How Do You Use an Electric Bike
In the late 1900s, bicycles flourished, providing people with an alternative means of transportation to fully enhance their quality and standard of living. People will ride their bikes and enjoy a sense of freedom and adventure on every trip. While bicycles have generally improved many people’s lives, technological upgrades to these outdated inventions are inevitable.
Over the years, we have made many innovations to the traditional bikes we are used to. Modern technology has paved the way for the discovery of electric bicycles, which have made cycling more convenient and useful. While many people find e-bikes a bit overwhelming and confusing, they have still shown great popularity over the years due to their convenience. Remember, what sets an e-bike apart from a regular bike is the presence of the electric motor, battery, and display and control systems that make pedaling easier and easier. While these may sound daunting, remember that you’re still riding a bike – only better. Read on to learn more about how to properly use an electric bike to maximize your riding experience.
Different categories of electric bikes
Most people think that all e-bikes are the same as a motor vehicle with full throttle control, you can press a button or press a regular twist of the handle to start and keep moving, but that’s not entirely true. Different electric bikes have different functions. They are classified according to their maximum speed and mode of operation. In the United States, e-bikes are divided into three categories:
*In Europe, a special driver’s license and license plate is required to use a Class 3 speed e-bike
Learn about the parts of your e-bike
To get the most out of an e-bike, you must first become familiar with its main components and their respective functions. This way, it will be much easier to address your own needs and preferences.
Electric bikes consist of three main parts:
1. Motor – This is the main part that makes an electric bike different from a regular bike. Powered by a battery, the type of motor that runs your e-bike is important. There are two types, such as a hub motor where the motor is located on the front or rear hub, and a mid-drive motor that can be seen in the middle of the e-bike frame. Identifying the two should be easy when looking at your e-bike.
BEST Low Step 48V 500W Fat Tire Folding Electric Bike Rear Hub Motor
HOTEBIKE Bikes’ Mid Drive Motor Rebel 48V 1000W Electric Hunting Bike
2. Battery – The battery is said to be the most expensive part of owning an e-bike because it has all the power of an e-bike. On average, the battery can last up to 5 or 6 years, depending on usage. Most batteries are made of lithium-ion, similar to those used in smartphones and laptops. The battery capacity ranges from 24V-72V, but the recommended best and safest capacity is only in the 36-52V range – this range is not so low as to require more wires and connectors, nor is it so high that cause electric shock.
Revi Bikes 48V 17.5AH (840WH) Predator EBikes Lithium Battery
The two batteries are:
External Batteries – These batteries are removable and can be charged separately from the bike frame. It is flexible to use and easy to replace.
Integrated Battery – Also known as a built-in battery. These batteries are made from the bike itself and are not as easily removable as the first. To charge, you must connect the bike to a power source with a cable, or your specific bike model will instruct you to do so.
No matter what kind of battery your e-bike uses, it’s important to always check its battery health and not overcharge it. Be sure to consult your bike manual for extra care and precautions.
3. Display and control system
Controller – The controller is usually placed inside an aluminum box. It adjusts the battery voltage to suit the different needs of the pedal sensor and other components of the e-bike. This is usually either inside the hub motor (for in-wheel motors) or mounted externally (for mid-drive motors).
Display – Technology makes its predecessor LED lights easier to understand in the form of a digital screen. Today, most e-bikes already come with an LCD display that shows you how fast and how far you are going. Both LCD and LED displays provide detailed dashboards about battery health, your chosen level of pedal assist, and more.
Ecotric Seagull 48V/13Ah 1000W Electric Mountain Bike Smart LCD Screen
LED Display for Ecotric 36V 500W Fat Tire Portable Folding Electric Bike
Throttle – Like the display, the throttle lets you choose your preferred power from the personalized motor at any time, no matter how hard you’re pedaling. The throttle should be easy to spot on the handlebar, recognizable as a thumb throttle or twist grip throttle.
Maximize the potential of your e-bike
And now for the most exciting part, taking your e-bike for a spin. I’m sure you already have a lot of questions in mind about how exactly do you use an electric bike, hold those thoughts, and we’ll try to answer them one by one. It is now time to hop on your e-bike. Keep in mind these four easy tips to ensure you’re getting the most out of your electric bike.
1. Make sure your battery is sufficiently charged for your intended ride. You can check the remaining power, usually through the display system or sometimes on the battery itself. Some recommend that you purchase an extra battery when you are bound for extra-long and challenging rides. With the battery, a spare charger is also suggested in case you suddenly forgot or misplaced the other.
Battery level display of Green Bike Electric Motion Classic LS/HS 46V 350W Folding Electric Bike
2. Activate the motor. Given that the battery is already sufficiently charged, turn on your electric bike by pressing the power button for 3 seconds and wait for the LCD screen to light up. Activate your electric bike’s motor by either pedaling or via throttle, depending on the class of e-bike you have. Again, for Class 1 and 3 pedelecs, you have to keep pedaling for the electric motor to stay activated. In contrast, for Class 2 throttle-only electric bikes, a button press or a grip twist alone will keep the motor working and your electric bike going.
3. Familiarize yourself with the electric pedal assistance feature of your e-bike. The levels of electric assistance provided by the electric bike’s motor can be adjusted through the right-hand shifters or depending on the control and display system your e-bike has. Different manufacturers of cycling components have different terminologies when it comes to electric assistance systems. Shimano, for example, makes use of the terms: Off < Eco < Normal < High. On the other hand,
Bosch uses the electric assistance levels: Off < Eco < Tour < Sport < Turbo. Some simply have levels 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, while others have Low, Med, High. Even though different bike companies have different terminologies for their pedal assistance system, the basic principle of providing you the most suitable pedal assistance level to ensure efficient biking experience remains the same.
Electric pedal assistance levels: Low, Med, High of American Electric Veller 36V 350W Cruiser Electric Bike
To also understand more how to control your speed while pedaling, it is essential to identify two kinds of sensors that influence how your E-bike gauges the level of assistance it gives you.
Torque Sensor – this regulates how hard you hit or put the weight on the pedal. So if you pedal really lightly, your e-bike will only give you little support, but if you’re trying to go up and climb a steep hill, the more weight you put on every pedal, the more power your e-bike’s going to give you.
Cadence Sensor – which works according to the speed of your pedal. It’s basically just counting the number of rotations of your crank, and from that, the level of assistance your e-bike provides will adjust accordingly.
Note that when you reach the maximum speed of 20 mph (for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes) or 28 mph (for Class 3 e-bikes), your-ebike will no longer provide you with any assistance. Once you familiarize yourself with all these concepts, you can now be more in control of your own rides.
4. Pay attention and give clear signals. While it is tempting to be lost in the music from your ear pods while enjoying the wind against your cheeks as you straddle in panoramic nature scenes, it is still best to focus on your surroundings. The road also has its own music. It would be best if you were more alert, especially when you are approaching different lanes and taking different turns.
Pay attention to the sounds around you and sense your next move. While you dissolve yourself in the lanes, it is also important to learn and give proper signals for other motorists and cyclists. This way, you can communicate your next move and avoid conflict on the road.
Beginner tips to make your e-bike last
Start from the lowest setting and work your way up
When you’re fairly new to E-bikes, it might be tempting to test every speed it has to offer. But first, you must familiarize yourself with the settings. Always remember that an E-bike accelerates faster than a regular bike and that you will always be getting more from the effort you exert from pedaling. Be sure to start first from the lowest setting in the throttle and work your way up as you get comfortable about riding on every level.
Take a gentle grip on your brakes
When you have already been cycling before, you must already know that you must always keep at least one hand on the brake. This gives you more control whenever you need to stop. No matter what kind of brake you have in your E-bike, may it be a Rim Brake or a Mechanical Disk Brake, the same rules still apply – and you need to be extra gen
If you are looking for a new way of commuting or want a healthier lifestyle, we are here to help you. Visit our website to learn more about electric bikes and electric scooter or please leave information to us.