Yeah chain drives are kind of the dominant system with ebikes and regular bikes and despite having been around for well over 100 years at this point, chain drives still offer the best pedaling efficiency.
There’s also drivetrains that are fully electric, shaft driven, string driven (kind of a wild one, it uses dyneema but it never really gained acceptance), and a few other niche things but chain is definitely the most common, followed by belt.
Do you mean in terms of distance or hauling stuff? You might be surprised at how much you can haul especially with a cargo ebike. The range can be pretty good too (100+ miles), but if you have to travel on the highway to get there then an ebike is not capable of safely making that journey. You would want a motorcycle at that point.
What other methods are used; chain drive like a regular bike?
Yeah chain drives are kind of the dominant system with ebikes and regular bikes and despite having been around for well over 100 years at this point, chain drives still offer the best pedaling efficiency.
There’s also drivetrains that are fully electric, shaft driven, string driven (kind of a wild one, it uses dyneema but it never really gained acceptance), and a few other niche things but chain is definitely the most common, followed by belt.
Thank you. EBikes aren’t something I’ve ever looked into. I live in the suburbs and I don’t see a lot of utility for me.
Really? I grew up in the suburbs and we rode our bikes everywhere. Guess it depends on where the suburb is.
I did as a kid, but I don’t think I can make a Costco trip with a bike.
Do you mean in terms of distance or hauling stuff? You might be surprised at how much you can haul especially with a cargo ebike. The range can be pretty good too (100+ miles), but if you have to travel on the highway to get there then an ebike is not capable of safely making that journey. You would want a motorcycle at that point.