Removable or Hidden E bike Battery? All You Should Know
Before you buy your next electric bike. there are certain factors you want to consider. Among other factors, e-bike battery is an essential component as it usually determine your bike performance level. However, batteries are in different types and sizes, they can either be removable or integrated, each with its pros and cons. Although many people reduce integrated and removable batteries differences to looks, they have more features. These characteristics can determine if it meets an intending rider’s needs or not.
What are Integrated Batteries?
Integrated batteries are rather fixed to the bike’s frame. Another name for integrated batteries is hidden batteries. The main advantage of integrated batteries is enhanced durability. Since it is mounted within the bike frame, it is not exposed to harsh weather conditions like storms. The battery is also hidden from wetness, which could cause corrosion.
Overview of Removable Batteries
Removable batteries are more commonly seen in modern electric bikes. They can either be a removable front frame or detachable rear rack batteries. The main difference is in the location. As the names imply, the former is located at the front frame, and the latter is at the rear rack region. We place the battery of Honbike HF01 at the middle centre of the bike’s frame.
Benefits of E-bike with Detachable Batteries
Removable batteries are popular nowadays because of their added benefits. Due to the tight schedule in people’s daily activities, they want to move their electric bicycles around quickly. Other benefits of removable batteries are further highlighted below.
Undoubtedly, removable batteries are easy to charge, as users can either choose to charge on or off the ebike. It is the perfect choice for a vacation, picnic, or trip. You can easily take your battery to a charging center without worrying about the extra load of moving your electric bike around. It also helps riders to charge their batteries in their work environment. You simply need to unlock the frame and detach the battery. The battery of Honbike HF01 can be fully charged for about 3.5-4 hours, which is short enough not to cause a delay in your journey.
Contrary to integrated batteries, you can easily replace a removable battery. You do not need any technical knowledge before replacing a battery. As for HF01 users, you can also take an extra battery to double your range As it only weighs 1.26kg. However, you must follow certain safety precautions while removing your e-bike’s battery.
- Insert the key gently into the battery lock.
- Use your other hand to support the battery to prevent it from crashing on the floor.
- Removing the Honbike battery will require you to do it clockwise.
- Once the battery has been successfully detached, pull out the key.
- Fold the stand, and release it back into the compartment.
Cons of Removable Batteries
Removable batteries have a few disadvantages, which are further listed below.
- They are prone to theft compared to integrated batteries.
- Removable batteries are apparent and enormous. However, the innovations ongoing in the ebike industry have yielded light-weighted removable batteries. For instance, the HF01 battery weighs 1.26 kg, a reasonable weight with much flexibility.
Advantages of E-bike with Integrated Batteries
Although removable batteries are popular and more adopted, hidden batteries serve their benefits.
- Most integrated batteries are lightweight.
- E-bikes with integrated batteries are designed to give a streamlined appearance. However, this is not a setback for removable batteries, as manufacturers’ expert level mainly determines an e-bike design.
- Integrated electric bikes are the best option for garage storage since you will have access to a charging point.
- Minimal theft risk since it is not easily removable.
- The batteries require low maintenance because they are not exposed to dirt or dust.
Features to Consider When Buying Ebike Batteries
The critical differences between integrated and removable batteries should help make good buying decisions, but there are other features to consider.
You need to ensure your electric bike has a battery lock that minimizes theft. This helps riders to park their e-bikes at ease without worrying about the bike being stolen. However, this applies if you ride an electric bicycle with a removable battery.
Every removable battery exists in different sizes. Understanding your commuting range will help in choosing the suitable size for you. This will help determine the extra weight you can carry while shopping or riding off-road. Also, the battery is an essential component of an e-bike and can influence its weight. Thus, there is a specific weight for different riders’ body sizes.
The range is also critical in choosing the best battery power rate. For instance, a 300Wh implies that the battery will run down after one hour. Confirm if your battery will survive the range you are riding or not. Meanwhile, the Honbike Uni4 can cover up to 52 miles on a single charge, meeting the daily needs of urban cyclists.
How to Extend your E-bike Battery Life
Battery’s durability varies with quality and brand type. However, a rider’s maintenance proficiency determines how long a battery lasts. If you want your battery to be in good shape for a long time, here are the maintenance processes to implement.
- Avoid using your battery on red: A rider needs to learn to charge a battery before it runs down. When a battery keeps running down, it gets weaker over time.
- Avoid overcharging your battery: Even if you are riding a long distance, overcharging the e-bike batteries is not the best solution. Instead, take the extra fully charged battery while on the journey. Also, you should know your battery’s charging time. If you use the Honbike Uni4, the charging time is between 4-4.5 hours. Whenever your battery is fully charged before this duration, please do not leave it plugged into the socket.
- Do not use a warm battery: Allowing your battery to cool off before usage boosts its longevity. It would help to let it cool off after charging before putting it in the e-bike.
- Proper storage condition: Storing your e-bike battery in an extremely hot or cold temperature could reduce its lifespan. It would help if you did not also expose your battery to harsh weather, such as heavy rainfall. The manufacturer’s manual guide usually states the appropriate storage condition for every battery.
Conclusion
Not every rider can easily identify whether an electric bike has a removable or integrated battery. The positions of the batteries are the easiest way to determine if it is removable or not. Meanwhile, it is not difficult to detach a removable battery from an electric bicycle. The integrated batteries are usually placed in the front region of the frame. In the real sense, integrated batteries can be removed, but you will need some technical tools or equipment. With the differences highlighted in this article, you can decide if you want to stress through removing an integrated battery or not.
E bike without battery
When it comes to electric bikes, one question we’re often asked is, “Can I get my E-bike wet?” The simple answer is YES, of course! At Liv, our E-bikes are highly water-resistant, which means you can ride in the rain, splash through a puddle, and wash your electric bike without worry.
In fact, keeping your electric bike clean is something you should be doing regularly to increase the longevity of the bicycle and the components. But there are some key differences between washing an E-bike and washing a non-electric bicycle. Check out our tips below on how to care for an electric bicycle.
How Often Should You Clean Your E-bike?
You should give your E-bike a wash whenever it’s dirty. If you’re riding your electric bike mostly on the road or bike path, then wiping it down, degreasing and lubing the chain every month might do the trick. But, if you’re commuting on your E-bike in the rain or riding an electric mountain bike, you should be cleaning it more frequently. Leaving dirt and mud on your bike for extended periods of time could cause components to wear down faster and damage to the frame itself. Also, if you’re transporting your E-bike on the back of your car, it’s a good practice to give the bike a quick clean and dry after reaching your destination to remove road grime, oils, or salt brine from sensitive parts of the bike.
How to Clean an Electric Bike
For the most part, when washing an E-bike you can follow the same steps as washing a non-electric bicycle. with a few key differences:
- When washing an E-bike, pay attention to the electrical components.
- Turn off the E-bike before washing.
- Ensure the E-bike battery is locked in place.
- If you ride with the EnergyPak Plus, remove it prior to washing.
- Make sure the cap over the charger port is secured.
To summarize, don’t be afraid to wash your electric bike!
With these tips, you’re E-bike will be looking and performing like new for many rides to come. Check out our other guides for more quick tips on how to operate and care for your E-bike.
How Much Do Ebikes Weigh: Know The Facts
One of the factors affecting an electric bike’s performance and usefulness is its weight. For instance, weight can help determine your speed, distance, and movability. Considering this, it’s important to do some research first even before buying one.
So, you ask, “How much do ebikes weigh?” Typically, an ebike weighs between 40-80 pounds. Although it differs depending on the type, battery and motor sizes, and materials used.
If you’re interested to know more regarding e-bikes’ weight and how it affects your performance, this article is meant for you.
Lighter or Heavier: Which Is Better?
If this concerns an ordinary bike, then normally, the lighter, the better. Of course, being lighter implies better handling and ease of use and movability.
But e-bikes are different, especially with the way they are built. The battery and the electric motor of electric bikes make them heavier compared to ordinary bikes. That ebike’s extra weight means it will be much easier to pedal and to maintain higher speed as long as the motor keeps on assisting you.
Thus, reducing the weight will compromise the motor and battery’s size and capacity. Less weight might mean less distance traveled. However, as bigger battery manufacturers enter the ebike market, some electric bikes can travel far despite reducing the weight. An important factor to consider is how you plan to use the ebike. If you are using it for commutes in the city, a light weight ebike makes sense and likely the need for a powerful motor and large capacity battery is not so important, but if you’re planning on longer distance riding a larger battery will be needed. The battery is what determines how far you can travel on motor power.
Heavier ebikes are usually those that need to house a powerful motor. Powerful motors are not only bigger and heavier, they put out so much torque (up to 170Nm of torque), that kind of pressure could actually flex the frame of a lightweight bike. So bigger and bulkier frames with a big powerful motor will land in the range of 70-80lbs but if you plan to go offroad (hunting for example), that’s the ebike that will get the job done.
There are rare ebikes below 40 pounds that can still go far given their smaller batteries. But these rare finds come with a premium price as well. Usually because the frames are made from carbon fiber instead of aluminum and they house a smaller motor and battery.
So choosing based on your needs is vital.You can read this Fat Tire eBike Review to find some great examples.
Factors Affecting an Electric Bike’s Weight
As previously mentioned, electric bicycles are built with batteries and electric motors, making them heavier than ordinary bikes. These bikes function well through electric assistance from batteries. In fact, about 20 pounds are being added to the electric bike’s weight due to its design.
Additionally, having wider wheels permit you to cycle through tougher terrains like snow and sand. But to do so, electric bikes need to have electric motors, which consequently implies additional weight.
Electric motors are needed as support to ebikes’ wider wheels because they make easier movement possible. This is important because without electric motors it will be harder for you to move the bike as the number of drag increases. Ease of movement is also the reason why only mountain bikes commonly have wider wheels in ordinary bikes.
An LCD, that allows users to control the power assistance level needed, is also an added feature in ebikes. Yet, in terms of weight, it commonly doesn’t add much.
Ebike’s Weight Based on Types
The type of electric bike defines its use that likewise influences how much the ebike weighs. For example, if you wish to cycle as fast as possible, you’ll need a lighter bike, thus, a road bike would be best. But, if you want to handle tougher courses, mid drive, or go on hunting, mountain bikes are needed which are heavier due to its wider wheels.
Of course, having a background on the different e-bike types and how much do ebikes weigh is necessary to help you know which one fits you. With this, below is a list of the different types of ebikes and their corresponding estimated weights.
Folding
These are designed for easy storage and portability. If you’re looking for something that you can easily bring on trips or commutes, folding ebikes is the best choice. You can choose from the following variations together with their respective weights:
- Mini folding ebikes: 30-40 pounds
- Folding electric mountain bikes: 40-70 pounds
- Folding fat tire ebikes: typically around 50 pounds
Commuting
Commuting bikes, as the name suggests, are designed for comfortable commuting. They are also referred to as hybrid ebikes because of handlebars similar to a mountain bike and wheels that of a road bike. For traveling further distances, commuting ebikes have larger batteries, making them heavier with 50-70 pounds in weight. There are a lot of benefits from riding commuting bikes, make sure to know more about it!
Racing
These are one of the expensive and lighter types, which usually weighs around 40 pounds. Racing ebikes are made with very thin wheels and frames, as well as, forward-curved handlebars. Given its design, you can cycle as fast as possible.
Mountain
Mountain ebikes are expected to be quite heavier with 40-70 pounds but commonly at 70. As one of the most common types, these are designed both off-road and on the road. Also, the suspension is capable of reducing bumps’ impact and producing up to 750W power output.
Cruiser
Cruiser ebikes, weighing around 70 pounds, are meant to be used more for leisure. Its big soft seats and wide handlebars allow you to use it in a more relaxed manner compared to others.
Fat Tire
Similar to mountain ebikes, fat tire ebikes are designed for off-road, tough terrain use like on sand or snow. With wider tires, fat tire bikes are commonly 60-80 pounds heavy.
Comfort
Like cruiser ebikes, comfort ebikes are more commonly used for leisure. In terms of design, their handlebars extend backward rather than on the side. Usually, comfort ebikes also have a step-through frame and weigh about 50-70 pounds.
Is Extra Weight an Important Concern?
Let’s say, you really intend on buying an ebike. However, the extra weight still makes you think twice. What you need to do is to be clear on why you consider buying an e-bike in the first place.
If you want to commute long distances in the quickest way possible, then, the advantages exceed that extra weight. The electric motor on the ebike makes it easier to pedal even when it’s heavier. But, the weight can be a matter of concern if you’ll need to carry it.
Knowing how much do ebikes weigh is important. It gives you the idea of how to manage your ebike. Additionally, you can opt to choose the lightest ebike available. Although, be aware that getting the lightest ones may mean that you can’t cover a longer range. You may bring an extra battery if you want, but just the same, it’s extra weight.
Typically, a single charge can last for 20-50 miles and some light ebikes can last over 50 miles. But the range normally depends on the battery and electric motor sizes and on where your bike, for instance, off-road.
Also, make it a habit to clean your ebikes thoroughly as accumulated mud can add to the weight. Consider switching to thinner tires as well, but note that ease of cycling will compromise the grip. Besides, you can remove additional things you attached on your ebike, like bags.
Yes, You Can You Ride an Ebike Without the Battery
Can you ride an electric bike without a battery? Yep, you can, but it might not always be easy. And I understand why some people might be asking this question, too. Sometimes your battery is flat or you are looking to purchase a bike and want to use it more like a regular bike. Let’s address these different scenarios…
Can you ride an ebike without the battery? Yes, you can ride an ebike with the battery. Riding an ebike without the battery will not harm or damage the motor. However, riding an ebike with a flat or no battery will make the bike harder to pedal, especially during inclines.
Riding an Ebike With the Battery
Electric bikes are quite heavier compared to normal bikes, and they aren’t exactly cheap either. So why would someone want to ride an ebike without the battery?
- Travel on airlines – Airlines don’t like batteries, in this case, you can still travel with your bike and rent batteries from local bike shops.
- Riding trails with chairlift access – If your destination has a chairlift, a battery may exceed the chairlift max weight. By removing the battery from your bike, you can remain within safe weight limits.
- Forgotten or flat battery – Yep, you thought you charged your battery but didn’t, so now you have a drained battery. By removing the battery, it will make your ebike a little lighter and easier.
- Extra exercise – Some riders who are more fond of traditional bikes might want the extra exercise that comes with riding an ebike without the battery.
Whatever the reason is for not having a battery or a flat battery, riding without one will not harm the motor or the bike.
We also confirmed this with a few popular ebike manufactures:
Yes, all ebikes by Rad Power Bikes can be pedaled just like a pedal-only bike without any motor assistance.By turning the bike off, or switching to Pedal Assist Level 0, you are able to pedal and ride the bike as you would any normal pedal bike while shifting gears to accommodate terrain.
Rad Power Bikes
And another electric bike manufacture:
Yes. If the electronics are turned completely off, the bike can be ridden as a normal bicycle. The electronics system does add weight, meaning that more effort is required when pedaling.
Juiced Bikes
Will It Be Harder to Pedal?
No battery, no problem? Well, while you won’t harm the bike or motor, pedaling without motor assist or without a battery will be tougher for a couple of reasons.
The first reason is that electric bikes weigh a lot more than normal bicycles. The main items that weigh down ebikes are the motor and battery (see how much does an ebike battery weigh), which normal bikes don’t have. The typical weight of an ebike is over 50lbs, compared to a regular road bike that averages 18lbs. That’s a lot of extra weight.
While weight is less of a problem while going downhills or while you are already in motion on flat terrain, going uphill is going to be quite the extra workout.
The other reason why it might be harder to pedal is because of the motor resistance. Crank or direct drive hub motors, such as Bosch, will provide more resistance, making it harder to pedal. If your bike has a hub drive, pedaling without pedal assist will be easier.
Keep in kind, how hard it will be pedal on an ebike without power will depend not only on the type of bike and the terrain, but also your personal fitness level. For some people, they have little issue pedaling without assistance or power, while others might be able to pedal only a few hundred feet.
While it may seem like a chore to pedal without the motor engaged, it can also be fun. On my Rad Mini, I often ride on trails without using the motor. Usually I keep it in 2nd gear and can get a steady pace of about 10MPH. Not bad!
Tips of Riding Without a Battery
One of the benefits of electric bikes is you can get as much of a workout you want. Here are some tips if you decide to remove your battery and battery saving tips:
- Experiment with different gears to find a good pace
- Make sure your battery space stays clean, especially if you are off-roading
- Get in the habit of making sure your battery is charged
- Riding with zero power, eco mode, or the lowest setting will help you squeeze out more miles.
Conclusion
So yes, you totally can use an electric bike without the battery. Keep in mind that pedaling will be harder than a typical bike due to the extra weight and motor resistance. How difficult pedaling will be all depends on the bike, the terrain, and your fitness level. And if you decide to remove your battery completely, make sure the battery compartment stays clean and batteries are stored in a cool place.