When it comes to electric bikes, choosing the right motor is essential. Your motor will directly impact your riding experience and how often you use your bike. To choose the best motor for your e-bike, you must first understand what makes each one unique.
Three types of motors are commonly used in e-bikes: gearless hub, mid-drive, and geared hub, with each having its pros and cons. They also have a different style of usage that may suit your needs better than others.
Here’s everything you need to know about e-bike motors so you can choose the best one for you. Let’s get started!
Types of E-bike Motor
There are two main types of e-bike motors which are the hub motor and mid-drive motors. Hub motors are then split into two types, either geared or gearless. Even more confusing, hub motors can also be attached to the front or rear of your e-bike.
Here we take a quick overview of all the types of e-bike motor so you can see which one is right for you.
Hub Motor
Hub motors are the most common type of motor used in electric bikes. They’re built right into the front or rear wheel’s axle, meaning the entire wheel spins when the motor is activated.
This hub motor design is excellent for a few reasons, which is why almost all e-bikes you see on the road use this type of motor.
First, the hub motor is extremely lightweight compared to other motor types. It means you can have an e-bike without feeling like you must drag it through the streets.
Second, hub motors are relatively inexpensive compared to other motor types. For example, you can find a decent e-bike hub motor for a couple of hundred dollars, whereas a mid-drive or a geared-hub motor may cost you a couple of thousand.
Hub motors also work well in wet and cold weather because they’re completely enclosed and don’t have any sensitive parts that can get ruined.
For this sort of motor to create significant power, it must be large, which puts more strain on the bike’s suspension. You can end up with a damaged frame if your bike doesn’t have sturdy springs, especially when you add the weight of a passenger carrying some luggage.
This, of course, is if you’re buying a conversion kit to fit your existing bike. If you’re buying an e-bike with a hub motor, then these factors would have already been taken into account.
Magnetic resistance is another minor drawback. When driving with the motor off, pedalling will be slightly more difficult than on an identical bike without a motor. However, it is comparable to biking into a slight breeze.
Mid-Drive Motor
Mid-drive motors are often the most powerful motor on an e-bike but are also the hardest to install and use. Mid-drive motors also generate more torque (rotational force) than hub motors.
Torque refers to the rotational force needed to move an object. For a simple example, a jar with a stuck lid would need a lot of torque to open it, whereas opening a bottle of water usually requires less torque.
Mid-motor e-bikes are also less affected by the wind, making them the most efficient motor type. Mid-drive motors are best for cyclists who want the advantages of a hub motor but also want a more natural ride feel and more control over their cycling.
Mid-drive motors are located near the pedals in the middle of the bike. This placement gives them several advantages over hub motors, such as they provide better balance and stability since the weight is evenly distributed.
Mid-drive motors allow you to use the gears on your bike, giving you more control over your speed and making it easier to ride at a consistent pace. While mid-drive motors are more expensive than hub motors, they offer several benefits that usually make them worth the investment.
Geared-Hub Motor
Geared-hub motors are the least common motor on an e-bike but are also the most powerful. A geared-hub motor is usually mounted to the rear wheel and propels the bike forward.
In the geared motor, the rotor is located inside the hub. The magnets are glued to the outside of the rotor. The first disadvantage of this design is that the magnets tend to break away from the rotor under the influence of centrifugal force. Sadly, it is one of the most common breakdowns and one of the most difficult to fix.
While geared-hub motor e-bikes are the most powerful you can get, they’re also the hardest to install. Because the wheel is spinning when the motor is activated, geared-hub motors create more torque than hub motors. It makes them great for going uphill and through any rough weather.
Geared-hub motors require a custom frame built to accommodate the motor and wheel. So you can’t just buy a geared-hub motor and expect it to fit your frame. It is the best motor type if you plan on using your e-bike to commute to work or ride in races, and it’s also the best motor type for off-roading.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Motor for Your E-Bike
We’ve just seen a quick overview of the three different types but let’s look a little deeper into some key areas.
Differences in Torque
The torque output of various motors, expressed in Newton-meters (Nm), is a crucial difference. Larger torque output is a helpful feature since the motor will aid you more while you’re getting started and when you have to climb a hill.
You’ll often find greater torque output ratings for motors used in electric mountain bikes. This is because they require a low cadence (revolutions of your wheel) push to help you up high, rough off-road ascents more readily.
If you want a high level of torque, then a mid-drive or geared hub motor would be the best option. This will be required if you either want to ride your e-bike on trails or live in an area with plenty of hills.
The Placement of the Motor
A hub motor on an e-bike can either be placed on the front or rear wheel. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, a front-wheel motor provides good traction and stability but can make steering more difficult.
A rear-wheel motor, on the other hand, is easier to steer, but it can cause the bike to feel less stable. In general, front-wheel motors are better for riders who are looking for a more comfortable and stable ride, while rear-wheel motors are better for riders who want more control over their bike.
For many, mid-drive motors offer the best of both worlds. Their central position means that you get the push of a rear motor but with a much more natural feel. That mid location also gives you great stability and a better center of gravity.
Maintenance
Both mid-drive and hub motors have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to convenience and maintenance.
Mid-drive motors are typically more expensive than hub motors, but they’re also easier to service. That’s because they’re located in the middle of the bike, which makes them easier to access if you need to do any repairs or adjustments.
When it comes to convenience, mid-drive motors have the advantage since they’re easy to remove and replace. But if you’re looking for an e-bike that’s easy to maintain, a hub motor might be a better option.
Conversion
There is one big difference between a hub and mid-drive motors and that is complexity. Whereas you’ll probably be able to install a hub motor with relative ease, you may struggle to install a mid-drive motor on your crank unless you are particularly skilled at such tasks.
Due to this, it’s often best to get a dealer who’d also be able to install the mid-drive motor for you. Why would you go through the hassle? Well, it’s due to the advantages above as these motors usually give you a more powerful, quieter, more efficient, and more stable ride.
That being said, there are plenty of reasons to get a hub motor as they’ll give you that powered assistance while being easier to install and also cheaper.
Other Specifications
Not all e-bike motors are made the same. While we’re taking in generalizations here, the best hub motor is going to be better than the worst mid-drive motor.
You may be wondering how much power e-bikes give you. Well, this will change from one motor to the next, as many will give you 250 watts of power but there are others capable of giving you over 1,000 watts.
This is the same when it comes to battery specs on e-bikes. A bad mid-drive motor may give you poor range, whereas a premium hub motor would be much better. Due to this, it’s also important to factor in the other specifications when looking into the best motor type for you.
Which Type of Electric Bike Motor is Right for You?
Hub motors are great for beginner e-bike riders who want a smooth, easy experience. Mid-drive e-bikes are for experienced riders who want the most power and efficiency possible. Finally, geared-hub e-bikes are for expert e-cyclists who wish to go as fast as possible, no matter the weather.
The best way to decide which type of e-bike motor is right for you is to think about how often you’ll use your bike. If you’re commuting to work or around the city on flat roads, then a hub motor will be more than enough for your needs.
If you’re going to be doing some trail riding or travelling over difficult terrain, a mid-drive motor is going to be the better option. A geared hub is rarer and ideal for those who want the advantages of a hub motor while also having the ability to shift gears.
Hub motors are the most common e-bike motor type and are the best choice for beginning e-bikers due to their low cost. Mid-drive motors are best for experienced e-cyclists and those who want more control over their e-bike.
Final Thoughts
In terms of performance, it’s hard to make the case for a regular hub motor being better than a mid-drive motor. While that’s true, hub motors are still great and ideal for those who want a powered bike at a lower cost.
You need to factor in your budget, what type of journeys you’ll be making, and the type of ride you’re looking for. When you consider all of that with the above information, you’ll be able to pick the best motor type for your e-bike.