{"id":26883,"date":"2023-03-23T15:54:04","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T14:54:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/emtb-test.com\/the-best-e-bike-motors-in-comparison\/"},"modified":"2024-02-15T10:38:36","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T10:38:36","slug":"best-e-bike-motors-in-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emtb-test.com\/en\/e-mountainbike-buyers-guide\/best-e-bike-motors-in-comparison\/","title":{"rendered":"The best e-bike motors in comparison"},"content":{"rendered":"
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E-MTB motor comparison: Find the best e-drive for you<\/h1>\r\nWhich mid-engine from Bosch, Shimano or Yamaha should it be? The motor is the heart of E-MTBs and a huge buying criterion for e-mountain bikes. We compare the most important E-MTB motors, go into details about the electric motors and help you find the right drive for your E-MTB. <\/b>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nAn E-MTB consists of more than 100 components, but most people only talk about one: the E-MTB motor. So it makes sense to ask yourself a few basic questions before buying an e-mountain bike: <\/strong>How powerful should the drive be? Does Bosch, Shimano or another manufacturers build the best E-MTB motor for your needs? Which engine position is right for you?\r\nClear legal requirements apply to the electric drive, that turns the bicycle into an E-MTB (strictly speaking, a “pedelec\u201d, because the motor only supports you when you pedal): The maximum permissible rated continuous output is 250 watts <\/strong> and the E-MTB motor may only provide support up to a maximum speed of 25 km\/h<\/strong>. These two points apply to all E-MTB motors<\/strong>, which we will examine in more detail in our purchase advice. Why? Because only these e-drives make sense in sporty E-mountain bikes and you need neither a driver’s license nor insurance<\/strong> to be allowed to ride them. We answer all these questions and take a look at the most exciting engines of the 2023 season.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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E-MTB motor position: Where is the motor installed on the bike?<\/h2>\r\nIs the electric motor in the middle or at the back? These two variants of motor positions have prevailed in sporty E-MTBs. On the vast majority of E-mountain bikes, the e-drive is mounted centrally around the bottom bracket, which is why it is called a mid-motor<\/strong>. If, on the other hand, the motor is located at the back of the bicycle in the rear wheel hub, this is referred to as an E-MTB with a rear motor.<\/strong> Both systems have design-related advantages and disadvantages:\r\n

1. E-MTB mid-motor: Guarantees the best riding experience<\/h3>\r\nSince E-MTB motors weigh around 2.5-4.2 kilos<\/strong>, the central motor guarantees optimal weight distribution (very central)<\/strong> and ensures that the bike has a < strong>low center of gravity<\/strong>. This benefits the handling of the bike.<\/strong> The drive in the bottom bracket area can be sensitively controlled via the cranks and it transmits its power directly into the bike’s drive train. \r\n\r\n<\/b>Another advantage of mid-motors: Motor unit and battery are close together, which simplifies connection and wiring.<\/strong> The only disadvantage of E-MTB mid-motors: The drive train is exposed to higher loads, which wears the chain and cassette.<\/strong> Due to its design-related advantages, sporty E-mountain bikes are almost exclusively built with mid-motors.<\/strong> Another indication of the triumph of the mid-motor: The largest motor manufacturers such as Bosch or Shimano produce their E-MTB drives exclusively as mid-mounted motors.<\/strong>\r\n

2. E-MTB rear motor: push from behind<\/h3>\r\nThe rear wheel motor is often found in 45 km\/h fast S-Pedelecs and sporty E-racing bikes and E-gravel bikes. This is where the rear motor shows its advantages: It is usually very quiet<\/strong>, does not wear out the chain, cassette and shifting components in the same way as a mid-drive motor and, on top of that, you can also use derailleur with a rear-wheel motor that can ride with multiple chainrings. For sporty E-MTBs, however, one disadvantage weighs too heavily: The weight of the motor is very rear-heavy and the center of gravity of the bike moves backwards.<\/strong> This is why rear motors are only found on very cheap E-mountain bike hardtails for beginners or E-road bikes. The rear wheel motors then usually come from manufacturers such as Bafang, Mahle or Neodrives.\r\n
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The engine not only influences the handling of a bike when it provides powerful support. The position and weight of a motor also has a strong influence on the handling of the entire E-mountain bike when riding downhill.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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E-MTB motors have more power than the official continuous output<\/h2>\r\nYou read them, you know them, you compare them: The official continuous output power of E-MTB motors is omnipresent when buying an E-MTB. But be wary, because the value given for most motors with 250 watts has little to do with reality.<\/strong> The Bosch Performnce CX motor or Shimano’s EP, for example, are given 250 watts of continuous nominal power. In reality, however, they deliver power peaks of well over 500 watts<\/strong>. If you pedal with a sporty 250 watts and the motor shoots in an additional 500 watts on the climb, you can climb even the steepest climbs in no time, thanks to a total output of 750 watts.\r\n

What does the official continuous power of E-MTB motors mean then?<\/h3>\r\nThe manufacturer’s specification of the rated continuous power is more or less a formal value so that manufacturers can easily achieve approval according to the European test standard. The main thing is to complete a 30-minute test without the engine overheating.<\/strong> The exact test regulations are not very specific and leave the manufacturers a lot of leeway in the design. It almost seems like a gentleman’s agreement that most major manufacturers have agreed on this value. Our conclusion on the subject: The value specified by the manufacturer is misleading. This value is fundamentally revised to really establish a practical reference. Currently, the rated continuous power output should not influence the purchase decision excessively.<\/strong>\r\n

The power development of E-MTB motors is much more meaningful than the official power output<\/h3>\r\nA meaningful indication of the performance of a motor would be the multiplication of human pedaling power. Some manufacturers such as Bosch state that their motor provides support with a maximum of 340%.<\/strong> That means: If you pedal with 100 watts, the motor will also help with a maximum of 340 watts. This information actually allows for a much better conclusion about the riding behaviour of an engine<\/strong> than the specified power output.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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There is a big difference in the noise of E-MTB drives. In particular, the new generation of light EMTB motors like Fazua or TQ outperforms the top dogs from Bosch and Shimano in this field. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Shimano in particular is known for its good app, with which you can easily adjust the individual support levels of the E-MTB motor. In the meantime all other drive manufacturers have followed suit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Heads-up: Power is not the same as torque with an E-MTB motor<\/h2>\r\nIn addition to the power output, the maximum torque of a motor is always specified<\/strong>. The two values are only related to a limited extent (via the speed). However, the maximum torque allows very good conclusions to be drawn about the motor or rather the support characteristics of the E-mountain bike.<\/strong> The torque stands for the power of the rotary movement of the motor. A high torque ensures that motors are very powerfully supported even at low speeds, e.g. when starting off. This often conveys a sporty character of the E-mountain bike. But more torque is not necessarily better<\/strong>. The character must fit your preferences. In principle, the torque specification for E-MTBs can be compared with that of cars: the higher the engine torque, the sportier the car can be accelerated. This value has a significant impact on riding behaviour, especially when starting off and shifting through the gears. It loses its importance when cruising along in a relaxed, even manner.<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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E-MTB motors: What really matters<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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The Bosch Performance CX motor is a classic in the E-MTB segment. Lots of power and super support characteristics have made the E-MTB motor the top dog among mountain bikes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Shimano’s EP8 engine is the Japanese equivalent of the German Bosch. Performance and characteristics are similar. The big advantage: the motor is a little smaller, giving the manufacturer more design freedom.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe classic E-MTB mid-motors have a rated continuous output of 250 watts, have 3-5 different levels of support that can be selected and accelerate the E-MTB up to a maximum speed of 25 km\/h. But also besides the bare engine numbers, there are some differences between the manufacturers and models<\/strong> that you should consider when looking for the right E-MTB engine:\r\n