You may be surprised to learn that there are different types or classes of electric bikes and also a choice of the kind of Motor.
Types or Classes of eBikes
- Type 1. Pedal Assist maximum speed 20mph. Once you start pedaling the motor starts and helps you with the effort of pedaling. Stop pedaling and the motor cuts out. The effort is very easy to maintain momentum, like riding down a slope. This class may also have a throttle, if used will need less effort on your part but will drain the battery quicker.
- Type 2. Throttle Only maximum speed 20mph. No pedaling effort is required to get started, just turn the throttle and away you go, although once again if you don’t pedal then you will drain the battery faster.
- Type 3. Pedal Assist maximum speed 28mph. Once again to start off and to keep the engine running you will need to start pedaling. The more effort the less battery you draw on. This type also has a throttle. To ride along at the maximum speed of 28mph is a real buzz
As these are all classed as “bicycles” a driver’s license is not required. NOTE” for Type 3, you must be over 17 and a helmet is required
Type of Motor
Yes there are 2 different types of motors, with the Hub Motor there is a choice of 2 sub-types
- Rear Hub Drive Motor
- Direct Drive. This is more suited to flat smooth terrain with moderate hills. Good for exercise and getting out with family and friends
- Geared Hub. These are more designed for heavy loads and areas where there are steep hills. Great for commuting and once again also suitable for general exercise and getting out with family and friends
- Center Drive Motor (aka Mid Drive Motor). These generally give a longer range being more efficient than the Hub Drive Motors. Being positioned near the middle of the bike with a better centre of gravity so that the bike has better handling. This Centre Drive Motor is also lighter than the Hub Drive.
The Mid Drive Motors are more expensive than the Hub Motors, but definitely worth it
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hub Vs Mid Drive
Hub Drive Motor
Pros
A big advantage of hub motors is that they require little or no maintenance being an independent drive system with all of the components inside the casing. Hub motors are outside of the bike’s chain drive and don’t wear down chains and cogs. Hub motors are cheaper as they can be mass produced as they don’t need to be altered to fit a particular bike frame
Gearless hub motors don’t have any moving parts apart from bearings, so there is very little to wear out.
Hub motors don’t put any additional strain on the chain or shifters so will not wear out any more quickly. In fact the chain will probably last longer as the hub motor will be doing more work and the chain sitting idle.
Built in redundancy. The hub motor and the pedal drive system are independent, so if your hub motor fails you can still pedal to get home. And if the chain breaks get home on electric power.
Cons
Hub motors aren’t as efficient as mid drive motors. They require a higher wattage which means a larger battery then a mid drive. This also means a heavier bike. Changing tyres is more challenging as the motor wires need to be disconnected
The majority of hub motors only allow a single gear ratio. Which is usually fine for flat terrain cruising, a lower speed with a higher torque gear is more suitable for hilly areas.
You are more limited with wheel components (rims, tires and cassettes) as you are limited to the rim that comes with the hub motor you may not be able to fit your favorite tire preference. The width of the hub motor will also limit you to a cassette of 7 speeds.
Mid Drive Motor
Pros
The biggest advantage that mid drives have over hub motors is the gear ratio.
The rider uses the same chain and gear set as the pedals to power the rear wheel, so that a lower gear can be selected for pedaling up steep hills.
A mid-drive motor in low gear can climb steeper hills than a hub motor with the same power.
A mid-drive motor is smaller and lighter than a hub motor.
Smaller and lighter mid-drive motors are mounted directly into the bicycle’s frame.
It is much easier to change a tire on a mid-drive eBike as there is no hub motor to work around.
You can use any wheels, tires and cassettes that you prefer.
Cons
Mid drive motors can put a huge strain on the chain and other components. Usually on a manual geared bike a person will put up to 100 watts of power for long periods of time and up to 200 – 250 watts during a sprint. A mid drive motor will output between 250 and over 700 watts of power continuously. This consistent strain will certainly break a bicycle chain if it is not of high quality
Both the motor and pedals need the chain to drive the rear wheel, no chain and you are riding nowhere.
There are more moving parts in a mid-drive motor. Mid-drive motors are generally more expensive than mass-produced hub motors.
So what’s the best solution
Current Mid-drives motors have a lot of improvements over older hub motor technology, but they do have their own issues. Its pretty simple why hub motors have been around for so long – a simpler design, less moving parts, cheaper and they work.
The main advantages of mid-drive include lower weight and better gear usage, which makes them more appropriate for off-road use and those with hilly terrain to traverse.
Hub-motors, on the other hand, are fairly bulletproof and low maintenance, and thus are usually better for commuters and those that want a simple, reliable e-Bike with very little maintenance.
Many off roaders like the reliability of hub motors, and some everyday commuters prefer lighter weight mid-drive motors. It really depends on which features you prefer.