Front Hub Vs Rear Hub Motor Ebike: Pros and Cons. Electric bike wheel motor

Hub-Drive vs. Mid-Drive eBikes: What to Know Before Buying

Electric bikes – or eBikes – are one of the fastest growing categories in the cycling industry. They help riders go faster, further and longer without tiring, and buyers are turning to eBikes for everything from vehicle replacements to pure enjoyment. There are also a wide range of styles, motor sizes and price points from which riders can choose to suit their needs.

But there might also be a little confusion by some of the specs, especially when it comes to motor positioning. It’s important to know the differences between the two main types: hub-drive and mid-drive.

Hub-Drive and Mid-Drive

For a hub-drive eBike, the motor is positioned on the front or rear wheel, with the motor placed handily in the wheel hub. The motor provides propulsion by spinning the tire on which it is mounted. Some riders find a hub motor eBike does not maneuver naturally; depending on whether the hub motor is on the front or rear wheel, the eBike either feels like it is being pushed or pulled along. That can create issues for an inexperienced rider, either because the additional weight in the back wheel makes it harder to balance, or because the additional weight in the front creates steering challenges.

For a mid-drive eBike, picture here, the motor is positioned directly in between the pedals at the bike’s bottom bracket. This ensures a low and central center of gravity, providing load balancing and creating the feeling of riding a traditional bike. Riders don’t feel the additional weight of the motor because of where it is positioned, giving a mid-drive eBike solid directional and tracking stability. A difference riders can’t see, but will experience on a long ride – especially on hills – is that a bike with a mid-drive motor works synergistically with the bike’s gears for higher efficiency, which translates into longer riding range per charge. Like a car’s engine, electric motors like to spin fast not slow. When the rider shifts gears to pedal at a natural bike-riding cadence (typically 50-100 rpm), the motor in between the pedals is churning at an efficient rpm as well. For these reasons, Bosch uses only mid-drive motors. Learn more here.

With a hub-drive eBike, the motor drives the wheel, which can spin very slow on a steep hill. When a motor is spinning slow and the rider is requesting lots of help from the hub motor, it can sometimes overheat, leading to a temporary shut-off (best-case), or permanent damage to the magnets inside (worst-case).

Flat tires – a periodic occurrence when riding as often and far as eBikers do. is a quick fix with a mid-drive just like it would be with a regular bike; the wheels can be taken off without affecting the motor. With a hub motor, the motor is actually on the wheel itself, so even a minor hiccup like a flat tire can turn into a lengthy procedure and is not ideal for riders inexperienced with in-depth eBike maintenance. Fixing a bent or broken rim on a hub-drive eBike can be even more problematic and expensive, which requires detaching the motor from the rim and re-spoking.

To Retrofit or Not to Retrofit?

The hub-drive motor positioning causes no change to the basic design of the bike, which means a motor can be retrofitted to almost any traditional bicycle using a conversion kit with a hub motor and battery pack. While retrofits are possible with some mid-drives, most higher-quality mid-drives require a specially designed bike frame built around the motor.

Retrofitting a traditional bike with a hub motor gives flexibility to users who already own a traditional bike, and is more wallet-friendly, but it actually can negatively impact bike performance and cause safety issues. A traditional bike is not designed for motorized use, and adding a conversion kit adds weight and strain on the bike’s frame, chain, gears, and brakes which were not designed for the higher loads and speed of an eBike.

Education is Key

The eBike market has changed a lot in the last decade, when hub motors used to dominate the industry and Bosch was one of the only suppliers to offer a mid-drive. Now, the majority of North American and European bicycle manufacturers have shifted from hub-drive to mid-drives due to many of the inherent advantages described above. Over the next decade, we expect the shift from hub to mid-drive to accelerate, especially as these miracle machines get smaller, lighter, quieter, and more seamlessly integrated into the bike frame. These improvements will help eBikes, one of the world’s most sustainable transportation tools, appeal to an increasingly expanding demographic.

With an understanding of the basic differences between the motor types as well as other specifications, consumers can educate themselves on the eBike that will work best for their needs. To learn more about where electric bikes can be ridden in the United States visit People for Bikes.

Front Hub Vs Rear Hub Motor Ebike: Pros and Cons

Ebike hub motors can be installed in either the front or the rear wheel. Both motor placements have their own advantages and disadvantages. To help you decide, this guide explains the differences between front hub and rear hub motors. I’ll also outline the pros and cons of riding a front hub vs rear hub motor ebike.

In this guide, we’ll cover ride quality, traction, maintenance, weight distribution, handling, parts compatibility, and more. We’ll also talk a bit about mid-drive ebikes and different power delivery systems including pedal assist and throttles. Hopefully, this guide helps you choose the best hub motor placement, whether you’re buying a new ebike or installing a hub motor ebike conversion kit on your existing bike.

What is a Hub Motor?

Hub motor ebikes have an electric motor built into one of the hubs. The hub motor takes the place of a standard hub. The motor directly powers the wheel it’s built into. This drives the bike forward.

In most cases, the hub motor is installed in the rear wheel but it can also be installed in the front. A hub motor is completely separate from the bike’s drivetrain. It is not affected by shifting the bike’s gears.

Hub motors turn electricity into propulsion. Electricity is stored in the bike’s battery. Electric current runs from the battery to the hub. In the hub, the current runs through a series of wires that are tightly coiled. The wires are fixed in place, firmly attached to the axle. This is called the stator.

These coiled wires sit between the poles of a ring-shaped magnet. This is called the rotor. The ring-shaped magnet freely rotates around the coiled wires with the help of hub bearings. The magnet is attached to the hub shell. The spokes attach to the shell and the rim attaches to the spokes.

When an electric current is run through the coiled wires, the magnet rotates around the wires. This force propels the bike forward. For more in-depth info, check out this detailed guide about how hub motors work.

There are two types of hub motors: direct drive and geared. Direct drive hub motor ebikes have a large electric motor that is designed to spin at the ideal RPM for bicycles. The motor has no moving parts other than the hub bearings. These motors are heavy and reliable. They do produce a bit of resistance while coasting. This can reduce efficiency.

Geared hub motors use a smaller motor that runs much faster. The motor has planetary gears inside that reduce the RPM to the ideal speed for a bicycle. The gears allow a smaller and lighter motor to produce sufficient torque and speed. The smaller motor is more energy efficient. The drawback is that the gears increase complexity and reduce reliability somewhat. Geared motors produce less resistance, which increases efficiency.

Most hub motor ebikes have a pedal assist power delivery system. When you pedal, the motor engages automatically. Different sensor systems are used including cadence sensors and torque sensors. Cadence sensor based pedal assist is the most common.

Cadence sensors measure if you’re pedaling with a series of magnets that pass by a sensor. Some models measure your pedaling speed as well. When you start pedaling, the cadence sensor sends a signal to the bike’s control unit or computer. The control unit then turns the motor on and supplies power to the wheel to drive you forward. When you stop pedaling, the cadence sensor signals the motor to cut off. The ebike stops producing power.

Hub motors supply a constant level of power when you pedal. Many models allow you to adjust the level of pedal assist. There may be 3-5 settings to choose from. On the lower setting, the motor provides less assist. On the higher setting, the motor provides more assist. You change the level of assist with a handlebar-mounted display.

Some models can adjust the power automatically based on your pedaling speed or cadence. The sensor measures your pedaling speed. Once you reach a certain predefined threshold, the power reduces. Once you fall below that threshold cadence, the power increases again.

Higher-end hub drive ebikes come with torque sensors. These use a precision strain gauge to measure your pedaling power. The sensor sends this information to the control unit, which controls how much power the motor supplies. The motor’s power automatically increases or decreases depending on how much power you supply to the pedals. For more info, check out my guide to torque vs cadence sensor pedal assist.

Many hub motor ebikes also have a throttle mounted to the handlebars that you operate with your hand to control the motor speed. The throttle can be a twist grip, thumb lever, or a simple on/off button. When you use the throttle, you don’t have to pedal. The bike rides like a motorcycle or scooter. The throttle wires transmit the throttle information to the bike’s computer. For more info, check out my guide to pedal assist vs throttle controlled ebikes.

What’s the Difference Between Front and Rear Hub Motors?

This is pretty self-explanatory. An ebike with a front hub motor has the motor built into the front wheel. An ebike with a rear hub motor has the wheel built into the rear wheel.

Front and rear hub motors work the same way. They use the same technology. In some cases, they are interchangeable, as long as they are compatible with your bike’s frame.

Generally, front hub motors are physically smaller than rear hub motors. They need to be slightly smaller because front hubs have narrower dropout spacing. They also tend to be less powerful. Rear hub motors tend to be larger and more powerful.

The biggest difference between front and rear hub motors is that rear hub motors are designed to fit a cassette or freewheel. They have either threads to attach a freewheel or a freehub body. Most rear hub motors are designed to fit a standard threaded freewheel.

Front Hub Motor Pros and Cons

Pros

• Better weight distribution- The weight of the motor and battery are divided between the front and rear axles.
• Flat tires are easier to repair-Front flats are less common than rear flats.
• Lighter- Front hub motors weigh 2-5 pounds less than rear hub motors.
• drivetrain options- You can use an internal gear hub, 1X gearing, or belt drive.
• Compatibility- If you’re converting your bike, you don’t have to worry about gearing compatibility.
• Easy installation- If you’re converting your bike, it’s easier to install a front hub motor.

Cons

• Poor traction- The front wheel can lose grip and spin out easily during acceleration.
• Harsher ride- The weight of the motor makes the front of the bike drop faster and harder when you hit a bump.
• Poor handling- The weight of the motor makes it harder to turn the handlebars quickly and precisely.
• Less durable- The motor can put additional stress on the fork arms. Over time, they can fatigue and fail.
• Fewer ebike options- Front hub drive ebikes are less common.
• Less stealthy- Front hub motors are more visible.

Rear Hub Motor Pros and Cons

Pros

• Better traction- The extra weight of the motor increases friction between the tire and the ground.
• Smoother ride- Many rear hub drive ebikes have fork suspension or full suspension to smooth out the ride.
• Better handling- Rear hub drive ebikes are easier to steer at low speeds.
• Durability- Rear dropouts are stronger. They can handle the torque of the motor without fatiguing and failing.
• ebike options- Most ebikes have a rear hub motor.
• Looks- Rear hub motors are more stealthy. They can be hidden by the freewheel and disc brake rotor.

Cons

• Poor weight distribution- All of the weight is on the back of the bike.
• Flats are harder to repair- You need to disconnect the motor and deal with the heavy weight of the motor.
• Heavier- Rear hub motors usually weigh 7-10 pounds.
• Fewer drivetrain options- You have to use a cassette or freewheel and chain drivetrain.
• Compatibility can be an issue- If you’re installing a hub motor, you need to make sure it’s compatible with your gearing.

Front Vs Rear Hub Motor Ebikes

There are benefits and drawbacks to having the motor in the front and in the rear. You’ll have to make some compromises. In this section, I’ll outline the main things to consider when deciding on your ebike hub motor placement.

Weight Distribution

The weight of the motor and battery affect the handling of your ebike. Ideally, you want the weight to be distributed 50/50 between the front and rear axles. You don’t want all of the weight on one end of the bike or the bike will feel unbalanced while you ride.

Front hub motors distribute weight better. This is because most of the bike’s weight naturally sits near the rear. The battery is usually mounted toward the center or rear of the bike. Most of the rider’s weight also sits on the rear.

Having the weight of the motor at the front of the bike and the battery toward the rear helps to distribute the weight more evenly. In other words, the weight of the front hub motor helps to balance the bike. The bike’s center of gravity remains near the center of the bike.

This balance makes the bike feel more natural to ride. You don’t feel the weight of the motor and battery quite as much when they’re evenly distributed. This improves ride quality and handling. The bike also feels more stable while maneuvering at low speeds.

Rear hub motor ebikes usually have the weight of the heavy motor and battery located toward the rear of the bike. Most of the rider’s weight also sits near the rear due to the placement of the seat. This makes the bike very rear-heavy.

The weight of the motor and battery feel much more noticeable when they’re both located at the back of the bike. The bike feels unbalanced. You can feel the weight of the motor more while maneuvering. Particularly while traveling at low speeds.

Another major drawback of having all of the weight at the rear of the bike is that the front wheel can come off the ground during quick acceleration and while climbing steep hills. You’ll pop wheelies if your bike has a high torque rear hub motor or small diameter wheels.

This can get annoying. You have to be careful while accelerating hard. You don’t want your front wheel to come off the ground every time you accelerate away from a stoplight or accelerate while climbing a hill. This can also be a safety issue. If you need to accelerate quickly away from a traffic situation, you want both wheels to stay on the ground. It can be dangerous if your front wheel lifts up when you’re not expecting it.

One problem with all hub motors is that they can create a gyroscopic effect while you’re riding at high speeds. When you lean the bike, the heavy spinning motor tries to right itself. This can affect the bike’s steering. This gyroscopic effect is more noticeable on front hub motor ebikes. You’ll feel it when turning the handlebars in certain situations.

Winner: Front hub motor bikes have better weight distribution.

Traction

Rear hub motor ebikes offer better traction than front hub motor ebikes. This is because more weight sits at the rear of the bike. Most of your body weight plus the weight of the motor and battery are supported by the rear axle.

The extra weight on the rear wheel increases the friction between the tire and the ground. This makes the rear tire less likely to lose traction and spin out during hard acceleration or while cornering.

You can accelerate harder when starting from a stop and while exiting a corner while riding a rear hub motor ebike. You can also lean a bit harder without your tire sliding out from under you. This allows you to maintain a higher average speed.

It’s harder to get traction when the motor is in the front hub because there is very little weight on the front wheel. Most of your body weight sits toward the rear of the bike. This means there is less friction between the front tire and the ground. During acceleration, the front tire can easily lose traction and start spinning out. You can’t accelerate quite as hard or fast with a front hub motor ebike.

The motor’s power and the bike’s wheel size also play a role in the traction. High-powered motors make it easier to spin your wheels out. Small diameter wheels spin out easier than larger diameter wheels.

For example, a 500-watt 48-volt front hub motor on an ebike with 20” tires would easily lose traction. The motor has too much power. It would be difficult to spin the wheel out on a rear hub motor ebike with the same configuration. A 250-watt 24-volt front hub motor on an ebike with 700c wheels will be much harder to spin out. With a powerful enough motor, you can spin the wheels out on any ebike.

Of course, your traction also depends on the surface of the road. When you’re riding on loose gravel or dirt, you’ll get less traction than you get on the pavement. On pavement, it’s possible to get enough traction to wheelie a powerful rear hub motor ebike.

Your tires also play a major role in your traction. Wider tires increase traction by creating a bigger contact patch with the ground. tread touches the ground. Knobby tires can increase your grip on loose and soft surfaces by digging into the ground.

In some situations, it’s important to consider the environment while riding your ebike. An overpowered ebike that loses traction easily can cause damage to trails and nature if you ride off-road. Spinning your tires can dig ruts which can change water flow, widen trails, and damage ecosystems. If you only ride on the pavement, you don’t have to worry about this.

Winner: Rear hub motor ebikes offer better traction because more weight sits near the rear of the bike.

Flat Tires on Hub Motor Wheels

In cycling, rear tire flats are more common than front tire flats. Sharp objects, such as nails, staples, shards of glass and metal, and other debris tend to puncture the rear tire more often than the front.

This is because most sharp objects tend to lie flat on the road. When you ride over them, your front tire usually doesn’t get damaged because the flat side isn’t sharp. The impact of your front tire rolling over the sharp objects kicks them up and upends them just in time for your rear tire to hit them. Once in a while, a sharp object will land in the perfect position to puncture the rear tire.

Flat tires are harder to repair on a wheel with a hub motor than on a standard wheel. The job takes longer and you have to be more careful. It also requires a bit more effort. There are a number of reasons for this.

First, you’ll have to disconnect the motor before you can remove it from the bike. This involves unplugging a cable. When you replace the wheel, you’ll have to reconnect it again. This isn’t a difficult job but it is an extra step. While disconnecting and re-connecting the cable, you have to make sure the connection doesn’t get damaged or contaminated with moisture or debris.

The wheel with the hub motor is significantly heavier than a standard wheel. Hub motors weigh 8-10 lbs (3.6-4.5 kg). It’s harder to remove and replace a tire from a heavier wheel because the wheel is more cumbersome. You have to lift the extra weight of the motor when removing and reinstalling the tire in the bike and while removing and reinstalling the tire. It requires more effort to move the heavy wheel around.

The wheel with the hub motor is also more fragile. You have to be careful while working on it. You don’t want to drop it and damage the motor. Hub motors are pretty robust but they can get damaged if you drop them or knock them around too much. Particularly if they are geared. Geared hub motors have more moving parts.

When the motor is in the front hub, you won’t have to deal with repairing flats on the hub wheel as frequently because front flats are much less common. This saves you time and stress. Flats are much easier to repair on the wheel without the hub motor.

There are some ways to reduce the number of punctures you have to deal with. You can run tubeless tires. These have a liquid sealant inside that fills most punctures before the air leaks out and the tire goes flat. You don’t even notice punctures. Alternatively, you could run tubes with sealant inside. These do the same thing. You can also run puncture-resistant tires. These have a protective strip of hard material inside, such as Kevlar. They are also thicker. This reduces the frequency of punctures. For more info, check out this guide to avoiding punctures on ebikes.

Winner: Front hub drive ebikes because the front wheel gets fewer flats. Rear flats are harder to repair when the motor is in the rear hub.

Front Hub Vs Rear Hub Motor Weight

Front hub motors are usually lighter than rear hub motors. This is because front hub motors must be smaller to fit between the more narrow front dropouts. Standard front dropouts have a spacing of 100mm. Rear hubs have a spacing of 135mm on average. The smaller motor contains less material so it weighs less.

Most front hub motors are also usually geared. They tend to be smaller and less powerful than rear hub motors. A lightweight 250w model may weigh around 3.5 lbs.

Rear hub motors are often big and heavy. Particularly direct drive (gearless) models. Many models weigh over 10 lbs. If you’re concerned with weight, there are lighter geared options available.

The lighter weight of front hub motors makes the bike easier and more efficient to ride when you’re not using the motor. When the motor is engaged, the weight difference doesn’t really matter.

important than the weight of the motor itself is weight distribution. You want the weight of the motor and battery to be disturbed as evenly as possible between the front and rear axles. Front hub motors do a better job of distributing weight than rear hub motors.

Winner: Front hub motors are often lighter than rear hub motors. On average, a front hub motor weighs 2-5 pounds less than a rear hub motor.

Hub Motor eBike Safety

Rear hub motors are safer than front hub motors. This is because rear dropouts are stronger. They can handle more torque without bending or breaking. They are less likely to fail and cause you to crash.

Some forks are not strong enough to handle the torque produced by a front hub motor. Over time, the force created by the motor can cause the dropouts or fork blades to fatigue. Eventually, they can fail, causing you to crash.

If your dropouts were to fail while you were riding, your wheel could come off. Your chances of getting injured are higher if your front dropouts fail. A fork failure is extremely dangerous. A crash at speed can cause severe injury or death. A rear dropout failure is also dangerous but the crash is likely to be less severe.

The frame and fork material are also important considerations. It is safest to only run a hub motor in a steel fork or frame. Steel is much more durable than either aluminum or carbon fiber. It’s less likely to fail. Having said this, many riders have installed hub motors in aluminum and carbon frames. Is generally not recommended.

Regardless of your frame material and motor location, you should regularly inspect your ebike’s frame tubes and dropouts. Ebikes in general put a lot of stress on frames. The motor creates more torque than a human can.

Look for cracks or dents in the fork arms, seat stays, and chainstays. Check all of the welds for cracks or crimping. Inspect the dropouts for cracks. If you spot any frame damage, replace the frame or take the bike to a professional for an inspection or repair.

To increase safety, it’s a good idea to install a torque arm on your hub motor ebike. A torque arm is a metal brace that prevents the axle from rotating in the dropouts. The torque arm transfers some of the force from the axle and transfers it to a stronger point further up the frame or fork.

Without a torque arm, the motor’s power can sometimes pry the dropouts open. When this happens, the axle begins spinning freely and severs the cable. The wheel can also fall out, causing you to crash. For more info on torque arms, check out this useful guide.

For more general info on safety, check out my guide: Are E-Bikes Safe?

Winner: Rear hub motors are safer than front hub motors.

Comfort and Ride Quality

Front hub motors can make the ride feel harsh. When you hit a bump or pothole, the extra weight of the motor makes the front of the bike drop harder and faster. You’ll feel more bumps in your hands and bottom. This can make for an uncomfortable ride. This rough ride can be an issue if you have back or joint problems. The extra bumps can cause pain.

It is possible to install a small front hub motor in a suspension fork. This can smooth out the ride but is not recommended for safety reasons. The pulling from the motor can damage the suspension components over time and cause the fork to fail.

Rear hub motors usually offer a more comfortable ride. You can safely use a suspension fork with a rear hub motor. Some ebikes come with full suspension. This can really make the rider smoother and more comfortable. As an added benefit, the suspension helps increase traction and handling.

On a hub drive ebike, the weight of the motor is unsprung because the weight is in one of the wheels. This means the suspension system can’t accommodate the weight of the motor. The added weight of the motor makes bumps feel harsher. If you plan to ride off-road or on rough terrain frequently, you may be better off with a mid-drive ebike.

The tires can also play a big role in ride quality. Wide, high-volume tires can help to absorb bumps and vibrations. Firm and narrow tires can create a rougher ride.

Winner: Rear hub motor ebikes are more comfortable.

Steering

Front hub motor ebikes can be harder to steer at low speeds. This is because the weight of the motor makes it harder to turn the handlebars quickly. You have to turn the heavy motor with the wheel. You might not be able to quickly move the handlebars to balance the bike or navigate tight spaces. This makes steering at low speeds a bit of a challenge. While riding at higher speeds, the weight of the motor is less noticeable. Wide flat handlebars can help make steering easier by providing more leverage.

On a rear hub drive ebike, the weight of the motor doesn’t affect low-speed steering. The handlebars remain light and nimble. This low-speed steering performance comes in handy while riding through dense cities and off-road.

A heavy hub motor can create a gyroscopic effect. When you lean the bike, the wheel tries to right itself. This can affect the steering while you’re riding at higher speeds. The bike can feel like it’s resisting your turns. It doesn’t want to lean into corners. You may not be able to corner quite as hard as you’re used to when you use a hub motor.

Winner: Rear hub motors because you don’t have to deal with the weight of the motor while turning the handlebars.

Front and Rear Hub Motors and Frames

One potential issue with front hub motors is that they may damage your bike’s fork over time. The motor causes the fork blades to flex when it engages. This flexing can cause the fork to fatigue and wear out faster than it normally would. Eventually, the fork can fail. For this reason, it’s best to limit front hub motors to 750 watts or less. powerful motors can cause excessive fork flex and premature failure.

The constant pulling from the motor can also cause the headset to wear out a bit faster. You might need to grease or replace your headset a bit more often when you use a front hub motor.

Rear hub motors are less likely to cause frame failure. This is because the rear dropouts and rear frame triangle are more robust than the fork and front dropouts. When you use a rear hub motor, you don’t have to worry as much about putting additional wear and tear on the frame. You should still inspect the condition of the frame periodically. If you spot any cracks or crimping, repair or replace the frame.

The frame material is also an important consideration when deciding between a front and rear hub drive motor. Most ebike builders recommended against installing a hub motor in a carbon or aluminum frame. The reason is that these materials are much more brittle and susceptible to fatigue than steel. The torque forces from the motor can cause some frames to fail over time.

If you’re planning to run a front hub motor in a carbon or aluminum bike, it’s a good idea to replace your fork with a durable steel model. If you’re planning to run a rear hub motor, you should choose a low-powered model. A 250 watt motor would work well.

To increase reliability and safety, you should always install a torque arm on your hub motor ebike, regardless of the frame or fork material. A torque arm braces your dropouts and reduces the likelihood of dropout failure. Without a torque arm, the motor can sometimes pry the dropouts open, causing the wheel to fall out.

Winner: An ebike with a rear hub motor is usually more durable and long-lasting than an ebike with a front hub motor due to the strength of the frame.

Ebike Options

Most off-the-shelf ebikes come with rear hub motors. When buying an ebike, you’ll have far more options to choose from if you choose a rear hub motor model. You can find ebikes with a range of motor sizes including 200w, 250w, 300w, 500w, 750w, 1000w, 1200w all the way up to 5000w. You can find rear hub motor ebikes with cadence sensor or torque sensor pedal assist. This allows you to choose from pretty much any style of bike including road bikes, mountain bikes, folding bikes, commuters, tandems, etc. Pretty much every configuration is available in rear hub drive.

Front hub motor ebikes are much less common. In fact, most front hub ebikes are conversions. Some folding bikes, such as the Brompton electric, use a front hub motor. You can also find front hub drive recumbent bikes. Running a front hub motor limits the motor size you can run. Front hub motors usually top out at 750w. Many front hub motor ebikes only feature a throttle. Some come with cadence sensors. A few come with torque sensors. Options are a bit more limited.

One major benefit of using a front hub motor is that you can use whatever type of drivetrain you want. For example, you could use an internal gear hub. This is nice because it allows you to shift gears while you’re stopped. You could also use a belt drive system instead of a chain. This reduces maintenance. Alternatively, you can choose from 1X, 2X, or 3X gearing. You can use modern 12 speed cassettes with electronic shifting. You can use a drivetrain from whatever brand you want.

It’s also possible to install a front hub motor on pretty much any bike. You don’t have to worry about compatibility with the drivetrain. It is important to consider whether or not your fork is strong enough to withstand the forces generated by the motor. If you want to convert your existing bike into an ebike, a front hub motor often gives you more options.

Yet another option to consider is the mid-drive motor. For more info, check out my guide to hub motor Vs mid-drive ebikes.

Winner: Rear hub motors give you more ebike motor and power delivery options. Front hub motors give you more drivetrain options.

Maintenance

One drawback to ebikes, in general, is that the motor puts additional stress on some of the bike’s components. When you ride an ebike, you’ll have to replace your tires more frequently because you’ll be riding at higher speeds and covering more ground than you do on a non-powered bike. Tires wear out faster. Brake pads also need to be replaced more frequently because slowing the bike down from high speeds wears the pads out faster. With a front hub motor, you may have to grease or replace your headset a bit more frequently because the pulling forces from the motor cause it to wear faster than normal.

The hub motor itself requires no maintenance. It is a sealed unit. To keep it operational, all you have to do is replace the hub bearings when they wear out. You also need to keep the hub clean and dry so it doesn’t get contaminated with debris or start to rust.

Winner: Front and rear hub motor ebikes require the same (low) maintenance.

Hub Motor Durability, Reliability, and Longevity

Front and rear hub motors are both equally durable, reliable, and long-lasting. After all, they are the same motors using the same technology.

If you want the most durable and reliable motor, choose a direct drive model. These are the most simple mechanically. They have no moving parts inside that can wear out. There are no gears. As long as you grease the bearings and keep the hub dry and free of rust, the hub should last many thousands of miles.

A direct drive hub motor can last 10,000 miles if you take care of it. In terms of hours, a direct drive hub motor can last 250-5,000 hours. They are long-lasting.

Higher-end hub motors come with internal planetary gears that reduce the RPMs. These models are smaller, lighter, and more efficient. They are a bit less durable and reliable because there are moving parts inside that can wear out and fail over time. If an internal gear fails, you’ll have to replace the motor in most cases. Geared hub motors don’t last quite as long as direct drive hub motors, on average.

Hub motors, in general, are not very repairable. If something breaks in the motor, it’s often easier to just replace the whole unit. They’re basically disposable. It is possible to open up the motor and replace parts but finding parts for your specific motor can be a challenge. Most bike shops won’t open up an electric motor and attempt to repair it. In some cases, you may be able to ship the motor to the manufacturer for repair. They may just sell you a new motor instead.

Individual ebike components can be replaced if they wear out or break. For example, if the handlebar-mounted control breaks, you can buy a new one from the manufacturer and swap it out. If a wire gets damaged, it can be replaced.

Winner: Both front and rear hub motors are durable and reliable. If something breaks, it’s usually possible to repair or replace it.

Front Vs Rear Hub Motor eBike Looks

Some riders prefer the look of rear hub motor ebikes because the motor is less noticeable. A small hub motor can be hidden behind the gear cluster and disc brake rotor. The frame looks completely normal. This makes your bike appear stealthier. The average person might not even notice that you’re riding an ebike. Front hub motors are harder to hide. The large hub makes it obvious that you’re riding an ebike.

Of course, if you want to build a stealthy ebike, you’ll also have to find a way to hide the battery. Mounting the battery on a rear rack is a common option. It is also possible to mount a small battery in a piece of luggage. Some higher-end ebikes have the battery integrated into the frame.

Winner: Rear hub motors are less noticeable. This is ideal if you prefer a stealthier-looking ebike.

Hub Motor eBike Power Delivery Systems: Pedal Assist and Throttle Systems

There are two power delivery systems available for ebikes: Pedal assist and throttles. Pedal assist systems engage the motor when you pedal. This gives you a little extra boost as you ride. You have to pedal for the motor to provide power.

Throttle systems are controlled by a handlebar-mounted control. You twist the grip, press a lever, or press a button to engage the motor. You don’t have to pedal to use the electric motor. Both front and rear hub drive motor ebikes are available with both power delivery systems.

Generally, you have more power delivery system options if you go with a rear hub motor ebike. Entry-level to mid-range models often come with cadence sensor pedal assist. Higher-end models offer torque sensor pedal assist. Many models also feature a throttle, where legal. You can find pretty much any configuration you desire.

Front hub motor ebikes are a bit more limited. Most basic systems only come with a throttle control. Many models also come with a cadence sensor pedal assist system. Torque sensors are rare on front hub motor ebikes.

For more in-depth info, check out my guide to pedal assist vs throttle controlled ebikes.

Winner: Rear hub motor ebikes come with more power delivery options. Cadence sensors, torque sensors, and throttles are all available on hub motor ebikes.

Front and Rear Hub Motor Compatibility

If you’re planning on installing a hub motor conversion kit on your existing bike, there are a few things you’ll have to consider to ensure that it’s compatible. The motor must match your hub spacing, axle type, gearing system, brake type, and wheel size.

Not all hub motors can fit all bikes. Sometimes you’ll run into compatibility issues. Generally, you’ll run into fewer compatibility issues if you go with a front hub motor than a rear hub motor.

In this section, I’ll outline a few of the most important things to consider when buying a front or rear hub motor to install on your bike. For more in-depth info on ebike hub motor compatibility, check out this great guide. If you’re buying a prebuilt ebike, you don’t have to worry about any of this.

Dropout Spacing

In order for the hub motor to fit your bike, it needs to match the hub spacing on your dropouts. A number of different dropout spacing sizes exist. Hub motors also come in different widths to accommodate frames with different dropout spacing.

If your bike frame has standard spacing, you won’t run into any compatibility issues. If your frame has odd-sized spacing, you’ll have fewer motor options to choose from. In some cases, you may have trouble finding a suitable motor to fit your bike.

Standard hub spacing is 100mm or 110mm for the front and 130mm,135mm, and 142mm for the rear. Most modern bike frames these hub spacing sizes. The standard width of most hub motors is 138-139mm. These can fit most bikes.

If your bike uses standard spacing, you won’t have any problem finding a suitable hub motor. You may need to bend the dropouts a couple of millimeters in one direction or the other to make the motor fit. This isn’t an issue, as long as your bike has a steel frame.

Different types of bikes come with different hub spacing. For example, many mountain bikes come with 148mm rear spacing. This is called boost spacing. Folding bikes often have 75mm front hub spacing. Fat bikes and downhill mountain bikes often have 150mm rear hub spacing. Tandems and recumbents sometimes use non-standard spacing as well.

If your bike has an odd-sized rear hub spacing, you’ll have fewer rear hub motor options to choose from. Sometimes, it can be difficult to find a hub motor that will fit. In most cases, you can find a compatible motor but you may not be able to get exactly what you want.

If you’re unable to find a compatible rear hub motor, it may be easier to fit a front hub motor because front hub spacing is more standard. Most modern bikes have 100mm or 110mm front hubs. If you’re having trouble finding a motor that will fit your bike, you can replace the fork with a wider model.

If your bike’s frame or fork is made from steel, it is possible to spread the dropouts 5-10 millimeters to make your hub motor fit. This is called cold setting the frame. You can read about this process here. Carbon fiber and aluminum frames can’t be adjusted. You may be able to get away with spreading the dropouts 1-3mm but it is somewhat risky.

Quick Release or Thru Axles

You need to choose a hub motor that matches the axle type that your frame is designed for. There are two types of axles: quick release and thru axles. The two axle types are not cross-compatible. You can’t install a standard hub motor in a bike with thru axles. You need a special thru axle compatible motor.

The vast majority of hub motors are designed to fit standard slotted dropouts, which are designed for quick release axles. The hub simply slots into the dropout and locks in place with a bolt. The slot usually measures 9.7-10mm wide. If your bike has quick release axles, you won’t have any trouble finding a compatible motor.

These days, thru axles are becoming increasingly common. In the past, they were only found on high-end mountain bikes. Now, many road bikes, commuters, touring bikes, and hybrids come with thru axles. Unfortunately, the ebike industry hasn’t really kept up. There aren’t many thru axle hub motors on the market. If your bike has thru axles, your options are limited.

One nice thing about thru axles is that there are fewer sizes. Most front thru axles measure either 12 x 100mm, 15 x 100mm, or 15 x 110mm. Rear thru axles come in 12 x 142mm and 12 x 148mm. You can find both direct drive and geared front and rear hub motors that are available or all of these thru axle sizes.

If you can’t find a hub motor that is compatible with your thru axle frame, one option is to install a new fork with quick release dropouts. This allows you to use a standard front hub motor.

One common issue with quick release frames is that the dropout slots can be a bit too narrow to fit the 10mm hub motor axle. If the slot is 9.7mm, the standard 10mm ebike axle may not fit. The solution is to use a hand file to widen the slot slightly so the axle can fit. Alternatively, you can file down the axle so it fits in the slots. This way, you’re not removing any material from the frame. Usually, you only have to remove a fraction of a millimeter of material for the axle to fit.

For more info, check out my guide to quick release vs thru axles.

Freewheel or Freehub Hub Motor

You’ll also have to choose a hub that is compatible with your bike’s gearing. Hub motors are available for both freewheel and freehub systems. The main difference between a freewheel and freehub is the placement of the mechanism that allows you to coast.

Freewheel systems have the coasting mechanism built into the gear cluster. Freehub systems have the coasting mechanism built into a separate piece called the freehub body. This part attaches directly to the hub. For more in-depth info, check out this guide.

Most hub motors use the older freewheel system. The freewheel is a single unit that usually has 5, 6, or 7 gears. It threads directly onto the hub motor’s shell. If the bike you’re converting has a freehub, you might be able to simply swap it to your new hub motor. Some kits include a new freewheel already threaded onto the hub motor.

If your bike uses a freehub system with a cassette, you might have to downgrade from a 9, 10, 11, or 12 speed cassette to 7 or 8 speed freewheel. 9 and 10 speed freewheels are available but the quality of these is often low quality. They make shifting a bit less smooth. This may require you to also swap out your derailleurs and shifters.

There are also hub motors available that are designed for the newer freehub system. These use a standard Shimano freehub body and cassette. If your bike has a 9, 10, 11, or 12 speed drivetrain, you’re better off going with one of these motors. This way, you can transfer over your existing cassette and maintain your current gearing. If you decide to use a freewheel motor, it’s best to downgrade your gearing to 7 or 8 speed. This makes setup easier.

Even if you buy a hub motor that is compatible with your bike’s gearing system, you can still run into compatibility issues. You may have to install a different sized cassette or freewheel to make everything fit. Hub motors tend to be wider than standard hubs. Some high gear count cassettes and freewheels may not fit because they’re too wide. You may also have to install a different derailleur and shifter if you change the number of gears significantly.

You can avoid having to deal with the gearing altogether by installing a front hub motor. This simplifies the conversion. When you use a front hub motor, you don’t have to worry about the gearing at all. The motor is completely separate.

Disc Brakes

You’ll also have to consider brake compatibility when choosing a hub motor. If your bike has disc brakes, you’ll need a hub motor that has mounting points on the side for the brake rotor. Most use a 6 bolt mount. In most cases, you can bolt your existing rotor onto the new hub motor.

One common issue with hub motors is that they place the disc rotor a couple of millimeters too far to the left. Ideally, the rotor mounting surface should be 15mm from the inner dropout at the rear and 10mm at the front.

Hub motors sometimes move the rotor a couple of millimeters to leave room for the wider hub. Unfortunately, this can cause the rotor to rub on the pads because it puts the rotor out of alignment with the brake caliper. This issue is common on generic hub motors. Brand name hub motors usually get the spacing right.

If you encounter this issue, you may have to adjust the caliper mount. In some cases, you can file down the mounting surface to move the caliper out a couple of millimeters. It may also be possible to increase the length of the slots to move the caliper.

You also have to make sure there is space between the side of the hub and rotor for the caliper to fit. Some larger hubs don’t leave much room for the caliper. Ideally, you want at least 18-20mm of clearance between the hub and rotor. Some motors only leave 14-15mm. This usually isn’t enough. The rotor will hit the motor.

If the spacing is tight, there are a few solutions. You can try using a more narrow caliper. Usually, mechanical disc brake calipers are more narrow than hydraulic disc brake calipers. The most low-profile models measure around 14mm wide.

Another option is to use a larger rotor and move the caliper further from the center of the rotor. This helps because most hub motors become more narrow toward the edges. This may require a caliper adapter.

Yet another option is to use spacers to move the rotor away from the hub. This makes the axle longer. You may have to spread your dropouts to make the wheel fit.

Rim brakes simplify things. If your bike uses rim brakes, you’ll just have to make sure your frame and rim brake calipers have enough clearance for the rim and tire you plan to run.

For more info, check out my guide to disc vs rim brakes.

Wheel Size

Most hub motor conversion kits come with a complete wheel including the hub motor, spokes, and a rim. The complete wheel is already built and ready to install. If you choose a rear hub motor, the wheel may come with a freewheel or cassette attached.

This makes it much easier to install the motor. You don’t have to mess with building a wheel yourself or paying someone to build a wheel for you. Instead, you can simply swap out your old wheel for a new one with the hub motor already built in.

You need to choose a wheel that matches your bike’s wheel size. For example, if your bike has 700c wheels, you’ll need an ebike kit that comes with a 700c wheel. Many kits are available in a range of sizes. Common sizes include 20″, 24″, 26″ 650b, 700c, and 29″. Fat bike options are also available.

If you prefer, you can also buy the motor on its own and build it into your own wheel. This will be the better option if you prefer to use a particular type of rim or spokes.

Most hub motor complete wheels are factory built. The spokes may not be perfectly tensioned. Sometimes the wheels aren’t perfectly true. You might want to take the wheel to a bike shop and have it adjusted. This is much cheaper and simpler than building a whole wheel.

For more info, check out my guides to different wheels sizes: 700c Vs 650b wheels and 700c vs 26″ wheels.

Ease of Hub Motor Installation

Front hub motors are easier to install than rear hub motors. This is because you don’t have to worry about whether or not your cassette or freewheel and rear derailleur is compatible with the hub. The front hub motor is completely separate from the drivetrain. This simplifies things.

If you’re installing a rear hub motor on your existing bike, you can run into compatibility issues. When choosing a motor, you’ll need to take your bike’s gearing into account. Sometimes you’ll have to install a different cassette or freewheel to make everything fit. In some cases, this may require you to install new derailleurs and a new chain. This adds cost and makes the conversion more complicated. You’ll also have to adjust the derailleurs after installation so the chain doesn’t rub.

Of course, if you’re buying an ebike off the shelf, you don’t have to worry about installation. The bike will come from the factory with everything already installed.

Winner: Front hub motors are easier to install than rear hub motors. This is because there is no gearing in the front.

Who Should Choose a Front Hub Motor Ebike?

Front hub motor ebikes are the better choice for those who need good handling. The front motor better distributes the weight across both axles so the bike feels more balanced. This allows for better handling. The bike steers precisely and predictably. It feels a bit more natural to ride. It also makes the bike easier to ride. Beginner ebikers may appreciate this.

Those who are converting their existing bike into an ebike are sometimes better off with a front hub motor due to their greater compatibility and ease of installation. It’s often easier to find a front hub motor that will fit your bike because front dropouts are more standard. You also won’t have to worry about gearing when you install a front hub motor. If your frame is not compatible with a hub motor, you can swap out your fork to a model that is compatible. You can install a front hub motor on pretty much any bike.

Who Should Choose a Rear Hub Motor Ebike?

Rear hub motor ebikes are better for those who want to accelerate quickly and ride at higher speeds. Having the weight of the motor at the rear greatly improves traction. The weight of the motor and most of the weight of the rider sit on the rear wheel. The extra weight increases friction between the road and tire. This makes the tire less likely to lose grip and spin out. This allows you to get off the line quickly without your tire slipping. You can also corner a bit harder without losing grip.

If you want to run a large motor, you’re also better off with a rear hub drive. You can run a larger motor in the rear because the dropout spacing is wider and the rear dropouts are a bit more robust. A larger motor will fit and the dropouts can handle the extra power. If you want to use a motor with more than 750 watts of power, a rear hub motor ebike is the better choice.

Those who are concerned with safety are better off going with a rear hub motor ebike. The rear dropouts are much stronger and more durable than the front dropouts because they are designed to handle the force from the drivetrain. They are less likely to fail.

Final Thoughts About Front Vs Rear Hub Motor Ebikes

As we have seen, front and rear hub ebikes both have their own advantages and disadvantages. There isn’t really a clear winner here.

For most riders, a rear hub motor is preferable. The strength of the rear dropouts makes the system more durable. You don’t have to worry as much about frame wear or failure. Traction is also much better. This allows you to accelerate faster.

Front hub motors also have their place. They offer superior weight distribution. This makes the bike feel a bit more balanced and natural to ride. Rear tire flats are also easier to repair when the motor is in the front. Whichever style of ebike you choose, I hope this guide has helped you in making your decision.

Do you ride a front hub or rear hub motor ebike? Share your experience in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below!

from Where The Road Forks

Skarper’s revolutionary ebike conversion kit uses a disc-brake rotor to drive your bike

British start-up Skarper has unveiled a new e-bike conversion kit that uses a specially designed disc brake rotor to provide power to your bike.

Most electric bike conversion kits are not easily removable because of the effort involved in switching out a wheel, cables, batteries and fittings. However, the new Skarper system eliminates that issue by containing everything within a compact single unit that has a unique and patent-protected design to drive your bike’s rear wheel.

We’ve spent an afternoon using the system for an exclusive first-ride review and, so far, we’re impressed.

What you need to know about Skarper

• The Skarper unit requires you to replace the rear disc rotor with its rotor/drive unit
• It weighs in at a claimed 3kg
• Skarper’s rotor works as both brake and drive, and adds just 300g to your bike
• Once the disc is installed, fitting/removing takes seconds
• Claimed range of up to 60km
• Charge time of 2.5 hours

What is it?

Skarper’s electric bike conversion kit is housed inside a one-piece drive and battery unit. The unit clips onto specially designed tabs that you fit to your non-driveside chainstay.

The motor then drives a purpose-built rotor, which the brand has dubbed the DiskDrive. Most electric bike conversion kits use a front-hub motor, a bolt-on mid-drive unit or rear-wheel motor to provide propulsion.

Like most ebike conversion kits, on Skarper’s system, a cadence sensor attaches to the cranks to control power output.

Who is behind the Skarper ebike conversion kit?

Skarper says it has a team of more than a dozen engineers and designers working out of its London base. Leading development is inventor Dr Alastair Darwood.

Dr Darwood already has plenty of innovations under his belt associated with his medical training. These include orthopaedic and anaesthetic medical devices developed while working in the NHS.

Supporting Darwood’s innovative electric bike conversion kit is a group of cyclists who’ve all backed the company privately.

The Skarper’s investors include six-time Olympic and 11-time world Champion Sir Chris Hoy, who has also been heavily involved in the testing and development of the unit.

He explains: “I’ve always been an advocate of getting more people on bikes, regardless of their fitness, ability or age, and I’ve discovered that ebikes can play a huge role in making cycling more accessible to anyone.

“It opens up opportunities – whether it’s making a commute possible which would otherwise have been too difficult, keeping pace with a fitter friend for a challenging bike ride, returning to riding after an injury or illness, or just going further on your rides and seeing more for the same effort.”

The self-contained motor, battery and ‘brain’ of the system is remarkably compact and weighs in at just 3kg. Skarper

What’s next?

Skarper is remaining tight-lipped on the full details, but alongside the road/urban unit seen here, the brand has also been working with Red Bull Advanced Technologies on an off-road version.

Skarper claims this unit has “huge amounts of power and plenty of torque. It means you can clip-on the system to carry you to the top of the mountain, unhook it and stow it in your pack and then you’re free to ride the trails on your / without the added weight and expense of an e-mountain bike“.

When will it be available?

Skarper has now committed to full production, with delivery intended for 2023.

No fixed price has been set as yet, but Skarper tells us that the target price is £1,000.

Skarper also claims it’s in discussions with major bike brands about the opportunity to fit the DiskDrive disc brake rotor as standard.

Skarper electric bike conversion kit first-ride impressions

Warren Rossiter, senior technical editor

While at Skarper’s office, I fitted a prototype system to a modest Merida hybrid. This involved a switch of the centre-lock disc rotor for Skarper’s DiskDrive, attaching the Bluetooth cadence sensor to the cranks and then hooking the unit onto the rear chainstay, with its driveshaft plugging into the keyed slot on the rotor.

Taking the unit out of the box and getting it powered up and ready to ride took a matter of minutes.

I headed out onto the streets of Camden, in London, to try out the system.

The system provides assistance quickly from a standing start, progressively increasing the power smoothly and making for quick getaways from traffic lights.

We headed to Highgate hill, which rises around 60m in elevation. I came away impressed by how easily the Skarper coped with this short urban climb.

Unlike most electric bikes, the Skarper uses a combination of sensors and control algorithms to respond to the terrain and your input. Power delivery was smooth and predictable.

It’s akin to the level of assistance you get from lighter ebike systems, such as Mahle’s ebikemotion or Fazua’s mid-drive system. However, this self-contained unit, without a separate high-capacity battery, won’t have the same range as either of those systems.

The Skarper isn’t just for commuter bikes – you can fit it to your road bike, gravel bike, mountain bike or anything with a disc brake. Skarper

While the Skarper is pretty much self-contained and self-controlled, the brand is also working on a smartphone app to allow the owner to tune the system and perform firmware updates and upgrades.

I asked about long-term concerns on driving the rear wheel via the brake rotor. Darwood explains that the force a rotor experiences under braking far exceeds any amount of power the Skarper system delivers. This, he says, means the system is said to operate well within existing standards.

With removal in seconds, compact dimensions and a 2.5-hour recharge time, the Skarper can truly be charged at your desk. Skarper

Having spent 45 minutes riding the Skarper, and in prototype guise with a fabricated casing around the patented internals, I’m not ready to commit to a full-test opinion yet.

I was, however, impressed by just how good the system feels.

There’s enough power for urban hills and the power curve is smooth, progressive and instant in both turning on and off. The system also feels essentially drag-free when it’s not running (above the 25kph EU limit).

Skarper’s COO, Uri Meirovich, was quick to point out after my short test ride that the aim of the system is not to take on existing conversion kits, but to offer a viable alternative to expensive mid-drive and hub motor systems without the need to purchase a full-on electric bike.

The goal of producing a credible alternative to existing ebikes, while you can still use your own bike is potentially game-changing, but we’ll have to reserve judgement until we can get the Skarper on long-term test.

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Warren Rossiter

Warren Rossiter is BikeRadar and Cycling Plus magazine’s senior technical editor for road and gravel. Having been testing bikes for more than 20 years, Warren has an encyclopedic knowledge of road cycling and has been the mastermind behind our Road Bike of the Year test for more than a decade. He’s also a regular presenter on the BikeRadar Podcast and on BikeRadar’s YouTube channel. In his time as a cycling journalist, Warren has written for Mountain Biking UK, What Mountain Bike, Urban Cyclist, Procycling, Cyclingnews, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike and T3. Over the years, Warren has written about thousands of bikes and tested more than 2,500 – from budget road bikes to five-figure superbikes. He has covered all the major innovations in cycling this century, and reported from launches, trade shows and industry events in Europe, Asia, Australia, North American and Africa. While Warren loves fast road bikes and the latest gravel bikes, he also believes electric bikes are the future of transport. You’ll regularly find him commuting on an ebike and he longs for the day when everyone else follows suit. You will find snaps of Warren’s daily rides on the Instagram account of our sister publication, Cycling Plus (@cyclingplus).

The 6 Best E-Bike Conversion Kits of 2023

Heidi Wachter was a senior editor at Experience Life magazine for 10 years. She has written for publications like Experience Life, Shondaland, and betterpet.

E-bikes are easier on the environment than cars. They’re also easier to pedal than a standard person-powered two-wheeler. You get as much exercise riding an E-bike as you do a traditional bike. Thanks to improved technology and more people interested in alternative transit methods, E-bikes are also becoming more available—and more affordable.

But no electric bike is as cheap as the bike you already own. If you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint, live in a small space, or practicing minimalism, repurposing what you already have can be a win-win-win decision. So, if you love your current ride but want to add some juice for getting uphill or for powering your cargo bike when you’re carrying a heavy load, you can, thanks to electric bike converter kits. To electrify your bike, you need a battery, sensors, controls, and a motorized wheel or a drive unit.

Here are the best options for upgrading your bike with an e-bike conversion kit.

Best Overall

BAFANG BBS02B 48V 500W Ebike Conversion Kit

Since 2003, Bafang has been a leader in manufacturing e-mobility components and complete e-drive systems. Its products offer outstanding performance and reliability, and the BBS02B conversion kit is no exception, making it our top overall choice.

This mid-drive motor kit is versatile and compatible with road, commuter, and mountain bicycles. All you need is a bike with a 68-73 millimeter bottom bracket and the battery of your choice. Installation is relatively easy, and the battery is included. Once the kit is installed, you’ll be ready to tackle any hill.

Although several different conversion kits are available online from Bafang, those with more than 750 watts of power will be considered motorcycles in the United States.

Price at time of publish: 466

Best Budget

BAFANG E-bike Front Hub Motor 48V 500W Bafang Brushless Gear 20/26/27.5/700C inch Electric Bicycle Conversion Kits

This front-wheel E-bike conversion kit is easy to set up and easy on your wallet. Electrify your bike in one hour by following the installation video and manual. Don’t forget to choose the correct wheel size!

After setup is complete, ride around the town with pedal assist or switch to E-bike mode for longer trips. Commuters, long-distance trekkers, and mountain bikers can cruise up to 24 miles per hour. The battery is not included.

Price at time of publish: 579

Best for Commuting

Swytch Universal eBike Conversion Kit

Daily riders will love this easy-to-install, lightweight e-bike conversion kit. It is compatible with most mountain, road, hybrid, and step-through bikes, and disc brakes.

It’s as easy to install as swapping out your front tire. The controller and battery are combined into a 34.2-Volt power pack, which is included in the kit and mounts to the handlebars. That makes it easy to remove and keeps thieves at bay, but our tester did miss having the use of a handle bar basket. The battery pack is fitted with indicator lights that tell you how much juice remains and what assist mode you’re in. Once the system is set up correctly, you’ll be able to top out at 15-25 mph.

In general, I love it. It makes my ride easier without feeling like I’m riding a giant bulky e-bike. It’s got a phenomenal amount of power for such a little machine and seems like it has a good battery life too. ~ Treehugger Tester

Best Premium

Ebikeling Waterproof Ebike Conversion Kit 36V 500W 700C Geared Electric Bike Kit

Do you want to go farther or faster? You can do both with this setup from Ebikeling, with its 500-watt motor. Ebikeling makes it easy to buy different compatible batteries and other accessories in an a-la-cart way. There are seven different batteries that come in different shapes (bottle, triangle, rectangular), so that you can pick the one that suits your bike and needs best.

The double-walled rim and motor are ready to install right out of the box—just swap them out for your original bike tire. An LCD screen is included to help you stay within your town’s speed limit. You can choose between a front or rear mount, as well as a thumb or half-twist throttle.

Price at time of publish: 390

Most Powerful

AW 26×1.75 Rear Wheel 48V 1000W Electric Bicycle Motor Kit

Thanks to a 48-volt, 1000-watt battery, the AW wheel E-bike conversion kit satisfies anyone with the need for speed. A thumb throttle makes speed control simple. This kit is available as either a front wheel or back wheel conversion option. It fits any 26-inch bike frame with a 3.9 inch front dropout spacing (for a front wheel conversion) or 5.3 inch rear dropout spacing (for a back wheel conversion). The rear wheel kit weighs 24.7 pounds, the front wheel kit weighs 23.5 pounds.

The aluminum frame offers durability and stability, which is essential when you’re rolling at top speeds of 28 miles per hour. Hand brakes turn the motor off automatically to both improve safety and conserve battery power.

Price at time of publish: 300

Easiest to Install

Rubbee X Conversion Kit

If you want the fastest conversion possible, and even the option to take a motor off your bike quickly, the Rubbee X makes it a snap. The Rubbee X gives you a boost by resting against the rear tire, and has a special release that lets you remove the motor without un-mounting the entire system. You control the power just by pedaling, as a wireless cadence sensor that gets mounted to the pedal crank sends information to the motor, which shifts automatically without any additional user interface.

This conversion kit has some other nice features. It has tail lights on the back of the motor, to give you some additional visibility when riding at night. The base model comes with one battery, which weight 6.1 pounds, gives you 250 watts of power and has a top speed of 16 mph. Upgraded models have two or three additional batteries, each offering more speed and power, but also adding more weight. It’s compatible with any frame type, and with tires that are between 0.5 and 2.5 inches in width and between 16 and 29 inches in diameter.

There are a few things to keep in mind before you buy. First, the product ships from the European Union, so there may be an additional import tax. Second, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of room on your seat post to connect the motor.

Price at time of publish: 612

Whenever you’re buying a newer technology, sticking with a known brand makes sense. That makes Bafang’s E-bike conversion kits a sound choice—in terms of quality and price. If speed is what you’re after, the kits from Ebikeling.

What to Consider When Shopping for an E-Bike Conversion Kit

Battery

Is the battery included? You’ll need something to power and charge your e-bike conversion kit. Many kits include a battery. Cheaper kits may not, though, which means you’ll need to source a compatible battery separately.

Power

You’ll also want to think about your power needs. The higher the motor wattage, the more power you’ll get. A 250-watt motor is typically plenty of power to make the daily commute less sweaty. If you want to take your converted bike out on tougher mountain trails, you’ll want more power.

Keep in mind that according to U.S. federal regulations, e-bikes with more than 750 watts of power are considered motor vehicles and require a motorcycle license.

Local Laws

You’ll want to check your state and local laws as some cities and towns have banned e-bikes from bicycle paths, so if that’s where you want to ride, you’ll want to make sure your town allows your upgraded bike to cruise around on them.

E-bikes come in three classes:

• Class 1 E-bikes that assist you while you pedal and top out about 20 mph.
• Class 2 E-bikes have a throttle that assists you regardless of whether you pedal and have a top speed of 20 mph.
• Class 3 E-bikes assist you while you pedal and top out about 28 mph.

Drive Type and Installation

There are several kinds of e-bike conversion kits, and the ease of set-up and installation varies.

• Friction Drive Conversion is a simple strategy. A roller pushes against the tire on the wheel. When the roller turns, the wheel turns. It’s a reasonably easy system to set up but sometimes isn’t the most effective.
• Mid-Drive Conversion is the technology that the best e-bikes tend to use. A weight sits at a low point on the bike frame, and the power is applied to the crank. These can be more expensive, but the technology is typically better. There’s no standardization, however, which can make figuring out exactly what you need to make your bike work a little more challenging. Adding the parts is also a bit more complex than friction drive conversion.
• Electric Bike Wheel Conversion swaps out a non-electrified front or rear wheel with an electrified one. The process is simple depending on where and how the battery mounts—such as on a rear rack. Once installed, weight distribution can feel natural. However, powering the front wheel may impact your bike’s handling.

The difficulty of installation depends of the type of conversion kit, as well as your comfort with the tools required. But generally speaking, converting your bike is a DIY project. Many manufacturers offer how-to videos that show what’s involved, so you can see ahead of time what you’ll need to do.

You’ll need a bike tool, crank arm tool, adjustable wrenches, and a screwdriver along with your electric bike conversion kit. These demos can show you how to install your e-bike conversion kit.

A visit to your local bike shop mechanic is a helpful step in the decision-making process. They can help you determine if your bike is a good candidate for electric technology. Your old bike may not be able to be converted because adding a motor can increase torque. You’ll want to make sure your bike’s drivetrain can handle it. The extra weight from adding an electric motor also impacts your brakes, so you’ll want to make sure they are effective for stopping at a higher speed. E-bikes tend to have disk brakes for this reason. If your current bike is in disrepair, has old parts, or needs other improvements, it may be more cost-effective to sell your trusty old ten speed and buy an e-bike. Also, consider that a quality electric bike conversion kit can be nearly the cost of an electric bike. Do some comparison shopping between the price of a conversion kit and a fully-loaded e-bike before you decide which way you want to roll. Our picks for the best e-bikes may help guide your decision.

Why Trust Treehugger?

Treehugger has reported on dozens of e-bikes and e-bike conversion options over the past decade. To make this list, we deeply researched the market by reading other third-party reviews, user Комментарии и мнения владельцев, and enthusiasts blogs. We also considered the product’s value and the manufacturer’s reputation.

Author Heidi Wachter has been writing about travel and adventure for over a decade. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her riding one of her six bicycles—even in the winter.