If you’re looking for an electric bike motor kit, there are many options out there. Explore the differences between e-bike motor types to decide which one is right for your needs. Different Types of Motor Kits E-bikes come in three different types of motor kits: front-hub motors, rear-hub motors, and mid-drive motors. Each motor type operates differently and provides a different feeling on your bike. These are the main differences between each kind of motor kit. Front-Hub Motors Front-hub motors attach to the front wheel of your bike to deliver power. Because this motor and battery attach to your front wheel, your bike’s center of gravity can feel slightly different as you ride. Front-hub motors are often the most straightforward motors to install, but some riders complain that they feel unnatural since the bike pulls you forward rather than pushes you. Rear-Hub Motors Rear-hub motor kits attach to the rear wheel of your bike to deliver all the power to your rear wheel. Your bike's center of gravity may be a little off balance because your rear wheel carries your motor and battery. Rear-hub motors feel more natural than their front-hub counterparts, as it’s normal to feel power pushing from your rear wheel. Rear-hub motor kits can be challenging to install, so you may need some assistance in getting them on your bike. Rear-hub wheel kits have a great, natural feeling. Mid-Drive Motors Mid-drive motor kits are mounted at the bottom center of your bike and deliver power through your bike’s chain. This evenly distributes the motor's power to both wheels of your bike. The central position of a mid-drive motor will also keep your center of gravity low and to the middle of your bike. Mid-drive motor kits have the most natural feeling for your bike but can sometimes be harder to install. Different Kinds of Motor Style E-bikes also use different styles of motors. The sort of motor in your e-bike can make a few differences in its reliability and the power you’re getting. Here are the different styles of motors found in e-bikes. DC Motors DC motors are ubiquitous and are in many of your household appliances. They can be reliable but sometimes require extra maintenance as they contain a brush that can wear out quickly. Luckily, DC motors are simple to have serviced because they are common. DC motors can be great for some appliances but they aren’t the most efficient option for powering an e-bike. Brushless DC Motors Brushless DC motors are the most common motor type for e-bikes. They no longer have a brush that can wear out and require service, making them remarkably more reliable. These advanced motors use sensors to send information to and from the motor and computer. Brushless DC motors require complicated control units and are a very advanced choice for e-bike motors. The wiring of brushless DC motors is crucial to their functioning. The wiring can sometimes have errors, so you may need to have your wiring serviced occasionally. Sensorless Brushless Motors Sensorless brushless motors are even more advanced than brushless DC motors, but they are harder to find in e-bikes. Sensorless brushless motors have more reliable wiring to be dependable. Sensorless brushless motors sometimes have a shaky start-up and slow-down time, so they haven’t become widespread in the industry yet. Pedal Versus Throttle-Assist Modes E-bike motors use two different types of activation. Some motors are activated through a throttle, while others are activated by pedaling your bike. These are the critical differences between the two assist modes. Throttle-Assist Mode A throttle assist will mount to your handlebar and works by hand like a motorcycle. When you activate your throttle, it will tell your motor to engage and power your bike forward without you having to pedal. If you don’t want to pedal all the time, a throttle assist mode might be the right choice. Pedal-Assist Mode Pedal-assist mode means your motor will activate only when you pedal forward. A sensor mounted to your bike will know when you’re pedaling, and will thus provide power to your bike. Some pedal-assisted motors can even tell how hard you’re pedaling through a torque sensor and adjust accordingly. Pedal-assisted motors can feel more natural as they work more similarly to your standard bike, but you’ll have to be pedaling all the time. E-bike Motor Displays Some e-bike motor kits come with a display that works together with your motor. While displays aren’t included in every kit, they are present in some. These are the benefits of e-bike motor displays. The Benefits of Motor Displays E-bike motor displays can be incredibly beneficial. You can see details like your speed, battery charge level, distance, and more. Advanced displays can help you gauge how fast and far you’re riding and when your bike needs charging next. The Different Types of Motor Batteries Each e-bike motor needs a battery to power it. Depending on the manufacturer of your e-bike motor, they may use different types of batteries. These are the different types of batteries used in e-bike motors. Lithium-Ion Batteries Lithium-ion batteries are the most used batteries in e-bikes. This is because they have great life cycles and can supply a lot of power for how much they weigh. Lithium-ion batteries also don’t require any maintenance, so they can stay working for a long time on their own. Lithium-Phosphate Batteries Lithium-phosphate batteries are incredibly safe and reliable, but they can be heavier for your ride. Because of their weight and high cost, they are rarely used for e-bike batteries. Sealed Lead-Acid Batteries Sealed lead-acid batteries are the least commonly used batteries on e-bikes because they are an older technology and weigh so much more than lithium options. They can be large and bulky, so they’re not the best options for an e-bike. They also don’t hold a charge very long, so these batteries aren’t ideal for e-bikes. The Bottom Line Now that you understand the differences between e-bike motor types, you realize you have many options. Ebike Essentials offers top-of-the-line electric bike motor kits in various styles so you can get the motor of your dreams. All our electric bike motor kits use powerful lithium-ion batteries and advanced full-color LCD displays so you can understand how everything is working. Choose a new electric bike motor kit with Ebike Essentials today!
