If you’ve ridden an electric bike, you already know how technology has revolutionized the world of cycling. With e-bikes that offer pedal assistance, you can ride faster, farther, and more often, making it easy and exhilarating to commute, break your personal speed records, or just go out for a leisurely joyride.
If you haven’t ridden an electric bike before, now is the time to start: e-bike technologies are advancing more rapidly than ever! We’ve arrived in the era of smart e-bikes, when computerized control units can be paired with cell phone apps to make your ride as safe, powerful, and worry-free as it can be. Electric bikes will continue to get “smarter” as these technologies evolve.
In this post, we’ll discuss the following:
- Overview of the e-bike control unit
- New Specialized and Aventon control units
- How they pair with bike-specific apps
- Other ways that e-bikes are becoming smarter
What Is an E-Bike's Control Unit? 
First, it’s helpful to know what the control unit on an e-bike does. Often called the brain of an electric bicycle, the control unit is an electronic component that manages the power flow from the battery to the motor, controlling critical functions like speed and pedal assistance level. It acts as the central processing unit that ensures a smooth and efficient experience, based on rider input from sensors like the throttle, pedals, and brakes. It’s no exaggeration to say that the control unit maintains the overall performance of the e-bike!
Introducing the Specialized MasterMind
One of the most impressive e-bike controllers currently available is the Specialized MasterMind, which is available as either a Turbo Connect Display (TCD) or Turbo Control Unit (TCU) system. The TCU is a built-in display that’s part of the top tube on some e-bike models; the TCD is a wired display with a high-definition color screen available on other models.
As the brain of the e-bike, the TCD or TCU controls the motor, battery, and overall bike operations while displaying relevant ride data. An especially helpful feature is MicroTune, which allows for fine-grain adjustments to power output in 10% increments, enabling in-depth customization. In other words, instead of jumping from Eco to Trail modes, or from Trail to Turbo, riders can fine-tune the level of pedal assistance to suit their exact preferences.
Here are just some of the other features the Specialized MasterMind has to offer:
- Altitude – Your current altitude from sea level, altitude gain, or altitude descent
- Cadence – Amount of crank revolutions per minute, including average and maximum cadence
- Diagnose – A general informational readout including battery level, battery consumption, and current slope (gradient)
- Heart rate – Current heart rate in beats per minute (BPM), if Bluetooth or ANT+ heart rate belt is connected
- Jump stats – (only available on some models with TCU) Estimated number of times jumped, last jump distance, and last jump duration
- Over-the-air updates – Software and firmware updates to improve bike performance
- Power – Not only motor power, but also rider-provided power (in watts) and total power (i.e., rider power and mechanical motor power combined)
- Range – Estimated range and range trend (which update every 20 meters while the bike is in motion)
- Ride stats – Including odometer, ride distance, calories burned, and ride assist mode
Meet the Aventon Control Unit (ACU)
Aventon’s proprietary e-bike control unit, the ACU, also acts as the brain of the bicycle, distributing power from the battery to the motor and integrating overall bike performance.
The ACU also allows riders to customize the level of pedal assistance to their exact preferences with Ride Tune. This customizable feature allows you to adjust the max assistance and motor torque of each assist mode so you can tune the bike to the specific feel that you want.
The ACU’s other ride features greatly benefit on-the-bike security and connectivity:
- GPS tracking – Highly accurate to ensure on-the-go, pinpoint navigation
- Geofencing – Define where the bike can be ridden (a great security feature if the bike gets stolen and an effective way for parents to limit where their kids can ride)
- Over-the-air firmware updates – Ensures consistent improvements to maximize the bike's performance
- Remote settings changes – Allows the rider to update settings even when they're away from the bike
- Startup password – Prevents unauthorized access
- Integrated rear wheel or kickstand lock – Prevents the bike from moving when activated
- Unusual activity detection and alarm – A highly effective way to deter thieves
- Electronic battery lock – Keeps this valuable piece of technology secure
How E-Bike Control Units Pair with Rider Apps
The features listed above can be enhanced by syncing your e-bike with brand-specific cycling apps available on your cell phone. Riders can connect their e-bikes to smartphones via Bluetooth and access various data, such as speed, distance, battery life, and ride statistics.
These days, there are lots of cycling apps—like Komoot, Strava, Bike Citizens, and Cyclemeter—that help you explore, connect with other riders, and store your ride data. But the best way to make the most of your e-bike's features is to sync your bicycle with proprietary apps from your bike’s manufacturer.
Specialized Mission Control App
Specialized’s Mission Control app, for example, pairs with the TCU or TCD for advanced tuning, range optimization, and on-ride diagnostics. You can set up your display with the stats that matter most to you and optimize your power management so you can be sure you’re getting the most out of your e-bike. The app’s Turbo System Lock also allows you to disable the motor remotely to prevent theft. Finally, it’s easy to sync your Mission Control data to the other apps listed above and many more. In short, the Specialized Mission Control app lets you stay effortlessly connected to your bike.
Aventon MyRide App
Similarly, Aventon’s MyRide app allows you to control and fine-tune the ACU features listed above remotely from your cell phone. Cloud synchronization on the ACU enables you to store ride data and sync it with the MyRide app so you can analyze and compare ride metrics like speed, distance, and battery usage.
By pairing the app with the ACU, you can keep a detailed record of all your rides with data such as calorie burn, cycling time, and distance traveled. Or you can view how you’ve progressed over time by viewing ride data by day, month, and year. You can even understand the environmental impact you’ve had by riding your e-bike instead of a gas-powered vehicle.
Last but not least, you can connect to a whole community of Aventon riders to compare ride data and start some friendly competition, as well as stay up to date on possible maintenance and repairs your e-bike may need.
How Are E-Bikes Getting Smarter?
Over the last few years alone, the world of e-bikes has been revolutionized by advancements like highly capable and responsive control units and rider apps filled with convenient features. But this world is bound to keep changing more rapidly than ever as new technologies become available to make electric bikes smarter, safer, and more powerful than ever.
Here are just some of the breakthroughs on the e-bike horizon:
- Better-than-ever batteries – Longer-lasting, faster-charging batteries mean e-bike riders can worry less about their battery’s charge and simply enjoy getting out on their electric bike. Increased energy density means that batteries have longer ranges without increasing size or weight. Safety will also be improved as advanced thermal management systems prevent overheating and fire hazards. Some of these developments are thanks to solid-state batteries, which generally offer better safety, performance, and convenience than lithium-ion batteries, which currently make up the bulk of the e-bike battery market.
- Advanced motor systems – E-bike motors are already quiet, safe, and powerful, but they’re bound to become even more advanced over the next few years. Torque sensors will provide increasingly smooth power delivery based on the rider’s pedaling, while new materials and designs will lead to lighter and quieter motors.
- Eco-friendly construction – Electric bikes already have a positive impact on the environment, reducing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere due to gas-powered vehicles. But e-bikes' construction will become even more sustainable in the near future, thanks to recycled materials, greener manufacturing processes, and even-better energy efficiency.
- Regenerative braking – This braking system allows the motor to generate power when the rider slows down. Regenerative braking captures the energy typically lost during braking and stores it in the battery. This can be especially useful for increasing the range of e-bikes on longer rides or in stop-and-go traffic. It also contributes to improved efficiency by reducing the need for frequent charging.
These are just a few of the ways that e-bikes will grow more advanced as technological breakthroughs continue to be introduced. In other words, there’s no better time to discover the world of electric cycling—or, if you already love your e-bike, to keep exploring what options are out there!
Electric Bikes at ERIK’S
Want to find out more about e-bikes and how they can transform your riding experience? Find out for yourself and stop into your local ERIK’S for a test ride! You can also research electric bikes on our website and browse our online selection, including top models from Specialized and Aventon.
We look forward to setting you up with your very own e-bike! If you’ve never ridden one before, prepare to have your mind blown by how advanced these bikes have become—and how much they’ll continue to revolutionize the world of cycling in the near future.
