E-BIKE MOTORS
SPOILT FOR CHOICE

WHICH E-BIKE MOTORS ARE AVAILABLE?

Anyone thinking about buying an e-bike also has to get to grips with its various components, not just the brand, where it is to be used and the price. The position of the motor in an e-bike is an important factor in any purchase decision. We explain the differences between mid, rear and front motors as well as their pros and cons.

FRONT MOTOR (FRONT HUB MOTOR)

Front motors are almost exclusively found in low-cost e-bikes because their drawbacks out-weigh their advantages. One advantage is that a front motor can be combined with most gear shift systems and provides immediate assistance when setting off – no matter what gear. Hub motors can be combined with hub gears or derailleur gears and are available with a coaster brake function. A major disadvantage is that they have a negative influence on maneuvering and the forks come under a heavy load. This increases the risk of skidding in a bend. Handling is generally felt to be less natural and, in addition, changing the tire on the front wheel is more complicated than with a mid-drive motor.

REAR MOTOR (REAR HUB MOTOR)

Just like front-wheel drives, rear motors provide immediate assistance when setting off. They provide a decent thrust and are suitable for sporty riding. This becomes particularly evident on flat terrain, which is why they are often used in S-pedelecs. Rear motors are generally very qui-et. Energy can also be recovered with the motor brake, known as recuperation. If derailleur gears are fitted, the wear and tear is greater and, as with the front engine, changing the tire on the rear wheel is a bit more complicated. The e-bike may be more tail-heavy on the road, and rear motors fall behind mid-drive motors in terms of range. The maximum number of kilometers are possible with the drive in this position.

MID-DRIVE MOTOR

A mid-drive motor offers the most natural handling. This is because the powerful motor is con-nected directly to the bottom bracket and integrated into the frame. So it’s no wonder that it’s the most popular and most widely-used type of motor. Unfortunately, is not one of the cheapest either. The low and central center of gravity has a positive effect on weight distribution. This in turn reduces the risk of skidding. The mid-drive motor gets the most kilometers from the battery and is the best choice for long journeys. More negative aspects are the high wear on the chain and sprocket. Mid-drive motors also tend to be a little louder than rear motors. Very few models can be retrofitted because they have to be integrated into the frame.

Have you found your favorite? Our partners install rear and mid-drive motors  from well-known manufacturers into their e-bikes.

WHICH E-BIKE MOTOR IS THE BEST?

If you’re looking for one single answer, we unfortunately have to disappoint you. All of today’s motors are good for their specific purpose. Their programming can now be fine-tuned to the specific requirements with great precision. So there isn’t one motor that is «best».

«A good motor harmonizes with all of its components and is perfectly integrated into the e-bike.»

In addition to the motor’s power, other factors also have a major influence on the riding experi-ence with an e-bike. The frame integration, ergonomics, individual settings or weight are all relevant. However, the coordinated transmission of power to the pedals is almost the most im-portant thing – just how natural does the sequence of movements feel?

THE MORE TORQUE THE BETTER, OR NOT?

It would appear that there is a race to provide the most torque output. New motors with even more output are appearing on the market. You can now get anything from 35 to 120 Nm. But is the motor with the most newton meters necessarily the best?

To answer this question, we first have to take a closer look at what torque is. The term «torque», or moment of force, comes from the Latin «momentum» and means movement force. It de-scribes the rotary effect of a force or body. It can speed up or slow down the rotation of a body, as well as bend or twist it. In short, it is the force acting on a center of rotation through a lever arm. When it comes to e-bikes, it determines their starting speed. The power of the motor that is added to your power as assistance. Torque is measured in newton meters (Nm).

Getting back to our initial question, how many newton meters are best. As is almost always the case, this depends on the e-bike’s purpose and model. If the e-bike us used predominantly in the city or for balancing acts off road, a low torque is best. A sudden start-up would be more of a disadvantage here. High torque is the best choice for enthusiastic uphill fans who spend a lot of their time on hills. It ensures sufficient thrust on steep sections in low gears.

You can find out how much torque our partners motors have in our article motors with FIT inside.

22.07.2021