What Types Of Motors Are Used In E-bikes | KBO Bike
Advancement in technology has brought about a lot of things, and luckily e-bikes were not an exception. This is noticeable in the sophisticated motor types being used by electric bikes in recent years. Unlike the old days, you can now choose a specific type of motor for your bike depending on what type or intensity of the service you'd like it to offer.
Even though there are various types of motors out there, it is important to know the common and most dynamic ones used. And since its motor capacity determines a good bike, understanding the types of motors used by the best electric bikes will help you make intelligent choices depending on the primary purpose of your e-bike.
Crank Drive Motors
If you notice that your bike's motor is housed in a Crank, you can rest assured you are using a crank drive motor. And being one of the most recommended types of motors for electric bikes, crank drives have many advantages. Asides from giving bikes an aesthetic outlook with the design of the crank, the motor also smartly amplifies the energy from your leg into greater energy that moves the chain faster than you pedal.
Crank drive motors have the bulk of their weight at the middle of the bike, minimizing the effect and making pedaling feel natural. The motor also directly relates to the gears and pedaling, and so it can ensure a smooth and reliable ride. It is easy to attach or detach your tires, which is less stressful than a hub motor.
This type of motor can also be adjusted to suit different environments and terrains. Once the gears are switched, the motor can help climb hilly mountains even if you need to haul heavy loads. The motor is designed to withstand a lot of pressure and usage, so it does not give in to damages easily, unlike other e-bikes motors.
Direct Drive/Hub Motors
Of course, not everyone's pocket allows the purchase of a crank drive motor, which is why we have the Hub motors. These types of motors offer the same features as the cranks for a lower price. Hence, the motor is positioned at the center of the bicycle wheels, hence, its name "Hub Motor." The position could either be at the front or rear, although the rear hub motors are much more common.
The minor issue with this type of e-bike motor is with the gears. Bikes that use this motor usually have only one gear. However, you might come across a geared hub motor with more than one gear and is a little expensive than the regular ones. But with a powerful 500W hub motor like that of the Commuter Electric Bike KBO Breeze, you don't have to worry about multiple gears or hilly terrains.
With hub motors, the cyclist can decide whether they want the motor on or off without affecting the e-bike's movement. The motor targets its power towards the wheel it is attached to, and when the motor is switched off, it does not resist the motion of the bike in any serious way. Therefore, you can choose to power your bike manually when the motor is off and still get to enjoy it.
Geared Hub Motors
This type of motor has similarities with the hub or direct drive motors. They work similarly, except that the internal part of a geared Hub motor spins at a much slower speed. The diameter of geared hub motors is also smaller than that of hub motors because of the lesser need for speed in this type of motors. Not many e-bikes use this type of motor when it is brushed, but the brushless type is more commonly found even in popular brands.
Brushed and Brushless Motors
Another motor alternative is the brushed and brushless motors. Although the manufacturing industry has chosen to adopt the brushless types over the brushed ones, professionals believe the brushed motors to be a better alternative. Brushless motors are lighter, quieter, smaller, and most importantly, do not need to be serviced for optimum functions. But this does not mean that you won't find the robust, cheap, and reliable Brushed motors satisfactory for your needs.
In essence, both the Brushed and Brushless e-bike motors are effective in their functions. While climbing up a hill, the Commuter Electric Bike KBO Breeze is a beast with its quietness and lightness. Since it uses a 500w brushless hub motor, it simply glides along the ascension without giving you any stress or extra-energy exertions.
There is also an innovation of brushless motors, the Permanent/Sensorless Magnet BLDC (Brushless DC). This type of brushless motor uses magnets instead of electronic parts to detect the position of the armature. This reduces the noise and weight of the motor as well as improves the overall ergonomic design of a motor. Users do not commonly observe this feature, but it increases the battery life, and you can, of course, get the KBO Breeze Step-Thru Samsung Battery Pack, which will come in handy if you have issues with your e-bike's battery.
Friction Drive Motors
This is another type of motor that uses a spinning roller to spin the bike chains. The roller needs to make frictional contact with the bike's tires before moving, which is why it is named so. The motor is also less efficient than others because it focuses its acceleration on the roller, making contact with a small part of the bike's tires. These motors also have their proponents, but these are minor.
This type of motor is, therefore, best suited for tech-oriented users. If you assemble your e-bike from various parts, this friction drive motor is a good option. It must, however, be noted that this type of motor quickly wears off when used because of the frictional force the roller exerts every time the e-bike rides.
Wanting to purchase an electric bike is a great idea, but it is beneficial for you to spend some time deciding the kind of electric motor you want your electric bicycle to use. Since there are several types, you need to make sure that you've got the one that best fits your needs.
