Electric bikes are becoming the new norm in terms of bike transportation. Not only does the motor run nicely, but it also helps so many people on long commutes and those who go on adventures without having to sweat bullets while exerting themselves. Some individuals may not be sold on the idea of an electric bike, posing questions such as, “Can I still ride my bike if my battery dies?” The answer is yes.
When most people think about e-bikes, they may visualize a strange motorcycle/moped hybrid when, in fact, they’re much more like a regular bike (except for the electrical functions). Even with a motor, you can still use the electric bike like any ordinary bike. The only difference is that electric bikes come with a pedal-assist option.
The pedal-assist option kicks in when you begin pedalling, which will start to offer you assistance at your chosen speed. Many people wrongfully think that the motor does all the work for you when all that’s happening is that you’re getting a little more support. The support is useful for riders who must travel up or downhill, as well as those who travel over rockier terrains. You also get the option of adjusting how much extra power you’ll get when using this feature. Trust us when we say your legs will thank you the next time you need to travel long distances.
Whether you’ve had multiple e-bikes or taken one on a test ride, you may find that you must pedal harder. However, there’s a reason for this, as most electric bikes come with two pedal-assist sensors: Torque and cadence.
Torque Sensing
A torque sensor gives you a proportional amount of assistance based on how hard you’re pedalling the electric bike. For example, the harder you pedal, the more power you get.
A torque sensor is a precision strain gauge that determines how much force the rider is applying to the pedals. It measures the force one thousand times per second over a pedal stroke to figure out how much power to add.
Cadence Sensing
A cadence sensor engages the e-bike motor when the rider starts pedalling forward. As you begin to increase your pedalling speed, the cadence sensing system will reduce the motor’s output. For example, as your pedalling cadence and your momentum begin to rise, the power will reduce from 100%.
Cadence sensing works due to a magnet on the crank that turns the motor on when you’re pedalling, and off when you stop. Most riders use this option when they need a little bit of pedal assistance.
Riding Manually
There will be times when your battery will run out of juice, and you’ll have to ride it as you would a regular bicycle. In a moment like this, you’ll have to consider the weight of an e-bike and how it will affect your riding experience.
The Weight
Electric bikes are commonly a bit heavier than regular bikes, ranging anywhere from 15-32 kg (32-70 lbs), but you’ll certainly be able to control them. You can think about it as a backup in case your battery dies mid-ride or you forgot to charge it the night before. This option is there so that your electric bike is always useful. Riding without electric power isn’t an ideal situation, as you’ll have to push even harder to get the bicycle moving. However, you’ll at least be able to continue cycling and get some more exercise in the process.
For any questions you may have about e-bikes, such as can you ride an e-bike without pedalling or information regarding how they work, visit our shop in sunny St. James. We have extensive knowledge and selections of all things bike-related. Let us start your journey today.