Your Guide To Electric Bicycle Motors

Electric bicycle motors are a very important part of the e-bike. So we have come up with this guide to aid you in buying.

Firstly, we will take a quick overlook at the DC motor. A DC motor functions (or is in motion) because the magnets cause magentism within the motor.

The magnetism creates rotation of motion due to the attracting and repelling forces.

The field magnets, one facing north and one south, cause the rotor to rotate. This is basically how it all happens! In the DC motor, brushes work along with the commutator, these allow the current (I) to flow to the electromagent.

These brushes can become worn over time and may need replacing.

DC motors can be heavy and not very efficient. It is AC motors that are used more regularly in electric motorized bikes, particularly with hub motors.

Electric Bicycle Motors: The Great Hub Motor

Unlike the regular DC motor, there are no moving parts in the hub motor. It is quite clever how it functions! To look at more detail, view our hub motor page.

The hub motor is quite simple, yet very effective. Unlike the DC motor, maintainance is next to nothing. Let me just say that again. Maintainance is next to nothing. It really is great, just a little clean up now and again. Keeps it looking good aswell!

Electric Bicycle Motors: The Controller

It is the controller that sends pulses of electricity to the motor, this increases the magnetic field. Controllers will send more pulses to increase rotation for when you want to increase speed, or when you're climbing a hill. The more expensive controllers are very clever devices!

Electric Bike Motors: Should I Consider A Crank Drive Motor?

The front crank will supply the back wheel with power, allowing the gears to be used on the bike. The crank drive motors best advantage over the hub motor used to be that it makes use of gears, as the hub motor didn't. However, this has changed as newer hub motors do use gears.

Crank drive motors can also be quite chunky and are not the most popular option of electric bicycle motor. Ranges of the IZIP electric bicycles will sell crank drive motors if you are interested.

Enjoy this and want to find more?

Interested in a motor for your regular bicycle? Find the best conversion kit here, the Bionx electric bike motor kit.

Or the other top conversion kit made in Germany, the Heinzmann electric bike motor kit.

Or you can return to the homepage and leave our electric bicycle motors page.