Hub Motor Electric Bikes

It is important to consider the purpose the bike serves when selecting an ebike. For city riders, a hub motor electric bike would be the most logical choice. 
The bike's simplicity makes it ideal for commuters to use for everyday riding. Moreover, they are more affordable than other electric bikes and easily accessible. 

However, before purchasing any hub motor electric bike, you should have a clear understanding of the bike and why it's excellent for you. Today, we take a look at hub motor electric bikes.

What Is a Hub Motor On An Ebike?

A typical electric bike has two types of motors: a hub motor and a mid-drive motor. The hub motor is located in the centre of the bike's wheel, either at the front or rear. Hub motors efficiently propel ebikes without a drive chain. 

Most budget-friendly ebikes usually have a hub motor powering them. Their versatility makes it easy for manufacturers to produce them in varying shapes. Even as a commuter, you can easily convert your bike to a hub motor ebike, as installing the motor is relatively straightforward. 

These e-bikes typically have a higher torque motor, i.e., you can ride them at lower speeds without needing much pedalling assistance. Because of this, they are the ideal kind of bike for climbing and mountain hiking. Furthermore, hub-drive motor e-bikes come with throttles. Such bikes don't necessarily need a pedal to propel them. With the help of a push-button or a handlebar, you can quickly drive such bikes. Nevertheless, some of them still require a pedal assist in augmenting the work done by the motor. 

Types Of Hub Motor Electric Bikes

There are two types of hub-motor ebikes; the front hub and rear hub motor. Each of these motors has its benefits and drawbacks. You should consider the riding you plan to do before purchasing any hub motor-powered ebikes. 

Front Hub Motor

Ebikes with a front hub motor have their motor located in the hub of the bike's front wheel. Since they usually have their battery in the rear wheel, they have a good weight distribution. As a result, they are easy to ride. 

Furthermore, placing the motor on the bike's front wheel separates the motor system from the rest of the bicycle parts. Which makes it easier to install, maintain, and service. 

Front-drive ebikes allow any gearing in the rear wheel, including the internal hub gear. As a result, they are the best option for everyday city riders who want a comfortable ride. 

Front-drive ebikes offer less traction due to the weight on their front wheel. Thus, ebikes with powerful front hub motors are susceptible to burnout. Moreover, such bikes are not ideal for front forks as they may not be able to handle high torque. 

Rear Hub Motor

As the name indicates, a rear hub-drive ebike has its motor in the rear wheel. Their motors are quieter than front hub motors; therefore, they work as soon as you start cycling. 

Since the motor is at the rear end of the ebike, it makes it heavier, therefore giving it a pushing feeling instead of the pulling feeling of a front hub. Also, the motor has better traction than front hub motors. 

As for their pedalling gears, bikes with a rear hub motor have limited options. Generally, they use derailleur gears. They are ideal for regular off-road riders. 

Mid Drive Vs. Hub Motor Electric Bike

The main difference between mid-drive and hub motor ebike is the position of their motor on the bike. While a mid-drive ebike has its motor located between the pedals, a hub-drive ebike has its motor in the wheel. 

The table below highlights more differences between them.

Mid Drive Ebike

• You will find the mid-drive motor between the pedals at the middle of the bike.
• The mid-drive motor drives your bike’s front chainring.
• They are usually pedal-assisted.
• You will find them on more expensive ebike models.
• Mid-drive ebikes generally use torque sensors.
• They are suitable for climbing steep hills and rough terrains because of their gearing system. Mountain bikes are typical examples.
• It is easier to replace tires on mid-drive ebikes.
• Mid-drive ebikes offer a better range.

Hub Motor Ebike

• You will find the hub motor in the front or rear wheel.
• The hub motor drives the wheel itself.
• They use both pedals and throttles to propel the ebike.
• You will find them on more expensive ebike models.
• Some hub motor ebikes use cadence sensors.
• They are less efficient on rough terrains but are ideal as city bikes. Polluno Electric City Bike from Eskute is a typical example.
• It is difficult to replace tires on hub-drive ebikes. 
• Hub motor ebikes offer less range.

Ebike Hub Motor Problems

The Hub motor stops spinning.

On occasions when your hub motor ebike carries more weight than it can handle or goes up a steep hill, there is a tendency for its motor to stop spinning, which happens because the motor can't produce enough power to propel the ebike. To avoid such situations, you should purchase powerful ebikes for your needs. 

Defect in the controller

The controller is the heart of an ebike and transmits the energy the battery generates to the ebike. Thus, you should check the controller if the ebike's hub motor is not spinning well. It might be because you mistakenly disconnected the battery from the controller or the controller is defective. 

The Hub motor makes noise.

Noise making is a common problem for hub motors. There are a few reasons this noise occurs. First, for a new ebike, there might be a background noise that should fade away over time. However, if it persists, you suspect a motor or gears defect. 
You must take the bike on a test ride to determine if the problem is from the motor or gears. If it's a problem with the motor, the noise will be louder when you coast. But if it's a motor problem, there will be a loud noise when you pedal. So it would be best if you took the ebike to an expert for repair in both cases. 

Overheating

Another common problem with hub motors is that they overheat when unmaintained. After riding the ebike for a long time, you should allow it to cool before riding it again. Also, lubricating the ebike's bearings can help prevent overheating. 

Malfunctioning throttle

Most hub-drive ebikes are throttle assisted. The throttles assist the motor in propelling the ebike. When the throttles are defective, the bike becomes inefficient due to decreased power output to drive it. 

Average Service Life Of An Ebike Hub Motor

Like every other component of an ebike, how long the motor lasts depends on its care. However, the exciting news is that an ebike motor lasts longer than most ebike parts. Generally, they can last between three to ten years. 
A hub motor spins faster than a mid-drive motor. Thus, ebikes with hub motors are more susceptible to friction and wear. A typical ebike hub motor requires a replacement every three thousand to ten thousand miles. 

Conclusion

Hub motor-powered ebikes are best for everyday city rides. They are pretty accessible and very affordable. You will find them in different forms due to their simplicity. However, such bikes are not ideal when riding off-roads or on outdoor trails. Whether you want a hub drive or a mid-drive ebike, at Eskute, we have both! Head on to our shop today, and place your orders.