Which EBike Motor? The Most Expensive One Might Not Be The Best!
Updated: Dec 22, 2022
Are you confused about e-bike motors? The most expensive one might not be the best.
There are three types of e-bike motors. First, the direct hub drive. These were the first to come out and they have no gears. They have low torque starting out, but they can reach high speeds. I'd avoid these if I were you.
Next, the geared hub drive. These are more modern and the most common. They have planetary gears in them so you don't have to shift them. They drive the axle directly. They have plenty of low-end torque and they can reach 20 to 30 miles an hour. T
Last are the mid-drive motors. These came from the European market where motor power is limited to 250 watts. The Euros developed these so they can climb hills and reach higher speeds with smaller powered motors. They're the most expensive.
Companies manufacturing for Europe and the US market brought them into the US so they could sell the same bike designs to both markets. Mid-drive motors drive the crank bike chain and bike gears so you have to shift gears in order to use them efficiently.
Personally, I prefer geared to hub drives. They're more efficient in getting power to the ground and you don't have to shift gears.
I say why drive a stick when you can have an automatic? And they are less money.
JP Blake is co-founder and CEO of E-Lux Electric Bikes, founded in 2014 in Fountain Valley, California. As an electric bike industry pioneer and overseas manufacturing expert, JP has logged several years from China to Thailand, co-creating luxury e-bikes for the US market. JP has contributed his insider perspective to local government projects including bike lane expansion on the coast of Huntington Beach and aiding the OC Transportation Authority in the development of bicycle and e-bike trails.