Riding in one gear can be a bit tiring, especially for young people, but many appreciate the maneuverability of single-speed bikes. However, such an electronic bike can also be useful for people of advanced age to stay in shape and train their physique.
The single-speed e-bike with electric drive offers many advantages. They are ideal bikes, especially in urban areas with flat topography. Since the e-single-speed has no gears, the weight of a single-speed e-bike is reduced compared to e-bikes with a mid-engine. In addition to the practical advantages associated with this, this bike offers one more thing: style. Single-speed bikes look very neat and reduced and really attract attention in the urban jungle. Often many details are left out to achieve an even cleaner appearance.
Racing bikes with electric drives are called S-Pedelecs. S stands for speed and the abbreviation speaks for itself. With motors that deliver up to 500 watts of power, a single-speed S-Pedelec accelerates to speeds of up to 45 km/h in the city. A single-speed e-bike should not be loaded with a child seat, a child bike trailer or a luggage trailer, as the risk of an accident is too high at such speeds. You must also be over 16 years old, have at least a moped license and insurance with an insurance sticker for the S-Pedelec and must not ride without a suitable helmet.
City bikes, light electric bikes and S-Pedelecs are particularly suited to cities. All single-speed bikes with Pedelec drive can mainly benefit from the rear hub motor (sometimes also called a "rear motor"). Lighter frames can be used in production than with an e-bike with a mid-engine. Furthermore, manufacturers have more freedom when it comes to design.
Riders of a single-speed bike with rear-wheel drive appreciate the following advantages over the mid-engine drive:
- Direct response when accelerating
- Smoother acceleration and traction dynamics
- Built-in mechanical freewheel
- Some engines do not require an internal gear ratio
- Hub motors are considered extremely durable and resistant to mechanical damage
- Neither the gearbox nor the transmission generate resistance, so the machine efficiency is very high
Since the chain and sprockets are separate from the motor drive, the wear and tear on the components is considered to be significantly lower than with a central motor. In addition to a sporty riding style, the rear-wheel gear motor can also be used to implement a more classic approach to frame design. This means that an e-single-speed drive can be very well integrated into the overall concept of a bike.
Therefore, rear-wheel drive electric bikes will be of interest to the new e-bike target groups who appreciate a lighter, more aesthetic and smaller design. They almost don't notice the motor for the electric drive, which is hidden between the brake disc and the gears.
Technically speaking, these motors are so-called "brushless DC motors" for pedelec bikes, which are mainly designed as 250 W gear motors. Unlike a combustion engine, an electric motor does not have a "maximum power". The motor can theoretically generate any energy. Thus, the motor powers displayed, such as "250 watts" on some e-single-speed motors, are the nominal powers that the drive can achieve under normal operating conditions. In addition, the maximum power of the electric motor is determined by the battery and the controller.
A small disadvantage of the E-singlespeed hub motor: the center of gravity of the wheel is slightly higher in the wheel hub than in the lower position of the mid-engine center.