Understanding the Gear Shifter on an Electric Bicycle: What It Is and How It Works

There is another very detailed component that determines the riding experience of an electric bicycle, usually in the handle and the wheel hub. A smooth transmission can save some fragmented time for professional riders and also improve the riding experience.

What is a transmission on ebike?

The transmission of an electric bicycle is a control device on the electric bicycle. So where does the transmission change the speed? The answer is on the gear. It is by changing the gear ratio of the chain on the gear to switch the speed structure, making riding more labor-saving and efficient.

How the Electric Bike Gear Shifting System Works?

How to adjust the gear ratio to the appropriate position?

The concept of gear ratio is involved here, which is the number of teeth on the front sprocket/the number of teeth on the rear flywheel. This gear ratio determines how many times the wheel will rotate when the pedal rotates one circle. The following is a simple method to adjust the gears of an electric bicycle:

• Low gear ratio (small gear drives large gear): It is more suitable for going uphill and starting. It will be easier to pedal, but the speed will be slower.
• High gear ratio(big gear with small flywheel): Suitable for flat roads or downhill riding. Pedaling is more laborious, but the speed is faster.

Linkage between motor auxiliary system and transmission

The speed change system of an electric bicycle can not only adjust the difficulty of pedaling an electric bicycle, but PAS can also match the power intensity according to the pedaling frequency, providing a smarter riding experience.

Types of Gear Shifting Systems

There are usually three different types of transmission systems: internal transmission system, derailleur gears transmission system and automatic transmission system.

• Derailleur Gears: The external transmission system is the most popular transmission system (all RANDRIDE electric bicycles are equipped with a transmission). The working principle is to switch between flywheels and toothed discs with different numbers of teeth through the transmission, change the gear ratio, and switch the pedaling intensity to achieve the speed requirement.
• Internal Hub Gears: The internal transmission system is to install the transmission components at the rear wheel hub of the electric bicycle, and change the gear structure through the handle or knob to change the riding speed.
• Automatic Shifting: Automatic transmission system has become a new trend in riding. It can automatically adjust the gear according to the rider's riding habits, eliminating the trouble of manual gear shifting.

When and How to Shift Gears Properly

Correct gear shifting can greatly improve the riding experience of an electric bicycle, but for riders, if they want to control the gear shifting of an electric bicycle well, they need to learn to set different gears according to different terrains.

• Uphill and starting: When going uphill, the low gear can cope with the slope changes, provide more assistance when riding, and can start and climb smoothly.
• Acceleration and flat road: When riding on a flat road or when you need to accelerate, keeping a high gear ratio helps the electric bicycle provide a higher speed.
• When shifting gears: When shifting gears, you need to avoid pedaling too hard, which may cause excessive pressure and lead to uneven shifting or damage to the transmission.

Maintenance Tips for Your Gear Shifter

• The transmission generally needs to be lubricated once every six months. When lubricating, professional lubricating oil should be used and the appropriate amount should be used. Excessive use may cause dust and pollutants to adhere to the chain, affecting the performance of the transmission.
• If the transmission is not shifting smoothly, the chain is making strange noises/falling off, the gears are frequently skipped, or the gears cannot be switched, these problems indicate that the e-bike transmission is not adjusted accurately and needs to be adjusted. Regular adjustment and maintenance can avoid problems in emergencies.
• To prevent the chain from slipping or jamming, you can clean the chain and flywheel regularly, apply lubricant in time after cleaning to prevent the transmission system from rusting due to moisture, and check the chain regularly for rust or looseness.
• When riding, you should also pay attention to avoid excessive pedaling to cause chain damage. At the same time, you need to regularly check the transmission position, limit screws and gear wear to ensure that the components are in good condition, which can effectively extend the transmission system.

Conclusion

In order to make the electric bicycle ride more smoothly, clean the flywheel and chain regularly, and check whether the flywheel and chain are rusty or loose. If there is any problem, adjust them in time. Although these small habits are simple and inconspicuous, they can effectively prevent the electric bicycle chain from slipping and jamming, thus affecting the normal operation of the transmission system.

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