All about bicycles, electric-assisted bikes, technology and safety in the press

In our daily work as we deal with bicycle safety, technology and user manuals we come across lots of safety risks. The most frequent ones are published in articles of the leading German special-interest magazines TOUR – Europas Rennrad-Magazin Nr. 1, BIKE – Das Mountainbike Magazin Europas Nr. 1 and E-Bike – Das Pedelec-Magazin to make this information important for the sector accessible to a wider public.

For many years now the Eurobike Show Daily accompanying the annual international Eurobike Show has given us the opportunity to publish our perspective on major developments in the cycle industry in full-page articles.

We also speak regularly in independent lectures about all topics relating to bicycle technology and bicycle market. In addition, we are regularly cited by further special-interest magazines or trade journals as well as more and more by radio and television and in their media reports, which shows us that we are completely right with our information. The section NEWS informs you about the latest news from our specialist fields. The reports and publications of this section are listed chronologically or according to topics of interest.

SAZbike 13/2012
Reading time 1:00 minute

There is no such thing as the one right drive for e-bikes

Front, middle, rear or in the seat tube: When deciding on the position of the drive, manufacturers are spoilt for choice. The same applies to dealers when it comes to finding the suitable e-bike for their customers. This demands a delicate touch: Not every drive is suitable for every cyclist.

Expert Dirk Zedler, managing director of the company with the same name, also states that the mid-mounted motors result in severe loads on the drive train. An unfavourable motor control, i.e. when the motor overtravels a little after you have stopped pedalling, can result in a (short-term) blocking in the case of gear hubs.

In the case of derailleur gears, the enormous tensile force can have a damaging effect on chains. Quite a few e-bike riders complain about torn chains. For this reason, suppliers, such as Wipperman, have already started developing new products which can bear higher tensile forces. Furthermore, the mid-mounted motor does not allow more than one chainwheel. Especially sporty riders only use the higher gears which makes sprockets and chains wear down faster than usually. (…)

Green meadow harmful to front-mounted motors

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Zedler emphasizes that front-mounted motors induce heavy loads on the fork and the front frame which can result in wear and fatigue or even fractures in these areas. (…)

It’s not only the drive which is important

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For Dirk Zedler control elements without odometer are an anachronism and should not be sold by any dealer with clear conscience. (…)

Author: Alexander Schmitz

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