E-bikes have quickly become the hip new way of travel. Their use allows users to pedal longer distances without breaking a sweat, climbing steep hills with ease.
But what exactly makes these modern marvels work? In this article, we will cover the fundamentals of e-bike technology – covering topics like wattage, voltage and amp-hours so that you can easily compare models and find one best suited to your needs.
Pedal-Activated Systems
Pedal-activated systems use electric motors to assist pedaling, offering riders who want to remain active but avoid overexertion an effective means of staying engaged during long rides. Their motor’s output power adjusts according to your pedaling cadence or force so that they provide as much or little support as desired.
For your pedal-assist system to activate, simply push a button located on your handlebar. This will switch on your bike’s engine and assist with pedaling power assistance. Some models also enable you to select different levels of assistance, from low (“economy”) to high (“turbo”); so that you can customize exactly how much power is being output from its motor.
Pedal-Assisted Mode
Some pedal-assist systems use cadence sensors, which use magnets or optical technology to monitor pedal rotation and release power in sync with your crank speed (RPMs). While these systems tend to feel less responsive than ones using torque sensors,
Torque sensors measure your pedaling force more than 1,000 times per second and adjust the motor’s power almost instantly in real-time, creating a ride experience that’s highly responsive, natural, and intuitive – you may even forget you’re riding an electric bike!
At its highest level of pedal assist, an ebike with a mid drive motor and torque sensor may boost your pedaling power by 300% – providing enough of an assist to help overcome hills or climbs that would otherwise seem insurmountable. Most jurisdictions limit class 1 ebikes to this form of assistance with maximum speeds up to 20mph without motor power being applied directly by their design.
Pedal-Only Mode
Your electric bike’s pedal-only mode provides the most realistic experience of riding a regular bike; using your pedals as the sole source of power will conserve battery power and extend its lifespan.
Some ebikes use sensors to monitor pedaling power and adjust the level of motor assistance accordingly. This prevents overusing of the motor, thereby prolonging its lifespan and prolonging wear-and-tear issues.
The motor will only provide boosts of power as long as you remain pedaling under a maximum speed set by the manufacturer, then will stop giving boosts altogether to prevent riders from becoming too dependent on it and not exercising enough; it also serves to prevent people from becoming too reliant on it and not engaging enough with physical exercise while riding! Many pedal-assisted bikes also feature regenerative braking which recharges your battery during braking to extend battery life further and extend how far one charge takes them on one trip.
350-Watt Motors
350-watt motors can be found on many ebikes. These motors provide an efficient balance of power and efficiency that meets most riders’ needs, and may even be the maximum legal limit in certain jurisdictions, while using less energy than higher-wattage options.
Wattage requirements vary based on an ebike’s components such as its battery, motor, controller, throttle, and display; however it should generally be possible to increase this figure through upgrading components or using larger-voltage batteries.
Heavier riders may experience greater difficulty with a 250 W motor when ascending hills or going beyond speed limits, but on flat land most won’t notice a difference, with even lighter riders often being able to accelerate quickly from a dead stop with Bosch or Shimano mid-drive motors as these connect directly to pedals providing greater torque.