Ebike mechanic explains why mid drive is superior to hub drive
10-17-22, 04:08 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Ebike mechanic explains why mid drive is superior to hub drive
https://youtu.be/8tAkU9HW6SY
fascinating to watch. Overall he makes a good case for mid drive and he has good credibility.
fascinating to watch. Overall he makes a good case for mid drive and he has good credibility.
10-17-22, 05:29 AM
#2
Older and wiser
Mid-drive vs hub
I just test rode a super 73 with 1000w + hub motor. It doesn't seem to have the instant torque of my Bafang 500w mid-drive. It also has trouble powering up hills. Hub motors are good for flat riding. Mid-drives do everything better.
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10-17-22, 06:45 AM
#3
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Yep, I prefer mid-drive systems as well. All of my buddies with hub motor bikes tell me that mid-drives wear out the drive components so much faster, but I've not seen that in real life. I do expect a bit more wear, but with a torque sensing system and proper gear selection, I don't think wear is a significant problem. Hub motors do have the advantage of energy recovery and braking assist, but I've not seen data that show real world impact.
The wheel integrity issue with hub motors is likely the biggest disadvantage. A friend discovered that his motor torque was causing his rim to crack at the spoke nipples, requiring either a new wheel or a rebuild. He ended up getting a discounted price on a new wheel from the manufacturer, but we delaced the old motor to take a look. It turned out that the old motor had a bad bearing that required splitting the hub body to replace. This design made it impossible to replace a bearing on a built wheel. Why design stuff like this?
The wheel integrity issue with hub motors is likely the biggest disadvantage. A friend discovered that his motor torque was causing his rim to crack at the spoke nipples, requiring either a new wheel or a rebuild. He ended up getting a discounted price on a new wheel from the manufacturer, but we delaced the old motor to take a look. It turned out that the old motor had a bad bearing that required splitting the hub body to replace. This design made it impossible to replace a bearing on a built wheel. Why design stuff like this?
10-17-22, 07:00 AM
#4
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Video is nearly 2 yea old, there are advances on both type of motors since.
10-17-22, 08:21 AM
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ebikesca, who sell only hubs (AFAICR) has a good tutorial on the benefits of hub systems. For me, I've enjoyed several errand bikes with front or rear hubs and one front system that was a blast off road. However, as stated many times, "mids" exceed in very hilly areas. My daughter loves he front system and just returned from Burning Man with it. The front hub is seven years old.
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10-17-22, 10:18 AM
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If they were priced similarly, it would be a no brainer, but at almost double the cost, I'll stick with easy of install of a hub drive.
10-17-22, 11:54 AM
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It is, at heart, a religious argument.
I've had both, like them both, it depends on what your intended use is, how you feel about reliability, how much you like replacing parts.
Johnny Nerdout makes his business selling and installing mid drives, so he would say that, wouldn't he?
I think he is a good guy and provides a valuable service but there is more to it than that.
I've had both, like them both, it depends on what your intended use is, how you feel about reliability, how much you like replacing parts.
Johnny Nerdout makes his business selling and installing mid drives, so he would say that, wouldn't he?
I think he is a good guy and provides a valuable service but there is more to it than that.
