How Do Ebikes Work?

Riding an Ebike is just like riding a regular bicycle - only better! With a battery powering an electric motor, you have the confidence and power to ride further, faster and to more places than ever before. Ebikes use pedal-assist, meaning that you pedal just like a regular bike, but the motor amplifies your pedaling to make it feel more effortless. Some Ebikes also include a throttle to allow you to propel the Ebike with no pedaling required. Conquer hills, keep up with traffic, even carry cargo or pull a trailer. Go places on your Ebike you would have never thought of riding a bike before.

• Electric Motors range in power from 250 watts to some models with 1000 watts. Lower wattage motors have the advantage of consuming less power, but can be limited on steeper inclines or with heavier loads. Higher wattage motors can handle steeper inclines, more challenging terrain and heavier loads, but consume more power. Motors can be hub mounted or mid-drive.
• Hub mounted motors are the easiest to service and are mounted directly on the rear wheel. They are ideal for most riding conditions but may be limited on steep inclines and rough terrain. The weight of the motor in the rear wheel can slightly change the balance compared to a non-powered bike, but most riders feel this difference is negligible.
• Mid-drive motors are mounted directly between the pedals at the bottom bracket of the Ebike. This can lower the center of gravity of the bike and can provide more power on steep or rough surfaces. These motors can be more expensive and difficult to service.

• Ebike Pedal Sensors decide how much help the motor gives while pedaling. The two main types of pedal sensors are torque sensors and cadence sensors
• Torque sensors change the motor's power assist based on how hard you push the pedals. The speed of the bike is controlled more by how much pressure you put on the pedals and less than the actual rotational speed of your cadence. They more closely mimic the feel of a traditional bike and can make more efficient use of battery power, but often have a higher cost factor.
• Cadence sensors activate the motor based on the rotational speed of your pedaling and offer uniform and consistent pedal assist without having to push harder on the pedals. This makes them great for riders who prefer more uniform speeds without fluctuating their effort - just rotate the pedals faster or slower to change speed. Generally more cost efficient but may come with slightly reduced battery range.

• A high performance lithium-ion battery supplies power to the motor, come in different sizes and capacities - measured in Volts (V) and Amp-hours (Ah). Our Ebikes are fitted with a battery capacity to match the electric motor power and computer controls within the system are designed to get you the most power as efficiently as possible.

• Handlebar controls will be found right where your thumb rests on your Ebike. This controls the pedal assist levels, and some ebikes will also have a throttle offering no-pedal propulsion. Up to 5 levels of pedal assist are available on Ebikes. Pedal assist can even be turned off when you don't want to use your battery. The more pedal assist you use, the easier the pedaling effort becomes.

• A display panel mounted front and center on the handlebars gives information such as speed, battery power remaining, and other useful information. More advanced models even include Bluetooth connectivity and app based cell phone integration built-in allowing you to track your rides and locate your Ebike.

Get in touch with EbikeCityZen.com and we can provide more information and answer any questions you have about Ebikes. Let us help you find the perfect Ebike for you!

Check out this Ebike Buying Guide to find the best Ebike for You!