Back To The Future For E-Bikes
It is no surprise to anyone that has read this blog before that anything that makes a traditional bike less efficient makes an e-bike less efficient. The opposite is true as well. All things that make traditional bikes more efficient make e-bikes more efficient.
Finally, mfg’s are bringing carbon fiber and butted tubing from traditional bikes to The E-bike to market. Proper tubing is key to making traditional bikes lighter and more efficient, ride and handle better. We are finally seeing more traditional round tubing (less stiff and buzzy than square or sharp edged tubing). More and more affordable brands are talking weight and how it impacts range and handling.
With this lighter weight, you are going to see more efficient braking systems like on traditional e-bikes as well. How large does a rotor need to be? How many pistons do you really want, for an <25# bike?
Good geometry is no longer impossible to find on affordable e-bikes. We are seeing comfort geometry and application specific designs that have developed over a hundred years on newer e-bikes. They aren’t so dependent on off road suspensions for comfort. They are lighter, quicker and handle better. Some have even embraced better quality suspension seat posts and stems instead.
To me, the best application for an e-bike is as a car replacement. They really shine as practical transportation. For most trips now you can avoid traffic and there are so many places you can ride where cars and motorcycles just can’t go. No sweat trips to work, visit friends or just a night on the town without needing a car. As such, old fashioned internally geared hubs (IGH), some with lightweight, reasonably efficient, automatic shifting, really shine. You can always start in a low gear. They require almost no maintenance. You don’t need to be an experienced cyclist to enjoy the ride.They are quieter and allow for tougher chains or even belt drive!
Yes, IGH’s aren’t quite as efficient. They are a little heavier too. This is one time the sacrifice is worth it. Everything lasts longer when you start in the right gear. Finally, when coupled with a torque sensing motor, there is no longer any good reason to mess with throttles, shift sensors or even brake cut-offs! When they figure out how to.make them work with a quick release thru-axle they’ll be perfect!
As wireless shifting comes of age, we are seeing it on more and more affordable traditional bikes. It won’t take long to make it to e-bikes and we are starting to see it on internally geared hubs as well. Will we see cargo truck style brakes, that lock up if they fail? They could be wireless as well.
Speaking of wireless, look for more bikes and kits to incorporate a Bluetooth app. You can adjust and secure your bike from your phone. Soon, you’ll be able to eliminate displays and their wiring altogether. Just imagine how clean and clutter free!
I’d like to expound on coming batteries and charging systems. They are developing so fast everything might change before I get finished writing! Lighter batteries, with greater capacity, should help e-bikes handle as well as traditional bikes. I’d like to see a better, wireless speed sensor. What do you see coming to The E-bike Market?