Which Type of E-Bike Motor Is Best for You

The variety of e-bike models is huge. And there is also a large range of e-bike motors to choose from. That is why you first should get an overview of the various manufacturers:

• Bosch: E-bikes with Bosch motors are the most common. The product portfolio includes the Active Line motors for everyday use in the city and the Bosch Performance Line motors for longer tours in mountainous terrain.
   
• Shimano: Shimano, one of the best-known bike parts manufacturers, is also active in the field of e-bike drivetrains with their so-called STePS Concept. E-bikes with Shimano motors are considered quiet and yet powerful.
   
• Yamaha: Yamaha specialises in mid-drive motors for all fields of application. That is why we offer a wide range of city, mountain and trekking e-bikes with Yamaha motors.
   
• FAZUA: Fazua has made its reputation in the field of lightweight construction. The drives are mainly found on e-road bikes, e-gravel bikes and e-city bikes.
   
• TQ: The German manufacturer is well known for its super compact and powerful mid-drive motors. E-bikes with TQ motors offer natural riding dynamics and powerful support, even off-road.
   
• Mahle: Mahle is known in the e-bike world as a manufacturer of particularly lightweight hub motors. These motors can be found on many e-road bikes, e-gravel bikes and similar.
   
• Specialized: Specialized combines natural pedal assistance with perfect integration. App control and quiet operation make electric bikes with Specialised motors a real understatement.

Even the e-bike drive concepts vary. Over time, three different technologies have established on the market, all of them having their advantages and disadvantages:

• E-bikes with a mid-mounted motor: The mid-mounted motor is the most common type of motor. The central position on the bottom bracket gives you an optimum riding experience and easy handling, especially on uneven terrain and long climbs.
   
• E-bikes with rear-mounted motor: The power is provided by the rear wheel hub. The rear-mounted motor is characterized by direct power transmission to the rear wheel. It is particularly suitable for higher speeds on flat routes.
   
• E-bikes with a front-mounted motor: The drive is provided by a drive integrated into the front wheel hub. Due to the rather unfavorable riding characteristics compared to the other two types, this e-bike motor is rarely used anymore.

Your usual route selection plays an important role in choosing the right electric bike motor type. The following four examples show you how your riding preferences can affect your choice of motor:

• Distance: If your routes are rather short, a motor with a shorter range could be completely sufficient. However, if you like to go on longer tours, a motor with a larger battery capacity is advisable.
   
• Area of application: The terrain conditions have a significant influence on the performance of the e-bike motor. If you live in a flat environment, a rear-mounted motor can be a good choice. It offers consistent support and is low-maintenance. Hilly areas require a powerful mid-mounted motor, which offers you more efficiency and riding stability.
   
• Uphill gradients: If you regularly have to tackle steep climbs, your motor should be able to generate sufficient torque. Mid-drive motors are the best choice here due to their direct power transmission to the crank. The torque is always stated in Newton meters (Nm) in our product descriptions.
   
• Headwind: If you are often confronted with strong headwinds, a powerful motor will help you to move forward more easily. Different support levels allow you to adjust the intensity of the support depending on the wind conditions.

When buying an e-bike, performance should not be your most important factor. This is because an e-bike motor with maximum newton metre specifications is not necessarily better than one with less. In the city, motors with 30 to 60 Nm of torque are perfectly suited. And an e-bike motor with a huge battery may be good for touring adventures – but the capacity is usually not utilized in the city. The advantage of smaller motors is obvious: they are lighter and often fit more seamlessly into the overall design of your e-bike.

E-bike motors offer different support levels that influence the degree of electrical assistance when pedaling. This can vary depending on the manufacturer, but there are usually modes such as Eco, Tour, Sport and Turbo. Also important: What other features and specification does the motor have? If you like to go on tours, a large e-bike display with a navigation function can be practical. If you want to charge your e-bike at home, a removable e-bike battery is important. And if you are very digital-savvy, you can make numerous settings on your bike with an e-bike app that matches the motor.