What is an electric bike and how does it differ from a normal bike?
With technological advancements such as in-tube batteries and smaller motors, most electric bikes look very similar to regular bikes nowadays. Electric bikes have the same wheels, handlebars and body geometry as regular pedal bikes. The mechanical elements also all function in the same way, including the pedals and brakes.
So how does an electric bike differ from a normal bike? In short, an electric bike is simply a pedal bicycle with the addition of an electrical drive system to give you some extra power. This system consists of a Motor, Sensor, Battery, Controls and Display.
Electric Bike Motor: This is the part of the bike that delivers the extra power to your pedalling. But you can control the assistance that the motor provides using the controls to switch between different modes.
Electric Bike Sensor: The sensor is the part of the bike which tells the motor that you’re pedalling and that it needs to start adding assistance.
Electric Bike Battery: Different batteries have different capacity levels, which combined with a number of other factors will determine the range of your electric bike on a single charge. Charging your battery is easy, just unlock it and unclip it from your bike, and charge using a mains plug socket.
Electric Bike Controls: These controls can sometimes be integrated with your display, but generally they are small buttons on the left hand side of your handlebars which allow you to move between the assistance levels available on your bike.
Electric Bike Display: Your e-bike display will show a range of information, including: battery level, range, speed, distance travelled, and the assistance mode. Though this may vary from model to model, and the type of electric bike system you choose.