EBike Hub Motor Vs Mid Motor : The Pros And Cons

Interested in finding out about the differences between a hub drive motor and a mid drive motor ebike? Below we will summarize the differences between them while also outlining the pros and cons of each. There are many different ebikes out there to choose from. While it can seem daunting to determine which type of ebike is right for you, this article should help you narrow down at least one factor — mid vs hub drive motors.

Mid Drive Motor Pros and Cons:

A mid drive motor is mounted underneath you in the middle of the frame. It powers the front chainring along with your own pedal power to give a smooth and consistent ride feeling. The mid mounted motor system is usually powered by a 250W-600W motor which when combined with leg power provides you with an overall added strength in your legs. This has the advantage of being able to tackle hills with ease when combined with a gearing system which most mid drive ebikes come with. This is also why you generally will always see electric mountain bikes with mid drive motors.

Pros

· Centered and balanced feel

· Smooth and consistent power

· Maintains a non-ebike “feel”

· Longer range due to increased efficiency

· Lighter than most hub motor ebikes

Cons

· Typically more expensive

· Lacks a throttle

Here at HOTTECH, some of our ebikes are specced with mid-mounted motors.

Hub Drive Motor Pros and Cons:

Hub drive motors are located within the hub of either the front or rear wheel (sometimes both) and are generally driven by a throttle and/or a pedal assist. They move the wheel forward through a motor driven in the wheel itself and generally use a higher rated power motor (250W-750W). Hub motors don’t directly translate to easier pedaling but in turn move the bike forward with power the same way a motorcycle or motor driven scooter would. This creates a situation where your legs are adding assistance to the motors power. This makes going uphill a bit less desirable but has a benefit of putting less overall wear on your drivetrain components.

Pros

· Typically less expensive than mid drive motor ebikes

· Throttle

· Sometimes offer regenerative braking

· Less overall stress on gears

Cons

· Lower range

· Less reliable – wheel breakage is possible due to torsion on spokes

· Difficulty climbing due to no gearing

· Generally heavier than mid drive motor ebikes

· Uneven power output

Hub Drive Motor vs Mid Drive Motor eBike Summary

In summary, hub drive motor and mid drive motor ebikes offer uniquely different riding experiences. Depending on a rider’s individual needs, one motor system may be a better choice than the other. For HOTTECH, we have different motors to meet customers' needs. Curious to learn more? Meet our complete ebike fleet. Looking for more in depth information about all things ebikes? Check out our knowledge base.