Electric Bike Gears: Understanding Their Purpose And Function

Electric bikes have gears to help riders reach a wide range of rpms, but some argue that they are unnecessary and even cause more wear and breakdowns. Gears on electric bikes can wear out 30% faster than on a bike without a motor, and they account for 29% of breakdowns. However, gears help delineate electric bikes from electric motorcycles, which are not welcome on multi-use trails.

Electric bikes have gears to help riders reach both 5kph and uphill speeds

However, some argue that electric bikes do not need gears, and are better off without them. This is because gears account for 29% of breakdowns on electric bikes, and the motor increases wear on the chain by 30% when changing gears.

Gears on electric bikes are prone to breaking, which can cause poor fleet availability

Electric bikes have gears because people aren't able to pedal across a wide range of rpms and thus need some sort of gearing involved to be able to reach both 5 kph (uphill) and higher speeds. However, gears on electric bikes are prone to breaking, which can cause poor fleet availability. According to Velib’, gears account for 29% of breakdowns on electric bikes. This is a significant problem for electric bike users, because a fleet of bikes with gears that break often usually leads to a poor fleet availability. When users can’t pick up a bike that works properly, user satisfaction will take a hit, and so too will ridership figures. The motor on an electric bike puts more tension on the chain, increasing wear when changing gears. In fact, these parts wear out 30% faster than on a bike without a motor.

Gears also help delineate electric bikes from electric motorcycles, which are not welcome on multi-use trails.

Electric bikes have regulated levels of assistance and gears help to delineate them from electric motorcycles

Electric bikes have gears because people aren't able to pedal across a wide range of rpms and thus need some sort of gearing involved to be able to reach both 5 kph (for uphill cycling) and higher speeds. Gears help to delineate electric bikes from electric motorcycles, which are not welcome on multi-use trails. However, some people argue that electric bikes are better off without gears, as they account for 29% of breakdowns and increase wear on the chain by 30%.

Gears on electric bikes are subject to increased wear and tear, as the motor puts more tension on the chain

Electric bikes have gears because people aren't able to pedal across a wide range of rpms and thus need some sort of gearing involved to be able to reach both 5 kph (uphill) and higher speeds. However, gears on electric bikes are subject to increased wear and tear, as the motor puts more tension on the chain. In fact, these parts wear out 30% faster than on a bike without a motor. According to Velib’, gears account for 29% of breakdowns on electric bikes. This is a significant problem for electric bike users, because a fleet of bikes with gears that break often usually leads to a poor fleet availability. When users can’t pick up a bike that works properly, user satisfaction will take a hit, and so too will ridership figures.

Some people argue that electric bikes don't need gears and are better off without them. However, others argue that without gears, electric bikes would be one step closer to electric motorcycles, which are not welcome on multi-use trails.

Electric bikes don't need gears and are better off without them

Additionally, the motor on an electric bike puts more tension on the chain, increasing wear when changing gears. In fact, these parts wear out 30% faster than on a bike without a motor.

The argument that gears help delineate electric bikes from electric motorcycles, which are not welcome on multi-use trails, is not a strong enough reason to include gears on electric bikes. Electric bikes can be designed to have regulated levels of assistance that do not require gears.

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