Electric bicycles have been with us since 1895. That was when the first prototype with a hub motor rolled down our roads. Flash forward to today, and e-bikes are one of the most popular modes of transport in the USA.
They are eco-friendly, efficient, and incredible fun!
Mid-drive motor e-bikes compete with hub motor e-bikes in the market. They work in different ways, and each has its advantages.
If you’re shopping for an e-bike, you might fret over which to buy. An e-bike is an investment, and you want to be sure it is right for you. We have a guide to mid-drive and hub motor e-bikes.
Read on and let’s get rolling.
What Is a Hub Motor?
A hub motor sits on either the front or rear wheel. It drives the bike forward by applying torque to the wheel.
Hub motors do not work with your gears, but their pedal-assist sensors adapt the torque. A big pro is that hub motors have throttles. You can stop pedaling and let the bike do all the work.
Hub motors are cheaper. You can buy hub motor e-bikes for less than $1,000. Mid-drive e-bikes are around $2,000.
Their front or rear-weighted designs can affect balance. Some hub motor e-bikes compensate for this. They feel solid on the ground.
What Is a Mid-Drive Motor?
A mid-drive motor sits by your pedals and gears. You need to keep pedaling to keep things moving, but you can use gears to keep a smooth cadence.
Their mid-frame position makes the ride feel more balanced than most hub motor e-bikes. Your electric bicycle weight is more central and feels natural.
Higher gears work the motor more, but it is a smooth transition. Mid-drive motors have a greater range of speed than hub motors. A mid-drive electric bicycle is easier to maintain too.
You can remove the motor by pulling out two pins on most models. Hub motor e-bikes can be trickier to maintain and repair.
Which Are the Best E-Bike Motors For You?
Both hub and mid-drive motors let you access all the benefits of the electric bicycle world. Your choice will depend on a few things.
Hub motor e-bikes are cheaper than mid-motor e-bikes. Mid-motor e-bikes are tough to find under $2,000; hub motor e-bikes can be under $1,000. You can buy a low-end mid-drive motor, and it can feel awkward to ride.
A high-end hub motor made well can feel better. With both mid-drive and hub motor e-bikes, you do get back what you invest. Get the highest quality you can afford.
Mid-motor e-bikes need you to pedal to drive their motors; hub motors can work without you. If you want an easy ride, hub motor e-bikes are best for you. If you want to keep pedaling, mid-motor e-bikes are the ones for you.
Take a look at Charge Bikes electric bikes to see which type you like best.
Ready to Hit the Road?
We hope our guide to hub motor and mid-drive e-bikes helped you choose. An e-bike will help get you fit and get around. It sure beats getting stuck in traffic in your car.
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