4:30 min read
We are all about eBikes! It gets you out of traffic and brings you anywhere at any time, just like a conventional bike would. But how does an eBike actually work?
Ebikes, or electric bikes, are bicycles that are powered by an electric motor. They work by using a combination of human power and electric power to assist the rider in peddling and providing additional power to help the bike forward.
To make the eBike ride as smooth as possible, you will need some basic components that work together:
1. The heart of your eBike: The electric motor
An eBike wouldn’t be an eBike without its electric motor. This is the heart of your eBike and it provides the power to assist the rider. LEKKER Bikes values quality components and that’s why our bikes are fitted with a Bafang motor.
Different bike models also require different motors. This Bafang motor can be found on different parts of the LEKKER eBike:
On the front wheel: this is called a front motor and the Jordaan+ is fitted with one of these.On the rear wheel: this type is called a rear motor and can be found on our Amsterdam+.
In the middle of the eBike: when the motor is situated in the middle of your eBike, usually in between the pedals, this is called a mid-drive motor. You can find it on the Amsterdam GT.
It is important to bear in mind that the first two types of Bafang motors have different names but they use the same technologies. Bafang motors are known for their impressive performance and power. They offer high torque levels, allowing riders to easily tackle steep hills. These motors are also very reliable and durable as they are made to last a long time.
On the other hand, mid-drive motors are more complex but also give more power to your eBike and are consequently best suited for powerful eBikes that are used off-road.
2. Power up your ride with your battery
An eBike requires a battery. The battery stores the electric power that is used to run the motor. To make your LEKKER eBike more convenient, our bikes come with a removable battery which is easy to take out and charge anywhere you have an outlet! There are different battery options for our bikes. 3. Electric sensor for a smooooth ride
Another major component is the electric sensor. You probably won’t notice this part on your electric bike as it is relatively small. It is simply placed in the rear wheel or in the pedals and detects when you start pedalling: it serves as the messenger to the motor on all of our eBikes.The electric sensor detects when you need assistance and sends a message to the battery. The battery then discharges energy to the Bafang motor instantly. The Amsterdam GT has additional rotational sensors which detect how hard you are pedalling and inform the Bafang motor about it.
All of these components work perfectly together to give you the best ride of your life.
4. What about gearings?
Gearings are additionally an essential part of your premium eBike. Your electric bike may have a different type of gearing hub than the one your colleague or friend has, and that is totally normal! In this section, you will find the main differences and advantages of all three hubs.
Having a single-speed is pretty straightforward, you can find this on fixed gear bikes. With only one speed on your eBike, you won’t have to think twice while commuting around the city. You simply ride freely while the bike adapts to your pace. The more power you put in the pedals, the lower the motor assistance will be (and vice versa). This means that the difficulty of pedalling barely changes.
A 3 Speed electric bike like the Jordaan+, with the Shimano Nexus 3 Speed gearing hub, allows you to ride in more diverse environments. While the first speed makes it easier to climb up hills, the third one allows you to go way faster on flat or downward sloping terrains.
The Enviolo Gearing Hub guarantees the same power as an 11-speed gearing hub. The added plus of the Enviolo is its 310% ratio, offering continuous and stepless control over the speeds. With this system, you are fully in charge of how much energy you want to put in the pedalling and do so by shifting the continuous hub. This stepless shifting is the only hub allowing you to change gears while pedalling or at a standstill.
5. What about an eBike with a Gates Carbon Drive?
The Gates Carbon belt drive can be used on both an electric bike and a traditional bike. Having a belt drive bike makes your ride smoother and removes the noise of the traditional chain. The carbon belt is also made out of a single piece, which as you can imagine, requires way less bike maintenance from your side than the 116 pieces used in chains. The simplicity of a belt drive bike also allows you to ride faster as no energy is being lost in the rotation of the numerous parts from a traditional chain. We’ve considered every detail to make your ride smoother. The Gates Carbon belt drive technology is part of providing an effortless feeling, that is why we have decided to use this technology in our Stepless Enviolo gearing eBikes.
All in all, an electric bike is not so different from a conventional bike. It is simply way more powerful! Understanding its electric components will help you get the best use out of it. It gives you the freedom you need to commute anywhere you would by car, while doing something good for the environment. So, enjoy and ride safely!
Interested in buying a Dutch eBike? Come by one of our brand stores or browse online to find the eBike of your dreams!
