What's the Difference between Mid-Drive and Hub-Drive Motors?

Modified on Thu, 12 Oct, 2023 at 5:09 PM

Mid-Drive vs Hub-Drive Motors

The Two Types of Electric Bike Motors

At the time of this writing there are two main types of motors: hub motors, and mid-drive motors. Hub Motors are located at the axis of the rear wheel, while Mid-Drive Motors are located between the bike's pedals. All of our electric bikes with Mid-Drive Motors are powered by pedal-assist, whereas all of our models with Hub Motors can be powered by pedal assist or with the throttle.

What is Pedal-Assist and How Does it Work?

In pedal-assist mode, you can take advantage of combined human plus electric power. When you turn on pedal-assist, the motor will gently provide electric power as you pedal. You can still switch gears as the terrain changes to take advantage of more torque or faster speed. It’s an amazing feeling to use pedal-assist mode, as it makes cycling effortless, flattens out the hills, and frees you to just enjoy yourself and the scenery.

Our pedal-assist system provides adjustable levels of assistance. The levels indicate how much additional power the motor will provide to complement your pedaling. The low setting will help you to get to a 5 mph speed while pedaling, while the high level will help you to get to 25 mph! A simple press of a button switches you through the different levels.

When you’re just starting out on your MOD electric bike, it's a good idea to get used to the pedal-assist on the lowest level before increasing the power. It’s a wonderful component, but you do need to use caution when implementing it.

What is a Throttle and How Does it Work?

A throttle is a manually operated switch located on the handlebar of bikes with hub motors, that functions like the accelerator pedal of a car. Throttles allow the rider to power the bike without pedaling. This is a great feature to use if you become too tired to pedal home, or if you simply want to cruise around without putting in any effort. Many riders use their throttle when taking off from a stop. It is important to know that using your throttle drains more battery power than the pedal assist system.