Electric bikes are now more popular than ever, with the recent pandemic contributing to a massive increase in sales experienced by the e bike industry. This growth has been depicted in the several new innovations and improvements electric bicycles enjoy today over traditional bicycles. Of the two, e-bikes generally use more quality materials to improve customer experience. The e-bike’s brakes are no exception.
As you ride, you will encounter various road situations requiring your brakes. Apart from this, every enjoyable ride must eventually come to an end. Stopping your e-bike at any speed is best achieved using the braking system. Two types are commonly installed in most e-bikes. This article provides more information about the importance of brakes and the different braking systems used in e-bikes. Stay tuned!
Table of Contents
What you Should Know about E-bike Brakes
The brakes installed in electric bicycles provide more grip and traction under most riding conditions if you use an all-terrain e-bike. Your brakes will aid balanced riding under any road conditions. The two types of brakes used in e-bikes are hydraulic and mechanical brakes.
Typically, the e-bike braking system consists of the lever, caliper, cable, and rotor. However, the part of the brake you will be using when riding is the brake lever. Pulling and holding the brake lever means you should be stopping soon. The brake levers are usually located on either side of the handlebars for applying pressure to the front and rear brakes of the e-bike. They are required to activate the braking system.
Cables exist as an essential connection between the levers and the caliper. From the handlebars, the brake cables extend down to the caliper. They communicate the change in pressure to the caliper’s pistons when the levers are pulled.
The caliper is a central part of the braking system of an electric bike, as it comprises the pistons and the brake pad. Its function is to control the motions relating to propulsion. Once the levers are engaged, the pistons are repositioned for the brake pad to enter the rotor.
The rotor is a metal disc located inside the wheel hub. It can slow down the e-bike by creating friction when pressure is applied to the brake pad. The average rotor size in most e-bikes is around 160mm – 180mm.
Why E-bike Brakes are so Important
For one, brakes are an extremely important part of the e-bike experience as they determine how much control you have over stopping your ride when you want to. Your e-bike brakes should be able to meet your specific riding requirements. What you really want from your brake is to stop in the shortest possible distance. This means the faster you intend to travel, the more braking power you will require of your e-bike.
Riding over bumpy roads tends to require more controlled brake usage. You need brakes that will not wear out quickly because the more obstacles you encounter when riding, the more frequent application of brakes will be needed.
Steep inclines and downhill riding also require quality brakes that can work with the tires to provide the necessary grip and traction to maintain your balance. Having good brakes that can assist with stopping in the shortest time possible can help prevent accidents for yourself and others. After your helmet, your brakes are the next line of defense when using your electric cargo or commuter bike on the open road.
Types of E-bike Brakes
Choosing an e-bike brake depends on your most frequent road conditions and what you expect to get from it. You can choose between a hydraulic or a mechanical brake, both of which are used on e-bikes. The best e-bike brake does not necessarily have to be the supposedly “better” or expensive one. It merely has to provide adequate stopping power exactly when you need it.
Hydraulic brakes work to transfer the pressure applied on the brake lever to the brake pads via the hydraulic fluid. Due to the use of fluids to communicate with the caliper, using cables is unnecessary when your e-bike uses hydraulic disc brakes. Once the fluid gets to the caliper, the brake pad is pressed to the rim, and stopping power is provided.
Mechanical brakes can achieve the same effect via a different mechanism that relies on the brake cables and is a much simpler process. The brake levers must be squeezed lightly for the caliper to start compressing the brake pad to the rim. Using either the fluid or the cable is the difference between both braking systems.
The cost of implementing each system differs, so your choice should depend on your specific requirements for an e-bike.
Advantages of the KBO E-bike Brake
The brakes installed on your Step-thru electric bike contribute to the type of experience you will eventually enjoy while riding. The proper level of traction is needed for your specific road conditions. A commuter e-bike, for example, is equipped with brakes suitable for commuting to work than riding through mountainous regions.
Browsing through our catalog will reveal KBO e-bikes use the mechanical disc brake to provide ample stopping power and balance on all terrains. Mechanical disc brakes undergo a better production process that ensures they are more efficient for personalized and professional e-bike usage. They are also the more cost-effective option of the two braking systems, which makes them a better investment. For a leaner pocket more interested in practicality over mechanical jargon, mechanical disc brakes got you.
Conclusion
The type of brake your e-bike uses and how you use it directly affects the experience you will eventually have on your electric bike. This makes the brakes another crucial element to pay close attention to before opting for any e-bike type. Different types of affordable electric bikes come with varying levels of braking power that help the rider maintain some control over the ride.
From the KBO Ranger electric cargo bike to the KBO Breeze Step-thru, all our e-bikes are equipped with mechanical disc brakes. Brakes like these will last with your usage and provide more braking power and convenience during rides.
Also read: How Much Does it Cost to Charge an Electric Bike?
