Bicycle engine
A bicycle is a device propelled by pedals and is primarily used for transportation. Motorized bicycles are bicycles powered by an electric motor. In these bicycles, a motor replaces the pedals. The motor is generally small and runs on a battery or it may have an internal combustion engine. Today, internal combustion engines are substituted by electric motors. These electric motors are lightweight, high-battery-storage motors. In China, the chief mode of transportation is bicycles. Motorized bicycles are popular there.
Bicycle Gas Engine Kit: The first internal combustion engine was produced in 1900. The engine was called the Singer Motor Wheel and could be positioned near the front wheel of the bicycle. In 1914 the Singer Motor wheel was conveniently placed at the rear of the bicycle, with the help of an outrigger arm. In 1960, the internal combustion motorized bicycle called the ‘Velosolex’ was produced on a large scale. The Honda P50 used an in-wheel IC engine, in 1988.
A 26-inch speed cruiser or a multi speed mountain bike can easily be converted into a motorized bike, with a bicycle engine kit. The bicycle kits offer an 80cc motor, with 3.5 h.p. The motor has enough power to cover 150 miles on a gallon of gas. As the engine is internally combustible, it can start and stop instantly. The twist-grip-handle throttle of the bicycle controls the speed at 40 mph. The engine kit also offers a 44-tooth Chrome racing Sprocket, with 9-hole rear wheel mounting. The 26" cruiser coaster brake bikes that are sold in stores all over the USA can also be used to design a motorized bicycle.
Electric Bicycle Engine: Motorized bicycles no longer have combustion engines. The demand today is for faster bicycles, with electric engines, rather than the internal combustion engines. In the electric engines, rechargeable batteries power the bike. These engines are charged through a utility supply attached to the mains. The engine uses its maximum battery power when the brakes are applied. Some batteries used in electric engines are driven by solar cells and fuel cells. Rare earth magnets, pulse width modulated electronic control and regenerative braking is also included in electric bikes, to improve efficiency. Lead-acid, nickel cadmium, NIMH or lithium ion batteries are also used for short distance riding. These batteries cost more, but are of a lighter weight and have an incredible storage capacity.
Electric motorized bicycles come in two categories. They are:
- The power-on-demand electric bicycle: In these bicycles, the riding is effortless, since the motor is activated with a handlebar-mounted throttle.
- The ‘pedelec’ electric bicycle: Pedelec is similar to the moped. In this bicycle, the pedaling regulates the electric motor. A mechanism called the ‘crank sensor’ or ‘torque sensor’ is used to detect whether the user is pedaling.
Electric bikes have a long shelf life. The life is affected by factors such as motor efficiency, battery capacity, efficiency of the driving electronics, aerodynamics, terrain and the combined weight of the bike and rider. The range of an electric bike is usually somewhere between 7km to 70km, each battery life. Thomas the Tank Toy store is the chief retailer of electric bikes.
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