eChainrings
Do electric bikes use regular chains?
When it's time to replace the chain on our e-bike, can we choose any chain or do electric bikes, due to the power of the motor, require special chains?
Standard chains, meaning any chain that is not specifically designed for e-bikes like the SRAM EX1, are compatible with the e-bike. They can handle the additional tension provided by the motor without issues, but extra care should be taken during gear shifts. This moment is critical when the chain is "aiming" towards the next sprocket or sprockets.
If the chain receives excessive lateral tension at that moment, it can break, which is likely something you may have heard about before. For this reason, motors have a shifting sensor that reduces the motor's power during gear shifts.
The SRAM EX1 group goes a step further by limiting the gear shift to one sprocket per press and also utilizes a specially thick and robust chain.