American writer William Faulkner professed in his novel The Reivers, “People will pay any price for motion. They will even work for it. Look at bicycles.” The cycling industry has come a long way since the dawning days of the first framework and wheels. The recurring popularity of cycling for sport, travel, and pleasure speaks highly on people’s desire for movement. Thanks to time, advanced technology, and innovation, bicycles have become faster, more reliable, and eco-friendly.
Electric bikes—also known as e-bikes, eBikes, or ebikes—are the most rapidly growing category of the modern cycling world. This class of two-wheeled electric transportation contains a wide assortment of designs, price points, and motor sizes and styles. The main motor styles to be aware of in the present-day market are mid-drive motors and hub-drive motors. For your consideration, let’s ask ourselves a question about mid-drive versus hub-drive e-bikes—mainly, what’s the difference?
Mid-Drive E-Bikes: Customary Choices
Differences in e-bike specifications occur due to production costs, user preference, and the present manufacturing market. If you’re wondering about mid-drive versus hub-drive e-bikes and what’s the ultimate difference between them, consider the placement of the electric motor. Mid-drive bikes have a motor positioned directly between the pedals, lying on the bike’s bottom bracket. Housing the motor closer to the center of the bicycle drives the bike chain forward, transferring motor power to the rear wheel.
Mid-drive motors shine through, offering an ideal, efficient setup when the user is climbing or enduring extended riding distance. E-bikes with this type of motor work synergistically with the gears for a more natural, non-exerting riding cadence. A supplementary perk is the central location of the motor weight on the frame, which provides optimal stability while riding or lifting the bike for transport.
Take note: the mid-drive e-bike market primarily services Europe, where any bike containing throttle or over 250 watts of power must be registered and licensed as a vehicle. Due to more liberal bike regulations than those overseas, the U.S. offers higher alternatives of horsepower and wattage in hub-drive e-bikes. Certain manufacturers respond to both markets through their available drive offerings.
Hub Motor E-Bikes: Alternative Advantages
Hub-drive e-bikes are fairly common in the industry as a traditional design for electric bikes. A standard hub-drive motor operates independently from the gears, as this motor focuses on applying torque directly to the bike’s wheels for driving movement. One advantage of this configuration is the requirement of little to no general maintenance.
Hub-drive e-bikes from American vendors will provide better work overtime than mid-drive solutions—and at a more suitable price tag. Since the electric components stay contained within the motor casing, these bikes are cost-effective solutions offering a smooth and quiet ride. Their simplicity, convenience, and durability over time are desirable qualities for many contemporary riders.
Your Choice: Electric Bikes To Suit Your Lifestyle
Consider what you require more as a rider: mid-drive weight balance for preferred application or hub-drive weight distribution for flat and uphill traction? The electric drive system you choose for a bike ultimately comes down to ride experience, personal application, and available capability. Each bike type has its prime advantages and slight disadvantages in addition to the availability of options. You can’t go wrong with your final choice when you’re factoring in the whole package.
If you’re in the market for a reputable electric bike in Oregon, look no further than Voltaire Cycles. We are a specialty bike shop carrying a wide selection of electric bikes for sale online from the best brands on the market. Whatever your transit needs are, we have a cycling solution. Browse our environmentally-friendly transportation offerings today.