The short version: an e-bike is a regular bike with an electric motor and working pedals. The biggest decision you'll make is motor type. Mid-drive motors sit at the pedals and feel like a normal bike. Rear-hub motors sit in the back wheel, usually cost less, and take some getting used to.
A lot of people come into my shop after getting overwhelmed researching electric bikes. It's innovative, it's exciting, it's a competitive industry, so they'll see a huge spectrum of prices and features, and brands they know and brands they can't even pronounce, all of which call themselves "e-bikes." To add to matters, they'll dive into reviews and discover that whatever bike they're reviewing is always the best in the world, for whatever they're doing with it.
So they'll want to see them in person and make sense of it all, and that's where I come in.
For the most part, what makes an e-bike is two traits: it has an electric motor (the "E" part of the word) and it has fully operable pedals (the "bike" part). So, it's a bike, which you can pedal, and there's a motor involved somehow.
That's it, honestly.
So why all the variety? Well, there's not as much there as you'd think.
The Two Types of E-bike Motors
I like to say there's really only two types of e-bike motors out there, and it comes down to where the motor is located: whether it's in the rear wheel of the bike or in the middle of the bike.
"Rear-hub drive" e-bikes have the motor in the rear wheel
- Seen often with brands that exclusively make electric bikes
- Mostly seen on budget-minded bikes
- Noticeable lag and less precise response
- Have a learning curve
- Often can engage by throttle
"Mid-drive" e-bikes have their motor in the middle of the bike, by the pedals
- Usually seen with brands that make analog bikes as well as electric bikes
- More-immediate engagement and disengagement
- Smoother, more precise response
- Most commonly seen on mid-range to higher-end bikes
- Rarely function with a throttle
- Tend to feel more like traditional bikes
There are always exceptions to the "motor position" rule above, but they tend to be very niche.
- Front hub motors are usually seen in analog bikes converted to electric (it's mechanically simpler than converting the rear).
- Dual-motor systems put a motor in both wheels, or one in the middle paired with a wheel. Great for hunting, fishing, or hauling an animal carcass through uncharted territory.
- "Moto Style" e-bikes will use a long motorcycle-style seat. That means you can't adjust seat height, so you won't get a comfortable leg extension when pedaling and end up relying on the throttle.
Bottom line: if you like the way a traditional bike feels, you'll prefer a mid-drive motor.
Mid-Drive vs Rear-Hub: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Mid-Drive | Rear-Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Motor location | At the pedals | In the rear wheel |
| Ride feel | Like a normal bike | Takes some getting used to |
| Response | Smooth, precise | Some lag |
| Throttle | Rarely | Often |
| Price | Mid-range to higher-end | More budget-friendly |
| Best for | Riders who care how it feels | Riders who want throttle and lower cost |
Just Like Riding a Bike
Bike people are notorious for worshipping their bikes and their experiences on them; getting spiritual about them, giving them names, and I'm aware that's what I sound like when I say mid-drive e-bikes "feel like bikes." While, yes, my bikes do have names, everyone knows what a bike feels like, whether they know it or not.
That's how everyone understands what we mean when we say something is "just like riding a bike."
How mid-drive e-bikes feel more like bikes is actually incredibly simple. Traditional bicycles transfer our leverage forces (torque) into forward motion (wheel rotation) through an intermediary mechanism (a chain). Mid-drives feel like a bike because they apply their torque at the same point as us: that chain. They work in lock-step with the rider.
Rear-drive e-bikes, however, override the mechanism of a bicycle. You pedal, the wheel rotates and negates the torque that you're putting into the gearing. Hence: a gap between you and the bike's response.
A Note on Sensors: Torque vs. Cadence
Adding to their physical positioning, mid-drive e-bikes tend to be dual-sensor systems as well, responding to both rider torque (how hard we pedal) and cadence (how fast we pedal).
In solely torque-sensing systems, you'll downshift to go up a hill, but get less motor help because downshifting reduces your torque output. In cadence-sensing systems, you'll start off in an easy gear, but get jarring acceleration because you're giving high cadence. Rear-hub e-bikes, because they're typically budget-minded, tend to be simpler and therefore will usually respond to a single factor at a time. Hence: a learning curve.
Mid-drives, because they want to feel like bikes, will more often be dual-sensor systems. They're far more complex, all to simplify the rider's experience. Think of it like making a cocktail with a better brand of vodka: all you taste is martini, no potato.
What Now?
After all that, all it comes down to is where you want to go for your rides. Wherever that is, there's a bike that's perfect for it (usually two). Pick out a couple bikes and go for some test rides. Here are a few of my picks.
Mid Drive
- Specialized Como: a smooth, natural ride paired with a relaxed posture, it's perfect for pavement and bad pavement. Basically, a recliner with a motor.
- Specialized Levo: the smoothest, most precisely modulated motor you'll ever ride, with the power to get up any mountain and the suspension to take it down.
- Aventon Level ADV: incredibly playful mid-drive at a budget price, it'll handle good pavement, bad pavement, and lighter off-road use with ease. Lots of bells and whistles any commuter would love.
Rear Hub
- Aventon Pace: Aventon's version of the Como above, it's upright, relaxed, and comfortable, but paired with a rear-hub motor so it has a bit of a learning curve and throttle functionality.
- Globe Haul: Specialized's Globe cargo e-bike is long, low, and stable enough to take the whole family for a ride.
- Super73 M1D: Perfect for the kid who wants an electric motorcycle or the adult who still kind of does as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an e-bike?
An e-bike is a regular bicycle with an electric motor and fully operable pedals. You can pedal it like any bike, with the motor adding assistance.
What's the difference between mid-drive and rear-hub motors?
A mid-drive motor sits at the pedals and feels like a normal bike. A rear-hub motor sits in the rear wheel, usually costs less, and takes some getting used to. Mid-drive feels more natural; rear-hub is more budget-friendly and often has a throttle.
Are e-bikes hard to ride?
No. If you can ride a bike, you can ride an e-bike. Mid-drive motors feel especially natural since they work in sync with your pedaling. Rear-hub motors have a slight learning curve because of how they respond.
Which e-bike is right for me?
It comes down to where you want to ride. Pick a couple of bikes that fit your riding and take them for a test ride.
Writer's Bio
Andrew "Stimpy" Stimpson
General Manager at ERIK'S Electric Bikes - Scottsdale
After hating bikes growing up, I got into them in my 20s out of spite. That was fifteen years ago, and the spite left but the bikes didn't.
