How does an e-bike work?
An E-Bike works like a bicycle with built-in tailwind: A sensor detects that you are pedaling, the controller signals the motor, and the battery supplies the power. With a pedelec, the motor only assists while you pedal, and the assistance ends at the latest at 25 km/h.
Below, we go through the four components: motor, sensor, battery, and controller. The examples are models from our E-Bikes, which you can compare directly at the end of the page.
E-Bike or pedelec: what is the difference?
According to the ADAC, those who buy an E-Bike receive a pedelec with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h in most cases. The two terms are not clearly defined by law. What a pedelec is technically allowed to do is set out in § 1 para. 3 StVG: an auxiliary motor with a maximum rated continuous power of 250 watts, whose assistance decreases as speed increases and switches off when you reach 25 km/h or stop pedaling. The rules for bicycles then apply.
If the motor assists up to 45 km/h, it is an S-pedelec and legally a motor vehicle. This technology is not covered here.
The motor: where it is located and what that changes
There are three installation positions. According to the ADAC, the mid-drive motor is located at the bottom bracket and rides similarly to a conventional bicycle. A hub motor is located in the wheel hub. At the rear, it provides good traction but makes the bike heavier to carry up stairs. At the front, the wheel can spin on slippery surfaces, uphill, or while cornering.
According to Vogue, the Vogue Prestige has a Motinova mid-drive motor, while the JOBOBIKE Astra also has a mid-drive motor, according to JOBOBIKE. The JOBOBIKE Robin Pro runs with a Bafang motor in the rear wheel, while the JOBOBIKE Ace Pro has a rear hub motor.
For pedelecs, 250 watts is the limit for continuous power. You can better judge how strongly the motor pushes by looking at the torque: according to JOBOBIKE, 45 newton meters (Nm) for the Ace Pro and 80 Nm for the Robin Pro.
The sensor: how does the motor know that you are pedaling?
Without a sensor, there is no assistance. A cadence sensor only detects pedal movement. As soon as the crank turns, the motor assists, regardless of how lightly you pedal. A torque sensor, by contrast, measures the force with which you press the pedal.
According to the manufacturers, the JOBOBIKE Ace Pro, the ENGWE O20 Boost, and the JOBOBIKE Astra use torque sensors.
The battery: volts, ampere-hours, and watt-hours
The ADAC describes lithium-ion batteries as lightweight, quick to charge, and having a service life of around 1,000 charging cycles. The watt-hours (Wh) show how much energy they contain: volts multiplied by ampere-hours. According to JOBOBIKE, the Robin Pro has 48 volts and 20 ampere-hours, totaling 960 Wh. The Ace Pro has 36 volts and 15 ampere-hours, totaling 540 Wh. According to ENGWE, the ENGWE O20 Boost has 48 volts and 15 ampere-hours, totaling 720 Wh.
More watt-hours mean more stored energy, but even a high-capacity battery eventually runs out. Then you continue riding under your own power, just without assistance.
The controller: what the electronics regulate
The electronics, not you, determine what the motor is allowed to do. With a pedelec, they must reduce the assistance as speed increases and switch it off as soon as you reach 25 km/h or stop pedaling (§ 1 para. 3 StVG).
The number of assistance levels a model has and what its display shows varies from one manufacturer to another. This information is provided in the user manual.
Can you ride an E-Bike without pedaling?
Not with a pedelec. The only permitted feature is a start or walk-assist function that takes you up to 6 km/h without pedaling. This is helpful, for example, when pushing the bike up a ramp.
If an E-Bike travels up to 25 km/h using a throttle without pedaling, it is generally considered a moped according to the ADAC: You then need a helmet, a moped test certificate, and an insurance license plate.
Is riding an E-Bike difficult?
No. You pedal, shift, and brake just as you would on any bicycle. The main unfamiliar aspect is acceleration, which the ADAC also identifies as a characteristic of pedelecs. So start in the lowest assistance level and practice braking on a quiet road before entering traffic.
Take the weight into account: According to ENGWE, the ENGWE Mapfour N1 Air weighs around 16 kilos, while the Robin Pro weighs around 35 kilos according to JOBOBIKE. You will notice this especially when pushing, maneuvering, and carrying the bike. Helmets are not mandatory for pedelecs, but the ADAC strongly recommends wearing a bicycle helmet.
Which fatbike suits you?
Compare the models below. Check each product page for the latest details.
JOBOBIKE Ace Pro: Drehmomentsensor und 45 Nm
Der Drehmomentsensor misst, wie kräftig du trittst, der Hinterradnabenmotor liefert laut JOBOBIKE 45 Nm. Der Akku hat 36 Volt und 15 Amperestunden, also 540 Wh. Klappbar, auf 20 x 2,125 Zoll Reifen, mit hydraulischen Tektro-Scheibenbremsen und 24 Kilo Gewicht.
ENGWE P275 SE: 27,5 Zoll mit hydraulischen Bremsen
Laut ENGWE ein 250-Watt-Motor, hydraulische Scheibenbremsen mit 160-mm-Scheiben und Reifen mit 27,5 x 1,95 Zoll. Das Rad wiegt rund 24 Kilo, das maximale Gesamtgewicht liegt bei 120 Kilo.
Fiido C11 Pro, Green
JOBOBIKE Astra: Mittelmotor mit Drehmomentsensor
Laut JOBOBIKE ein Mittelmotor mit 45 Nm, gesteuert über einen Drehmomentsensor. Der Akku hat 36 Volt und 15 Amperestunden, also 540 Wh. Hydraulische Scheibenbremsen mit 180-mm-Scheiben und eine Federgabel mit Lockout. Die Zuladung liegt bei 120 Kilo.
JOBOBIKE Robin Pro: Hinterradmotor mit 80 Nm
Ein Bafang-Hinterradmotor mit 80 Nm und ein Akku mit 48 Volt und 20 Amperestunden, also 960 Wh. Federgabel und gefederte Sattelstütze, auf 26 x 4,0 Zoll Reifen. Mit rund 35 Kilo und dem Motor im Hinterrad hebst du es nicht leicht über Treppen.
