Comparision between electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive
At present, the popularity of two wheeler electric bike is getting higher and higher, and its convenience and low-carbon attributes cannot be replaced by other means of transportation. The electric motor for motorcycle can provide the rider with additional pedal assist force, so it will save more effort when riding.
As the core component of electric motorcycles, different motors will also have an impact on the performance of electric motorcycles. At present, the motors on the market are mainly divided into two categories: electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive.
Electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive In terms of market share ratio, hub motors have an absolute advantage, but in recent years, most of the best-selling high-end models in Europe and the United States are designed with mid drive motors, so what is the difference between the two?
Table of Contents
Electric motorcycle hub motor – advantages and disadvantages
The hub motor, as the name suggests, is a design that combines the hub and the motor. Its biggest feature is that the power, transmission and braking devices are integrated into the hub. With its mature design and low price, it is widely used in the power design of electric two-wheeled vehicles and automobiles.
Advantage
1. The structure of the vehicle is simple and basically requires no maintenance
The hub motor has a simple structure, usually consisting of a coil, a rotating shaft, a magnetic steel and a casing. Due to the simple structure, the failure rate of the hub motor is relatively low in electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, so it basically does not require maintenance. And the pedal drive system is independent of each other.
Since they’re not connected to the main pedal drive system, and hub motors don’t add any extra stress to the chain or shifter, causing wear on other components, chains on motor-mounted vehicles are likely to last longer than non-electric motorcycles.
2. Low price and high efficiency
The technical requirements for the production of in-wheel motors are not high, so the manufacturing cost is low. The cost price of ordinary in-wheel motors is only 200 RMB, and the motors above 500 RMB have the function of kinetic energy recovery.
In terms of performance, the hub motor has the advantages of high power conversion efficiency and more power saving. Since the hub motor is directly driven by the rear wheel, there is no energy loss during the transmission process. The kinetic energy conversion rate is currently around 80%.
Electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive also has more advantages in starting acceleration. The current of the hub motor is relatively uniform when it is running, and it relies on electromagnetic induction to run, with low noise and small wear. It is not easy to burn out the motor, it is more convenient to install and disassemble, and the maintenance is simple.
Disadvantage
1. Comfort
The wheel hub motor has a great influence on the handling, comfort and suspension reliability of the vehicle. The handling of the vibration is not smooth enough, and the riding comfort will be reduced. It is more suitable for commuting at low speeds below 40km/h. When driving at high speeds, the vehicle Head tilted easily.
2. Vulnerable
The precision motor is placed on the hub, and the long-term severe up and down vibration and harsh external environment (water, dust) are likely to cause failure problems. When it comes to wheel components such as rims, tires and flywheels, the hub motor may be more restricted and replaced The tires are also more difficult.
3. Heat dissipation
Hub motors perform well at low speeds, but they tend to generate a lot of heat when running at high speeds, and the internal heat dissipation environment is poor, which not only easily leads to the decline of motor performance, but also may burn the tires.
Hub motors can be further classified into geared hub motors and gearless hub motors. Geared hub motors have internal planetary gears that can reduce the speed of higher speed motors; The shaft of the tach motor stator is attached to the bicycle.
The biggest trouble with geared hub motors is the gears, which are heavily used and therefore wear out. The gearless hub motor has no other moving parts except the bearings, basically no wear, as long as the bearings are not rusted or worn, they can be used almost all the time, so they are more widely used.
Electric motorcycle mid motor – advantages and disadvantages
The mid motor is located at the bottom bracket between the central pedals of the bike, and the crank is directly connected to the central drive motor. The mid-drive motor is integrated into the frame of the e-bike, rather than a separate unit like the hub motor.
Nor does it power the wheels directly like a hub motor, which instead needs to be powered by the bike’s drivetrain, where the motor turns the crank and chain links and powers the rear wheels through the chain.
Advantage
1. High efficiency and large torque
In electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, the biggest advantage of mid motor is its gear ratio, the rider can power the rear wheel through the same chain and gear set as the pedals, so you can choose a low gear to provide power on steep hills or accelerate from a stop with high torque.
A low-range mid-drive motor can climb hills better and last longer than a similarly-powered hub motor. mid drive electric motorcycles deliver power through the drivetrain and use torque sensors, which also smooth out the power transfer for a better riding experience.
2. Reasonable center of gravity distribution, suitable for sports vehicles
The center of gravity of the mid motor is in the middle of the vehicle, and the load bearing is relatively balanced. Therefore, the balance of the electric motorcycle can be kept to the maximum, and it will not affect the shock absorption when driving fast. Comparing electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, mid drive is better than vehicles equipped with hub motors in terms of off-road handling, stability, and passability.
3. Small resistance
As the power of the hub motor continues to consume, the electromagnetic resistance generated by the motor will also continue to increase. Riding will be more difficult without power. The mid motor has no magnetic resistance, and the internally designed clutch ratchet can completely disengage the motor from the center shaft ratchet without power on. Even if the battery is exhausted, it can be easily ridden like a mechanical bicycle.
Disadvantage
1. Complex structure and high price
The internal structure of the mid motor is complex. In addition to the motor, it also needs the cooperation of clutches, transmission shafts, transmission chains, transmissions, differentials and other components to output power to the rear wheels, therefore, in electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, the price of the hub motor is higher.
The cost of building a car, including the car + motor + battery, is generally more than 4,000 US dollars. These components not only increase the complexity, but also require regular maintenance and maintenance. It is also more difficult to modify, and it is also prone to failure, and the difficulty of maintenance will also increase. Replacement of the motor Also more expensive than just replacing the hub motor.
2. The powertrain is more prone to wear and tear
Since the driving force needs to be transmitted to the rear wheel through the chainring and chain. Therefore, electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, mid motor will increase the wear of the chainring and chain, so the chain should be replaced when the wear is large, otherwise the broken chain can only be carted home.
The hub motor has a price advantage, the cost of maintenance is not high, and it is environmentally friendly and affordable.
Some people like the power and reliability of hub motors when they are off-road, and some people prefer the lightweight motorcycle with lightweight motorcycle battery and stealthy mid motors during commuting, but the price of a mid motor vehicle is generally more than 10,000 RMB. For ordinary consumers, the hub The motor has basically been able to meet the demand.
Comparison between electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive
The mid motor, the motor is located at the bottom bracket between the center pedals of the bike, and the crank is connected directly to the mid drive motor. When electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, the mid drive motor is integrated into the frame of the electric motorcycle, rather than a separate unit like a hub motor.
They also don’t directly power the wheels like hub motors do, but instead need power through the bike’s drivetrain, with the motor turning the crank and chainrings and powering the rear wheel through the chain.
(1) Looking at electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive from its own structure
The structure of the mid motor is much more complicated than that of the hub motor. In addition to the motor, the mid motor also needs clutches, transmission shafts, transmission chains, transmissions, differentials and other components to output power to the rear wheels.
The complex self-structure results in a large internal space of the mid motor, and its own weight is much higher than that of the hub motor. At the same time, it also increases the difficulty of installation and maintenance, thereby increasing the maintenance cost of the mid motor.
(2) Electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive from the overall layout and riding experience
Since the hub motor is installed inside the hub, it will cause the center of gravity to shift in a certain sense, causing the front and rear weights of the vehicle body to be unbalanced, and it will be greatly affected by bumps and impacts during mountain off-roading; When riding in ordinary urban commuting and riding on flat roads, the effect is roughly the same as that of mid motor riding.
However, when riding on mountain cross-country, outdoor outings and bumpy roads, the rider needs to deal with greater inertial impact due to the offset of the center of gravity. For full-suspension models, the rear hub motor will also increase the unsprung mass, and the rear shock needs to deal with greater inertial impacts. Therefore, sports cars of big brands usually use mid motors.
The advantage of mid motor is that due to the center of gravity, it can keep the front and rear weight balance of the vehicle as much as possible without affecting the action of the shock absorber, and the road impact on the motor is also smaller. And other aspects are better than those with hub motors.
When going off-road or encountering bumpy roads, the balanced center of gravity layout can evenly distribute the weight on the front and rear shock absorbers, and the shock filtering effect is better. Therefore, most high-performance electric power-assisted models will choose mid motor.
(3) Look at electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive from the suitability of the kit
Compared with hub motors, mid motors have lower requirements for body design, and the ultra-high integration of mid motor models can reduce unnecessary wire tube exposure, and various accessories are more diversified than hub motors. The wheel set and transmission can be freely selected, and the daily disassembly and maintenance of the hub is also easier.
In terms of kit adaptability, in-wheel motor models are not as diversified as mid motor models, but the corresponding accessories market is also tending to be perfect, so in-wheel motor models can basically meet individual needs in terms of kit adaptability .
(4) Electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive from the perspective of power output
The mid motor drives the rear wheel through a chain or gear transmission to drive the vehicle forward. Normally, a mid motor with the same power can amplify the output torque with the help of a mechanical structure.
Compared with in-wheel motors, it provides greater load-carrying torque, better output performance, and smaller power loss. At the same time, because mid motors are closer to human pedaling cadence, under the same power supply, the power conversion of mid motors The rate is better.
The hub motor is usually installed inside the hub barrel of the rear wheel, and the coil is directly installed inside the wheel. After the power is turned on, the motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, thereby driving the rear wheel to rotate, thereby driving the vehicle forward.
Simple and crude but effective. Although the power output is not as efficient as that of mid motors, under the same power supply conditions, the output linearity of hub motors is softer, and there will be no sudden acceleration, and the overall power output is more stable than that of mid motors. This is why most urban commuter e-bikes choose hub motors.
(5) Electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive from the perspective of heat dissipation efficiency
Since the hub motor is directly installed on the wheel, the motor will inevitably generate some heat during operation, because there are tires wrapped outside, when the temperature rises to a certain level, if the motor continues to run, it will “reduce the frequency”, that is, the speed cannot be increased. Therefore, electric vehicles with in-wheel motors usually cannot run at high speed for too long, and are not suitable for long-distance running.
In mid motor, the motor is separated from the wheel, and there is no tire on the outer layer, which can greatly improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the motor. Therefore, even at high speeds and long distances, the speed will not drop easily.
Summarize of electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive
Generally speaking, electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive has different applications in different fields and different aspects, and each has its own advantages. The specific difference lies in the matching models, whether it is a hub motor or a mid motor, there is no absolute sense of good or bad difference. The difference between different brands and different grades is much larger than the gap between different motor categories.
In comparison, among electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, mid motor has better performance and better riding experience, but the price is high. Mid motor two-wheelers are mainly born for sports. After all, from the performance to the structure of the whole vehicle, it is almost a motorcycle. Its speed and driving feeling are close to those of a motorcycle. Most high-performance and high-end electric bicycles and motorcycles will choose mid motors.
However, mid motor is not perfect, because the driving force needs to be transmitted to the rear wheel through the chainring and chain, so electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, mid motor will increase the wear of the chainring and chain, and pedaling needs to be done when changing gears. Be a little gentler to avoid the dreaded rattle of the chain and cassette.
In low-speed commuting, electric vehicles with in-wheel motors are more suitable and cost-effective. Therefore, most urban commuting electric bicycles choose hub motors. With their mature designs and relatively low prices, hub motors occupy half of the electric assist market. Select the appropriate motor according to the group of people using the vehicle, its purpose and price positioning.
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Comparision between electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive
At present, the popularity of two wheeler electric bike is getting higher and higher, and its convenience and low-carbon attributes cannot be replaced by other means of transportation. The electric motor for motorcycle can provide the rider with additional pedal assist force, so it will save more effort when riding.
As the core component of electric motorcycles, different motors will also have an impact on the performance of electric motorcycles. At present, the motors on the market are mainly divided into two categories: electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive.
Electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive In terms of market share ratio, hub motors have an absolute advantage, but in recent years, most of the best-selling high-end models in Europe and the United States are designed with mid drive motors, so what is the difference between the two?
Electric motorcycle hub motor – advantages and disadvantages
The hub motor, as the name suggests, is a design that combines the hub and the motor. Its biggest feature is that the power, transmission and braking devices are integrated into the hub. With its mature design and low price, it is widely used in the power design of electric two-wheeled vehicles and automobiles.
Advantage
1. The structure of the vehicle is simple and basically requires no maintenance
The hub motor has a simple structure, usually consisting of a coil, a rotating shaft, a magnetic steel and a casing. Due to the simple structure, the failure rate of the hub motor is relatively low in electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, so it basically does not require maintenance. And the pedal drive system is independent of each other.
Since they’re not connected to the main pedal drive system, and hub motors don’t add any extra stress to the chain or shifter, causing wear on other components, chains on motor-mounted vehicles are likely to last longer than non-electric motorcycles.
2. Low price and high efficiency
The technical requirements for the production of in-wheel motors are not high, so the manufacturing cost is low. The cost price of ordinary in-wheel motors is only 200 RMB, and the motors above 500 RMB have the function of kinetic energy recovery.
In terms of performance, the hub motor has the advantages of high power conversion efficiency and more power saving. Since the hub motor is directly driven by the rear wheel, there is no energy loss during the transmission process. The kinetic energy conversion rate is currently around 80%.
Electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive also has more advantages in starting acceleration. The current of the hub motor is relatively uniform when it is running, and it relies on electromagnetic induction to run, with low noise and small wear. It is not easy to burn out the motor, it is more convenient to install and disassemble, and the maintenance is simple.
Disadvantage
1. Comfort
The wheel hub motor has a great influence on the handling, comfort and suspension reliability of the vehicle. The handling of the vibration is not smooth enough, and the riding comfort will be reduced. It is more suitable for commuting at low speeds below 40km/h. When driving at high speeds, the vehicle Head tilted easily.
2. Vulnerable
The precision motor is placed on the hub, and the long-term severe up and down vibration and harsh external environment (water, dust) are likely to cause failure problems. When it comes to wheel components such as rims, tires and flywheels, the hub motor may be more restricted and replaced The tires are also more difficult.
3. Heat dissipation
Hub motors perform well at low speeds, but they tend to generate a lot of heat when running at high speeds, and the internal heat dissipation environment is poor, which not only easily leads to the decline of motor performance, but also may burn the tires.
Hub motors can be further classified into geared hub motors and gearless hub motors. Geared hub motors have internal planetary gears that can reduce the speed of higher speed motors; The shaft of the tach motor stator is attached to the bicycle.
The biggest trouble with geared hub motors is the gears, which are heavily used and therefore wear out. The gearless hub motor has no other moving parts except the bearings, basically no wear, as long as the bearings are not rusted or worn, they can be used almost all the time, so they are more widely used.
Electric motorcycle mid motor – advantages and disadvantages
The mid motor is located at the bottom bracket between the central pedals of the bike, and the crank is directly connected to the central drive motor. The mid-drive motor is integrated into the frame of the e-bike, rather than a separate unit like the hub motor.
Nor does it power the wheels directly like a hub motor, which instead needs to be powered by the bike’s drivetrain, where the motor turns the crank and chain links and powers the rear wheels through the chain.
Advantage
1. High efficiency and large torque
In electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, the biggest advantage of mid motor is its gear ratio, the rider can power the rear wheel through the same chain and gear set as the pedals, so you can choose a low gear to provide power on steep hills or accelerate from a stop with high torque.
A low-range mid-drive motor can climb hills better and last longer than a similarly-powered hub motor. mid drive electric motorcycles deliver power through the drivetrain and use torque sensors, which also smooth out the power transfer for a better riding experience.
2. Reasonable center of gravity distribution, suitable for sports vehicles
The center of gravity of the mid motor is in the middle of the vehicle, and the load bearing is relatively balanced. Therefore, the balance of the electric motorcycle can be kept to the maximum, and it will not affect the shock absorption when driving fast. Comparing electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, mid drive is better than vehicles equipped with hub motors in terms of off-road handling, stability, and passability.
3. Small resistance
As the power of the hub motor continues to consume, the electromagnetic resistance generated by the motor will also continue to increase. Riding will be more difficult without power. The mid motor has no magnetic resistance, and the internally designed clutch ratchet can completely disengage the motor from the center shaft ratchet without power on. Even if the battery is exhausted, it can be easily ridden like a mechanical bicycle.
Disadvantage
1. Complex structure and high price
The internal structure of the mid motor is complex. In addition to the motor, it also needs the cooperation of clutches, transmission shafts, transmission chains, transmissions, differentials and other components to output power to the rear wheels, therefore, in electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, the price of the hub motor is higher.
The cost of building a car, including the car + motor + battery, is generally more than 4,000 US dollars. These components not only increase the complexity, but also require regular maintenance and maintenance. It is also more difficult to modify, and it is also prone to failure, and the difficulty of maintenance will also increase. Replacement of the motor Also more expensive than just replacing the hub motor.
2. The powertrain is more prone to wear and tear
Since the driving force needs to be transmitted to the rear wheel through the chainring and chain. Therefore, electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, mid motor will increase the wear of the chainring and chain, so the chain should be replaced when the wear is large, otherwise the broken chain can only be carted home.
The hub motor has a price advantage, the cost of maintenance is not high, and it is environmentally friendly and affordable.
Some people like the power and reliability of hub motors when they are off-road, and some people prefer the lightweight motorcycle with lightweight motorcycle battery and stealthy mid motors during commuting, but the price of a mid motor vehicle is generally more than 10,000 RMB. For ordinary consumers, the hub The motor has basically been able to meet the demand.
Comparison between electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive
The mid motor, the motor is located at the bottom bracket between the center pedals of the bike, and the crank is connected directly to the mid drive motor. When electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, the mid drive motor is integrated into the frame of the electric motorcycle, rather than a separate unit like a hub motor.
They also don’t directly power the wheels like hub motors do, but instead need power through the bike’s drivetrain, with the motor turning the crank and chainrings and powering the rear wheel through the chain.
(1) Looking at electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive from its own structure
The structure of the mid motor is much more complicated than that of the hub motor. In addition to the motor, the mid motor also needs clutches, transmission shafts, transmission chains, transmissions, differentials and other components to output power to the rear wheels.
The complex self-structure results in a large internal space of the mid motor, and its own weight is much higher than that of the hub motor. At the same time, it also increases the difficulty of installation and maintenance, thereby increasing the maintenance cost of the mid motor.
(2) Electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive from the overall layout and riding experience
Since the hub motor is installed inside the hub, it will cause the center of gravity to shift in a certain sense, causing the front and rear weights of the vehicle body to be unbalanced, and it will be greatly affected by bumps and impacts during mountain off-roading; When riding in ordinary urban commuting and riding on flat roads, the effect is roughly the same as that of mid motor riding.
However, when riding on mountain cross-country, outdoor outings and bumpy roads, the rider needs to deal with greater inertial impact due to the offset of the center of gravity. For full-suspension models, the rear hub motor will also increase the unsprung mass, and the rear shock needs to deal with greater inertial impacts. Therefore, sports cars of big brands usually use mid motors.
The advantage of mid motor is that due to the center of gravity, it can keep the front and rear weight balance of the vehicle as much as possible without affecting the action of the shock absorber, and the road impact on the motor is also smaller. And other aspects are better than those with hub motors.
When going off-road or encountering bumpy roads, the balanced center of gravity layout can evenly distribute the weight on the front and rear shock absorbers, and the shock filtering effect is better. Therefore, most high-performance electric power-assisted models will choose mid motor.
(3) Look at electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive from the suitability of the kit
Compared with hub motors, mid motors have lower requirements for body design, and the ultra-high integration of mid motor models can reduce unnecessary wire tube exposure, and various accessories are more diversified than hub motors. The wheel set and transmission can be freely selected, and the daily disassembly and maintenance of the hub is also easier.
In terms of kit adaptability, in-wheel motor models are not as diversified as mid motor models, but the corresponding accessories market is also tending to be perfect, so in-wheel motor models can basically meet individual needs in terms of kit adaptability .
(4) Electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive from the perspective of power output
The mid motor drives the rear wheel through a chain or gear transmission to drive the vehicle forward. Normally, a mid motor with the same power can amplify the output torque with the help of a mechanical structure.
Compared with in-wheel motors, it provides greater load-carrying torque, better output performance, and smaller power loss. At the same time, because mid motors are closer to human pedaling cadence, under the same power supply, the power conversion of mid motors The rate is better.
The hub motor is usually installed inside the hub barrel of the rear wheel, and the coil is directly installed inside the wheel. After the power is turned on, the motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, thereby driving the rear wheel to rotate, thereby driving the vehicle forward.
Simple and crude but effective. Although the power output is not as efficient as that of mid motors, under the same power supply conditions, the output linearity of hub motors is softer, and there will be no sudden acceleration, and the overall power output is more stable than that of mid motors. This is why most urban commuter e-bikes choose hub motors.
(5) Electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive from the perspective of heat dissipation efficiency
Since the hub motor is directly installed on the wheel, the motor will inevitably generate some heat during operation, because there are tires wrapped outside, when the temperature rises to a certain level, if the motor continues to run, it will “reduce the frequency”, that is, the speed cannot be increased. Therefore, electric vehicles with in-wheel motors usually cannot run at high speed for too long, and are not suitable for long-distance running.
In mid motor, the motor is separated from the wheel, and there is no tire on the outer layer, which can greatly improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the motor. Therefore, even at high speeds and long distances, the speed will not drop easily.
Summarize of electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive
Generally speaking, electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive has different applications in different fields and different aspects, and each has its own advantages. The specific difference lies in the matching models, whether it is a hub motor or a mid motor, there is no absolute sense of good or bad difference. The difference between different brands and different grades is much larger than the gap between different motor categories.
In comparison, among electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, mid motor has better performance and better riding experience, but the price is high. Mid motor two-wheelers are mainly born for sports. After all, from the performance to the structure of the whole vehicle, it is almost a motorcycle. Its speed and driving feeling are close to those of a motorcycle. Most high-performance and high-end electric bicycles and motorcycles will choose mid motors.
However, mid motor is not perfect, because the driving force needs to be transmitted to the rear wheel through the chainring and chain, so electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, mid motor will increase the wear of the chainring and chain, and pedaling needs to be done when changing gears. Be a little gentler to avoid the dreaded rattle of the chain and cassette.
In low-speed commuting, electric vehicles with in-wheel motors are more suitable and cost-effective. Therefore, most urban commuting electric bicycles choose hub motors. With their mature designs and relatively low prices, hub motors occupy half of the electric assist market. Select the appropriate motor according to the group of people using the vehicle, its purpose and price positioning.
Do you now know the electric motorcycle hub motor vs mid drive, the best motorcycle battery is also one of the most important components of the electric motorcycle, If you are interested in motorcycle batteries, please refer to the deep cycle motorcycle battery, and top 10 motorcycle battery manufacturers.