A good commuter electric bicycle has several advantages. Some essential benefits are long battery life, a brushless gear motor, and a pedal-assist mode that can help you climb get hills. In addition, a bicycle with a Shimano drivetrain can help you keep up with traffic on busy streets.
Pedal-assist Mode
Consider a pedal-assist model if you are in the market for an electric bicycle. These bikes allow you to get around faster and avoid the dreaded traffic jams that many commuters face.
Although riding a bike is fun and healthy, it can be tiring. Luckily, with an electric bike, you can take a break and enjoy the scenery without all the stress of driving.
A pedal assist bike gives you a little extra power to help you overcome hilly terrain and reach your destination quicker. As a result, you can go farther and faster and enjoy a more relaxed ride.
Pedal-assist bikes also have other benefits, including less strain on your battery. Depending on the battery, you can recharge your pedal-assist bike in just 2.5 to 8 hours. This is an excellent feature for anyone in a rush or those who like to go off the grid. You can also save money on gas by pedaling instead of driving.
A good pedal-assist bike can go for as long as 20 to 28 miles per hour. For shorter rides, a lower level of pedal assist is better. However, for longer trips, the best choice is a full-throttle mode.
Battery Life
If you are planning to get a new commuter electric bicycle, it is essential to know how to ensure the battery lasts for as long as possible. The lifespan of your eBike depends on the size and type of battery and how often you charge and store it.
For starters, it is recommended to check the user manual of your electric bike. It would help if you also looked for a battery rated for long life and easy to maintain. A good eBike battery should handle about a thousand charge cycles.
Battery life can be shortened by overcharging or leaving the battery in a hot, sunny location. In extreme temperatures, lithium batteries lose their capacity. Also, it is not a good idea to fully discharge the battery. So, try to store your battery in a cool place.
Ideally, you should have a spare battery. When you ride an eBike for longer distances, it is a good idea to bring an extra one. This way, if the battery is insufficient to get you to your destination, you can always recharge it.
Brushless Gear Motor
You must consider whether you want a geared or a direct-drive motor to purchase an electric bike. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. Choosing the right one for you can depend on your preferences, needs, and budget.
For an average rider, a 250W geared hub motor would be suitable. If you are looking for more power, a 500W motor would be better. Geared motors are also more efficient. They will give you a more extended travel range, which means you can ride more.
Geared hub motors have a clutch that gives you no drag when pedaling. This helps you to avoid chain breakage. Also, a geared motor is the best choice if you are climbing.
A planetary gear reduction system is another option. It is a great way to reduce the noise of a hub motor. You can hear less noise on a hill and use lower speeds.
While they are more expensive than a direct-drive or geared hub motor, a planetary gear reducer will last much longer. Some may need to be replaced after a few thousand miles.
Shimano-equipped Drivetrain
An electric bicycle can be an excellent choice for commuting. Not only can they be more comfortable than a regular bike, but they can also be less expensive.
The key is choosing an e-bike with a range that will meet your needs. Whether you’re riding to work, a park, or a friend’s house, you’ll want to choose the one you can enjoy for a long time.
A good commuting bike should be easy to control and comfortable. It should also be safe and give you confidence on a large city’s busy streets.
The Marin Alpine Trail E2 is a full-suspension e-mountain bike with a Shimano drivetrain. It has a frame made of alloy with 150mm of travel.
Ride1Up offers several models of efficient commuter e-bikes. Depending on your budget, consider one of their most popular models, the Core-5. A 750W motor can accelerate to 28 mph and has excellent stability at high speeds.
Alternatively, you might prefer the Lectric premium. This model has a solid rear rack, hydraulic disc brakes, and fenders. You’ll also have an LCD and built-in LED lights.
TORQUE (rotational measurement of force)
A torque measures the force applied to a rotating object. It is a mathematical combination of some units, such as the pound, kilogram, and newton. For example, torque is the force required to break a cap loose.
The amount of torque generated by a bicycle is typically a function of the size of the wheels and the amount of gear used. As a result, a bike can provide a significant amount of power at very low speeds. On the other hand, it can be challenging to maintain a continuous line in a corner.
Torque is usually measured in Newton meters (Nm), a unit of measurement that is also used for measuring the amount of work performed by a device. This is an excellent general specification, but not all torque measurements are equal.
A torque sensor uses a precision strain gauge to calculate the magnitude of force needed to turn the motor. The information is then sent to the bike’s control unit, which determines the motor’s power requirement based on this data.
