How to choose an electric bike of an electric bicycle always represents an investment . This is why the choice must fall on an economic range model made with quality components.
Motor: Brushed or brushless?How To Choose An Electric Bike
The motor of a pedal-assisted bicycle must have a power of less than 250 watts , must operate autonomously and concurrently with the movement of the pedals and must not exceed 25 kilometers per hour .
The motor can be brushed or ” brushed ” (alternating current) or brushless (direct current): the former is bulky, heavy and less efficient while the latter is lighter and optimizes performance.
Its position affects performance: in the center of the front wheel (does not hinder pedaling but creates an imbalance of weight), in the center of the rear wheel (easy to assemble and disassemble in case of failure) or on the pin where the pedals are engaged (practical but expensive solution).
Battery: How To Choose An Electric Bike
The battery determines the time and kilometres of use of the electric bike before charging. Its efficiency depends on the type (even if the best for the weight and capacity ratio are lithium), on the capacity (multiplying the voltage by the current intensity per hour), on the autonomy (factor on which external factors operate) and from the position (crucial for weight balance).
The units of measurement are the ampere-hours (symbol Ah ). On any product description, it is always indicated: so look at it!
Pedaling assistance
The detection system provides pedal assistance and can use the rotation sensor (pedaling activates the motor and defines the symbolic pedaling) and the effort sensor (the pressure exerted on the pedals activates assistance proportionate to the effort).
Structure
The evaluation of the physical components of the electric bicycle is necessary to define the convenience of the e-bike and their interaction with the motor and battery . It is good to evaluate the weight (it must support the engine and the battery), the size (it must adapt to the build of the driver) and the shape (higher handlebar for a city bike , folding frame for an e-bike to be transported and frame more robust for a Mountain Bike ).
The material affects the weight of the structure: steel is cheap but heavy , aluminum is heavy but resistant while carbon fiber is light but its resistance is linked to the number of layers. The fork (front of the frame) accommodates the front wheel of the bicycle and can be of the same material as the frame or equipped with shock absorbers (solution that dampens any knocks).
Exchange
The transmission system must be chosen according to your needs: a single ratio (a crown on the crankset and a gear wheel for the sprocket) does not modulate the thrust on the pedals , a rear derailleur (a crown on the crankset and several sprockets on the hub) f to vary the force according to the route or two derailleurs (one front and one rear) promise more speed to face any type of terrain or slope.
Brakes: How To Choose An Electric Bike
The brake speech is very large, but wanting to reduce bone information one could say that those most commonly used are the drum brakes (dated and economic factors that tend to overheat being placed inside of the hubs), brake v-brake ( easy to change and act on the rim being mounted on the fork), disc brakes (top of the range because they have greater braking power and act on the hub) and hydraulic disc brakes (expensive but capable of regulating braking).
Wheels
Wheels can be measured with different measurement systems, from the inches of Anglo-Saxon countries to the standardized ISO system. Regardless of the system used, however, the dimensions must adapt both to the height of the driver and to the type of use to be made .
Accessories
The on-board computer and extra accessories promise to make the use of the e-bike more comfortable , but in the face of an “economic” choice, it is better to be satisfied. An electric bicycle under € 1,000 , for example, could have a plastic on-board computer that only indicates the battery charge level and allows you to select the type of assistance.