An electric bike is a traditional bicycle equipped with an electric motor that assists you as you are pedalling. This electric bike motor gets its power from a battery that is built and mounted on the bike, which can then be recharged as needed. For a model to classify as an eBike, the motor must assist your ride – rather than propelling you forward on its own. How much power the motor delivers as you move is regulated depending on how hard you pedal and the level of support you have selected. Electric bike systems present a range of different assistance modes to choose from, which means you can balance the power supply that is activated through the pedals with your range and battery life.
How Does an Electric Bike Work?
An electric bike features a motor that can be located either in the central bike system (which is often called a mid-drive motor that is powered through the cranks) or on the front or rear hub (which is called a hub-based motor).
While a hub-based motor will move the wheel around directly, a motor that has been mounted on the axle will operate through the eBike’s gears and chain.
As you pedal, a torque sensor will detect and measure how much effort you put in and match that to your motor’s power output.
Regardless of the motor location, the idea is that the motor will never completely take over and moderate the pedalling for you. Instead, you should experience consistent power that supplements your movement and not send the bike speeding forward on its own.
In addition to the pedal assist functionality, many electric bikes will come with a throttle that engages the motor with the press of a button – which can be found beneath the handlebars. This feature will vary depending on the model you select for your electric-assisted riding needs.
Largely speaking, the harder you pedal, the more powerful the boost the motor will provide – and the faster your ride will be. Your battery’s charge will deplete the further and the faster that you ride around, so it is key to invest in an electric bike battery charger to keep you on the move over the long term.
Designed to augment human movement and never replace it, electric bikes are the future of lifestyle mobility and sustainable transport. Whether you are searching for a fresh way to commute to work, a fun way to experience your environment, or you simply crave a sophisticated way to get from one point to another in convenience and style, an eBike is the perfect modern investment piece that will bring you an endless host of benefits and returns.
If you are interested in finding the perfect match for how you like to move – explore the range of electric bikes, scooters, accessories and more online with NG Mobility.