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E-BikeKit Hub Motors

Motors for bikes, hub motors in particular, and electric bike batteries are what make electric bicycles go.

Using a hand throttle you control the flow of electric current from the battery to the brushless motor. With an intelligent 20 Amp controller regulating the current between the electric bike battery pack and the ebike gear motor or direct drive motor you are in complete control of how much or how little propulsion power to use at any time.

The two types of hub motors offered by E-BikeKit are "geared"(using internal nylon gears) and "direct-drive"(using two sets of rare-earth magnets) motors. Each motor has unique properties that may be more suitable for you. Choosing the best option for you will depend on your riding style.

Gear Vs. Direct Drive Motors

GEARED MOTORS

Lightweight / Efficient / Freewheel
Bike remains a bike

Electric Bike Motor - FRONT - Geared

DIRECT-DRIVE MOTORS

Life span / Speed / Power
Bike becomes more of a scooter

Electric Bike Motor - FRONT - Direct-Drive

Power/Torque

36v (350-450w) / 48v (up to 750w)

36v (500-750w) / 48v (up to 1000w)

Top Speed

36v (17.5 MPH) / 48v (24 MPH)
*170 pound rider unassisted on flats

36v (20 MPH) / 48v (28 MPH)
*170 pound rider unassisted on flats

Range

36v9ah = 16-34 miles
36v12ah = 20-42 miles
48v9ah = 16-34 miles
*Rider weight, rider input and terrain contingent

36v9ah = 12-24 miles
36v12ah = 14-28 miles
48v9ah = 12-24 miles
*Rider weight, rider input and terrain contingent

Diameter
(top to bottom)

134mm Diameter

244mm Diameter

Weight

7 pounds

14 pounds

Freewheel

Zero drag when battery is not engaged.
Spins just like a regular bike wheel.

Slight drag when battery is not engaged.
Rare-earth magnets have minor resistance.

Diagrams/Curves

Each motor has unique properties that may be more suitable for you. Choosing the best option for you will depend on your riding style.

350w Internally Geared Motor

Advantages vs. Direct-Drive:

Lighter Weight (7 pounds vs. 14 pounds)
Smaller (134mm diameter vs. 244mm diameter)
Zero Drag (complete freewheel when not using battery)
Excellent Efficiency (15-25% more range)

Disadvantages vs. Direct-Drive:

Lower Top Speed 36v (17.5 MPH) / 48v (24 MPH)
Less Power (350w vs. 500w = 40% hill-climbing power)
Moderate Life span (internally geared parts wear down. 2+yrs expected)
*Internal gears are replaceable by E-BikeKit

500w Direct-Drive Motor

Advantages vs. Geared:

High Top Speed 36v (20 MPH) / 48v (28 MPH)
More Power (500w vs. 350w = 65% hill-climbing power)
Excellent Life span (brushless and no friction = "last forever" 5+yrs expected)

Disadvantages vs. Geared:

Heavier Weight (14 pounds vs. 7 pounds)
Larger (244mm diameter vs. 134mm diameter)
Slight Magnetic Drag (slight resistance when not using battery)
Moderate Efficiency (15-25% less range)

Practical Summary:

If you plan on pedaling more than using the battery and you want your bike to remain more of a conventional bicycle then the 350w geared motor is likely a better choice.

If you plan on using the battery more, desire a higher top speed and more power then the 500w direct-drive motor is for you.

Both motors are the exact same price and both are EASY to install.

TOP SPEEDS

Wheel/Wheel Size/Motor Type
TOP SPEED AT 36 Volts
TOP SPEED AT 48 Volts
Front/20"/350w Geared
17.5 MPH (28KPH)
24 MPH (38KPH)
Front/24"/350w Geared
17.5 MPH (28KPH)
24 MPH (38KPH)
Front/26"/350w Geared
17.5 MPH (28KPH)
24 MPH (38KPH)
Front/700c/350w Geared
17.5 MPH (28KPH)
24 MPH (38KPH)
Front/20"/500w Direct-Drive
20 MPH (32KPH)
28 MPH (45KPH)
Front/24"/500w Direct-Drive
20 MPH (32KPH)
28 MPH (45KPH)
Front/26"/500w Direct-Drive
20 MPH (32KPH)
28 MPH (45KPH)
Front/700c/500w Direct-Drive
20 MPH (32KPH)
28 MPH (45KPH)
Rear/20"/350w Geared
17.5 MPH (28KPH)
24 MPH (38KPH)
Rear/24"/350w Geared
17.5 MPH (28KPH)
24 MPH (38KPH)
Rear/26"/350w Geared
17.5 MPH (28KPH)
24 MPH (38KPH)
Rear/700c/350w Geared
17.5 MPH (28KPH)
24 MPH (38KPH)
Rear/20"/500w Direct-Drive
20 MPH (32KPH)
28 MPH (45KPH)
Rear/24"/500w Direct-Drive
20 MPH (32KPH)
28 MPH (45KPH)
Rear/26"/500w Direct-Drive
20 MPH (32KPH)
28 MPH (45KPH)
Rear/700c/500w Direct-Drive
20 MPH (32KPH)
28 MPH (45KPH)

Electric Bike Hub Motor - FRONT - Geared


Specifications:

Motor: Front Geared Hub Motor (6-bolt ISO disc brake compatible)
Power: 36v (350-450w) / 48v (up to 750w) - 36v (17.5 MPH) / 48v (24 MPH)
Hub Motor Weight: 7 Pounds
Warranted: 1 year at 36v or 48v

Electric Bike Hub Motor - REAR - Geared


Specifications:

Motor: Rear Geared Hub Motor (6-bolt ISO disc brake compatible)
Power: 36v (350-450w) / 48v (up to 750w) - 36v (17.5 MPH) / 48v (24 MPH)
Hub Motor Weight: 7 Pounds
Freehweel: Up to 7 Speed
Warranted: 1 year at 36v or 48v

Electric Bike Hub Motor - FRONT - Direct-Drive


Specifications:

Motor: Front Direct Drive Brushless Hub Motor (6-bolt ISO disc brake compatible)
Power: 36v (500-750w / 20MPH) / 48v (up to 1000w / 26MPH)
Hub Motor Weight: 14 Pounds
Warranted: 1 year at 36v or 48v

Electric Bike Hub Motor - REAR - Direct-Drive


Specifications:

Motor: Rear Direct Drive Brushless Hub Motor (6-bolt ISO disc brake compatible)
Power: 36v (500-750w / 20MPH) / 48v (up to 1000w / 26MPH)
Hub Motor Weight: 14 Pounds
Freehweel: Up to 7 Speed
Warranted: 1 year at 36v or 48v