WindriderAU
1 mW
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2007
- Messages
- 14
Hi Team,
I am new to the eBike world. I have spent a long time researching to determine what type of motor to select. It appears the more research I do, the more difficult it becomes to choose. I am trying to choose between a hub motor and an external motor that drives through the crank and uses the bikes gears. I have searched many forums and can not seem to find a clear answer. Manufactures both boast their system is more efficient. From what I can understand this appears to be the case:
Hub Motor Pros
1. Easier to install
2. Less maintenance
3. Quiet
Hub Motor Cons
1. Does not have a wide range of gears (usually none) therefore motor can not run at it's most efficient speed all of the time.
2. Once you reach the maximum speed of the motor, you just free spin the pedals.
External Motor Pros
1. Can use the gears of the bike to keep motor running at it's most efficient speed by changing gears on the bike.
2. When cruising and in top gear of the bike, motor does not need to spin as much (but surely this would require more torque). But less turns required to keep the same top end speed.
3. Smaller in size?
4. PWM controller can be internal
5. Tend to be more efficient
External Motor Cons
1. More maintenance due to extra chains etc.
2. Possibly more noise as you have to use the bike chain to drive the bike.
I believe you can rest and not have to pedal with the External Motor, but I have never seen one. So how does this work considering the chain has to move to drive the back wheel. Would'nt this force the pedals to rotate?
There is a reasonable chance that I have some things wrong or missed some points, so please let me know if this is the case so that I can use this information to assist with my decision.
Given the same motor but different voltage, 36 vs 24 means you should get better distance (speed should be the same).
I am looking for something that is 200 - 400 W. I guess 36V (going to 48V means more batteries thus more weight, 24V seems to be a bit small).
Batteries - Will certainly use either NiMH, Li, or LiPO.
I am considering using my existing bike.
My terrain does not have too many steep hills (more gentle gradients).
Any help that anyone can give me here is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
I am new to the eBike world. I have spent a long time researching to determine what type of motor to select. It appears the more research I do, the more difficult it becomes to choose. I am trying to choose between a hub motor and an external motor that drives through the crank and uses the bikes gears. I have searched many forums and can not seem to find a clear answer. Manufactures both boast their system is more efficient. From what I can understand this appears to be the case:
Hub Motor Pros
1. Easier to install
2. Less maintenance
3. Quiet
Hub Motor Cons
1. Does not have a wide range of gears (usually none) therefore motor can not run at it's most efficient speed all of the time.
2. Once you reach the maximum speed of the motor, you just free spin the pedals.
External Motor Pros
1. Can use the gears of the bike to keep motor running at it's most efficient speed by changing gears on the bike.
2. When cruising and in top gear of the bike, motor does not need to spin as much (but surely this would require more torque). But less turns required to keep the same top end speed.
3. Smaller in size?
4. PWM controller can be internal
5. Tend to be more efficient
External Motor Cons
1. More maintenance due to extra chains etc.
2. Possibly more noise as you have to use the bike chain to drive the bike.
I believe you can rest and not have to pedal with the External Motor, but I have never seen one. So how does this work considering the chain has to move to drive the back wheel. Would'nt this force the pedals to rotate?
There is a reasonable chance that I have some things wrong or missed some points, so please let me know if this is the case so that I can use this information to assist with my decision.
Given the same motor but different voltage, 36 vs 24 means you should get better distance (speed should be the same).
I am looking for something that is 200 - 400 W. I guess 36V (going to 48V means more batteries thus more weight, 24V seems to be a bit small).
Batteries - Will certainly use either NiMH, Li, or LiPO.
I am considering using my existing bike.
My terrain does not have too many steep hills (more gentle gradients).
Any help that anyone can give me here is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.