You can quickly get to them, but some people think they make the bike look a little cumbersome. But there are no other significant advantages or disadvantages of internally or externally mounted batteries.
To understand how large an electric bike’s battery is, you need to look at its Watt-hours (Wh). The higher the Wh figure, the longer the battery will go before it runs flat. Batteries with higher Watt-hours are also heavier than those with lower Wh figures.
Electric bike batteries are straightforward to charge, just like your laptop or phone. You can either plug the battery into the mains while it is mounted on the bike or with it removed.
How Far Can You Ride An Electric Bike?
When you think about it, an electric bike has unlimited range, as long as your legs work. However, the motor assistance will only last for so long. But the range of an electric bike before you need to charge the battery depends on several factors.
If you are a heavy person, the motor will need to demand more energy from the battery, depleting it more quickly. This is also the case if you are towing a trailer with your electric bike, thanks to its extra weight. Also, if your journey consists of lots of hills, your motor will need to work extra hard to get you up them.
The way you ride your electric bike also has an impact on its battery life. If you ride aggressively and use higher assistance levels all the time, your battery will run flat quickly. By learning how to ride smoothly and being mindful of how you use the assistance, you can extend your range dramatically.
Two Types Of Electric Motor
Electric bikes have their electric motors, either mounted in a wheel hub or between the cranks.
Hub mounted motors are usually in the rear wheel hub. You may find the odd front hub-mounted motor, but these are usually bolt-on aftermarket kits.
Electric bikes with rear hub-mounted motors are usually used for commuting and light off-road riding. But, higher-end electric bikes and proper electric mountain bikes have mid-mounted motors.
A mid-mounted motor between the cranks is much better for people who ride in hilly areas. This is because the motor is directly connected to the bike’s drivetrain. The motor’s central position also balances the bike better; therefore, the bike’s handling is more predictable. In addition to this, the low down position helps with cornering, thanks to a low centre of gravity.
If you are a mountain biker looking for a decent electric mountain bike, make sure you get one with a mid-mounted motor.
Cadence Sensor Vs Torque Sensor
Electric bikes work out how much assistance to give you by using one of two types of sensors.
A cadence sensor measures how fast you are pedalling and tells the controller how much assistance to give you. You will find that electric bikes with hub-mounted motors and commuter bikes mainly use cadence sensors.
A torque sensor measures how hard you push the pedals. The signal from the sensor tells the controller how much the motor should help you. A torque sensor gives you a more natural feel, as the motor delivers its power proportionately to your efforts. Electric mountain bikes with mid-mounted motors use torque sensors.
The Controller And Display
So you know what is going on with your electric bike, it will be fitted with an LCD screen. The information varies between brands, as some give you incredible amounts of info, while others just give you the basics. At the very least, your LCD will tell you what mode you are in, how fast you are riding, and your battery status. More advanced versions even have GPS navigation built-in.
Your electric bike will have buttons on the LCD, allowing you to select your assistance level. Alternatively, you can change the level with separate buttons fitted to your handlebars.
Can You Ride An Electric Bike Anywhere?
Where you can ride your electric bike all depends on where you are in the world. The rules constantly change, too, so you would be wise to keep on top of the latest news in your area.
Some places allow you to ride all kinds of electric bikes. However, some local authorities and governments only permit people to ride bikes in certain classes.
You will come across electric bikes with immense power. Some of them have the performance to rival motorbikes. These are completely illegal in some areas, while you need a licence and insurance to ride them in others.
When it comes to mountain bike trails, you should find out if electric mountain bikes are permitted. Most trail centres in the UK are ebike friendly, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
How Does An Electric Bike Work? - Answered
Now you have an idea of how an electric bike works and a rough idea of what they are like to ride. I have also covered where you may or may not be able to ride one.
I will be doing my best to update the website with more electric bike-related content. I believe that they will become very popular. Many people will start to see past the negative attitudes towards them.
