eBikes Explained
What the heck is an eBike anyway?
Look at that. No that, that thing cruising down the street. Is it a motorcycle? A bike? A moped? Well an eBike can be all of those things and none of those things.
What is an ‘eBike’?
Most simply put, an eBike is a standard bicycle with an integrated electric motor. When the rider starts pedaling, the motor kicks in and provides a boost. Many of the parts on an eBike are the same as would come on a standard bicycle, with a few notable exceptions.
Pedal Assist System (PAS)
When turned on, once the pedals start movin’ and the wheels start turnin’ the motor will kick-in. This is commonly referred to as a “Pedal Assist System”. The higher the level, the more of a boost the motor will provide. The PAS is comprised of three major components: the motor, the controller, and the battery. Most systems also include a display unit, and some feature a throttle.
Motor
eBike motors come in one of two flavors: mid-drive and hub-drive. Mid-drive motors require a specially make frame, specific to that motor make and model. Hub-drive motors can be used on either the front or rear hub, and these can often be used to retrofit a standard bike, converting it into an eBike. TUOTEG eBikes feature powerful 750W rear hub drive motors.
Controller
The controller is the nerve center of the eBike system. Essentially a small computer, all the system components are routed through the controller—it connects the battery, motor, throttle and sensors together and communicates between them.
Battery
The battery is, of course, the power center of the system. Batteries come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but in general, the inside of your battery case holds a series of lithium ion battery cells. Battery voltages for most eBikes are either 36 or 48 Volts and provide enough juice to ride up to 60 miles on one charge.
Display
The display shows how fast the eBike is going, how much battery charge is left, and what level of assist is currently in use. On TUOTEG eBikes, the LCD display also serves as the On/Off switch for the pedal assist system, as well as changing the assist level.
Sensors
In order to tell the motor to engage, the controller needs to know that the rider is pedaling. This is done with either a torque sensor (the amount of force on the motor determines the assistance) or with a cadence sensor (the rotation of the pedal cranks engages the system). TUOTEG eBikes come equipped with cadence sensors.
Cutoff Switch
When the brake levers are pulled, assistance will stop. This is a safety feature to turn off the motor while the rider is trying to slow down.
Throttle
The throttle engages the motor even when the rider isn’t pedaling. This is especially useful for accelerating after being stopped, or for a quick boost without changing the pedal assist level. All TUOTEG eBikes come with a thumb throttle.