As the urban roads we live in become more and more congested and complex, and restrictions on electric vehicle travel begin to increase, many friends have turned their attention to electric-assisted bicycles. People often wonder how to use electric-assisted bicycles for commuting. , will it be too bulky? There are also female friends who have always wanted to ride in the pit, but are worried about not being able to keep up with the physical strength when going out for group activities, etc. It can be seen to the naked eye that everyone is more and more interested in electric bicycles.
Today we will introduce some points that you need to pay attention to when buying an electric-assisted bicycle to help you choose an electric-assisted bicycle that suits you among the dazzling models.
Types of electric assist bicycles
First of all, you must determine the type of electric-assisted bicycle you need based on the riding scene you need. There are many types of electric-assisted bicycles, which are generally divided according to application scenarios. They are mainly divided into electric-assisted mountain bikes, electric-assisted road/city bikes, electric-assisted freight trucks, etc. Each category has certain differences in purchasing ideas, but the overall direction is In the same way, this time I will take urban electric-assisted bicycles, which are applicable to a wider range of scenarios and are suitable for most people, as a starting point to provide you with some ideas for purchasing electric-assisted bicycles.
Motor type
The motor is the core of an electric assist bicycle, so the first thing to consider must be the motor type. Common electric assist systems are divided into mid-mounted motors and hub motors according to the position of the motor.
Mid-mounted motors are generally used in electric mountain bikes, and the lower center of gravity has more advantages for complex terrain. Wheel hub motors are generally installed at the wheel hub. The motor acts directly on the wheel set and can be very small. In addition, micro hub motors can make it almost impossible to tell whether it is an electric-assisted bicycle or not at a glance. In city bikes, because the road conditions are not as complicated as in the mountains and forests, the need for climbing steep slopes is not so great, so in-wheel motors are commonly used.
Generally speaking, there is no difference between wheel hub motors and mid-mounted motors, which one is absolutely better and which one is worse. Relatively speaking, hub motors are more affordable, but do not use the words "only low-end bikes use hub motors" or "high-end models use mid-mounted motors". Looking at an electric power-assisted product from the wrong perspective of "motor", installing a reasonable motor system in a suitable product is not just a matter of motor selection, but also requires a complete set of solutions. Therefore, the key points of choosing a motor lie in the vehicle manufacturer and the motor. System manufacturers cooperate in depth with adjustments.
Generally speaking, the motor brand you choose is not just a motor, but a brand that can provide a complete set of assistance solutions. Mature brands on the market now include Pinion, Bosch, and Lightning's own motor brands, Max Power, etc. Take An example of the MaxPower M080 electric power assist system, which is most suitable for urban electric power-assisted bicycles. The wheel hub motor weighs only 2.5kg. The innovative electromagnetic design and gear structure achieve the characteristics of light weight, small size, abundant power and stable performance in a mini size. Its small size and light weight make the whole bike look like an ordinary bicycle. So in fact, electric-assisted bicycles are not as bulky as everyone thought before. As far as I am concerned, it is not very easy to carry it up and down stairs, in and out of the company, etc. every day, but it is enough to control.
Motor Power
The motor is the core, so we have to mention the power of the motor. The motor power of an electric-assisted bicycle is measured in watts, usually ranging from 250W to 750W.
How much power an electric moped requires is determined by many factors such as the type of motor and the design orientation of the electric moped. However, higher power does not mean that the electric assist will be faster.
From a general perspective, when it comes to motor power, bigger is often better. But in fact, for many electric mopeds, 250W is indeed more than enough. In fact, the principle is the same as that of "ordinary electric vehicles" and "off-road electric vehicles". Since the motor is larger, a larger battery is required, which means that the vehicle will be heavier and the cost will be higher. Although this statement is slightly limited, in general, the 250W motor is enough to provide sufficient assistance to the rider's pedaling.
Moreover, electric power-assisted bicycles are electrically "assisted" human-powered bicycles. Their main purpose is to make riding easier without losing the fun of riding.
Let's take the Max Power M080 as an example again. The 350w motor power is more than enough to cope with various road conditions in the city. It can even handle steep slopes on some overpasses with ease. I still remember the first time I rode an electric-assisted bicycle over a steep overpass, I subconsciously I want to implement it, but considering that the bicycle's 350W assist power is equal to the power of a professional rider's back assist, what do I have to worry about? As long as you completely trust the electric bicycle under your feet and pedal boldly, you will have no problem climbing up these steep slopes on city roads, and surprisingly, there will be no noisy motor sounds.
Battery capacity (life)
The largest proportion of the weight of an electric-assisted bicycle is undoubtedly the battery, which is also the key to the battery life of an electric-assisted bicycle. To use an inappropriate metaphor, battery capacity = battery life. It is inappropriate because it is also affected by the weight of the entire vehicle, motor output power, Driveline losses, etc.
But the larger the capacity, the longer the battery life is for sure. But the bigger the battery, the better. A larger battery means heavier weight and larger volume. Generally speaking, commuter and urban electric-assist models often pursue a balance between performance and lightweight. 300Wh-500Wh is the most common and most suitable battery capacity, and the battery life can usually reach about 70-90 kilometers.
Electric-assisted bicycle batteries have experienced a rough and brutal external plug-in style and slowly transitioned to a restrained and simple embedded type. The battery embedded in the down tube is a common installation method for electric assist. It is completely hidden in the frame. It has a stable structure and a simpler and cleaner appearance, and can also reduce the weight of the entire vehicle. Taking my experience as an example, the electric-assisted bicycle I purchased has a range of up to 80 kilometers. Based on my daily commute of 20 kilometers, I can charge it once every three days without any anxiety about battery life.
However, there will always be times when you forget to charge, and this requires taking into account the weight of the entire vehicle. Generally, a 20KG electric-assisted bicycle weighs about the same as an ordinary mountain bike. In this case, even if there is no battery, it will be easy to ride. With great pressure, you don't have to worry about being unable to ride without power like an electric bike.
Transmission and braking system
As mentioned just now, the essence of an electric-assisted bicycle is still a bicycle, which relies on human pedaling. The motor assist also adjusts and responds according to the pedaling intensity, so the transmission system is still very necessary. Nowadays, most urban bicycles (single discs) usually have 11-speed or 12-speed, while the few bicycles usually have single-speed or 3-speed. But I think that for urban emergency stop and go, going on and off bridges, whichever is better? An intermediate value, such as 7-speed or 9-speed is most suitable. When stopping at a traffic light or climbing a steep slope, you can change gears in time, and with the sensitive response of the motor, you can start easily without hurting your knees due to sudden heavy pedaling.
As for brakes, most reliable brands on the market are now equipped with disc brake systems. The only thing to note is that due to the strong electric power, the busy urban road conditions are also dangerous. It is best to choose hydraulic disc brakes with stronger braking power. , you can ride happily without any worries.
Some other details: instrument selection, waterproof performance, vehicle weight, other accessories
There are no other details that need to be paid attention to. It mainly depends on your own needs, but waterproof performance is definitely a must, especially in southern cities. You never know which one will come first after get off work or when it rains. Waterproofing mainly depends on the motor. And the waterproof rating of the battery and charging port.
In addition, the instrument panel is a must-have for every electric-assisted bicycle. There are high-definition color displays as big as mobile phones, and there are also simple small screens that only display speed and battery. These mainly depend on your own hobbies and needs. As for the weight of the entire vehicle, the target budget is naturally to focus on lightweighting. Generally speaking, most adults with a weight of less than 20KG will not have much pressure to control or lift.
Other accessories include front and rear lights, original shelves, etc. It is best if the front and rear lights are equipped with the original bike. The advantage is that they do not need to be charged separately and are powered by an electric battery. However, if the original factory does not have them, you can also buy them yourself. The shelf depends on daily needs. If you need to upgrade it in the future, you can also check whether the frame is equipped with mounting holes.
