The Complete e-Bike Glossary

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ebike glossary and abbreviations

You will find explanations for difficult words and terms in our e-bike glossary. These are bike words from A-Z we use in our articles.

In our e-bike glossary you can find explanations for challenging words and terms related to bicycles. These entries cover a range of bike-related words from A-Z that we frequently use in our articles.

As experts in the field, we have curated this list to help people interested in learning more. This comprehensive glossary will aid you in grasping everything from bike components to complex technical jargon.

Refer to the glossary whenever you need to look up a word or terminology or want to understand the meaning of abbreviations.

So, here is the ultimate ‘what is…’ list:

List of e-bike words

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) – A safety system that prevents the wheels from locking up during braking, ensuring the rider maintains control.

Aerodynamics – The study of how air resistance impacts e-bike movement, influencing speed and battery efficiency.

Ah (Ampere-hour) – A unit of electric charge, indicating the battery’s capacity.

Amps (Amperes) – The unit for measuring electrical current flowing through a circuit. They indicate how much charge passes a given point per second, which is critical in e-bikes for understanding battery consumption and motor power draw.

Assist Level – The degree of power assistance provided by an ebikes motor.

Battery – The energy storage unit that powers the electric motor.

Battery Management System (BMS) – A system that regulates the charging and discharging process to improve battery life and safety.

Brushed Motor – An older type of electric motor that uses brushes for commutation; less efficient than brushless motors.

Brushless Motor (BLDC) – A type of electric motor that offers improved efficiency and requires less maintenance for reduced wear and longer lifespan.

Cadence – The rate at which a cyclist pedals, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM).

Cadence Sensor – A sensor that measures the rate at which a rider pedals.

Cargo E-Bike – An electric bicycle with motor assistance designed for carrying goods or passengers, featuring enhanced cargo capacity and stability for heavier loads.

Cells (Battery) – The individual units within a battery that store and release electrical energy, with multiple cells combined to form the complete battery pack powering an e-bike.
Charger – A device used to recharge an e-bike’s battery.

Class 1, 2, and 3 E-Bikes – Classification system used in some regions to differentiate e-bikes based on their top speed and whether they have throttle assist or pedal assist. Pedal-assist only for Class 1 and 3 and throttle for Class 2.

Controller – The component that controls the motor’s power output based on input from the rider.

Conversion Kit – A set of components that can convert a regular bicycle into an electric bike.

Crank Drive Motor – An electric motor mounted at the bottom bracket drives the crank directly.

Cruiser E-Bike – An electric bicycle styled for comfort and leisure, with a relaxed riding position, wide tires, and often, a large seat and sweeping handlebars.

Cycling Computer – A device mounted on an e-bike that provides data about your ride, such as speed, distance, and time.

DC (Direct Current) – The type of electricity used by e-bike batteries and motors, as opposed to alternating current (AC) used in household outlets.

Derailleur – A mechanism for shifting gears on the bike by moving the chain from one sprocket to another.

Direct Drive Hub Motor – A type of hub motor that directly drives the wheel without any gears, known for its quiet operation and durability.

E-Bike (Electric Bike) – A bicycle equipped with an electric motor to assist with pedaling.

Eco Mode (ECO) – A setting on some e-bikes that maximizes battery life by providing minimal assistance.

EMTB (Electric Mountain Bike) – An electric bicycle with a robust frame and suspension optimized for off-road and mountain trails.

EPAC (Electrically Power Assisted Cycles) – A European classification for e-bikes that assist up to 25 km/h (15.5 mph) and 250 watts of power. Typically, it applies to pedal-assist e-bikes with no throttle.

Folding E-Bike – An e-bike designed to fold into a compact form for easy transport and storage.

Frame – The main structural component of the bike to which other components are attached.

Frame Material – The material from which the e-bike’s frame is made, such as aluminum, steel, or carbon fiber, affects weight and durability.

Full Suspension Mountain Bike – A mountain bike with front and rear suspension systems designed to absorb shock from rough terrain for improved comfort and better control.

Gear Ratio – The ratio of the number of teeth on the front chainring to the number of teeth on the rear cog, affecting how hard or easy it is to pedal.

Gearless Hub Motor – Another term for a direct drive hub motor, emphasizing the absence of internal gears.

GPS (Global Positioning System) – A satellite-based navigation system that can be used in some e-bikes for tracking and navigation purposes.

Hub Motor – An electric motor that is integrated into one of the wheels.

Hydraulic Disc Brakes – A type of brake system that uses fluid to transfer force from the lever to the brake pads, offering superior stopping power and control.

Integrated Battery – A battery that is built into the frame of the e-bike, contributing to a sleek design and often improved weight distribution.

IP Rating (Ingress Protection Rating) – A two-digit rating system that classifies the degree of protection from solids and liquids, important for assessing the water and dust resistance of e-bike components.

Kickstand – A device attached to the bike allows it to stand upright when not used.

LCD Display – A screen on the e-bike that shows information such as speed, battery level, and assist mode.

LED Display – In addition to LCD, many e-bikes use LED displays for showing battery life, speed, and assist level, offering a simpler alternative to LCD screens.

LED Lights – Stand for Light Emitting Diode. Energy-efficient lights for visibility and safety are often integrated into e-bikes.

LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) Battery – A type of lithium-ion battery known for its long life span and safety features.

Li-ion (Lithium-ion) Battery – A type of rechargeable battery common in e-bikes for its lightweight and high energy density.

MCU (Microcontroller Unit / Motorcontroller Unit) – A compact integrated circuit used in e-bikes to control various functions, including motor management, battery regulation, and user interface operations.

Mid-Drive Motor – An electric motor mounted at the bike’s crankset, offering efficient power and better weight distribution.

Modes – The different levels of assistance the e-bike provides, such as Eco, Normal, and Sport.

NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) – A type of rechargeable battery, less commonly used in e-bikes than lithium-ion, known for being environmentally friendly.

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) – A type of display technology that offers high contrast and energy efficiency, used in some e-bike displays.

PAS (Pedal Assist System) – Another term for pedal assist, emphasizing the system’s role in detecting pedaling effort and providing motor assistance.

Payload Capacity – The maximum weight the e-bike can safely carry, including the rider and any cargo.

Pedal Assist – A feature that provides power only when the rider is pedaling.

Pedelec (Pedal Electric Bicycle) – An electric bicycle where the rider’s pedaling is assisted by a small electric motor. Often synonymous with Class 1 e-bikes in regulatory contexts. Always without throttle.

PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) – A type of motor used in some e-bikes for its efficiency and power.

Quick Release – A mechanism that allows for fast removal of wheels and/or seat adjustment without tools.

Range – The distance an e-bike can travel on a single charge.

Range Anxiety – A term used to describe the worry about an e-bike’s battery running out of power before reaching the destination or a charging point.

Rear Hub Motor – A hub motor in the rear wheel offers better traction and handling.

Regenerative Braking – A system that recharges the battery slightly when the bike is braking.

Regen Mode – Short for Regenerative Mode, found in some e-bikes, allowing the battery to recharge slightly during braking or descending.

RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) – A measure of the rotational speed of the motor and pedaling cadence.

Sensor Types – Differentiating between the types of sensors used in e-bikes, such as torque sensors and speed sensors, which affect how the bike responds to rider input.

SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) – An older type of battery technology occasionally found in budget or older e-bike models.

Smart E-Bike – E-bikes that incorporate connectivity features such as GPS tracking, ride data analysis, and integration with smartphones through apps.

S-Pedelec (Speed Pedelec) – A class of e-bikes that provides assistance up to 45 km/h (28 mph), subject to different regulations than standard e-bikes in many jurisdictions. Typical requirements are helmet use and, in some jurisdictions, insurance and registration due to higher speeds.

Step-Through Frame – A frame design that allows for easy mounting and dismounting, popular in urban and cruiser e-bikes for comfort and accessibility.

Suspension – The system (including forks and shocks) that absorbs bumps and shocks, providing a smoother ride on uneven surfaces.

Swappable Battery – Refers to e-bike batteries designed to be easily removed and replaced, facilitating charging and extending the range of the e-bike for longer trips.

Throttle – A control mechanism that allows the rider to engage the motor without pedaling, found on some e-bikes.

Top Speed – The maximum speed an e-bike can reach with motor assistance.

Torque – The amount of rotational force produced by the motor.

Torque Sensor – A sensor that measures how hard the rider is pedaling and adjusts the motor’s assistance accordingly.

Traction Control – A feature that prevents the wheels from slipping, especially useful in wet or slippery conditions.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) – A port for charging devices or connecting accessories, sometimes included on e-bike displays or batteries.

Volt (V) – The unit of electric potential, indicating the level of force pushing electrons through a circuit.

Voltage – A measure of electrical potential, with higher voltage typically indicating a more powerful motor.

Walk Assist – A feature that provides a small amount of power to help push the bike when walking it uphill or through difficult terrain.

Water Resistance – The degree to which the e-bike and its components are protected against water ingress.

Watt (W) – A unit of power indicating the motor’s output.

Watt-hour (Wh) – A unit of energy indicating the battery’s capacity to deliver one watt of power for one hour.

Wheel Hub – The central part of the wheel where the hub motor is often located.

Zero Emission – A term highlighting the environmental benefit of e-bikes, as they do not emit pollutants.

Contact us if you know other words that fit the list.

Remember to read more about ebikes and the general benefits of cycling.

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Author

Andreas loves bicycling and has sat on a bike since childhood. He is a keen mountain biker; that is where his heart is. But he also commutes to work almost daily if the weather allows it. He is over 43 years old and sees all the advantages of electric bicycles and new technology. He shares his knowledge about electric bikes with you on this site.