Just as in cars or standard bicycles, parts of electric bikes begin to break down over time. One of the components that break first is the chain. This is due to the regular heavy load to which this mechanism is subjected. That is why every cyclist should be consciously prepared that sooner or later will have to replace this part. This usually occurs after reaching 1200-2400 miles.
When bicycle chain replacement becomes an issue, many cyclists wonder about the compatibility of standard bike chains with e-bikes. Do electric bikes need special chains or not? Let’s get to the bottom of it.
In general, it all depends on the type of electric bicycle. If it’s a model equipped with a mid-drive motor, then you need an e-bike special chain, because a regular bike chain won’t work for you.
This is because the engine provides an auxiliary load that a simple chain can’t handle. But if your e-bike is equipped with a hub motor, then you don’t need a special chain.
Mid-drive motor or Hub drive motor? Which is better?
There are two main types of electric motors that modern electric bikes are equipped with. They are mid-drive motors and hub drive motors. There are many advantages and disadvantages to both. Let’s look at each of them separately.
Mid-drive e-bike chains
The e-bike chain is subjected to severe stress. This happens because the motor is located between the pedals. This means that the mid-drive motor transmits energy to the mechanism to move forward. A huge advantage of this type of motor is that the bike’s weight is evenly distributed, resulting in more comfortable handling.
Mid-drive motors are more efficient and increase the range per charge cycle. They allow you to climb up in low gears, which is impossible with a hub motor.
Mid-drive motors are much more powerful. They provide power that is many times greater than human effort. This power in turn subjects the mechanism to more stress. Operating a standard chain on a mid-drive electric bicycle contributes to rapid failure.
A person can achieve about 100 watts from pedaling, whereas a mid-drive motor produces between 250 and 750 watts.
Regular bike chains are designed for human power output, so they are unsuitable for mid-drive e-bikes. A regular e-bike chain will break after a few vigorous rides.
The strength of the drive chain for a mid-drive electric bicycle should be much higher than a standard bike chain. This will allow the mechanism to withstand the high loads of heavy use.
If you want your electric bike to cope with all the functional loads and not break down for a long time, spend a little more money on a mechanism.
Hub drive motor chains
Hub motors differ in where they are placed. Usually, it is the front or back wheel. Even though the hub motors have much less performance, they are trendy among cyclists. This is because the hub motors are much cheaper to produce.
Whereas mid-drive motors are connected to the same gear and drive chain, hub motors are independent of the drive chain linked to the pedals. The hub-drive motors operate independently. This allows cyclists to ride their electric bicycles even after the battery life is over. If you don’t want to pedal, you can rest while riding and the mid-drive motor will do all the work for you.
Since models with hub-drive electric bike motors have nothing to do with a chain, you can use the most common mechanism. But when you buy this part, you should ensure that the chain you buy is compatible with your hub drive motor electric bicycle. To do this, you should check the number of gears on your hub drive e-bike. This will allow you to achieve compatibility with other e-bike elements.
What kind of chain does your electric bike need?
If it’s time to change the chain on your hub motorbike, you can choose either e-bike specific chain designed for electric bicycles or a mechanism from a regular bike.
It makes sense to buy a special chain because it lasts longer, but you can also use a regular chain if you want.
It would be best if you kept in mind that simple e-bike chains are made from less expensive and lower-quality materials. This contributes to their quick failure, which is not the case with e-bike-specific chains.
For mid-drive motors, you should use a higher quality and stronger mechanism made specifically for electric bicycles. Otherwise, the chain will fail much faster.
How do I know when it’s time to replace the chain?
There are some ways to know when your chain needs replacing:
- The easiest one is to use a ruler.
A chain that is in excellent condition will be 12 inches long through the 12 links between the rivets. A chain that has failed will be stretched.
- Another method often used by bicyclists is called a “chain hat.”
Holding the mechanism in your hand, you have to push on the pedal to stretch the chain. The chain wear indicator will tell you when the chain needs to be replaced.
How to take care of your electric bike chain?
No matter what kind of chain your e-bike has, you need to take proper care of it for it to last you a long time. You should periodically clean it of dirt.
Do a thorough cleaning every few months. If you ride on dusty and dirty dirt roads, you should do this after every ride.
Allow the chain to dry and degrease it before you ride and apply lubricant. In cold and wet weather, use thick grease. Dry lubrication is ideal for hot weather.
Final thoughts
Like any cyclist, you undoubtedly wonder which e-bike chain to buy. It all depends on what model your electric bike is: a hub motor or a mid-drive motor.
If you don’t own a bike and are at the stage of buying one, then choose the one that suits you best. It should match your preferences and meet your needs regarding the riding style you are looking for. You must replace the chain over time to ensure your electric bike has a long service life.
For a mid-drive motorbike, a sturdy chain that is durable and wear-resistant will do the trick. If the drive chain is not strong enough, it will fail quickly.
You’re better off with a regular chain from a traditional bicycle for a hub-drive electric bike. You’ll have the peace of mind that it won’t break under a heavy load and will keep you moving forward.
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FAQ
Can you use a normal chain on eBike?
Yes, you can use a standard bike chain but only if your e-bike is equipped with a hub motor.
On average, a cyclist generates about 100 watts when pedaling. In short bursts, this figure can be as high as 250 watts.
Due to the fact that traditional chains are designed for human pedaling effort, they are not suitable for mid-drive motor e-bikes.
Should you oil the chain on an eBike?
A clean and well-treated bike chain will last much longer than a soiled product.
Regular cleaning and treatment of the bike chain with a special chain will also increase the service life of all e-bike components.
How often should I change my eBike chain?
Typically, a bicycle chain lasts about 2,000 to 3,000 miles.
Depending on the type of motor and the cyclist’s riding style, the number of miles may vary by 20-50%.
Most commuter e-bikes average 3,500 miles or more before needing a chain change.
Give your electric bike care, have the chain cleaned, and don’t leave your e-bike outside in the rain without special protection, and then the chain will last much longer than you expect.