E-Bike Motor Types: Hub vs. Mid-Drive Comparison

Written by: Rémy Rossi | March 31, 2025 | Time to read 5 min

Chocolate or vanilla? Hub or mid-drive? These are some important choices and I’m here to inform you on the e-Bike debate— the ice cream flavor feud can wait…

More about the Author: Remy Rossi

Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.

Hub drive electric bike motor and belt drive

I get asked about the difference between mid-drive and hub motors on electric bikes quite a bit, and it’s a smart question as you browse models. The type of e-Bike motor determines how the pedal assist will feel as well as other performance factors. In this article, I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each motor type so you can make the best decision on your next e-Bike!

Table of Contents

Introduction

Mid-drive motors

Hub motors

Mid-drive vs. hub motor comparison

Ride feel

Performance and hill climbing

Mid-drive motors

Mid-drive motors are located at the center of the bike between the pedals. The position near the bottom bracket and cranks allows the motor to transfer power directly to the chain or belt that propels the rear wheel.

Cannondale Moterra Neo electric mountain bike in front of yellow wall

Pros

Higher efficiency since the motor combines with the bike’s gears, resulting in more natural pedaling assistance and less strain on the motor
Balanced weight distribution due to the low-down and central location of the mid-drive motor
Mid-drive motors often produce higher torque to navigate steeper hills and climbs

Cons

Mid-drive e-Bikes are typically pricier as the frame must be specifically designed to accommodate the motor
Can put more stress on the chain and gears from the direct power transfer

Hub motors

Hub motors are built into the front or rear wheels of an electric bike, propelling the wheel forward. The added boost transfers directly to the wheel hub.

Close up of hub drive electric bike motor

Pros

Simpler design that’s easier to retrofit, access, and maintain
Discreet and sleeker form factor that won’t add bulk around the bottom bracket area of the motorized bike

Cons

Adds significant weight to either the front or rear of the bike which can influence handling
The ride feel can seem like being pushed or pulled forward rather than more natural extension of pedal power
Hub motors can be lower quality with cadence sensors instead of higher quality torque sensors for more responsive feel

Mid-drive vs. hub motor comparison

There are plenty of motor models of both types out there, but there are some general comparisons that ring true most of the time. Consider these main differences when deciding which motor is best for your ride preferences and budget. Then again, you can virtually never choose between mid-drive or hub motors on the same model— rather, use this information to confirm that the fast electric bike you’re looking at has the motor that matches your needs.

Ride feel

Mid-drive motors typically win out when it comes to providing a more natural boost and balanced ride experience. A mid-drive unit delivers power to the cranks which is where you put down your own power anyway. On the other hand, hub motors can give off the effect of being pushed or pulled along— though some riders appreciate this zippy, more energetic type of boost that can feel more like a small moped.

Performance and hill climbing

Mid-drive motors co-opt the mechanical advantage of the bike’s gears to perform well on steep gradients. The pedal assist combines with gears to reduce strain on the motor when riding uphill and increase efficiency. Mid-drive units also typically have a higher torque output than hub motors. Some hub motors have internal gears that can help on the climbs, but mid-drive motors are overwhelmingly the preferred choice of electric mountain bike riders that expect top performance on steep routes.

Weight distribution

Mechanic repairing Bosch Performance Line CX mid drive motor

Yet again, mid-drive motors have the edge here. As the name suggests, mid-drive motors are positioned centrally within the bike frame and low to the ground near the bottom bracket area. This location preserves the bike’s natural center of gravity despite adding a few pounds.

Hub-drive motors add weight to either the front or rear wheel. This extra heft can noticeably alter the handling compared to standard bikes. This is especially true with rear hub-drive e-Bikes with the batteries located within the rear rack, making for a very rear-heavy e-Bike.

Hub motors are also generally heavier than mid-drive motors, though there are exceptions. The MAHLE hub motors, for example, are used on certain premium road e-Bikes and gravel e-Bikes because of their compact and lightweight profile, ideal for fast and sleek road machines.

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Motor sensors

There are advanced electronics and sensors that determine the performance of an e-Bike motor, regardless of its position on the bike. In general, torque sensors set the bar for high performance and optimal power delivery. Cadence sensors only sense how fast you are pedaling whereas torque sensors detect how much effort you are exerting on the pedals to release the right amount of pedal assistance.

Mid-drive motors almost always have torque sensors while many simpler hub motors only have cadence sensors. Most Aventon e-Bikes have hub motors but they are equipped with torque sensors to improve acceleration and pedal assist performance.

Maintenance

High quality motors limit the amount of required or expected maintenance so you can ride worry free, but issues or component wear may happen eventually. Mid-drive motors place more stress on the chain though most setups are prepared for this with more premium and durable parts to handle the direct power transfer.

Hub motors go easy on the drivetrain but require especially strong wheels since all the force is applied to the hub and spokes. The motor position within the wheel can also make it tricky to easily remove the wheel when fixing a flat tire or conducting other maintenance tasks.

Price

In general, an electric bike with a mid-drive motor will cost more than one with a hub motor. But the type of motor isn’t always an indication of price. There are plenty of premium e-Bikes with hub motors such as road e-Bikes that take advantage of the sleeker and more compact design of hub motors. But if you’re searching for a hybrid e-Bike or e-MTB, mid-drive motors offer a great ride feel and excellent performance that’s worth the price bump.

Key Takeaways

Mid-Drive Motors for Performance: They offer a natural ride feel, better hill climbing, and balanced weight distribution, ideal for high-performance e-Bikes.
Hub Motors for Simplicity: More affordable and easier to maintain, but can feel less natural and affect handling due to added wheel weight.
Torque Sensors Matter: Mid-drive motors usually have torque sensors for smoother assist, while many hub motors rely on simpler cadence sensors.

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E-Bike Motor Types: Hub vs. Mid-Drive Comparison

Mid-drive motors

Pros

Cons

Hub motors

Pros

Cons