Since their creation, e-bikes have been getting bigger and better by the year, with one of the latest trends being hub motor e-bikes. While many different e-bike technologies are available, hub motors are becoming increasingly popular due to their advantages over other kinds of e-bike motors, including less maintenance and greater torque at lower speeds.
This article will break down hub motor electric bikes and why they’re better than ever.
What is an E-Bike?
An e-bike is a type of pedal-assisted electric bike that operates under two styles of drive control: throttle and pedelec. Throttle bikes are what you’re used to seeing (and hearing) most often, and they generally have a handlebar-mounted display or buttons that let you determine how much power you’re using.
Pedelec bikes lack throttles, but they still use motors to get up to speed. They also usually include some sort of battery pack to store energy. In both cases, your effort turns into forwarding motion; when you start riding without any effort on your part, you stop pedalling as well.
The result is an assistive mode for cruising at low speeds with minimal exertion—ideal for riding around town or commuting.
The State of Hub Motor E-Bikes
Hub motors, which drive a bike’s rear-wheel directly through a magnetic interface (rather than gears) are more efficient, smoother, and quieter than other e-bike drivetrains. The downsides? They cost more, add weight to your bike (about 10 pounds for a mid-drive hub), and can be difficult to install. That said, most new electric bikes come equipped with them now—and it is possible to retrofit older models.
Are Hub Motors Reliable?
This style of motor is extremely reliable. They are typically run at constant power and cadence, meaning they have fewer moving parts that can break and need servicing. Additionally, these motors tend to be heavy-duty in nature, which makes them harder to wear out over time. These motors will often come with a warranty of some sort as well.
It’s hard to go wrong with a hub motor on your electric bike! Just make sure you research before you buy! Do you trust X company? How long do their warranties last? What are their quality standards like? Are they made by people that know how to build things and not simply repackage cheap components?
How do I know which Brand is Best?
Choosing a brand of electric bike is pretty personal, but there are some things you should look for when doing your research. Brand reputation, bike model quality and design, and performance history all play a part in choosing which hub motor e-bike to buy.
Fortunately, a lot of brands are entering into crowdfunding on sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo with technologies that promise to be light years ahead of their competition. You can learn more about them by following the hashtag #electricbikeshare or browsing /r/electricbicycles.
If you’re still not sure where to start, read these articles about how electric bikes work, our top 10 favourite brands or the best online shops based on customer service and shipping options (the fastest way to get an e-bike). Then let us know what questions you have! We love working directly with buyers so we can help you choose exactly what’s right for you!
How do I know what Gear ratio I Need?
Fortunately, when it comes to motor wattage and efficiency, electric bike manufacturers give you a pretty accurate guide. Inside a hub motor, you’ll notice there’s a rating for kV (kilovolts), which dictates how much power you get from each revolution of your wheels. A higher kV means more power. For example, an e-bike with a 750W motor and 10A rating needs only 6.7kV to reach its maximum speed of 20MPH. If you want to go faster, simply buy a bike with a higher kV rating.
Is it legal to Ride an E-Bike on Bike Paths?
Electrically assisted bikes have been gaining in popularity, but bike riders have had a hard time riding on bike paths. There is currently no legislation making it illegal to ride an e-bike on a bike path. In some places, such as New York City, there are many designated bike paths that do not allow motorized vehicles of any kind to be driven on them at all. Some places in California ban motorcycles from riding anywhere other than set off-road tracks.