The world is developing quite rapidly and almost everything is becoming digitized, including bikes. Yeah, electronic bikes also known as “e-bikes” are a thing and they are becoming increasingly popular. Electronic bikes greatly enhance the biking experience, making it way more fun. E-bikes are powered by motors and batteries to help you ride along, covering more distance. With these bikes, riding by a hillside or going on for a long distance becomes possible and easier with less stress to you. They are wonderful for transportation cycling and can take heavier cargo than your average bike. These bicycles are fantastic and if you’re an avid cyclist, they will enable you to cover miles and miles of road seamlessly.
Before you purchase an electric bike, you have to know what you are aiming for and the type of e-bike you need. There are the basic classes of electronic bicycles differentiated by their motor systems, batteries, and designs.
Electric Bicycle Classes (Pedal Assist vs Throttle)
There are three basic classes of electric bicycles and they are Pedal Assist, Throttle, and Speed Pedelec.
Pedal Assist
This bike is also known as the Pedelec. With this type of electric bicycle, you have to pedal manually to activate and use the motor. It almost seems like a conventional bicycle, but it is not so.
E-bikes with pedal assist have an electric motor that enhances pedaling efforts if it is sensed that the user is pedaling. While the user pedals, the motor adds to the power that is transmitted to the wheel at the rear. Because of this, pedaling does not take as much effort as it would with a normal bike, and one can climb hills and rocky roads with minimum effort.
These bikes may or may not possess throttles. They require no driver’s license, and they are not bound to any age limit. A perfect example of this type of bike is the KBO Hurricane which is a lightweight urban electric bike that embodies stealth and durability. This bike has a complex motor that gives you the option of a 3-pedal assist.
Throttle
This type of electronic bicycle does not need the rider to perform any pedaling action. The motor is fully controlled by the throttle. You get the bicycle moving, all you need to do is power the throttle and off you go. The bicycle can move at different speed ranges, depending on how far you push the throttle. These electric bicycles are not as popular as the pedelec, and they are banned in some countries, but they are fun to ride on and they help the rider conserve energy. These e-bikes usually use up more battery than the pedelec. A solid example of a durable electric bike with a throttle is the KBO Breeze Step-Thru. This is one powerful bike that you can purchase if you are looking to get quality e-bikes with throttles. This bike comes with a speed gear shifter that allows you to change the gears for adapting to different geographies on demand. The comfortable twist throttle on the right-hand bar enables you to accelerate at any speed you deem fit.
Speed Pedelec
This electric bicycle is somewhat similar to the Pedal Assist e-bike but not quite. Just as it is hinted at in the name, this bicycle comes with more speed and sophistication than the regular pedelec.
Pedal Assist bicycles are still considered regular bicycles, but with the speed pedelec, you need a driver’s license as it is not considered a regular bicycle, but a motor vehicle. You definitely need a helmet to ride on this one.
Electric Bicycle Motor Differences
The same way the CPU is the heart or brain of the computer, the electric motor is the brain of an cargo ebike. The electric motor can be located either at the center of the frame of the bicycle or in one of the hubs. The location of this motor determines how well the bicycle will function.
Mid-Drive Motor
If an electric bicycle has a mid-drive motor, it means that the motor is positioned in the center of the bike skeleton and is integrated with the bottom cranks and brackets. Electric bicycles with mid-drive motors are usually pedal assist because the motors can only be activated via pedaling.
Because the motor is centrally located, weight is distributed evenly on the bike.
Electric bicycles built like this have a more effective torque sensor that can be integrated in such a way that the assistance of the bike will be varied to match the power of the rider’s pedaling, creating a smoother journey.
Front Hub Motor
This happens to be the easiest electric bicycle design worldwide. These motors are used mostly with throttle systems as they are more befitting. Front hub motors are somewhat limited in capability because they are quite more challenging. The weight of a bicycle is mostly focused on the rear, but the drive unit of this bike system is in the front-drive wheel which makes it a bit difficult to corner while accelerating.
Electric bicycles with this motor system are not very popular because of their apparent limitations.
Rear Hub Motor
This is the most versatile electric bicycle motor system there is. A rear hub motor system can contain both the pedal assist and the throttle.
They are quite popular for electric conversions because they can be customized and fitted to non-folding bike frames. The downside to this motor type is that it can create an uneven distribution of weight in the rear wheel of the bike which can lead to mishandling. This is the type of motor used by KBO Bikes which helps with their flexibility and versatility. KBO bikes can thoroughly handle higher power options as their frames are equipped and designed to handle higher torque at the rear.
Ebike Battery Types
Electric bicycles are usually kept active with the use of rechargeable batteries. Most e-bike batteries are lithium-ion and they are pretty powerful.
The most common battery configurations you can find today are:
Rack Mount Battery
This battery can be mounted to the rear of an electric bicycle. The battery is placed above the rear wheel. The racks are crafted to perform like cargo and can double as extra storage.
Down Tube Battery
The most popular mounting location for electric bicycles is the down tube and this is the system used by KBO bikes. Positioning the battery at that position makes it easier to handle the bicycle. The down tube is the frame tube that goes from the front of the bike to the crank area. KBO bikes are manufacturers for both effectiveness and comfort, and this battery configuration makes wiring easier and helps with weight distribution.
Inner Tube Battery
This is sometimes known as a frame-integrated battery. The battery is integrated into the bicycle frame, providing more sturdiness and protection to the bicycle. The battery is usually integrated into the middle of the bike and it guarantees optimal weight distribution.
Conclusion
Having an electrical bicycle is not the major focus, but choosing the one that is right for you. When choosing an e-bike, you have to know what you are looking for in a bike. If you want to purchase a bike or talk to an expert about your bike preferences, KBO Bikes is the perfect choice for you.
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