What are the types of e-bike brakes?

What are the types of e-bike brakes?

If you're a cycling enthusiast, you can attest that there's no better way to enjoy a ride than having a good set of brakes. But what makes one set of brakes better than another? Which set should you get? The answer depends on your riding style, budget and personal preferences. With that in mind, this article aims to shed light on everything about bike brakes.

What are bike brakes and how do they work?


Ebike brakes are a system that slows or stops a bicycle by applying pressure to the rims. They achieve slowing or stopping by either friction (as in a cantilever brake) or by pushing the rim inwards (as in a caliper brake).

How does it work? 

Each bicycle brake is customised with a brake lining for its specific purpose. When the brake lining comes into contact with the rim, friction is created between them. This friction slows down the rotation of the wheel, thus stopping the bike. In addition, the braking force is proportional to the pressure applied. 

The advantage of braking systems is that they are useful when travelling downhill, as they help to reduce speed. However, they also have disadvantages. For example, if you apply too much pressure, the brake pads may get damaged. In addition, if you don't use the brakes properly, you may not be able to control the bike at all. They are also important safety devices. If you don't know how to use them, you could crash and injure yourself.

Description of the different types of bike brakes 

There are three types of bicycle brakes, including disc brakes, rim brakes and drum brakes.

1. Disc Brakes 

This type of braking system usually uses a metal disc or rotor as the main disc braking component. The principle of a disc brake is simple: two brake linings exert pressure on a rotating disc, creating friction and slowing down the rotation of the wheel. 

The magic of the disc brake is its high reliability, amazing braking power and excellent operating temperature range. It also has an advantage over other braking systems as it does not require any maintenance.

2. Rim Brake

Rim brakes utilise the friction created by the inner surface of the wheel coming into contact with the brake pads. As the wheel turns, the brake pads push the rim inwards. This creates friction and causes the wheel to slow down.

Types of RIM Brakes

(a) Caliper Brake 

Being a cable-operated brake, it uses a cable to connect the brake lever to the caliper. The principle of the caliper brake is simple: when the lever is pulled, the caliper will move towards the rear wheel until it contacts the brake lining. Once the brake lining contacts the rim, friction occurs and the wheel slows down. 

(b) Cantilever Brake 

It uses springs to activate the brake pads. The brake pads are fixed to the frame using springs. When the brake lever is pressed, the spring pushes the brake pad away from the rim, creating friction and slowing down the wheel. 

(c) U-Brake

The U-shaped brake lever is used to activate the brake pads via a cable mechanism. The brake pads are attached to the frame by a cable. When the lever is moved upwards, the pads move away from the rim, allowing the wheel to rotate freely. When the lever is moved downwards, the pads strike the rim, creating friction and slowing the wheel.

(d) V-Brake

The V-brake functions similarly to the U-brake, but the design is different. Instead of a straight lever, the V-brake has a curved shape. Because of the bend, the brake lining cannot be activated directly by the brake lever. Instead, the brake lever must pass through a linkage before the brake lining can be activated.

3. Roller Brake

A roller brake is a bicycle brake that works by applying pressure to the inside of a rotating drum. It is commonly used on commuter bikes, city bikes and some electric bikes. The braking mechanism consists of a series of brake shoes or pads that press against the inner surface of the drum when the brake lever is activated.

Roller brakes are usually very durable and require low maintenance. However, it is important to note that they may generate more heat during prolonged braking, resulting in less efficient braking. For this reason, they are recommended to be used primarily for normal commuting and medium-speed riding, rather than for aggressive downhill or high-speed applications.

4. Drum Brakes

Unlike other brakes that rely on friction to generate braking power, drum brakes use mechanical action to generate braking power. To generate braking force, the brake shoe is pressed against the inside of the drum, which then rolls against the outside of the rim. This creates friction and slows down the wheel.

These three types of brakes are found on most bikes today. But there are some differences between them. You should understand what each type of brake does and how it works.

Description of Bicycle Brake Lever Types

There are two main types of bicycle brake levers - flat handle brake levers and bent handle brake levers.

1、Flat lever brake levers

Flat handle brake levers are usually used on mountain bikes. Most mountain bikers prefer these brake levers because they are easier to control than curved handlebar brake levers. This is because most mountain bikers hold the handlebars in one hand and the brake levers in the other.

2. Straight Handlebar Brake Levers

Curved handlebar brake levers are a common configuration for road bikes and are usually used on racing bikes. Curved handlebar brake levers are favoured by road cyclists because they can easily reach both sides of the handlebar. However, because the brake levers are located at the bottom of the handlebars, some riders find them a little difficult to manoeuvre.

Which Bike Brake is Right for You

Different types of bike brakes suit your riding style. If you ride primarily off-road, choose cantilever brakes. If you ride mainly on the road, choose disc brakes. For those who like to ride long distances, drum brakes are the best choice. If you only ride short distances, V-brakes work well. Or, if you want to save money, you can buy a cheap set of cantilever brakes that are good enough for commuting.

Conclusion

Brakes play an important role in keeping you safe while riding. It helps the rider maintain speed and avoid accidents. There are many types of bicycle brakes available. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Before buying a new set of ebike brakes, make sure you know which type of ebike brakes are right for your needs.