Do you remember the childhood days when we used to check the brake responsiveness of the bicycle before buying it? Have you ever thought about why braking system efficiency matters too much to us and plays the role of a deciding factor? The only reason is it is associated with the safety of the ride and the rider as well. Now, it is the 21st century, and the surge in use of electric bikes is increasing day by day. So does the need to understand the electric bike brake system because it's something that will ensure your safety while riding on any kind of terrain. Responsive and reliable bicycle brakes will make you stop instantly when suddenly something comes in front of your vehicle without slipping you. Table of Contents What is an Ebike Brake? Types of Electric Bike Brakes What Makes a Complete E-Bike Braking System? How Do Electric Bike Brakes Work? How to Take Care of Your Electric Bicycle Braking System? What to Consider for Picking the Best Electric Bike Braking System? ENGWE's Instantly Stopping Electric Bikes to Buy What is an Ebike Brake? An electric bike brake is a pair of rubber or metal plates attached to the wheels of the vehicle that stops the wheels from moving further. The brake on a bike is part of a system containing brake levers, pads, rotors, etc., that work in coordination to instantly halt the ride from moving an inch further. Types of Electric Bike Brakes There are mainly 4 types of bike brakes used in vehicles by different manufacturers like ENGWE. We have mentioned each type briefly to make you understand what type is best performing and suitable for you to commute safely. 1. Rim Brakes Rim brakes are most commonly used in electric bikes and even in traditional bicycles as well. These are cable brakes connected with brake pads or callipers attached to the rim of the vehicle. When a rider squeezes the brake levers, it forces the brake pads against the rim to create friction and stop the wheel from moving. Rim brakes are easy to clean and maintain because they are attached to the outside surface of the wheel. There are mainly three types: caliper, cantilever, and a V brake. Caliper Brakes: Two arms connected with each other and the rim. Cantilever Brakes: Two separate arms connected separately with the rim. V-Brakes: Two separate linear-pull brakes connected separately with the rim. 2. Disc Brakes Disc brake is the part of the modern braking system that provides quick and more responsive braking to the riders. As the name suggests, bike disc brakes are integrated into the front or rear wheel of the vehicle and work in connection with the brake levers or rotors. When a rider applies the force to the brake levers, it clamps the wheel with the caliper that stops it from moving further. There are mainly two types of bicycle disc brakes: one is hydraulic and the other is mechanical. There is a slight difference between the working of hydraulic bike brakes and mechanical disc brakes. For example, in mechanical, a cable transmits the force from the lever to the caliper and in hydraulic a hose filled with fluid transfers the force and then activates the caliper. Mechanical Disc Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes work when lever cables actuate the calliper to stop the bike. Hydraulic Disc Brakes: Cycle hydraulic brakes work when fluid presents the force from the levers to the calliper and stops the bike. 3. Drum Brakes Drum brakes are usually used in old-fashioned motorcycles or scooters, but some electrically assisted cycles also come with a drum brake integrated into their rear wheel. It is housed in the hub of the wheel and contains two brake shoes that stop the bike when activated by the cable or a hydraulic system. 4. Regenerative Brakes Regenerative brakes work in coordination with the electric motor of the vehicle to use it as a generator to convert the kinetic energy dissipating from the brakes into electric power. When a rider applies the brakes, it automatically makes the motor work to collect the kinetic energy and recharge the battery for a long-range trip. What Makes a Complete E-Bike Braking System? Brake pads or rotors cannot solely stop the vehicle from moving further. There are a lot of interconnected components that work in coordination. We have listed the components of a braking system below, including whether your ride has Shimano disc brakes or rim brakes. Working elements are more or less the same as mentioned below. Brake Levers: Brake levers are placed on the handlebar and are used to pull cable to make the brake pads work and slow down the ride. Brake Pads: Brake pads are made of rubber, ceramic, and metal. They make contact with the rim or the disc rotor to halt the tyre from moving further. Callipers: Calipers are the moving parts attached to the wheel and work when activated by the pull of the cable to apply the brakes and keep the pads in their place. Brake Cables: It is a string of metal running between the brake levers and the callipers that connect both and stop the vehicle from moving. Brake Rotors: Brake rotors are used in only disc brakes and are mounted on the wheel hub to slow down the vehicle when forced by the brake pads on applying brakes. How Do Electric Bike Brakes Work? When a rider squeezes the brake lever, the cable in it makes the calliper work to apply the force to the rotor in case of disc brakes. In the case of rim brakes, cables directly apply force to the brake pads and make the ride stop moving an inch further. How to Take Care of Your Electric Bicycle Braking System? Looking after your ride's Shimano brakes, hydraulic disc brakes, rim brakes, and whatever type is installed in it requires not much time. You just need to keep the whole braking system free from debris or rust, whether it is lever cables or the calliper, and regularly oil the moving parts to extend the life of the electric bike. That's all you need to do to enjoy responsive and freezing brakes while commuting on asphalt roads, off-roading tracks, and wherever terrain you want. What to Consider for Picking the Best Electric Bike Braking System? You just need to consider the below-mentioned three things to pick the best performing electric bike braking system for your vehicle. Your Riding Style: If you like to ride at thrilling speed even in the congested city streets, then you must go for Shimano disk brakes or other reliable brakes for instantly stopping your ride. Terrains to Commute On: If your commute revolves around plain city roads, then rim brakes are good to go. Bikes like ENGWE P20 with hydraulic disc brakes are necessary if you want to ride on mountains. Budget Range: Obviously, trying to find a regenerative braking system on e-bikes under £ 1,000.00 is a fruitless effort. That's why try to buy electric cycles with disc brakes, either mechanical or hydraulic, that are under your budget range. ENGWE's Instantly Stopping Electric Bikes to Buy 1. ENGWE MapFour N1 Pro - Dual Hydraulic Disc Brakes With MapFour N1 Pro, you can ride stress-free wherever you want because its superlight frame is made of Carbon Fiber to enable a free and smooth riding. And its powerful hydraulic braking system can make you stop your vehicle instantly when someone suddenly comes in front of your ride to enhance safety. Buy Now 2. ENGWE EP-2 Pro - Dual Mechanical Disc Brakes EP-2 Pro is the best bike to ride on mountains and rugged terrains because its dual mechanical braking system doesn’t let you slip even on wet tracks, no matter at what speed you have applied the brakes, and its fat tires will not make you lose balance and fall and get injured. Buy Now 3. ENGWE M20 - Mechanical Disc Brakes ENGWE M20 is known as the best fat tire bike for outdoor adventure because its moped-style and responsive braking system can take you to the steep top of the mountain without slipping tyres when braking. Buy Now Final Thoughts Having a reliable and instantly stopping bike brake system is necessary to ensure your safety and the other's safety. That's why try to pick rides that are capable enough to make you stop wherever you want without making you slip on any kind of terrain. You may also want to know: Explore Different Bike Frame Styles to Consider for Your Ride Everything You Need To Know About Ebike Wheel & Its Classes Dive into the World of E Bike Controller: Different Types & Their Role in Commuting A Guide About E Bike Torque: What It is & How It Move Vehicles Decoding Bike Suspension System to Pick the Right Ride
