Types and functioning
How does an electric bike work
Electric bikes look like regular bikes, but take advantage of three components to function: The engine, battery and traction set
The electric motor is the most important part of the ebike. The different types of engines that can be found are: Front hub, rear hub and engine central (mid-drive).
The engine in the front hub is on the front wheel and provides traction by turning the wheel. You feel like the bike is being pulled forward.
When the engine is in the rear hub, that wheel feels like you're being pushed, it's nicer than the front.
The center engine acts on the drive assembly (crank and rear cassette) instead of the hub. The sensation is much closer to natural, and the strength is unparalleled.
Modern Lithium batteries are lightweight and allow 30 to 100km of autonomy per charge, but this depends on the rider's driving. The battery lasts about 300 to 400 cycles, that is, several years of joy before needing replacement.
The cyclist normally pedals like any bicycle
The motor is activated when the pedals start to move. This allows the cyclist to exercise, but with an aid that makes the ride easier.
The cyclist simply presses the accelerator and the bike moves on its own like a moped. The cyclist is not assisted and the battery is maxed out.
The sprocket, chain, and cassette assembly provides the torque needed to ensure movement of the bicycle's wheels. Mid-drive engines send power directly to the set, allowing the rider to shift gears, making the bike lighter or faster depending on the need at the time.
Charging the battery is as simple as charging your cell phone. Good quality lithium batteries need about 6 hours for a full charge (2A/h) and have a useful life of about 500 cycles.