E-Bike Motor Types: Hub vs. Mid-Drive Comparison

Again, mid-drive engines have the corner here. As the name suggests, mid-drive engines are positioned centrally in the bike frame and bars to the ground near the bottom bracket area. This place preserves the natural center of gravity of the bike despite adding a few pounds.

Hub-driven engines add weight to either the front or rear wheel. This extra heft can noticeably change the handling compared to standard bikes. This is especially true with rear hub-driven e-bikes with the batteries located in the rear shelfMake for a very rear-heavy e-bike.

Hub engines are also generally heavier than mid-driven engines, though there are exceptions. The Mahle hub motors, for example, were used on certain prizes e-bike road and gravel e-bike Because of their compact and lightweight profile, ideal for fast and sweet road cars.