Direct drive hub motors can produce a lot of torque and power. This makes them ideal for high-performance e-Bikes. Direct drive motors are typically large and powerful, which adds to the total weight of the bike and reduces range. Since the thermal mass of the motor acts as a heat sink, the extra mass helps the motor avoid overheating. Direct drive hub motors for light duty are usually rated between 250 and 750 watts.
Larger direct drive engines can range from 750 to 1,000 watts.
Compared to direct drive motors, geared hub motors are smaller and lighter. This will help extend the range on a single fully charged battery. They’re also do not have as much power (torque) and have a shorter lifespan. Most geared hub motors have a maximum power rating of 350 watts. Some of the geared drive motors manufactured by Bafang have maximum power rating as from 500 watts up to power rating of 1,000 watts.
By replacing one of the three plastic planetary gears with a metal gear, e-Bike riders have been able to extend the life of the plastic gears within geared hub motors. This helps the metal gear to bear the brunt of the load, preserving the other two plastic gears and extending the hub motor’s useful life. The motor can usually get a little louder as a result of this.
What if electric motor is put in the rear and mechanical electric generator is installed in the front wheel, so as to recharge the battery at the same time?
Excellent article but it failed to point out one very critical factor from a consumers point of view. With mid drives, frequent shifting is necessary. Shifting on hub drives is typically only necessary when climbing steep hills. If a customer has a manual shifting car, they might like to shift all the time.