Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Anyone currently looking for a new e-bike can choose between various drives with different characteristics. As a category of comparison, manufacturers use the data on maximum torque. The pressedienst-fahrrad explains what the numbers mean, for which type of rider which drive is suitable and why torque is not everything.
(pd-f/tg) The e-bike motor market currently offers a wide selection. In addition to the market leader Bosch, drives from Brose, Shimano, Alber or Bafang have established themselves on the market. Panasonic and Yamaha, as suppliers of the first hour, are also still represented. In addition, there are new systems such as the compact Fazua models or the drives from Mahle. E-mountain bike specialist Haibike has even developed its own drive concept. The manufacturer's Flyon models use a 120 Newton-meter motor from cooperation partner TQ Systems - currently one of the most powerful on the market. The torque range extends from 40 to 130 Newton meters, with the majority of the motors delivering between 70 and 90 Newton meters. But what does the specification mean? Physically, torque is the product of force times lever arm length. In other words, the power that the system delivers to the drive axle or chain or belt. But the most powerful motor is not per se the best choice - efficiency and range are also important pillars when selecting the right system. A powerful drive delivers more power, but also consumes more battery. That's why all the major manufacturers now have not just one drive in their range, but several with different characteristics.
E-bike is hybrid system
Unlike e-cars, where you simply step on the gas pedal, the human factor plays a decisive role in e-bike drive systems. "The development of an e-bike drive is very complex. It is, after all, a hybrid system consisting of man and machine driving the rear wheel. Depending on the pedaling force of the cyclist, assistance is provided by the drive. That's why sensor technology and the ability to meter the power, depending on the riding situation, play a crucial role," explains Dr. Thomas Leicht, head of the e-bike division at Brose. The systems have special torque and cadence sensors for this purpose. These detect how hard and at what frequency pedaling takes place and control the motor output. "The drive should provide support as sensitively and harmoniously as possible and deliver power to the rear wheel without vibration, always matching the riding situation. Ideally, the biker:inside will not notice any difference at all from normal cycling due to the quiet assistance, except that they need less power and arrive at their destination more relaxed," Leicht continues. Software and sensor technology are therefore among the deciding factors in which system e-bike enthusiasts will get along best with. "The drive is one of, if not the main argument when choosing an e-bike, because unlike tires, handlebars or saddle, you can't change it. You should therefore think about which system suits you in advance," advises Anja Knaus from e-bike manufacturer Flyer.
Harmonious for the city
City riders, for example, appreciate a harmonious riding experience that allows them to start off smoothly and glide easily through city traffic. This is why models with low torque are ideal. Brose, for example, offers the "Brose Drive C" with 50 Newton meters especially for urban traffic. "Another advantage is that our city drives are extremely gentle on the battery. This enables longer ranges of up to 130 kilometers," explains Leicht.
Efficient on tour
On the other hand, those who are not only on bike paths, but also on forest and field paths, or who are planning longer tours with a fair amount of elevation gain, are well served by a special trekking motor with approx. 60 to 75 Newton meters. "The systems make it possible to master longer climbs in a relaxed manner, while working extremely efficiently, conserving battery power and quietly. They are therefore also good companions for multi-day tours and longer trips. The power is also sufficient to transport the extra luggage," Knaus knows.
Powerful for mountain, cargo and speed
For sporty riders like e-mountain bikers, on the other hand, motors with 80 Newton meters of torque or more are suitable for mastering the steep, mountainous passages. "The advantage is quite clearly that you feel powerful support directly off-road - right from the start. Thanks to a tuned sensor system, even starting off in steep terrain is simplified and you get more options when planning tours, since even difficult uphill passages can be mastered with a lot of riding fun," explains Matthias Rückerl, Global Brand Manager at the manufacturer Haibike. But also Cargobiker:innen reach gladly to high performance engines. The extra weight of the bike and the payload is primarily felt when starting off and on climbs. That's why it makes sense to have a powerful motor. For specialists like Riese & Müller, Bosch therefore offers a new Cargo line with 85 Newton meters of torque. Other manufacturers use sporty motors from the E-MTB sector such as the "Brose Drive S" with 90 Newton meters for their cargo bikes. The use of powerful drives is also seen in S-pedelecs. The bikes allow a maximum support of 45 km/h. In order to quickly reach the desired higher speeds, drives with 85 Newton meters or more are usually installed. Manufacturers such as Brose or Bosch therefore offer special motors just for the S-pedelec range.
Conclusion
The information on the torques of the individual drives is an important and, above all, simple comparison parameter. They thus help with orientation in the drive jungle, but are also only one factor among many. Differences in range, weight, dimensions, sensors and, above all, software must be taken into account when selecting an e-bike. As developers are increasingly reaching their limits in terms of size and performance is not everything, topics such as software and tuned motor characteristics are gaining further importance. In order to personally experience the different riding characteristics, test rides with various systems are a good idea. Only after a detailed comparison can you really be sure that you have found the right e-bike.
Source: pd-f.de