CHOOSING A DIY CONVERSION MID-DRIVE MOTOR
This article will FOCUS on the six popular mid-drive motor kits used for ebike conversions. They are popular because they are all excellent motor kits. Each has its advantages. Check out the chart at the end of the article for a comparison of the key points of each.
- Advantages of mid-drive motors
- Bafang Mid-drive Motor Conversion Kits
- Bafang BBS02
- Bafang BBSHD
- Bafang Mid-drive Motor Issues
- BBS02 vs. BBSHD Summary
- Bafang M625
- Bafang mid-drives vs. TSDZ2
- Advantages of the TSDZ2 over the BBS02
- Advantages of Bafang mid-drives over the TSDZ2
- CYC Motor Mid-drive Conversion Motors
- CYC Photon
- CYC X1 Pro
- CYC X1 Stealth
- CYC X1 Pro vs.CYC X1 Stealth Summary
- CYC vs. Bafang
- CYC vs. TSDZ2
- DIY Mid-drive Motor Feature Comparison Chart
Mid-drive Motors vs. Hub Motors
Mid-drive motors are found on higher-end ebikes and come with distinct advantages over hub motors. There are five primary reasons to choose a mid-drive motor for your ebike conversion.
- Center of Gravity: Low and centered for a balanced central motor placement
- Easier Maintenance: Replace flat rear tires hassle-free with no motor in the wheel, just like a regular bicycle.
- Motor Efficiency: Able to be appropriately geared for speed and hills
- Torque Performance: Geared for uphill terrain and riding into the wind
- Longer Battery Life: Doesn’t bog down from being geared too high
The last three advantages all come from having a transmission. the motor drives the chain and gets to use the gears on your bike. Hub motors are stuck in one gear and cannot use the bike’s gears. Because mid-drive motors drive the bicycle chain, the bike’s gears effectively become the motor’s transmission allowing the rider to climb hills in a low gear and then shift into a high gear where it is downhill or flat to go fast.
Bafang Mid-drive Motor Conversion Kits
The BBSHD and the BBS02 comprise the Bafang powerhouse family of mid-drive motors. Between these two, nearly every bottom bracket for bikes is covered from 68 to 120mm. From comfort cruisers to colossal fat bikes, Bafang mid-drive motors will bring a smile to any rider. Tackle any hill or mountain. Heck, you can even climb stairs.
Bafang mid-drive motor kits are some of the most popular motors on the planet for DIY ebike conversions and with good reason. They are solid, reliable, powerful, and the quietest mid-drive motors we have found. They are quieter than geared hub motors and the big brand mid-drive motors like Bosch, Yamaha, and Brose. And are almost as silent as direct-drive hub motors. If silent running and power are high on your list, then Bafang mid-drive motor kits are a clear winner.
Bafang BBS02
Bafang makes the BBS01/02 motor in a 250-watt, 350-watt, and 500-watt mid-drive configuration, but at Electrify Bike Co., we only carry the BBS02 750-watt. Why is that? The 250-watt and 350-watt motors are primarily for countries with e-bike laws limiting the maximum watts to those wattages. In the USA, the e-bike watt limit is 750 watts, so the Bafang BBS02 kit is perfect. For some bikes, customers, and riding conditions where less power is desirable, the 500-watt motor makes more sense. But the 500-watt motor is the same price as the 750-watt motor, and we can configure the 750-watt motor to be a 500-watt motor when needed. A 750-watt motor can become a 500-watt motor when 750 watts is too powerful for the bike or the rider. A 750-watt motor will also last longer when run at the lower wattage.
The BBS02 only comes in a single bottom bracket size. It fits threaded bottom brackets that are 68mm and 73mm wide. If you have a press-fit bottom bracket of this width, we have adapters that can convert your bottom bracket to the threaded standard so the BBS02 can fit. With the new Lekkie adapter, you can also install it on BB86/92. If you have a wider 100mm or 120mm fat bike bottom bracket, you need to use either the Bafang BBSHD or CYC X1 Pro, or X1 Stealth.
The BBS02 is our go-to Bafang mid-drive kit for most bikes and customers. Quiet and powerful, the BBS02 cranks out 120Nm of torque. Compare that to most high-end factory e-bikes with mid-drive motors having torques topping out at 65Nm to 80Nm. It is affordable and fits almost all older bikes and newer bikes that don’t have a wider bottom bracket. It can now fit BB86 and BB92 bottom brackets with the introduction of Lekkie’s new BB86/92 adapter for BBSxx.
Best Electric Mini Bikes to Get
Juiced Scrambler (20″ wheels) 2. Engwe EP-2 (20″ wheels) 3. Sailnovo (14″ wheels) 4. ANCHEER – EB5 Plus (14″ wheels) 5. Rad Power Bikes – RadExpand 5 (20″ wheels) 6. Gyroor C3 (14″ wheels) 7. Aventon Sinch (20″ wheels)
A powerful fat tire mini e-bike
750W Bafang motor | Cadence pedal assist | 52V 13Ah battery (675W) | Max speed: 28mph
- Suspension Hydraulic Forks
- 20×4.25″
- 7-speed transmission
- Hydraulic disc brakes by Tektro
- Pedal-assist Twist throttle
- Range: up to 45-70mi (depends on the battery)
The Scrambler e-bike by Juiced is a fast mini bike for adults with a mid-range price and lots of power and an unusual design.
The Scrambler comes with a choice of two models, both using an enormous industry-leading 52V battery combined with a powerful 750W motor with exceptionally smooth power transfer.
The Bafang motor can reach peak performance of 1300W and with this battery can last up to 70 miles. The “Camp” version is fitted with off-road 4″ Kenda tires while the “City” model has mag wheels with 4.25″ puncture-resistant tires for lower maintenance.
Finally, the Scrambler electric fat tire mini bike also has powerful hydraulic disc brakes, a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain, a backlit LCD display, fork suspension, and an extra passenger seat to take advantage of the 275lb payload capacity.
Engwe EP-2 Pro
Fat tire folding electric bike
750W motor | 48V 12.8Ah (614Wh) | Charge time: 5-7h
- 60mm suspension fork
- Folding lightweight design
- 20 x 4″
- Weight capacity: 330lbs
- Weight: 74lbs
Engwe’s EP-2 Pro folding electric bike offers unique convenience with perfect power and range functionality for even long-distance commutes.
This bike is quite heavy for a folding e-bike weighing 74lbs. However, it has a 750W geared hub motor with a 614Wh battery to provide 50 miles of range.
The 8-speed drivetrain on the EP-2 Pro provides plenty of gearing for varied terrain and allows you to maximize your battery charge.
Additionally, this fast folding bike comes with fat 4″ tires, shock-absorbing front fork suspension, a sturdy aluminum frame, and a huge 330lb payload capacity. Finally, a rear rack and fenders mean you can take on any commute on or off-road.
Sailnovo
Score: 4.4/5 out of 100 ratings
14″ wheels | 350W motor | 36V 10.4Ah | Charge time: 5-6h
- IP54 waterproof
- Top speed: 18.6mph
- Range: 18-28mi
- Package Dimensions 46.5 x 27.5 x 8.5 inches; 55.12 Pounds
- 3 modes of assistance
Amazon’s Sailnovo is a cheap electric mini bike designed for comfort and convenience due to the inclusion of rear suspension.
The Sailnovo small electric bike for adults comes 90% assembled and has a punchy 350W motor. The battery is 10.4Ah and is built into the frame providing up to 28 miles of range and a sleek look.
This fast mini bike also has an IP54 waterproof rating, dual disc brakes, non-slip bump handlebars, anti-shock tires, front lamp, and tail lights making it comfortable and extra safe to use. Additionally, when not in use you can fold down the handlebars and saddle to make it smaller.
Finally, the Sailnovo e-bike is also compatible with a front basket to the front or kettle holder to carry light cargo.
ANCHEER – EB5 Plus (14″)
Best electric folding bike under 450,700
14″ wheels | 250W motor | Range: up to 15,5mi | 1-speed
The Swagtron EB5 Elite Plus is a versatile folding electric bike with removable battery functionality at a very affordable price.
This sleek small e-bike comes with a powerful 350W motor and a single-speed drivetrain for assistance and full electric throttle mode. The battery can last up to 15.5 miles at cruising speeds of up to 15mph. Additionally, riders can purchase an extra battery that can be swapped out for those longer adventures.
The EB5 Pro has the ability to fold up in a few seconds so you can store it or transport it in your car or on public transit.
Finally, dual caliper brakes, small 14″ wheels, and ergonomic grips, round out a great set of components.
Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5
Best Class II Folding Electric Bike, 2023
Rad Power Bikes’ Rad Expand 5 is our choice for best Class 2 [20 mph limit] folding e-bike in 2023. When choosing a folding e-bike, product longevity is important to consider. Rad began building folding e-bikes in 2015, and the Expand 5 is their fifth iteration of this model, so they have a lot of experience in designing, building and selling folding e-bikes.
Power is delivered from the proof-tested 750-watt [750w] motor that dishes out predictable doses of acceleration that never surprises you, nor makes you feel like the bike is out of control. The 14 amp-hour/672 watt-hour battery [14Ah/672Wh], provides enough energy to power the motor for up to 40 miles between charges.
Part of the allure of having a folding e-bike, is the ability to take this bike almost anywhere to explore. The Expand 5 enables you to explore dirt roads as well as pavement and gravel, with its 20” x 4” fat tires – a key feature not always found on other folding electric e-bikes. Smooth, reliable shifting is delivered to the 14-tooth to 34-tooth rear cassette [14-34T] gearing and MicroShift 7-speed mechanical shift unit.
One of the new changes we welcome are the wider 660 mm handlebars and 6.9” rise now featured on the Expand 5. This provides better control and creates more stable handling. The power comes from Rad’s historically reliable rear hub motor, which safely accelerates at predictable levels. And the LED display is easy to use and easy to see in the sunlight. There’s even an LCD display upgrade available.
Here at EBR, we prefer hydraulic disc brakes for stopping power, but the mechanical brakes on the Expand 5 performed better than the average. The benefits of having mechanical brakes include easy maintenance and lower costs for repairs and replacement parts. The rigid suspension makes off-roading a bit more rough compared to folding e-bikes with suspension, but it’s sturdy and reliable.
Considering Rad’s reputation with customer service, and the Expand 5’s simple construction, sturdy build and history of performance and reliability, you get a lot of value here from a bike that’s priced in what we consider the affordable tier – making it worthy of our list of best folding e-bikes. You can buy this e-bike online and have it shipped directly to your door.
Pro’s
- Reliable and powerful 750w motor.
- New 680mm handlebar improves control over narrower bars from before.
- Easy to fold and store for camping, traveling or just putting in the trunk of your car.
- Great stopping power from the mechanical brakes.
- 14-amp controller distributes the motor power evenly – and safely – at each PAS level.
- LED display is easy to use and easy to read when riding.
- Rad has a lot of engineering know-how, going back to their first e-bikes in 2011.
- Rad’s customer service has a good reputation.
Con’s
- The velcro strap for securing the folded bike should be replaced with something stronger and harder to lose.
- Some riders will be sad to see the suspension fork of the precious model is no longer offered, although the fat tires still make it mostly a comfy ride.
Lectric XP 3.0
Best Do-It-All Folding Electric Bike, 2023
Earning our vote as the best Do-it-All Folding E-Bike is Lectric’s XP 3.0 model, Building on the success of the earlier XP 2.0 model, Lectric now offers a more powerful 500w motor that boosts the peak 1000w, and 55nm. The power output really showed in our performance tests compared to the earlier model XP 2.0. The controller manages a five-level PAS, and this marvel of an e-bike also has a throttle for quick acceleration, or for when you’re tired of pedaling. The 10.4Ah battery offers a range of between 25 to 50 miles, and the charger will get you back up and running in six hours.
Using a Shimano Tourney 7-speed for gearing, Lectric decided to switch to a 11-28T cassette. This eliminates the ghost pedaling issue of the past, while increasing the top speed for effective pedaling from 18 to 20 mph. Providing positive handling and control are 50 mm travel coil spring suspension forks and 20” x 3” tires to keep you safely rolling. When testing on gravel roads, we found these tires hold their own and still offer a fun ride.
Lectric still installs mechanical brakes on this e-bike, but they switched from 160mm rotors to 180mm rotors, and our brake test revealed greater stopping power than the XP 2.0. Rear rack capacity increased from 75 lbs to 150 lbs, enabling you to carry a heavier passenger. But parents beware, the heavier weight doesn’t mean you should try carrying more than one passenger. Max capacity increased to 330 lbs. The e-bikes Passenger Mode adjusts the motor performance to accommodate your passenger, while also keeping the bike at a safe maximum speed of 10 mph.
At 65 lbs, the XP 3.0 is heavy as a folding bike, but the solid construction, off-road potential and overall reliability are fair trade-offs for this e-bikes weight. If the bike’s weight is not an issue for you, and you want to extend the bike’s range another 15-20 miles, you can fit it with the 14 amp-hour battery, for an additional pound and a half of weight.
Lectric is no newcomer to the e-bike world. Their engineering design team has a lot of experience in creating solid and reliable e-bikes that perform well and leave a lot of riders with smiles on their face. Residing in the 1000 range, this e-bike gives you a lot of value for your money – arguably the most value of any bike on this list of best electric folding bikes.
You can buy this e-bike online and have it shipped directly to your door, and since it folds down neatly, you just unfold it and it’s fully assembled and ready to ride!
Pro’s
- Better acceleration from the powerful new 500w motor (1000w peak) and 55 Nm of torque.
- Higher speed ghost pedaling from the previous model is eliminated by the new 11-28T gearing.
- Better at hill climbing thanks to the new motor and gearing.
- Larger 180mm rotors provide greater stopping power.
- 50mm travel on new fork give smoother ride, better handling.
- New 150 lb rear rack enables you to transport a heavier passenger than before.
- Standard 10.4Ah battery provides power to go up to 50 miles on a single charge.
Con’s
- Would like to see a change where riders can remove the battery key when riding,
- Would like to see better grips for improved control and a more enjoyable ride (easily swapped though).
Aventon Sinch Step-Thru
Best Class III Folding Electric Bike, 2023
Aventon Sinch earned our nod for the Best Class 3 [28 mph limit] folding e-bike. Granted, it comes as class 2, but we enjoyed the ride feel when going a little faster into speeds in the low 20s.
Redesigning the frame, and lowering the bottom tube, this e-bike is more conducive to riders who have physical limitations. They also re-designed the clamp and hinge for folding the bike, making it stronger and easier to lock in place. The new design also eliminates the flexing problem we encountered on the previous model, as there was no more sideways flexing by the bike when we did our test rides.
This bike features a peppy 500w motor that offered great acceleration at each of the five PAS levels we tested it on. It also includes a thumb throttle for when you need quick bursts, or when you need to maintain the same speed while taking a break from pedaling. When doing the throttle-only portion of the hill climb test, this bike posted the second-fastest time of all the Aventons we had tested to that point.
The Sinch’s clean and stylish look hides the fact that this is a folding e-bike. Giving the rider a range of up to 40 miles on a single charge, the frame-integrated 48v 14 Ah battery recharges in under six hours.
Transferring the motor’s power to the wheels using a Shimano Altus 7-speed, with a 11-32T steel cassette, and 170 mm 52T crankset, this bike rides nice at any speed, and it never felt like it was trying to excuse the rider from pedaling. Stopping power was superb thanks to the Tektro mechanical disc brakes and 180 mm rotors. Softening the rough roads with its 45mm travel RST Guide front forks, the improved suspension was noticeable, especially when compared to the rigid frame folding e-bikes we rode.
The controller still uses a cadence and speed sensor for managing the motor engagement in the PAS modes, but it worked well for most riding conditions. Weighing in at 68 lbs, which was about average compared to similar e-bikes, the Sinch can carry a rider weighing up to 300 lbs, and can carry up to 55 lbs of cargo on the rear rack.
All in all, this bike can do a lot and offers a lot, especially when you consider it’s priced well around 1500.
Pro’s
- Stronger hinge and clamp to fold and lock frame for storage after riding.
- 500-watt motor has greater climbing ability than the previous version.
- 14 Ah battery holds enough juice to take you up to 60 miles.
- 45 mm travel RST forks help absorb the bumps and provide smoother travel.
- Better than average stopping power from the Tektro mechanical disc brakes.
- Color LCD display is great for riding on bright days and dark evenings.
- 300 lbs rider limit, and 55 lbs for cargo, enable this bike to meet many needs.
Con’s
- We would like to see a mechanism on-board for keeping the bike folded.
- Slight delay in motor engagement after starting pedaling after braking.
DYU D3F 14 Inch Mini Folding Electric Bike
We value each and every customer, and customer satisfaction is always our top priority. Upon every order, we do our best to ensure the fastest possible delivery so that our customers can enjoy the ride right away. Yet in case of any delay beyond our control, your patience would be highly appreciated. We provide shipping to destinations listed below, via DHL, DPD, or Local Service, free of tax. For other locations, please confirm with us as shipping may not be available or require an extra fee.
WE SHIP TO
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom. We DO NOT ship to PO BOXES or APO, Frisian, Canary or Channel Islands.
NO CHARGE for changing the address BEFORE the tracking number is generated. €80 WILL BE CHARGED when the in-transit logistics information shows that the change is successful on DPD, UPS, FedEx, DHL or any other shipping service. €150 WILL BE CHARGED if the package is refused by the customer upon delivery, or delivered to the wrong address provided by the customer. €150 WILL BE CHARGED if the package has already been delivered to the original address successfully.
Motor software and hardware have to be in sync
Power is nothing without control. The most powerful motor is no use if you can’t control it, if it continues pushing long after you’ve stopped pedalling, if it engages violently or if it doesn’t react quickly when you get on the pedals. The motor should engage quickly yet smoothly, especially when pulling away or in response to changes in cadence, offering sufficient assistance to be of use without jerking you forward. The feeling of the motor depends on three main factors: the hardware, the software and the person riding the bike with all their irregularities and variables in pedalling cadence and stroke.
Motor software influences the ride feel
If you’re thinking that a natural ride feel imitates the feeling of riding an analogue mountain bike, you’re wrong. If that were the case, the motor would engage instantly as you push down on the pedals and cut out abruptly as soon as you stop. With the motor multiplying your power, that would be especially noticeable on the climbs with abrupt acceleration and deceleration. If you rode in tricky terrain where you have to time your pedalling to avoid clipping your pedals the motor would cut out immediately leaving you straddled on the obstacle. Pulling away on an incline or on loose ground would also be extremely difficult with so much power delivered all at once.
Since testing protocols give manufacturers a lot of freedom in their interpretation of data, you can’t always compare the specs of different motors.
It should be obvious that simply making the motor engage and disengage with your input is a far cry from natural-feeling assistance. It takes Smart software to smooth out the transition between man and machine powered riding and to achieve harmony and the most natural experience on the bike. It is this harmony that we refer to when we speak about natural ride feel. This way the motor’s assistance engages smoothly and in a controlled way, and disappears almost imperceptibly when you stop pedalling or reach the 25 km/h limit. Instead of cutting out immediately, the motor should modulate its output when you stop pedalling, fading out slowly as if you’re rolling to a halt. Natural feeling assistance shouldn’t actually be something you feel unless you pay attention to it, which just wouldn’t be the case with surges power and sudden cuts in assistance.
Support modes
All motors have different support modes to choose from, given as a percentage of assistance relative to the rider’s power input. With 410 % assistance in its highest mode, the Brose Drive S Mag motor puts out about four times that what the rider puts in. Depending on the motor, you can get assistance from 50 % to over 400 or even 500 %. The more support modes you can choose from, the more finely you can adapt the assistance to suit the situation. In Eco mode, you can extend the range, or you can select maximum assistance to get up those steep climbs. The power of the support mode you select has a big influence on the ride feel.
Smart support modes are able to recognise the riding situation you’re in and adapt support accordingly.
The motor will usually feel more natural to ride in Eco mode with minimal assistance than it does in the highest support mode. Smart modes that dynamically adapt to the situation feel the most natural and intuitive to use. Thanks to integrated sensors, the system is able to recognise whether you’re pedalling gently or cranking on the pedals, adapting the support to match your effort. The more effort you put in, the more assistance the motor provides in response. Smart modes such as these almost make it unnecessary for you to shift between modes manually. Bosch’s progressive eMTB mode adjusts the assistance between Tour (140%) and Turbo mode (340%), depending on the amount of force you put on the pedals and the situation you’re in. The assistance always feels exactly right, delivering enough power while remaining smooth and easy to control: it’s the best progressive mode currently on the market! Yamaha’s Smart mode includes data from sensors that detect the incline you’re on and always delivers a suitable amount of assistance, though it doesn’t feel as natural as Bosch’s eMTB mode. Shimano’s Trail mode is great too and it’s able to go even lower with the assistance than the Bosch motor, adjusting support between the weakest Eco and most powerful Boost mode.
Since testing criteria give manufacturers a lot of freedom in their interpretation of data, you can’t always make a direct comparison between the specs of different motors.
All the important ebike motor specs at a glance
We often look at the specs of eMTB motors, but you won’t really be able to tell how a motor ultimately feels on the trail simply by looking at this data. Instead it serves as a rough indicator of potential performance. Besides the motor’s mechanical output numbers, what it often comes down to on the trail is the software settings, how noisy the bike is, pedalling cadence and the pedalling resistance.
Nominal power, torque and capacity explained
The power output of an eMTB motor is given in watts. The average power output, the so-called nominal power, is not allowed to exceed an average output of 250 W over a period of 30 minutes, as stated by the law in the EU and several countries outside of the EU. According to the manufacturers of the motors we tested here, they all fulfil this standard. The Specialized SL 1.1 motor produces 240 W, providing the least output of the motors we tested. The others have a peak output two-, three- or sometimes even four times that.
Torque output is given in newton metres (Nm), which describes the amount of rotational force the motor is able to generate. The strongest motor in the test field is the TQ, able to produce 120 Nm. All the motors are powered by rechargeable batteries of different sizes. The range depends on its capacity and how much electricity the motor consumes. Battery capacity or the “size” of the battery is given in watt-hours (Wh). A 500 Wh battery would last 2 hours if it had to power a motor that was constantly drawing 250 W. At least, that’s the theory. In practice, you also have to account for losses in efficiency of various components, so the battery is unlikely to last two hours as energy is dissipated elsewhere in the system.
How loud is an ebike motor?
The amount of noise the motor makes has an impact on the ride quality. A quiet motor is much more pleasant on the trails and can help to emphasise a natural ride feel. Along with the humming of the motor, there can also be other noises besides, such as freewheel mechanism inside the FAZUA motor which is clearly audible as it engages. Due to variability and tolerances in manufacturing, motors of the same make and model can occasionally sound very different. The metallic rattle coming from the inside of Bosch, Shimano and SACHS motors is very loud and present on some models and barely noticeable on others. Brose motors also tend to vary quite a bit in the noise they make. Some you’ll hear only quietly in the background while others are more conspicuous.
However, it’s not only the motor but also the design of the frame that can have a significant influence on how loud the motor is. While a motor can be very quiet in one bike, humming gently as you ride, it can be unpleasantly loud in the frame of a different eMTB, where the tubeset seems to amplify the noise.
What cadence does an ebike motor ride best at?
Your pedalling cadence has a direct influence on the motor and how well it’s able to assist you. Every electric motor has an optimal pedalling cadence range in which it’s able to perform most efficiently. Depending on its construction and internal gearing ratios, a motor might be better able to perform at higher or lower rpm. A good motor should be able to cope with fluctuations in the rider’s pedalling cadence and perform well over a broad Band without lacking power at either extreme. The Yamaha PW-X2 performs better at a slow pedalling cadence than any other motor we tested, delivering full power from the get-go. Bosch’s Performance Line CX motor isn’t too bothered by fluctuating cadences either, performing consistently throughout.
How much pedalling resistance does an ebike motor have?
Your battery is empty and the motor is off. Now what? As soon as you go over the 25 km/h assistance limit or the motor is off, you’ll be confronted with the motor’s internal resistance. The resistance depends on the motor’s construction and the internal gearing, which is required to convert the motor’s high rpm to the slower speed of the chainring and cranks. Thanks to efficient solutions like the FAZUA Ride 50 Ride 50 Evation, Specialized SL 1.1 and the belt-driven Brose Drive S Mag motor, you’ll hardly notice any additional drag here. On the other hand, there is a noticeable amount of drag with Yamaha and SACHS motors the moment they stop providing assisting.
What makes a good motor?
In a nutshell: a motor is good if the system as a whole including the battery, integration, power output and ride feel suits the bike into which it’s built. As we all use our eMTBs for different things and ride them in different ways, ideally you want to be able to adjust and tune the motor to suit your preferences, either doing it yourself or having it done at your dealer. Shimano and Specialized lead the way in this regard. With these motors, the customer is given a lot of options to configure the remote and display the way they prefer and tune the support modes via an app. FAZUA go one step further when it comes to motor setup. Alongside the usual adjustments, the app can suggest recommended settings based on questions about the rider and type of riding they will do.
A good motor is part of a seamlessly integrated system and perfectly suited for the bike’s intended use.
This is particularly intuitive and quick to understand, but it’s exactly this kind of customisability that makes it so difficult to compare motors. That becomes even more apparent when bike manufacturers develop their own batteries, displays and, most of all, their own software and firmware. It’s a nice bonus if the motor features a progressive Smart mode, though it isn’t a must. Bosch show how it’s done with their eMTB mode, which is easy to control and always offers the right amount of assistance whatever the situation.
Haibike’s FLYON range featuring the powerful TQ motor comes with a 630 Wh battery. If you’re looking for a lot of power and you tend to keep your rides short, this is a great motor. However, you’ll run into problems if you want to go on longer rides unless you resort to using the energy-saving but also weak Eco mode. Specialized’s SL 1.1 motor is at the other extreme of the spectrum. It is an excellent concept for fit and aggressive riders who are looking for natural handling close to that of an unpowered bike thanks to its modular battery system, compact dimensions, low weight. However, the low power output means this is not the bike for those who want that eMTB-superman feeling on the climbs. As you can see, how you use your eMTB and how the system performs as a whole is the decisive factor here.
So, which is the best motor?
There is no longer just one best eMTB motor. The market has become too differentiated and on account of the countless variables and customisation options, there’s no way of rating the different motors in isolation either. The best motor is only as good as the bike into which it’s built. If the basic concept of the bike doesn’t work, even the best motor won’t be able to transform it into a good eMTB. Think carefully about when, how, and where you want to ride. Once you’ve figured that out, we’ve compiled an overview on the following pages to show you which motor is most suitable for you and your riding style.
All motors in this comparison
Other motors we’ve tested lately:
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of E-MOUNTAINBIKE, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.
Words: Felix Stix Photos: E-MOUNTAINBIKE-Team