Adding a 36v Hub Motor to Your Bike
The vast majority of e-bikes use hub motors. These are typically divided into two sub-categories based on their placement in the wheel hub: geared and direct drive.
Bafang is the largest manufacturer of e-bike hub motors. They offer front and rear geared and direct drive models that are used by many different brands.
Geared Hub Motors
Geared hub motors use a planetary gear system to lower the speed of the motor in order to increase torque output. They are commonly used on E-bikes that need a great deal of torque to overcome steep inclines. They are also more suitable for Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes that cap out at 20mph with motor assistance.
Geared motors are known for their longevity and can last a long time, especially if they are not worked too hard. They are also very quiet and a good choice for those who wish to keep the noise level down on their E-bikes.
There are several manufacturers of geared hub motors. Some examples include Neodrive, TDCM, and SR Suntour (a company that is best known for magnesium suspension components). They produce paired motor / battery / display systems that have been used on some Pegasus, Raleigh, and Rennstahl e-bikes.
Geared hub motors are not as energy efficient as direct-drive hub motors because they have to run at the wheel’s rotational speed. This can be as low as 200rpm on a 26-inch wheel or 300-400rpm on a small-wheeled E-bike. They also do not have the high torque output that is required for hill climbing. Nonetheless, they are the most common and budget-friendly form of hub motor. They add about seven pounds to your E-bike’s overall weight.
Direct Drive Hub Motors
Direct drive hub motors are the simplest and most cost-effective type of electric bicycle motor. They’re built around a big ring of strong rare-earth magnets fixed to the outer shell of the motor that, when 36v hub motor powered, drives your wheel directly. These motors are the most popular hub electric bike motors on the market, mainly because they offer more torque than equivalent mid-drive hub motors, can operate without a derailleur (which adds weight), and can fit into almost any frame design.
When a direct-drive hub motor is turned on, electricity passes through copper windings that are fixed to the shaft of the motor. This assembly is called the stator. As the magnets move and rotate around the rotor, they generate the magnetic field that causes the entire shell of the motor to turn, thereby driving your wheel.
Because these motors don’t use internal gears, they’re very quiet. But they can’t spin the rotor as quickly as geared motors, so they require more energy to get moving, are less efficient at climbing hills, and will wear out faster over time. One of the largest manufacturers of hub motors for ebikes is Bafang, which offers several rear and front hub motors up to 1000W, as well as batteries, controllers, sensors, and human machine interfaces (HMIs – displays and button pads). Bafang’s geared and direct drive hub motors can be found on a wide range of ebikes from small startup companies and large name brands like Pedego, Juiced, and Aventon.
Cadence Sensors
Pedal cadence sensors are a must-have for those who take their cycling seriously and want to maximize workout results. They help you determine the ideal cadence (the number of pedal strokes per minute) for maximum performance, endurance training and muscle building. They work by measuring the number of crank rotations and delivering data via ANT+ or BLUETOOTH Low Energy.
Cadence sensors are essentially the brains of your Ebike, telling the motor how much power to provide to you during a ride based on how fast you’re wheel motor pedaling. They are perfect for riders who want a more natural-feeling pedal assist and may not be interested in maxing out the power on their PAS.
A cadence sensor is a relatively small device that attaches to your bike’s frame and connects to the motor controller system. It’s usually made up of a ring of magnets and a hall effect sensor element that detects when the magnets pass by it. Some more advanced cadence sensors are also built with a central shaft protection sleeve to extend the life of your ebike wheel hub motor.
Both torque and cadence sensors can be found on many ebike models, but they tend to be less common in budget options. Torque sensors use more sophisticated technology, which can make them more expensive to repair and maintain. However, they also adjust the motor’s output based on your effort and can save you some battery use and wear. Find a wide selection of ebikes with torque sensors at an Aventon dealer near you!
Conversion Kits
If you want to add a 36v hub motor to your existing bike but don’t have the budget for an entirely new model, conversion kits offer an affordable solution. These systems include a motor, controller, torque arm, LED display and throttle. They’re usually easy to install and can be completed in a few hours or less.
The type of motor you choose depends on your riding needs and preferences. You also need to decide whether you want it to power the front or rear wheel and what level of electric assistance you want. Some systems come with several assistance modes to help you navigate different terrain.
Hub-motor conversion kits typically house the motor inside the hub of a wheel, and they can be installed on either the front or back of your bike. However, rear-wheel-drive systems tend to be noisier and require a larger battery. Also, they can kick up debris in the road that can wreak havoc when fixing a flat tire.
Crank-driven systems, on the other hand, use a crank sensor to deliver power directly to the chain. These systems can work on both rim and disc brakes, and they’re compatible with most frame sizes and axle standards. They can provide more torque than hub-motor systems but may wear out the drivetrain a bit faster.