What is an e-bike?
They are a bicycle that has an electric motor fitted to the crank (the bit where the pedals are). This is powered by a battery, either located on the down tube or a carrier at the back of the bike. The battery power will vary, generally between 400w – 650w.
How do they work?
The motor boosts the power that you put through by turning the pedals. You control the various power levels from a computer on your handlebars. I have a Bosch motor on my e-bike, and my specific model has 4 levels. Eco is the lowest and gives me 55% more power, so my 100% turns 155%. If I need help on a steep section, the top level, Turbo, gives me 340% more power. A common assumption is that you do not have to pedal, but this is not the case. You choose how much “assistance” you need.
Ebikes use different types of batteries depending on the manufacturer and type of e-bike. Therefore the distance you will get from one charge will vary a lot. It will depend on several variables:
- Your weight
- The terrain
- Level of power you use
- How much uphill you will be doing
- The wattage of the battery
Types of bikes
The main types of e-bikes are City, Trekking, Hardtail and Full suspension. If you are considering buying an e-bike, do your homework to get the most suitable bike for your needs.
City
This bike is ideal for riding on asphalt roads and bike paths with thinner tyres and not such a wide range of gears. The position on the bike is designed for comfort and tends to be fairly upright. It may have a rack to carry panniers or a basket and will have mudguards to protect you in the rain.
Trekking bike
A more robust version of the city bike with all its features is just stronger to deal with gravel paths and more gearing to deal with steeper terrain.
Hardtail
This mountain bike has suspension on the front to soak up the shocks from riding on rougher terrain; the bike frame is solid. The tyres are wider and have a deeper knobbly tread, so the grip is good on various rough surfaces. The brakes will be hydraulic, which has greater stopping power. The position on the bike is more “sporty”, so you are ready to deal with whatever the terrain throws at you.
Full Suspension (known as Fullys)
This is an even more beefed-up hardtail with suspension on the back and the front. The fully is designed for riding tougher, steeper terrain. Interestingly many more people are now riding fullys as they offer a more comfortable ride due to the suspension. The penalty is an increase in weight due to the extra suspension system.
