Electric Bike Brake Types | KBO Bike
The braking system on your electric bike determines your riding safety factor. Because brakes are the most significant component of your electric bicycle, you must understand them to have a pleasurable and safe riding experience. An e-bike can attain high speeds of up to 40km/h. That is why it is vital to have powerful brakes. A cyclist needs to be confident in the effectiveness of the brake system. It refers to the levers on the handlebars and the braking system that prevents the tire from turning. When it comes to braking, electric bicycles provide a variety of options. The braking system you select will decide how quickly and effectively your electric bike slows down and stops. Depending on the brand, the performance of a standard brake system varies.
Some tech and mechanics savvy riders may have a technical preference in the type of brakes they desire to have on their e-bikes.
There are two fundamental categories for electric bicycle brakes among the various types of bike brakes.
1. Rim Brakes
a. Mechanical rim brakes
b. Hydraulic rim brakes
2. Disc Brakes
a. Mechanical disc brakes
b. Hydraulic disc brakes
Rim Brakes
Rim brakes have been present for more than a century in different versions, with some of the first designs stopping against lacquered hardwood rims with cork or a type of wool pad. Over the years, there have been numerous variations such as caliper, cantilever, roller, and cam. The rim brakes work such that when the brake lever is applied, bike brake pads press on the rim's inner edge. The brake pads forced into the edge of the rim, causing the necessary friction needed to stop the bike. Because the braking surface area is quite large, you'll be able to come to a quick stop in no time.
It is usable on any wheel size. Because a rim brake acts at almost the round diameter of the wheel, the clamping force required for a given amount of braking is substantially lower than that of a hub brake. Because this force is less, a rim brake puts less strain on the bicycle frame and fork than a hub brake. Rim brakes are safe for speed control on lengthy, downhill runs on single-rider bicycles since the rims provide a comparatively big heat-dissipating area.
There are two categories of rim brakes based on the medium used to transfer pressure to the pads.
a. Mechanical rim brakes
They are easy to maintain rim brakes where a cable actuates the clamps.
b. Hydraulic rim brakes
The hydraulic rim brake presses brake pads onto the rim with the help of oil pressure. It has a significant braking impact. The hydraulic rim brake is quite dependable.
Types of Rim Brakes
●Cantilever Brakes
●Caliper Brakes
●V brakes
●U brakes
Cantilever Brakes
Cantilever brakes connect each brake arm to a distinct pivot point on each side of the fork. When the two members of the brake come together, the brake shoe holds the rim. Cantilever brakes allow for more separation between mounts and pads. As a result, they are an excellent brake for fat tires on mountain bikes. Cantilever brakes are mounted similarly to V-brakes with a straddle cable interfacing them. It moves vertically to activate the brakes. Cyclocross racers adore them because they provide near V-brake performance without being clogged with mud. Cantilever brakes can be tricky to assemble, but stick with it, and you'll have a terrific set of brakes. Their pads are frequently cartridge-style, making them quick and easy to replace. The difficulty with cantilever brakes is that the two arms must come together precisely to apply pressure to the brake pad. One or both arms may slip, causing the brake pad to go below the rim leading to brake failure. Cantilever brake shoes are tricky to adjust.
Caliper Brakes
The caliper brake is most likely the most popular form of an electric bicycle brake. It's tough, stylish, durable, and easy to use. It's a rim brake because it operates by clamping down on the metal rim. It is standard on virtually all road bikes and the majority of kid bikes. Caliper brakes are two caliper-like arms that extend around the tire from a post above it. Although some versions feature multiple braking pads, caliper brakes are fixed in a single location above the tire. However, if your frame was designed for caliper brakes, you can still upgrade these. If you want to travel faster, stopping faster will assist, and a solid pair of brake calipers will provide strong, dependable stopping power in various conditions. The problem with caliper brakes is that they have less braking power with larger tires. As a result, mountain bikes hardly use them. However, caliper brakes are enough for most road bikes.
V Brakes
They are a type of cantilever brake with a side pull. V-brakes are attached to the frame at the same locations, but they have longer arms. They are also called direct-pull or linear-pull brakes and are found on mountain e-bikes and off-road bicycles. They have the capability of slowing and stopping a wet or muddy wheel. Which makes them excellent for off-road use. They are somewhat heavier than Cantilever or Caliper brakes. These are "rim brake" brakes that require frame/fork mounts to be connected to a bike. The majority of V-brake maintenance difficulties are due to the friction between the wheels and the brakes. This is most usually an issue after you have repaired a flat tire or put your bike in the trunk of your car.
U Brakes
U-brakes feature two-arm pivots that are directly linked to the bike's frame or fork. It distinguishes them from center-pull caliper brakes, which have two arms connected to the connecting bridge. The pivot points are above the rim. U-brakes are simple to fix and replace, but they tend to strike the rim higher and higher as they wear out, potentially damaging the tire.
Advantages of Rim Brakes
●They have a wide braking surface area which makes them effective.
●They are Simple and Practical.
●Rim brakes are more economic.
●They are lightweight compared to disc brakes.
Disadvantages of Rim Brakes.
●They can overheat and cause a blowout.
●Rim brakes are less effective for fat tires because of the way they are fitted over the wheels.
●A faulty brake shoe can cause a tire to blow out or plunge under the rim, locking the wheel.
●A rim brake can be ineffective in some weather. It can clog in the snow or mud.
●If wet, brake efficiency significantly reduces with low-cost steel rims and mildly with aluminum rims.
●If the tire rim is damaged, the brake may rub or grab.
●Wear from a rim brake pad can cause rim failure.
If you choose a bike with rim brakes, you must maintain it regularly. Brake pads do require adjustment when they wear down. Because rim brakes do not have a fully horizontal braking motion, the middle of the brake pad may wear out first, reducing braking strength and control over how fast you can slow down your bike.
Disc Brakes
The major braking components are the clamp and the disc attached to the hub. Disc brakes are comparable to vehicle brakes in that rotors are connected to the wheel hubs. When you apply a brake lever, it initiates (through cable or hydraulic pressure) a mechanism that contacts the pads, causing them to tighten against the rotor and provide stopping force. It provides a high level of stability and performance. It is good to pay attention to disc protection. These brakes are ideal for rapid off-road descents. They can withstand high temperatures without harming the tire by heating the rim. Disc brakes are entirely unaffected by trail debris, water, or mud. If a rider sprints through a deep enough creek to make the rotor wet/muddy, the strong pads will quickly shear the water and mud off the rotor with their incredible power and pressure. The bigger the diameter of your rotor, the less effort it will take to stop your e-bike. Most e-bikes come standard with 160 or 180mm rotors.
There are also two categories of rim brakes based on the medium used to transfer pressure to the brake pads
a. Mechanical disc brakes
The mechanical disc brake works by pulling the brake cable, which drives the caliper, which clamps the disc (brake disc) to provide braking. They have no environmental restrictions and provide superior overall performance.
b. Hydraulic disc brakes
Oil is used as a medium to impart pressure to the brake lever in hydraulic disc brakes. The pressure is transmitted by the oil pipe to the caliper, forcing the piston and moving the disc (brake) to clamp the disc. Hydraulic disc brakes offer high sensitivity and a powerful braking capability.
To know more about the difference between mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes, you can read our article on mechanical vs. hydraulic disc brakes for electric bikes.
Advantages of Disc Brakes
●The disc brake helps you to stop in a shorter time and distance.
●They have no environmental restrictions and provide superior overall performance, and they perform well, even in wet or snowy weather.
●Disc brakes transfer all the heat and friction wear from the rim to the disc rotor, avoiding rim damage.
●They function effectively, even for wide tires.
Disadvantages of Disc Brakes
●They cost more than rime brakes
●They are heavier
●Maintenance might require a level of prudence.
Personal preference is mostly the standard that riders use when selecting their e-bike braking system. Whatever braking system you choose, have good maintenance culture. Also, remember that the brakes don't protect you from crashes. Invest in a safety helmet.
