Buy Electric Motor For Bicycle
Effective April 2020 - the law allows people to operate bicycles with electric assist (e-bikes) on some streets and highways in New York State.Effective August 2, 2020 - the law allows people to operate electric scooters (e-scooters) and bicycles with electric assist (e-bikes) on some streets and highways in New York State.
buy electric motor for bicycle
You cannot register or operate any of the motorized devices from the list below on any street, highway, parking lot, sidewalk or other area in New York State that allows public motor vehicle traffic. You may be arrested if you do.
An electric bike wouldn\u2019t be an electric bike without its motor and battery.\nThere\u2019s a range of different motor systems out there from different brands, all of which will help you enjoy the benefits of riding an electric bike.\nWhile there are a few big-name electric bike motor brands that dominate the market, such as Bosch and Shimano, there are also a number of smaller emerging brands that are gaining traction and market share.\nMany bike makers mix and match motors from different brands across their range. Canyon, for example, uses motors from Shimano Steps, Bosch and Fazua in its ebike line-up, depending on the demands of the bike.\nEach motor tends to be selected for its performance characteristics and how well it fits with the intended use of each ebike model.\nRead our test of the best electric mountain bike motors for an in-depth look at the most popular systems used on eMTBs.\nBefore you do that, you may want to check out our in-depth beginner\u2019s guide, where we answer the question, what is an electric bike?\nElectric bike motor and battery placement explained\nThe vast majority of electric bikes will house their motor in one of three different positions.\nFront-hub motors\n\n Many cheap ebikes and electric bike conversion kits use front-hub motors. Swytch\nFront-hub motors tend to be the preserve of electric bikes designed for commuting, such as electric hybrids and electric folding bikes. They\u2019re also a common feature on cheap electric bikes.\nMany electric bike conversion kits also use front-hub motors.\nMid-mounted motors\n\n Electric bike motors are most commonly mounted in the bottom bracket area. Ian Linton\nMid-mounted motors sit in the area where the bottom bracket is usually found.\nMid-mounted motors are found across all different types of electric bikes. They work particularly well for electric mountain bikes because the weight is central and low down\nRear-hub motors\n\n Many electric road bikes house their motor in the rear hub. Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media\nRear-hub motors are usually found on hybrids and some of the best electric road bikes.\nRear-hub motors look very sleek and, at first glance, it\u2019s often hard to tell the bike they\u2019re fitted to is an electric bike.\nBattery placement\n\n Batteries are usually mounted on the down or seat tube, or integrated into the bike. Russell Burton \/ Our Media\nBatteries, meanwhile, might be mounted on top of the down tube or along the front of the seat tube.\nInternal batteries housed in the down tube that are either removable or fixed in place are also a popular option, particularly on mountain bikes.\nSome city hybrids often have the battery mounted under the luggage rack.\nA removable battery has the advantage that you can take it indoors to charge it, whereas you\u2019ll need an electrical socket close to your bike to charge it otherwise. On the other hand, a non-removable battery may look neater, is better protected and less prone to theft.\nElectric bike motor power and torque explained\n\n Electric mountain bikes typically have high-torque motors to help riders tackle steep off-road climbs. Ian Linton\nElectric bike motor power output is normally measured in watts.\nElectric bike laws in most countries state a motor\u2019s continuous power output has to be limited to 250 watts. The majority of motors can put out over the 250 watts maximum power allowed, providing considerably higher peak power over short time periods.\nA motor\u2019s maximum torque is the more important performance figure. The peak torque a motor is able to deliver also varies more between motor systems.\nDenoted in Newton metres, or Nm, this measures how much turning force the motor gives out.\nOn an electric mountain bike, you\u2019ll find situations where it\u2019s important to have plenty of torque on hand to help you quickly get over obstacles and up steep gradients.\nThe best electric mountain bikes typically come with higher-spec motor systems with higher torque output, and the same is true of electric cargo bikes.\nElectric gravel bikes or road bikes may not require as much oomph, or a manufacturer may choose to spec a less powerful motor to provide a more natural ride feel.\nAssistance levels and displays\n\n Bosch\u2019s Kiox head unit gives a full-colour display with multiple screens and tons of information. Warren Rossiter \/ Immediate media\nElectric bike motor systems typically come with a separate controller so you can set the assistance level you want. There are usually between three and five assistance levels, offering an increasing amount of power, as well as the option to pedal without assistance, useful if you\u2019re trying to get fit on your electric bike.\nAs you\u2019d expect, the less assistance you dial in, the longer the ebike\u2019s battery will last. It\u2019s a good idea to dial it up when you hit obstacles such as a hill or for stop\/start riding, and drop it down again when the terrain is easier.\nSome systems have an option called \u2018boost\u2019 or \u2018turbo\u2019 mode. This gives you extra power above 250 watts to help with quick starts or steep climbs.\n\n An ebike display will tell you what mode you\u2019re in, how fast you\u2019re going and how much battery power you have left. Ian Linton \/ Immediate Media\nThe controller usually sits on the bike\u2019s handlebar, although some are set into the top tube. Designs vary from those that give you a screen with loads of stats, sometimes including navigation, through to a minimalist single button and LEDs to show battery and assistance levels.\nMost electric bike motor systems come with an app, which you can use to monitor their status and battery life.\nSome allow you to change settings such as the amount of assistance you get at each level, and some use your smartphone as the controller for the ebike. Many apps give you navigation, ride stats and other data too.\n\nMid-drive motor systems\nThe key electric motor brands using mid-drive motor placement are Bosch, Shimano Steps and Fazua. It\u2019s an option chosen by other brands who produce their own motor systems, such as Giant and Specialized.\nBosch electric bike motors explained\n\n Bosch offers a wide range of motors for a variety of electric bikes. Robert Smith\nBosch has six different variants of its mid-drive motor unit, with some having hub gear and derailleur gear variants.\nMost are limited to 25kph (the legal limit for electric assistance in the UK, the EU and Australia). The Performance Line Speed motor is limited to 45kph for use in speed pedelec bikes.\nAll offer four levels of assistance, with the maximum torque on offer ranging from 40Nm for the Active Line units up to 85Nm for the Performance Line CX. Motor weights are between 2.9kg and 3.2kg.\nYou\u2019re more likely to see the Performance Line CX motors on electric mountain bikes and electric gravel bikes, which demand plenty of torque. Bosch Active Line motors are more commonly seen on electric hybrid bikes.\nBosch has packaged together its Performance Line CX motor, Flow app, remote control, Kiox 300 head unit and batteries with up to 725Wh capacity into what it calls its Smart System. This is designed to offer chronic tinkerers the greatest level of customisation possible.\n\n The Performance Line CX is Bosch\u2019s most powerful motor. Focus Bikes\nBosch\u2019s PowerPack batteries are designed to be mounted on top of the bike\u2019s down tube or under a rear rack. Bosch PowerTube batteries are housed inside the frame. There\u2019s the option to add a second battery in some cases, to boost range.\nThe six controller options are designed to be mounted either on the bike\u2019s handlebars or, in the case of the System Controller, integrated into the top tube and include LED displays. Three apps enable you to use your smartphone to control and monitor the motor.\nYou can find Bosch motors fitted to ebikes from many brands, including Cannondale, Canyon and Cube.\nBosch electric bike motor specs\n\n \ufeffMotor weightPeak powerPeak torqueBosch Performance Line CX2.9kg250 watts85Nm Bosch Performance Line Speed2.9kg250 watts85Nm Bosch Performance Line 3.2kg250 watts75Nm Bosch Cargo Line2.9kg250 watts85Nm Bosch Active Line Plus3.2kg250 watts50Nm Bosch Active Line2.9kg250 watts40Nm \n\nBosch electric bike battery options\nBattery capacity: 300-725Wh\nBattery weight: 2.5-4.0kg\nShimano Steps electric bike motors explained\n\n EP8 motor boasts up to 85Nm of peak torque. Andy Lloyd \/ Marin Bikes\nShimano has targeted its Steps motor system at urban and eMTB riders, although it\u2019s now expanding its support to e-road and e-gravel bikes too, offering integration with its Di2 electronic groupset shifters.\nThere are five motors available. The mountain bike-oriented E7000 and latest EP6 and EP8 models come with 60Nm or 85Nm torque and a large-capacity battery of up to 630Wh. This can be mounted either externally on the down tube or within the frame.\nThe EP801 motor (more commonly known as EP8) replaced Shimano\u2019s original EP8000 motor. This matches the 85Nm torque output of Bosch\u2019s highest-output Performance Line CX, while dropping the weight from the other MTB-oriented Steps motors.\nThe Q-factor (the distance between the pedals) is also narrower for better ergonomics. Maximum range has also been upped by 20 per cent.\nShimano says the new EP6 motor provides the output of the EP8 in a more affordable package. It\u2019s slightly heavier though. Both the EP6 and EP8 motors offer features such as automatic shifting when paired with an electronic groupset, and a system to allow shifting without needing to pedal.\n\n Shimano\u2019s Steps E6100 system is aimed at electric commuting bikes. Triumph Motorcycles\nMeanwhile, the E6100 motor is aimed at hybrid ebikes. Weighing 2.8kg, it gives 60Nm torque and can offer automatic gear shifting when paired to a Di2 groupset. Like the MTB units, it can be powered by batteries with between 418Wh and 630Wh capacity. Thse can be mounted on a pannier rack, or on external or internal frame mounting.\nThe EP8 Cargo, EP6 Cargo and E6100 Cargo are \u2013 as the name suggests \u2013 designed for use on cargo bikes. These give higher torque from lower speeds compared to the standard units.\nShimano offers connectivity with third-party batteries for higher capacity heading up to 1,000Wh or more for electric cargo bike use.\nFinally, the E5000 motor, with lower torque, is designed for use on electric hybrid bikes.\nShimano Steps motors specs\n\n \ufeffMotor weightPeak powerPeak torqueShimano Steps EP8 (EP801)2.7kg250 watts85Nm Shimano Steps EP6 (EP600)3.0kg250 watts85Nm Shimano Steps E70002.8kg250 watts60Nm Shimano Steps E61002.8kg250 watts60Nm Shimano Steps E50002.4kg250 watts40Nm \n\nShimano Steps battery specs\nBattery capacity: 418-630Wh\nBattery weight: 2.6-3kg\nFazua electric bike motors explained\n\n Fazua\u2019s lightweight motor is most commonly found on electric road and hybrid bikes. Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media\nFazua currently offers a range of three motors. The German brand\u2019s kit is used on a number of top-drawer ebikes, from the likes of Pinarello, Look and Trek.\nTheir low weight, internal placement and small profile make them a popular choice for electric road bikes. The Fazua system\u2019s progressive assistance is often cited as replicating the sensation of riding a non-assisted road bike. They can also be found on some hybrids and electric mountain bikes.\nThe motor sits at the bottom end of the down tube, with the battery housed further up the tube. Both are removable as a single unit in the original Evation and Ride 50, so you can potentially ride your ebike like a non-assisted bike too.\nThe motor supplies power via a proprietary bottom bracket that provides two-sided torque and cadence measurement.\n\n The Fazua battery is mounted in the down tube. Peter Bender \/ Canyon\nFazua offers both bar-mounted and top-tube integrated controllers. There\u2019s also a Boost button that lets the unit hit 450 watts while it\u2019s held down.\nFazua\u2019s latest motor is the Ride 60. This offers 60Nm torque from a motor weighing 1.96kg paired with a 432Wh battery weighing 2.3kg.\nUnlike the Evation and Ride 50, the bottom bracket and motor unit are a single piece, so there\u2019s no option to remove the motor.\nThe Fazua Ride 50 has 58Nm torque and the motor weighs 1.8kg. It\u2019s powered by a 252Wh battery weighing 1.4kg. There are two versions, the Trail and Street, which are tuned differently for the different needs in these two environments.\nFinally, there\u2019s the original Fazua Evation motor and battery with 55Nm torque and weighing 4.6kg for the motor, battery and drive pack. We\u2019re likely to see this replaced over time by Fazua\u2019s newer units, because these have the same form factor but offer improved output characteristics.\nFazua specs\n\n \ufeffMotor weightPeak powerTorqueBattery capacityBattery weightRide 602.0kg450 watts60Nm430Wh2.3kg Ride 50 Trail\/Street1.8kg (plus 1.2kg for the bottom bracket)350 watts58Nm252Wh1.4kg Evation1.9kg (plus 1.3kg for the bottom bracket)450 watts55Nm252Wh1.4kg \n\nYamaha electric bike motors explained\n\n Giant uses its own branding on Yamaha motors. Matthew Loveridge \/ Immediate Media\nYamaha makes five different motor systems, with Giant and Haibike being the major users of its motors (though Giant rebrands the motors as its own).\nTorque output ranges from 85Nm for its PW-X3 motor, which is geared towards eMTBs, through to 50Nm for the PWseries CE.\nThere\u2019s also the 45kph PW-X2, which offers 500 watts maximum power.\nYamaha\u2019s electric bike motors are paired with a range of batteries with between 400Wh and 600Wh capacity. These can be mounted internally or externally.\nThere are three controller options with bar-mounted displays, two of which have a separate bar-mounted remote. This can be sited closer to the handlebar grips for ease of use when riding.\nYamaha electric bike motor specs\n\n \ufeffMotor weightPeak powerTorqueYamaha PW-X32.8kg250 watts85Nm Yamaha PW-X2 453.1kg500 watts80Nm Yamaha PWseries TE3.4kg250 watts60Nm Yamaha PWseries CE3kg250 watts50Nm PWseries S22.9kg250 watts75Nm \n\nYamaha battery stats\nBattery capacity: 400-600Wh\nBattery weight: 2.8-3.8kg\nSpecialized electric bike motors explained\n\n Specialized\u2019s own-brand Turbo SL 1.1 motor is considerably lighter than most other designs. Oli Woodman \/ Immediate Media\nSpecialized uses its own-brand motors in its ebikes. The motors are manufactured by German brand, Brose. They come in two flavours.\nThe more powerful range of motors is used in Specialized \u20184x You\u2019 ebikes.\nThe lighter-weight, less powerful motor is used in its Turbo SL ebikes, which Specialized calls 2x You to reflect the lower level of assistance on offer.\nThe lighter-weight SL 1,2 motor has a torque output of 35Nm and is powered by a 320Wh battery.\nSpecializes says the latest-generation, heavier-duty 2.2 motor is 15 per cent smaller and 11 per cent lighter than its predecessor. It can put out 565W peak power (250W continuously rated) and 90Nm peak torque. Specialized also uses the slightly less powerful 2.0 motor in some of its ebikes, including the Turbo Tero urban\/mountain bike, which has 70Nm peak torque.\nThe more powerful models are paired with batteries between 500Wh and 710Wh. Quoted ranges are around 130km for hybrid and road bikes, and around five hours ride time for eMTBs. According to Specialized, the range of its e-road bikes can be extended up to 195km or more with its Range Extender, which sits in the bottle cage.\n\n Specialized\u2019s electric mountain bikes use the company\u2019s own-brand motors. Etienne Schoeman\nSpecialized has its own displays too, along with Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity for fine-tuning via the brand\u2019s Mission Control smartphone app.\nSpecialized Turbo specs\n\n \ufeffMotor weightPeak powerTorqueBattery capacityBattery weightSpecialized Turbo 1.12.0kg240W35Nm320Wh (internal), 160Wh (Range Extender)1.8kg (internal), 1kg (range extender) Specialized Turbo 2.0\/2.23.4kg565W70\/85Nm500 - 710Wh2.5-3.6kg \n\nTQ electric bike motors explained\n\n The TQ motor is compact and lightweight. Trek\nTQ is a new entrant in the electric bike motor game. Its background is in robotics and aerospace.\nThe motor system debuted on the Trek Fuel EXe trail mountain bike. This was followed by the Domane+ SLR and AL road bikes. It\u2019s also used by BMC on the Fourstroke AMP LT.\nThe TQ HPR50 motor uses a one-step direct drive speed reduction system rather than the more usual multi-stage gears or belts. TQ says this makes its motor lighter and quieter, and less prone to wear.\n\n The integrated display screen sits in the top tube. Steve Behr \/ Our Media\nTQ quotes a motor weight of 1,850g, with a narrow 135mm bottom bracket width. Peak power is 300W and peak torque 50Nm. It\u2019s powered by a\u00a0360Wh battery weighing 1,950g for a total system weight of 3.9kg.\nTQ has a control panel integrated into the top tube and you choose between the three assistance levels via small buttons mounted on the handlebars. As usual, there\u2019s a smartphone app, or you can use Trek\u2019s own Trek Central app to control its ebikes.\nTQ HPR50 specs\n\n \ufeffMotor weightPeak powerTorqueBattery capacityBattery weightTQ HPR501.85kg300W50Nm360Wh1.95kg \n\nRear-hub motor systems\nPositioning a motor in the rear hub works well on road and hybrid ebikes, where there\u2019s not as much need to shift your weight around compared to riding an eMTB.\nBecause much of the rider\u2019s weight sits over the rear wheel, there\u2019s plenty of traction. Since the motor\u2019s power isn\u2019t going through the drivetrain, there\u2019s also no extra wear and no need to beef it up to deal with the motor\u2019s torque.\nThe Q-factor of some mid-mounted motors can be quite wide (although motor makers have worked to reduce it to normal bike measures), so drivetrain alignment and rider fit can be an issue too. Placing the motor inside the hub gets around this issue because they work with standard cranksets.\nMahle ebikemotion motors explained\n\n Mahle\u2019s ebikemotion system is based in the rear hub. Simon Bromley \/ Immediate Media\nThe Mahle ebikemotion system has a rear-hub motor, powered by an internal battery in the down tube.\nMahle now has two ebikemotion rear-hub motors \u2013 the original X35 and the newer, more compact X20.\nThe original X35 motor has 40Nm power output, while the new X20 ups that to 55Nm. Both systems have batteries of around 250Wh, while the X20 also has a 350Wh option.\nThe total system weight for the X20 is claimed to be 3.2kg. The X35 comes in at a claimed weight of 3.5kg. This low weight sees it specced on some of the lightest ebikes on the market.\nIts compact size makes for a bike profile that\u2019s not that different from a regular pedal-powered bike. There\u2019s the option to add a bottle cage battery to double the range.\nThere are quite a few bike brands using the Mahle ebikemotion rear-hub motor in their road bikes, including Orbea, Wilier, Colnago