All your friends each have their own electrically assisted bicycle (VAE) and they are so happy with it that you would like to have yours. What still slows you down is knowing: what is a VAE? You would like to know: what is an electric bike? What are the advantages? You are lucky because this concerns you.
Presentation of an e-bike
You would like to stop asking yourself the question: what is an electrically assisted bicycle (VAE)? Your wish will be granted.
An e-bike is pretty much like a conventional bicycle. The difference comes in the fact that it has a motor and assistance that accompany the cyclist in his movement. This is a summary definition of what an electrically assisted bicycle is. However, to more effectively answer the question: what is an electric bike, we must present it to you from the point of view of its characteristics.
What are the characteristics of a VAE?
It is not because it has an engine that it should be likened to a motorcycle. Paradoxically it should not be confused either with a simple bicycle because it is much faster and much more powerful.
Several elements make it possible to differentiate these electric machines from each other: the main one being its engine. Knowing your engine type goes a long way in answering the question: what is an electric bike? or what is a VAE?
Pedelec motors and how they work
At first glance, it should be emphasized that all engines here have the same principle of operation. These are responsible for creating and transferring the necessary assistance to the cyclist so that he can move forward more quickly. So, the difference between the motors lies in the power delivered by the mechanism and the mode of operation of the bicycle.
The motor of the electric bike can be positioned in two specific places: in the crankset or inside the core of the wheel. Its architecture changes depending on where it is mounted. However, in both cases, any engine has an electronic part and a mechanical part.
What is the electronic part of the engine?
The electronic part deals with the intelligence of the system. It is in fact the electronic program that is responsible for processing the data sent by the sensors.
Its performance relies exclusively on the motherboard and sensors. There are also several types of sensors, namely: speed sensors, cadence, torque, control screen, and many others. Their arrangements vary according to the type of engine of the bicycle.
What is the mechanical part of the engine?
The mechanical part includes the components whose role will be to transcribe the assistance through a mechanical process. The gearing of an e-bike is closely related to the position of its motor.
Once you start the movement by making the first pedal stroke, this also causes the engine to start. So there you have an answer to the question what is the mechanical part of the motor of an electric bicycle.
The second element that we are going to talk about to better answer the question of what is an electric bicycle? is the operation of its engine.
Redistribution of motor assistance
The redistribution of motor assistance from an e-bike also varies depending on its layout. Understanding how it works is useful for effectively answering the question: what is an ADO Ebike?
When it is located in the crankset, it is the electronic impulses that trigger the movement of the central axis. These are produced following the reception of certain data including the speed, the force produced by the cyclist, and the assistance mode.
When the motor is located in the core of the wheel, the latter undergoes a thrust which is produced as a result of data from the motor such as the speed and the movement of the pedals.
Always in order to better understand how the engine of this machine works and especially to answer the question what is an electric bike? We are going to look at these two elements: the speed and the power of the motor.
What is the speed and power of an electric bike?
The average power of a VAE varies between 250 and 350 W. It can happen that it sometimes goes beyond 350 W, mainly when the speed reaches high peaks. The notions of speed and power are intimately linked.
Indeed, motors with a power of 250 W (which are classified in the category of VAE) are limited to a maximum speed of 25 km/h. Those that produce 350 W (considered mopeds) can reach a maximum speed of 45 km/h.
Now you know the speed of an e-bike and how its engine works. However, other essential parts are an integral part of it. Knowing them helps to answer the question: what is an electric bike?
What are the other essential parts of a VAE?
The essential components of a VAE and their respective roles provide a complete answer to the question: what is an electric bike?
What is the controller?
In addition to the motor, the controller is one of the other key parts of an e-bike. It is considered the brain of this electrical device. And this is only normal because it is connected to all the elements (the motor, the battery, and the sensors) of this machine.
What is a battery?
The battery of an e-bike is its power source. We cannot address the question: what is an electric bicycle without speaking about its battery which provides energy to all the elements of the bicycle. In addition, it has a more or less long autonomy which allows you to be as autonomous. It is therefore advisable to be sure to charge it when the need arises.