We are more and more willing to buy electric bikes – why? Because not all of us are born cyclists, some of us sweat more and need a shower after cycling, because an electric bike is simply comfortable.
On an electric bike, you can commute to work without a drop of sweat on your forehead, go shopping, go on trips or go recreationally to the mountains, without being in shape.
Electric bike prices start at around $400 to…. Well, we can look for the upper limit for a long time, but thanks to the very large price range, practically everyone will find something for themselves.
We agree that for $ 400 we will not buy a high-end super electric bike with a carbon frame and built-in GPS, but that does not mean that such a bike is useless.
E-Bikes – Who Are They For?
1st group of e-bike users – the elderly
So what can an electric motor in a bicycle be useful for? Older people come to mind first. I know a few retirees who used to ride bicycles, but now, unfortunately, their health does not allow them to ride further. One, even a small hill, is enough for them to get off the bike.
When riding an electric bike, you often don’t even need to use pedaling power, you just need to set it in motion. Such a bike will also be great for younger people whose health does not allow riding a traditional bike.
2nd group of e-bikes users – city cyclists and commuters
Movement is healthy, but unfortunately, it can end up with sweaty clothes. It happens differently, there are people who sweat, even when they cycle at a snail’s pace and it’s hard to do something about it. And let me tell you that I didn’t believe that an electric bike could make a difference in such a case.
I thought you just rode faster, but pedaling the same. I was horribly wrong. While riding a bicycle with an electric motor, I did not sweat at all. Zero. Nothing. And that was cycling at 15 mph almost all the time. If I wanted to get to work in a dry shirt, I would consider buying such a bike.
3rd group of e-bikes users – mountain bikers who enjoy going down, but not necessarily going up
There is nothing to cheat, riding up steep hills takes a huge amount of energy and time. Which, of course, rewards the later descent, but the question arises – what if you could go up the mountain like a skier or downhillers?
Unfortunately, there are few routes with lifts, prepared for cyclists. And here an interesting solution is a good electric bike (with a high-torque motor). It will make it easier to climb up and allow for more fun descents.
4th group of e-bikes users – tourists who lack strength – not in shape like professional cyclists
Tourists who lack strength – not in shape like professional cyclists. There are people who would like to, for example, cycle a long and demanding route, but they are aware of their physical limitations. Or they know it would take them 3 weeks, and they don’t have that much time.
Or we have a situation where a guy loves to ride a bike, wants to go somewhere with his wife, who doesn’t like bikes that much and gets discouraged quickly (this is my case). And it ends up so that he gets tired of riding too slowly, and she gets tired of him ;). When riding an e-bike, you can maintain a speed of 13-15 mph without great effort, which gives a really good, touristy speed.
Is it worth to buy an e-bike?
An electric bike is a great way to avoid traffic jams, the tedious search for a parking space, or save money spent on a monthly ticket or fuel. In addition, it allows you to take care of the required amount of time spent outdoors, as well as your physical condition. After all, it is a great way to spend time with friends – these are the basic advantages and arguments for an e-bike.
Thanks to the electric drive, it is also a great alternative to a traditional bicycle, also for people with children and those in middle age. The ability to cover very long distances without excessive fatigue is a chance for weekend trips that do not strain our physical health. It is also a great solution for the elderly or those with health problems.
Electric support does not strain the body, it even allows for safe activity without the risk of injury.
In addition, e-bike is the answer to the needs of all thrifty people. The cost of charging the battery, which lasts from 2 to 4 hours, is very low. So we save on public transport tickets, parking lots, petrol and taxis.
Engine – the key element of an e-bike … but what types of engine are out there?
The electric motor distinguishes e-bikes from traditional bicycles. It is thanks to it that we can go to work at a speed much higher than the speed of a passenger car standing in traffic jams, or go on a weekend trip without much effort.
The heart of every electric bike is the electric motor, so we should carefully consider the choice of a specific type of the motor. The electric motor for the bicycle can be located in various parts of it. There is a wheel motor and a central motor.
E-bikes with rear hub engine
The electric motor in the wheel, or in other words the motor in the hub, is the most economical solution. E-bikes with a motor placed in the wheel are the most popular, among other things because they are the cheapest of all types of drives. However, this is not the end of the pluses.
The rear wheel of the bike ensures good grip of the bike to the ground – most of the rider’s weight rests on the saddle. This type of drive does not use a chain to transmit power. In other words, rear-wheel drive means a lot of grip combined with little power loss when transferring it to the wheel. The type of drive can be of great importance to us when we cycle on a wet surface or on an unpaved road.
Advantages of rear hub engine
Rear hub engine minimizes slippage at higher speeds. It is recommended mainly for those cyclists who plan to use their bike mainly outside the city – it is created for such purposes. The rear motor is also very quiet, which for many people can be a big advantage.
Disadvantages of rear hub engine
Unfortunately, the rear hub engine has its drawbacks. The motor mounted in the rear hub of the bicycle can get very hot, which can sometimes be uncomfortable for the rider. In addition, the motors in the rear wheel usually have lower torque compared to, for example, central motors of the same power. This can affect cycling comfort when climbing steep mountain hills.
As for the use itself – the center of gravity is moved to the very rear of the e-bike, which is strongly felt while cycling.
E-bikes with front wheel engine
The electric engine located in the front wheel of the bicycle was designed mainly for urban space. What distinguishes it from other types of drives is the fact that its price is significantly lower than the rear and central drives. It is characterized by a very simple structure and provides excellent weight distribution, especially in combination with the battery mounted on the rack.
Advantages of front wheel engine
The electric bike drive located in the front hub does not limit the functionality of the rear wheel. Thanks to this, we can install any type and size of the cassette, or even a derailleur integrated with the hub. In addition, if you need to replace the inner tube, we will not have problems with it. The hermetic joint will allow you to easily remove the wheel. Therefore, a very favorable weight distribution and a relatively low price speak in favor of the front hub motor.
If we dream of buying an electric bike to ride mainly around the city, this type of drive will definitely be the best solution.
Disadvantages of front wheel engine
What is a plus for some may be a minus for others. Those who plan to use the bike only for mountain riding may not be satisfied with the front-wheel drive. Due to the engine mount, front-wheel drive bikes are not masters of climbing.
E-bikes with an engine in the front hub are worse on unpaved and steep surfaces. This type of engine is therefore dedicated to cyclists who prefer riding around the city or weekend, long trips on paved roads.
E-bikes with centrally located engine
The mid-mounted engine offers many advantages combining all the advantages of front and rear drive. It ensures proper weight distribution and allows the use of any attachments for both the rear and front wheels. It is very helpful when climbing very steep slopes: in combination with the rear derailleur, the central motor allows you to adjust the torque transmitted to the rear wheel.
Unfortunately, it is also by far the most expensive solution among all available engine mounting options.
Advantages of centrally located engine
This is believed to be the best location for the engine. The central engine for the bicycle allows you to spread the center of gravity and does not cause problems when removing the wheels. It is also less susceptible to various types of failures and faults. For those who want to improve their e-bikes, it is not without significance that the central motor allows the incorporation of a pedal pressure sensor.
Disadvantages of centrally located engine
These include not only the high price of the bike, but also the higher load on the chain itself and the need to install a frame with a specialized structure.
Which e-bike should you choose?
The best solution for urban riding is, of course, an electric city bike. Available for both men and women, comfortable, often with a stiff fork.
A great idea is to buy a trekking/cross bike, which, apart from being great in the city, is also perfect for off-road trips. It is therefore an excellent option if you like weekend trips to the bosom of nature or further trips out of town.
If you live on one of the upper floors and bringing a standard-sized bike would be inconvenient for you, or you live outside the city, and the way back home always involves standing in traffic jams, it is worth considering buying a folding electric bike. This type of bike can be folded into a compact, handy medium-sized suitcase in just a few moments. The advantage of folding bikes is also their weight, because they are much lighter than other bikes.
An electric mountain bike will satisfy amateurs of both urban trips and mountain bike trips.
I have to say, the more I test and try e-bikes, the more I love them!
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