Information centre on bikes and e-bikes: An overview of different bike computers and e-bike displays

High-end sat navs

Third-party suppliers of bike computers such as Garmin offer a wealth of instruments with a high information content. With some drives (such as Yamaha and Fazua), they can even be connected to the drive unit via Bluetooth and transmit data. If the motor controller supports the open Ant+ LEV wireless standard (as with Specialized and Giant), compatible bike computers such as the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus can even display drive-specific data such as battery charge level, remaining range, power or cadence.

>> More about the Garmin Edge 1030 plus

Smart control - smartphone as sat nav

Users of Bosch's Smart System, Shimano's E-Tube Project and some other motor manufacturers can access the motor control characteristics to a limited extent via smartphone. For example, the settings for assistance, dynamics, maximum speed and torque can be changed. At the same time, the apps can display, navigate, display and analyse riding data. An alarm function informs the owner in the event of theft and starts a tracking function that can be used to localise the bike.

>> Bicycle navigation with Smartphone or GPS device?

Comprehensive information with e-bike displays

In addition to riding data such as assistance level, battery charge status, speed and odometer, modern colour displays provide further useful information. You can record tour and fitness data such as cadence, power and calories burned. Some of the data can be synchronised with Komoot or Strava. Route instructions can be transferred from the smartphone to the bike computer and displayed there. Updates are also transferred to the drive system via a smartphone connection.

>> E-bike displays in comparison

Driving data at a glance

If you only want to be informed about the most important driving and engine data, almost all drive system manufacturers offer a simple instrument with a digital display. The devices are simple and intuitive to use, clearly laid out and easy to read. The displays are limited to the most important data such as battery charge level, assistance level or riding mode, speed, distance travelled and total odometer. Many can be detached from the handlebars and thus offer additional theft protection.

Super minimalist

Neither bike computers nor motor displays fit on design and style bikes. They would break the design approach and the bike would be recognisable as a pedelec at first glance. Suppliers of low-assist drives offer minimalist and inconspicuous combination instruments especially for this bike class. The number of activated LEDs provides information about the battery charge level and they light up in different colours depending on the riding mode. One or more integrated buttons control rudimentary motor functions such as the assistance level.

Digital and integrated

For lovers of filigree commuter, city and style bikes who don't want to do without a digital instrument: Frame-integrated digital displays can be fitted inconspicuously on the top tube in a similar way to small LED instruments. They are clear, easy to read and offer a little more in-depth information. This means that cyclists do not need an additional bike computer to display speed and distance travelled. Disadvantage: The instruments are out of sight while riding.

Glossary

• Pedelec stands for Pedal Electric Bicycle and refers to a bicycle whose motor is activated solely by pedalling. Pedelecs are legally recognised as bicycles. The rated power of the electric drive may not exceed 250 watts and the motor may provide assistance up to a maximum speed of 25 km/h.
• E-bike is a collective term for electrically powered bikes. This includes pedelecs, S-pedelecs (max. 500 watts, 45 km/h) and electrically powered bikes without pedals and without limits on power and speed. It also includes electrically powered mopeds and motorbikes.
• Motor control: How a pedelec drive responds to pedal pressure and cadence is regulated by the motor control software. Programmable power curves determine whether the motor delivers high power at low pedalling force and low cadence or whether it increases progressively with pedalling force and cadence.
• Support level: The maximum power output of the drive can be controlled by the rider. To do this, the rider can usually select three to five different assistance levels/riding modes on the motor control unit. The higher the level selected, the more assistance the drive provides with the same pedalling force.