Electric Bike Drivetrains: Best Guide Ever

Why Drivetrains Matter in Electric Bikes?

There are many parts of an electric bike and every one of them has a different kind of function to make the mechanics work. Drivetrain itself stands for the sum of some crucial parts. The term is often used when talking about bikes in general. It is important to be familiar with them to understand their functions. If any kind of mechanical problem happens, having an idea can be a time-saver for eBikers. They are also the main parts that determine the performance of your eBike. In this article we will be talking about drivetrains, their parts and kinds.

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Components of an Electric Bike Drivetrain

A drivetrain includes different kinds of parts as we mentioned above. You can think of the drivetrain as the cardiovascular system of the human body that includes main parts like the heart and blood vessels. Every one of them is a must for a human body and their wellness means the health of a person. Here is a brief introduction to the parts of a drivetrain:

Chain: As a first part of the drivetrain, we will introduce the chain briefly. In every bike, the chain provides connection between pedals and wheels. The main difference between a regular bike chain and an electric bike chain is the capacity of torque. The number should be a lot higher for eBikes compared to regular bikes. If you look at eBike cleaning articles, you see that cleaning of the chains plays a big part in your bike’s performance in general. That is why it is crucial to show interest in your chains to preserve first day effectiveness.

Cassette: Cassettes are the combination of gears or cogs that provide transition between gears. Cassettes are placed at wheel hubs, and they are very important to ensure your bike climbs steep hills by picking the right gear. It does not matter if you are on a cycle path or rough terrain, gears are the brain mechanism that provides mechanical power. Usually big cassettes have more gears, and if the material of the cassette is lightweight it increases the performance of your eBike.

Derailleur: One other important part of the drivetrain is the derailleur. It provides mechanical functioning between two things we talked about above: chain and cassette. By ensuring a shift in the chain in the cassette, the derailleur provides smooth and fast gear changes. Likewise, the chain and the derailleur in an eBike must be made more durable compared to regular bikes due to the increased torque power. The cable tension should be checked regularly to prevent chain drops or misalignment. That is why it is important to check the derailleur while doing regular maintenance.

Crankset: Lastly, we will look at the crankset, which is another important component of the drivetrain. It includes pedals and a front chainring. Crankset is the main part that creates thrust force by transforming pedal movement to rotational movement. In this sense we can say that it is the main thing that provides your bike to cover distance. We will be talking about mid-drive and hub-drive motors in a minute. However, it is good to inform you that in mid drive electric bikes the crankset unites with motor to provide better performance in various terrains by transforming power efficiently. Crankset should be checked from time to time to make sure that your bike keeps its top performance.

Mid-Drive vs. Hub-Drive Motors

The difference between mid-drive motors and hub-drive motors is important while buying a new eBike. The drivetrain shows differences in this sense, and both have pros and cons we should examine since we are talking about drivetrains in general.

Mid-drive motors take their name from the placement of the motor. It is placed near the bottom bracket, and this ensures quick and effective power transfer to the drivetrain. They are perfect for those who are looking for efficiency, performance and battery power. Mid-drive motor eBikes are often preferred by mountain bikers due to their performance on rough terrain. As a disadvantage, the maintenance might be more often, and their prices are often higher.
Hub-drive motors are placed in the middle of the wheel. They are perfect for urban commuting thanks to their performance in flat areas. In cycle paths for example, they provide a smooth ride. Hub motors are easy to maintain and cheaper to price. However, they are not very efficient when it comes to battery life or performance in rough terrains.

Understanding Torque and Cadence Sensors

Your newly bought eBike may come with a torque sensor, or a cadence sensor. Is it important which sensor it is you may ask. The answer is yes, it is important to choose the sensor that meets your needs. For example, torque sensors provide more accurate measurement of power that was produced by the rider and answer it it a right amount of acceleration. They are often preferred by riders who want a correct response, equal to the force they apply, from their eBike. Cadence sensors also measure the applied force by the rider; however, they present more consistent motor assistance. They are often better for flat areas and casual riding.
Benefits of Electric Bike Drivetrains

The parts of your electric bike drivetrain determine the power of your bike. That is why more quality parts provide better performance. For example, the quality of cassettes and chains ensure smooth transfer between gears. The high-quality ones provide durability. We suggest titanium or stainless-steel materials that are beneficial when it comes to longevity. In this direction, advanced cassette systems improve gear shifting quality. The upgraded sensors and motors also provide effectiveness, better transfer of power and a high-quality riding experience.

Upgrading Your Electric Bike Drivetrain

Since you are here, you have now learnt that upgrading your electric bike drivetrain parts ensures many benefits. If you are asking what these benefits are, let us explain some of them:

• Long-lasting battery: Battery is the most important thing when it comes to e-bikes. Upgrading your drivetrain will allow you to go much further with the same amount of battery.

• Efficiency: Better drivetrain will ensure more efficient use of power. There will be no loss of energy you spend, and all will reach to your bike.

• Riding experience: A smooth transition between gears, better control and long-lasting battery… These features will double your riding experience.