How do I choose the type of ebike motor?
An electric bike has three main components: an ebike motor, a battery and a display. The battery powers the motor and the display helps you control the amount of power you want. It's important to understand the basic types of drive systems to know which ones are best for you.
Currently, we have two types of electric bike motor. One is a hub motor, also known as a wheel motor, and the other is a center drive, also known as a mid-drive. Currently, customers believe that the center drive is of better quality, but they have no explanation for this claim other than an article in a magazine written by a center drive seller. We need to understand that neither type of motor is better than the other, but they have different advantages depending on your needs.
Wheel ebike motor / hub motor
The wheel drive is the most common on the market today and it certainly has many advantages and is less expensive than the hub drive. This motor has more flexibility in choosing how much pedal power you want because it drives the wheels, not the crank (where your pedals are attached), which allows the wheels to turn quickly, even if the pedals are not turning.
The downside is that sometimes the wheels are not evenly balanced, especially when the battery is located on the frame. This results in more stress on the components at the back of the bike and slightly less power output.
Currently, the cheapest, but still high-quality e-bikes with hub motors cost about $1200.
Advantages:
- Most common types of motors
- Availability
- Instant acceleration
- Ability to drive without the help of a motor
Disadvantages:
- Higher load on the rear wheels
- Low sensitivity to motor power dose (depending on the sensor used)
- High engine noise level
- Inefficient energy management at higher loads (greater consumption compared to the central motor)
Central ebike motor for drive system / mid-drive
The mid-drive motor is located in the middle of the e-bike frame, near the bottom, where the crank is located. These motors will surprise you with comfortable performance and short battery-assisted response times. In addition, placing the motor centrally in the crank ensures a better weight distribution of the e-bike. Reliability and efficiency are built in, and they are usually more powerful than the hub variety, with torque ratings between 50Nm and 80Nm.
Very often, the downside is that e-bikes are more expensive to purchase. However, the higher price is compensated for in the longer engine life; moreover, the more expensive e-bikes usually have better equipment. Popular mid-drive systems are Bosch, Brose, Shimano stepper, Yamaha and Bafang.
Advantages:
- Higher performance
- Simple service
- Quiet and smooth motor operation
- Optimal balance and weight distribution
- By choosing the right gearing, you can control the speed of the bike and the motor at the same time, so you can achieve optimal speed with low power consumption
Disadvantages:
- May cause more wear and tear on the chain and gears as this is where the power is transferred
- More sensitive to the accuracy of adjustments and gear changes
- May experience gear motor resistance when riding without battery assistance (depending on type)
