The Ultimate Mid-Drive Electric Bike Guide

Electric bikes, or eBikes, are one of the fastest-growing categories in the cycling industry. They help riders go faster, further, and longer without tiring. There are two main types of eBikes: hub-drive and mid-drive. A mid-drive electric bike uses a mid-drive motor in its drivetrain, which is located in the centre of the bike, between the front and rear wheels. The motor is positioned directly in between the pedals at the bike's bottom bracket, providing load balancing and creating the feeling of riding a traditional bike.

Mid-drive motors are located in the centre of the bike, between the front and rear wheels

A mid-drive e-bike motor generates torque (a twisting or turning force that causes rotation) by a spinning shaft. This shaft is connected to a chainring, which is connected to the crank arms — which are connected to the pedals. When the motor is activated, the spinning shaft creates torque. This engages the PAS and helps move the pedals.

Rather than powering the wheel directly like hub motors, mid-drive motors provide power to the bike through its drivetrain. The motor attaches to the cranks and chainring, and its power is then transmitted to the rear wheel via the chain. This offers better torque for climbing hills, improved control and stability on rough terrain, and increased efficiency in high gear.

They are smaller and lighter than hub motors of similar power

Mid-drive electric bikes are powered by a motor located in the centre of the bike, between the front and rear wheels. More specifically, the motor is positioned directly in between the pedals at the bike's bottom bracket. This ensures a low and central centre of gravity, providing load balancing and creating the feeling of riding a traditional bike.

Mid-drive motors are smaller and lighter than hub motors of similar power. They provide power to the bike through its drivetrain, attaching to the cranks and chainring. The power is then transmitted to the rear wheel via the chain. This means that mid-drive motors can be used with any type of bike frame and any wheels, tires, and cassettes.

The positioning of the motor in a mid-drive electric bike also means that riders don't feel the additional weight of the motor. This gives the bike solid directional and tracking stability, and the motor works synergistically with the bike's gears for higher efficiency. This translates into a longer riding range per charge, with mid-drive motors offering 10 to 15 miles more range than hub motor models.

Mid-drive motors provide power to the bike through its drivetrain

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are one of the fastest-growing categories in the cycling industry. They help riders go faster, further and longer without tiring. There are two main types of e-bike: hub-drive and mid-drive.

A mid-drive motor works synergistically with the bike’s gears for higher efficiency, which translates into longer riding range per charge. This is especially noticeable on hills. Mid-drive motors offer 10 to 15 miles more range than the hub motor model. They also provide improved torque for climbing hills, better control and stability on rough terrain, and increased efficiency in high gear. They are also more customisable with different components and smaller and lighter than a hub motor of similar power.

Mid-drive e-bikes have a low and central centre of gravity, providing load balancing

A mid-drive electric bike is a bike that uses a mid-drive motor in its drivetrain. The motor is located in the centre of the bike, between the front and rear wheels, and more specifically, between the crank arms or 'cranks', the levers in the centre of the bike frame that the bike's pedals are attached to.

The positioning of the motor in a mid-drive e-bike ensures that the rider feels like they are riding a traditional bike. The motor works synergistically with the bike's gears for higher efficiency, which translates into a longer riding range per charge. This is especially noticeable on hills, where the mid-drive motor's improved torque helps with climbing.

Mid-drive motors also offer better control and stability on rough terrain, increased efficiency in high gear, and more customisability with different components. They are smaller and lighter than hub motors of similar power and allow the rider to use any wheels, tires, and cassettes they wish.

Mid-drive motors are more affordable than hub motors

A mid-drive electric bike motor is located in the centre of the bike, between the front and rear wheels. More specifically, the motor is between the crank arms or “cranks”, the levers in the centre of the bike frame that the bike’s pedals are attached to. Mid-drive motors are more affordable than hub motors. They are smaller and lighter than hub motors of similar power. They can be used with any type of bike frame and any wheels, tires and cassettes. They also offer better control and stability on rough terrain, as well as improved torque for climbing hills. A mid-drive motor works synergistically with the bike’s gears for higher efficiency, which translates into longer riding range per charge.

Frequently asked questions