Electric bicycles are rapidly becoming more popular and widespread in the modern world. As more people invest in e-bikes, the technology advances, and the variety of products available widens.

The wide variety of electric bike equipment on the market has led many to wonder about a particular component, the dual mode controller. What are these controllers and do you need one?

Dual mode e-bike controllers receive signals from both Hall sensors and non-Hall sensors. An e-bike dual mode controller typically continues to sense motor rotation even if the non-Hall sensors fail. Thus, the motor will continue to work unlike it would with a single mode controller.

There are several types of e-bike controllers, and one that has generated much talk is the dual mode controller. There is little comprehensive information available about this piece of e-bike hardware, so it’s time to shed some light on the subject.

Continue reading and I’ll help you learn what a dual mode electric bike controller is and whether or not you need one.

What Is A Dual Mode E-Bike Controller?

In the world of electric bicycles, there are generally two types of controllers that govern all the electric components, including the motor. One of the most popular is a relatively new type of electric bike controller known as a dual mode.

A dual mode electric bike controller is one that is able to function well for motors with and without Hall sensors. If a controller is not dual mode capable, it will only function well with or without a Hall sensor, respectively. 

This is a critical feature for a modern electric bike controller. If an electric bike motor is equipped with a Hall sensor, as most brushless dc motors are, and the controller that’s installed onto the e-bike requires these sensors to work, then the motor will fail if the sensor signals fail. This is very likely to happen in due course.

Inversely, if the motor in the e-bike is designed without a Hall sensor, as most brush motors are, it’ll be quite different. If the controller requires a replacement, and a motor that requires a Hall sensor is installed, the controller will not function to control the motor at all.

Specifically, a dual mode controller is one that’ll function well for both types of electric bike motors, whether they are equipped with Hall sensor drive or not.

Having one on your e-bike is ideal if your e-bike has a motor with a Hall effect sensor, as these sensors are very sensitive and likely to break or fail. In case of failure, the controller will then continue to function and effectively control the motor.

If you’re doing an electric bike conversion, your best bet is to build your bike with a motor with Hall sensors and add a controller that is compatible.

Take a look at full conversion kits with dual mode controllers on Amazon.

What Is The Hall Effect?

The Hall effect is often spoken of with regards to e-bike brushless dc motors and we understand that is an important factor to consider. But few of us fully understand it and why it’s important for e-bikes.

The Hall effect is essentially how an electric current affects a magnetic field. Measuring this effect is an excellent way to detect discrepancies within an electrical current and is a highly effective means of detecting and correcting changes within the source of an electric current.

This is, of course, a very over-simplified explanation, but it serves to answer the question as the Hall effect relates to electric bicycles.

Why Is The Hall Effect Important for Electric Bikes?

The Hall effect is important because it is a very effective means of measuring the position of the brushless motor so that the electric bike controller can effectively make adjustments in power at the perfect moment to fully utilize the capabilities of the electric motor.

Hall effect sensors are very small and can fit well within even the smallest e-bike motors. Using these sensors to accurately detect the position of the motor at any given moment is the most efficient way of using the energy that the motor has available.

This efficient use of energy prolongs the expected lifespan of the motor, extends battery life by lowering battery consumption, and provides more power from the motor, as the motor can be used to its full capacity without the unnecessary loss of power.

Hall effect sensors make use of magnets to detect changes in the electrical current passing through the motor and transmit that information to the electric bike controller. It can then make the appropriate adjustments to how the motor is running in order to coax maximum efficiency from the motor.

For this reason, the Hall effect is very important for electric bicycles. Without using this method of electrical detection, e-bikes would not be as fast, powerful, or efficient as they are today.

Do All E-Bike Controllers Have Hall Sensors?

Hall sensors are an important innovation in electric bicycle technology. These sensors have allowed electric bike motors to be more effectively utilized and have made e-bikes more powerful and useable as a result. But do they all have these sensors?

Not all e-bike controllers are equipped with the ability to receive information from a Hall sensor, and not all e-bike motors are equipped with them. Modern brushless electric motors used in e-bikes usually have a Hall sensor while standard brush motors don’t. 

Using this type of sensor in electric bike drive systems has not always been the standard. Before these sensors were used, there were other, more ineffective methods of regulating power to the motor and controlling how well it is used. But none of them were as accurate as Hall effect sensors.

Some e-bikes are not equipped with these sensors simply because they aren’t necessary. Many pedal-assist electric bikes don’t require such sophisticated motor management control and so only have a non Hall sensor.

However, the ones that are equipped with both sensors are far more efficient, powerful, and effective than those without.

Learn more about how to add an electric bike controller!

Why Is Dual Mode Necessary For Electric Bike Controllers?

Dual mode controllers are optional for e-bikes, and not always a requirement. Why are these controllers necessary for some electric bicycles and not for others, and what makes them so important?

Dual mode is a name that describes an e-bike controllers’ ability to function with or without a Hall sensor drive to manage the efficiency of the electric motor within the e-bike. This is necessary in case the sensors in a motor fail and provide an electric bike controller that is somewhat universal.

The ability of an e-bike controller to function well for controlling the motor is essential for the operation of the electrical components of the bike. If an electric bike is equipped with a Hall sensor, and those sensors fail, a standard controller will also fail.

However, if the same e-bike is equipped with a dual mode controller and the Hall sensor fails, the controller will continue to function. The functionality of the controller will be somewhat limited, and the system won’t be as efficient, but the e-bike will continue to function without grinding to a halt.

Check out the cost of e-bike controllers on Amazon

These types of motors are necessary to maintain the function of an e-bike that is equipped with Hall effect sensors in the event that the sensors fail. These sensors are known to be fragile and likely to break over time, even with minor accidents or bumps.

If the controller was affected by this, the electric bike wouldn’t function.

The other important reason why dual mode e-bike controllers are necessary is that they unlock the full potential of the motor and electrical system. 

Without this type of controller, any sophisticated e-bike will have diminished performance and power capabilities.

How Do Hall Effect Sensors Break?

Hall effect sensors are known to fail. This is why dual mode controllers exist… but what causes this type of sensor to fail so readily?

These sensors are nothing but small magnets that are connected to an electrical circuit. They’re effective because they are delicate. If they were more robust, they wouldn’t be as effective for detecting discrepancies in the electrical currents from the motor.

The delicate nature of Hall effect sensors means that they can be caused to fail by too much jostling, by an electrical surge, or even by wear and tear.

This means that they’re also likely to break far more quickly than other components in an electric bicycle’s electronic system. A large bump or a small accident is likely to cause damage to a Hall sensor signals.

The same is true for a power surge from improperly disconnecting a battery or even from overcharging a battery. These sensors also simply wear out over time.

For these reasons, it’s essential that electric bikes with Hall effect sensors are equipped with dual mode controllers so that the bike will still function when the sensors fail.

Find out how to test an electric bike controller (and how long they should last)!

Hall Effect Vs. Non-Hall Effect Motors

When discussing dual mode electric bike controllers and what they are good for, it’s important to understand the motors that this type of controller is intended to function with. At the end of it, a dual mode electric bike controller is intended to function well with motors that make use of Hall sensor signals.

Motors that are equipped with a hall sensor drive can very accurately detect the position of the motor and send information to the controller. Non-Hall sensor motors do not have these sensors, and so they are not as controllable.

Hall Effect Motors

The dual mode electric bike controller is designed to function with hall sensing motors. These controllers are more sophisticated and offer a greater level of control over the more sophisticated motor.

Motors without hall effect sensors only require the use of single mode controllers. These motors cannot be controlled to the same degree that motors with Hall effect sensors can.

The dual mode controllers that are typically used in conjunction with motors that are equipped with Hall effect sensors have the ability to control the motor even if the sensor signals fail.

This is important because motors that are equipped with these sensors are likely to have component failure at some point in their working lifespan. This is the biggest drawback to using this type of motor. 

Non-Hall Effect Motors

Motors without Hall effect sensors are very unlikely to experience component failure unless the motor is damaged. For this reason, these motors can use more standard and less sophisticated controllers.

Bicycle motors that are not equipped with Hall effect sensors are less controllable, as there are fewer methods of controlling the motor due to the lack of measurements taken from the motor to send to the electric bike controller.

This means that these motors are far less powerful, far less efficient, and far less useful than motors that are equipped with Hall effect sensors.

However, the less sophisticated motors are often far more reliable and far more robust. These motors are less likely to sustain damage and thus are very well suited for more rugged or off-road electric bicycles, such as electric mountain bikes and fat tire e-bikes.

Overall, motors with Hall effect sensors are much more powerful, much more useful, and far more efficient than motors without these sensors. This is simply because there is more information sent to the electric bike controller, allowing it to more accurately use the capabilities of the motor, making adjustments as the motor runs.

Dual Mode Vs. Single Mode Electric Bike Controllers: Pros And Cons

Dual mode controllers can be used on motors that are equipped with a hall sensor and those without. These motors are versatile, and they are far more accurate controllers, but there are some drawbacks to using this type of controller.

Single mode controllers are another option. These are less sophisticated, but they have some advantages that dual mode controllers don’t.

You should understand these advantages and disadvantages before doing an e-bike conversion so that you purchase the correct parts. You can find out more in my article about conversion kits.

Let’s compare both types of motors and weigh their pros and cons against one another in order to better understand which is the best motor in which circumstances.

Dual Mode E-Bike Controllers: Pros

Some pros of dual mode controllers (check them out on Amazon) include:

• They better utilize electric motors.
• They are better controllers.
• They can be used for almost any motor.
• They are very versatile.
• They function if a Hall sensor fails.

Dual Mode E-Bike Controllers: Cons

Some cons include:

• They are expensive.
• They are difficult to install.
• They are delicate.
• They have more components that are likely to fail than less sophisticated controllers.

Single Mode Electric Bike Controllers: Pros

Some pros of single mode controllers (check them out on Amazon) include:

• Single mode controllers are simple to use and easy to install.
• They are very robust.
• They can be used on any motor, as long as the correct controller for the motor is used.
• Single mode controllers are affordable.

Single Mode Electric Bike Controllers: Cons

Some cons of single mode controllers include:

• They will not function if a Hall sensor fails.
• They don’t fully utilize electric motors.
• They offer less control.
• Not just any single mode controller can be used with an electric motor.

Conclusion

At the end of it, dual mode controllers are the best type of electric bicycle motor controllers for those who want to get the most from their e-bike.

They are sophisticated and difficult to install, but if you use a brushless motor with a Hall sensor on your e-bike, there is no other motor that will offer more control, performance, or efficiency.

This type of controller will also allow the motor to continue to function if the sensors fail, rather than causing the motor itself to stop functioning.

These controllers are generally the best option for all electric bike enthusiasts.

Are the best e-bikes for young adults the ones that are the fastest? Or ones that are foldable or easy to lift? Or is it a reasonable price that makes an electric bike the best one?

When you’re an adult in your 20s or 30s, the best electric bike is typically one that is:

• good for city commuting
• rideable on dirt and pavement
• powerful and fast
• priced on the low end of good quality bikes ($900-$1999) 

Because your lifestyle can change a lot during these years, you may start to think you need a new e-bike that better suits your needs within 1-3 years after buying your first one.  So, you don’t want to spend too much money on the first one. But you also want to make sure you find one that’ll meet your needs for as long as possible.

Here’s a list of the best electric bikes that meet those criteria no matter whether you’re a 20-year-old young adult in college or a 30-year-old just out to have fun:

Best E-Bikes for Adults in their 20’s and 30’s	Best for City or Trail Riding	Foldable	Motor Power	Tires (Wheel Size vs Tire Width)	Approximate Price
RadExpand	BOTH	YES	750W Hub	20”x4.0”	$1599
RadRunner	BOTH	NO	750W Hub	20”x3.3”	$1499+
Ride1Up LMT’D	CITY	NO	750W Hub	27.5″ X 2.4″	$1895
Lectric XP	BOTH	YES	500W Hub	20”x3.0”	$999+
Schwinn Marshall	CITY	NO	250W Hub	27.5”x2.3”	$1599
Ecotric Leopard Electric Mountain Bike	TRAIL	NO	500W Hub	26”x2.35”	$1029
Magicycle Cruiser Fat Tire	TRAIL	NO	750W Hub	26”x4” (Fat Tire)	$1999+
Ecotric Fat Tire Folding E-bike	BOTH	YES	500W Hub	20”x4” (Fat Tire)	$889
RadRover Plus	BOTH	NO	750W Hub	26”x4” (Fat Tire)	$1999

It’s a good idea to look into your future for 3 years or so to determine what will meet your needs until then, so you’re not throwing down money on another new pedal assist electric bike in that short time.

Continue reading and I’ll help you determine which is the right bike for a rider who’s your age and has your ever-changing lifestyle.

What are the Most Popular Electric Bikes for Adults in Their 20s and 30s?

The most popular electric bikes for adults in their 20s and 30s are those that do one of two things:

1. Help with the commute or getting around town
2. Offer great trail riding capabilities and ride well on most terrains

These sound like two completely different types of bikes… basically, one that rides on pavement and one that rides on dirt or sand.

But the truth is, the most popular electric bike for a 20-year-old or 30-year-old is a hybrid. A hybrid electric bike can ride smoothly on the road and tackle dirt trails, which is why it’s in demand.

This type of electric bike is best for younger adults who want a little of everything and don’t want to worry about where they might ride next.

Because hybrids generally have wider tires, they can ride over rougher terrain than any electric road bike or electric commuter bike. However, you’ll want to consider the best tire pressure for the type of riding you’ll be doing that day (lowering the tire pressure for rougher terrain and loose ground).

Plus, there are a lot of different features on various hybrid e-bike models, giving you the flexibility to choose the right ones for your age and lifestyle. So there’s bound to be one that’s a perfect fit!

Read how hybrid e-bikes are different from electric road bikes

What are the Best Hybrid Electric Bikes for Adults?

One of the most popular electric bike brands, Rad Power Bikes, also has some of the best hybrid electric bikes for adults. They can cover both your off-road and cargo needs, such as for carrying a surfboard.

Check them out.

RadExpand E-Bike

The most notable thing about the RadMini folding electric bike is its 4.0” wide tires with 20” wheels.

These tires will get you over most terrains easily but also allow you to ride on paved road. And with a 750W geared hub motor, twist throttle, and powerful 48V, 14Ah battery pack, it’s got plenty of power to help you fly up hills!

It comes standard with front and rear lights, mechanical disc brakes, a nice LCD display, and five levels of pedal assist.

For these reasons, it’s probably the best electric folding bike there is that’s affordable (I still ride its predecessor the RadMini).

Plus at a starting price of $1599, every young adult can aspire to have one!

Read my full Rad Power electric folding bikes review

RadRunner

Designed as a step-thru electric cargo bike, this one is really so much more. With its 300lb payload capacity and 3.3” wide tires, it can haul what you need it to all while crossing loose terrain and jamming up hills!

I love the idea of this electric utility bike for people in their twenties and thirties because it can provide what you need now and what you might need later. For instance, you can store your groceries on a front or rear rack but easily add a child seat later!

And because it’s powerful on the road and in the dirt, moving to a rural area from a city (or vice versa) won’t be a problem.

Best of all, it’s on the lower end of the price range, costing around $1499 (you may spend extra cash on the numerous upgrades offered, however).

What Type of Electric Bike is Best for Adults in Their 20s and 30s?

As discussed above, hybrid electric bikes are popular among the younger adult crowd because of their ability to do it all… on-road and off-road.

But, ultimately, the type of e-bike that’s best is the one that fits your riding style, riding schedule, and needs. Thus, you may be more focused on getting an electric bike so you can commute inexpensively or riding one just for fun, cycling exercise, and sport trail riding.

What electric bike is best for commuting?

In your 20s or 30s, your primary goal may be to get an electric bicycle for commuting to school or work or just to get around town. In this case, then getting one that’s a smooth ride on pavement and is easy to lift and maneuver is essential. 

A foldable commuter electric bicycle is the best solution if you’ll need to travel partway on a bus or to store it while you work for the day.

Ride1Up LMT’D

The LMT’D is a high-quality city bike that’s both affordable and reliable. It’s perfect for commuting to school or work as well as riding for recreation. Although it’s geared toward city riding, you’ll be able to ride a little on hard-packed dirt or gravel when needed.

What’s really cool about it is that it is a Class 3 e-bike! This means that the motor will assist you up to 28 mph (instead of the typical 20 mph for most other models). In fact, all Ride1up e-bikes are Class 3 and the company designs them primarily for city and utility riding.

Plus, the LMT’D has a 750W motor with 100nm of torque and weighs in at only 53 lbs, which is quite a bit lighter than many models. Essentially, this is a powerhouse and gives you great value and high-quality to take you through your 20s and 30s.

Be sure to check out the LMT’D!

Find out more about Ride1Up here!

Lectric XP

Priced starting at only $999, this foldable electric hybrid bike will get you to work or the grocery store quickly! And because it folds up, and has smaller 20” wheels, you can take it on a train or bus as needed or even put it in the back of an SUV or large hatchback if you need a ride home.

But, even though the wheels aren’t full size, they’re plenty capable of riding on the road as well as through puddles or areas of loose dirt or sand. This is in thanks to their 3” wide tires made to traverse different terrains.

You should know that it weighs 64 lbs, so make sure you’re capable of folding and lifting it when needed.

For comparison’s sake, I’m under 5’2” tall and my e-bike weighs 68lbs, which is almost two-thirds of my body weight. So I need help lifting it, even though it’s foldable!

If you’re a smaller sized adult (like me!), check out my electric bike recommendations here

Schwinn Marshall

Alternatively, an electric city bike is another perfect option. It’s made just for commuting and riding around town, so it’s easy to manage and ride.

The Marshall is a 250 W geared hub motor city e-bike with a range of up to 35 miles, so you should never lose your battery charge riding around town. Plus, the 27.5” wheels and 2.3” wide tires make it the best for riding on paved roads.

So if you’re not concerned about riding on non-paved terrain, then you can ride quickly and easily to your destination. 

Schwinn Bikes is one of the old and trusted brands that has recently made its way into electric bike production. So you’re in good hands with this pedal assist electric bike which costs around $1500!

What electric bike is best for trail riding?

If, on the other hand, you’re an adventurous 20 or 30-year-old who’s all about riding for sport and having fun, an eMTB (electric mountain bike) or a fat tire e-bike are the top choices.

Ecotric Leopard Electric Mountain Bike

Only the best electric mountain bike will get you over steep hills and tight switchbacks. So if this is your thing, as it is for many adventurous riders in their 20s, the Ecotric eMTB is the best affordable choice at just over $1000!

And with its front fork suspension, it provides for a comfortable ride with good shock absorption for going over bumpy terrain and rocks!

What’s more Ecotric is proud to tell everyone that they’re UL Certified. This means that they’re dedicated to personal safety and good quality. This is important because their pedal assist electric bikes are very well-priced but the quality is still assured.

Magicycle Cruiser Fat Tire

This incredibly cool fat tire e-bike can take you over any terrain… sand, rocks, dirt, snow, and then some. Plus it has a battery range of up to 55 miles, so you can hit the trails all day, camp overnight, and return the next day.

This may be the best electric bike for you if you’re not quite as big of a risk-taker as mountain bikers, but want to be able to traverse tough terrain.

And with a 750W motor and 52V, 15Wh battery, it has plenty of power for riders in their 20’s and 30’s!

Bonus: The Magicycle has a two-year warranty on electrical components (whereas many brands only offer 1 year).

Find out everything you need to know about electric fat bikes!

What is the Best Value E-Bike for Your Money?

Choosing a great electric bike that doesn’t cost a lot is a challenging task. However, it’s super important because your lifestyle can change drastically from one moment to the next in this stage of life.

For example, you might buy a dog to ride on your bike with you, begin higher education classes, get married, have children, work longer hours, travel more (or less), or start a new career!

All of these possibilities could change your electric bike needs. Maybe you’ll find yourself needing an electric cargo bike with a child seat to carry your toddler with you.

Or perhaps you’ll need a commuter bike that’s easy to put onto a bus when you get your dream job.

And, sure, you might do your best to plan these life events out, but plans can change rapidly.

So, I’d suggest looking for an electric bike that’s a good value for your money but less expensive in general. Keep in mind that most affordable ebikes have a hub motor as opposed to a mid-drive motor. This keeps their cost down but doesn’t make that much of a difference when it comes to pedal assist mode or battery life.

Best Electric Bike Under $1000

One of the best budget electric bikes can be found at Ecotric for under $900!

Ecotric Fat Tire Folding E-Bike

This e-bicycle is a fantastic value for around $900. Not only is it UL Certified (so you know it’s safe and made of good quality), it has 4” fat tires and is foldable, even though it’s cheap. Talk about getting everything in one e-bike!

And what else is amazing, given the cheap price, is that it has disc brakes, a 500W rear hub motor, and a pretty decent battery capacity (36V 12.5Ah). Further, it only weighs 56lbs with the battery attached… this is much lighter than most competitors’ foldable fat tire electric bicycles. 

What’s the Fastest Electric Bike (that’s affordable for young adults)?

Being young and adventurous, you’re probably interested in riding fast. So you might be wondering what the fastest e-bike is that’s affordable but that you’ll still love as a 20-year-old or 30-year-old.

Here’s my advice: Get the fastest bike with the highest legally allowed motor watts. Although it depends on what country you live in, the U.S. doesn’t allow bikes over 750W to ride on public roads, parks, or trails.

So, if you want to ride wherever you go, without constantly fighting limitations, don’t get one with a motor over 750W and understand the electric bike classification system so you know where you can and can’t ride.

As far as what’s the fastest e-bike for someone your age, but still affordable, take a look at this: 

RadRover Plus

As if the RadRover wasn’t already awesome, Rad Power Bikes added the RadRover Plus to their fat tire electric bike lineup. Although it has fat tires, the bigger wheel size of 26” (say as compared to the RadMini with 20” tires) helps you to get where you want to go faster.

But more importantly, the company says that they’ve redesigned it with a “custom” geared-hub drive motor that’ll give you even more uphill riding capacity. So, it has more efficient power that’ll help you increase speed faster.

It’s definitely worth checking out if power and speed are important to you!

Wish you had that BMX bike from childhood? Check out the new Electric BMX Bikes!

Which is the Best E-Bike to Buy (in your 20s or 30s)?

With all of the variety in electric bikes, it’s no wonder you’re a bit confused about which electric bike to buy.

Of course, you can check out the list at the top of the post of the best electric bikes for people in their 20s and 30s. But I thought I’d offer you a checklist of the features you might want, before deciding which one is the best for you to buy.

With these features, you’ll get a comfortable electric bike that’s powerful, fast, has good range and lets you ride wherever you need to. Further, as life changes happen in the next few years, you’ll still have the best electric bike for the money and the greatest flexibility in riding.

Best E-Bike Must-Have Features Checklist

• 500-750 watt motor (plenty powerful to get up hills)
• Minimum 48V, 14Ah battery (this should give you a range of 40+ miles)
• Extra-wide tires or fat tires (3”-4” wide would be nice, 5” would be overkill for most)
• Throttle (to help you pick up speed fast)
• Wide seat (for comfort)
• Integrated lights, both headlight and rear taillight (in case you end up riding in the dark even if you don’t expect to)
• Digital controller display (so you can keep track of the battery charge, miles, and speed)
• Foldable (optional but possibly useful)

Small women: Take a look at some of the best e-bikes for you!

Conclusion

Because life is always changing, the best electric bikes for adults in their 20s and 30s include the styles that offer the most useful features and the flexibility to adapt to changes. 

Hybrid electric bicycles are a great option for many, but you might also have more specific needs such as commuting or recreation. 

You should choose one based on your current lifestyle and riding needs, but also consider how these might change within the next few years.

Take a look at the list of best electric bike options for your age in this article. You’re bound to discover the perfect e-bike for you at a reasonable cost.

Need more info? Take a look at the best electric bikes for college students here!

Until around 2010, choosing an electric bike was relatively easy. You just had to choose your budget, your brand and go with what you liked best. As time has gone on, people have become overwhelmed with the number of options available.

So, today, I’m going to help you narrow down your options and choose a hub or mid-drive electric bike. Then you’ll be ready to pick the perfect model for you.

A hub electric bike will always be the most cost-effective entry into electric bikes and is perfect for you if you’re on a budget. A mid-drive electric bike is the best option if you are determined to get the best performance, handling, and range and are willing to spend a few hundred dollars more.

For the rest of this article, I’ll show you the key differences between hub motor and mid drive e-bikes.

Then I’ll help you choose the one that’s right for you by asking you a set of questions and comparing the two, as well as discussing initial costs and maintenance. So, keep reading.

Hub E-Bike Advantages	Mid Drive E-Bike Advantages
Lower Cost	Better Performance
Ability to take breaks from pedaling	Greater Range
Loads of new brands, models, and features	Less Exhaustion
	Better Handling

What Is A Hub Electric Bike?

When the first electric bicycles were released, they came with a hub motor. This was revolutionary when it came to commuter bikes. In this section, I want to explain what the hub motor electric bike is briefly. So, let’s get into it.

The hub motor is an electric motor placed on the front or rear wheel. It provides power directly to that specific wheel. Because of this assistance, you can expend a lot less energy when riding than you would with a normal bike.

Another name for the hub motor is direct drive. Keep in mind that the motor has nothing to do with your drive train, gears, or anything else. It simply works with the wheels of your e-bike.

What Is A Mid Drive Electric Bike?

The mid-drive or mid-motor system was released around 2010. It changed the way that electric bikes work. Instead of providing power to one or two of the wheels on the e-bike, it does things a little bit differently.

The mid-drive electrical system provides power to the gears of your bike. This difference has a few effects on the electric bicycle. It primarily acts as a more efficient power delivery system. Instead of helping the bike to move by providing power to the wheels, it assists the rider with pedaling effort (aka pedal assist).

Mid-drive motors are also known as central hub or mid motors. It’s installed by the e-bike’s pedals and is therefore ideally placed to provide power to the bike’s drive train (which includes the pedals, chain, cassette/freewheel, and derailleur).

Mid drive motors generally give better weight distribution as well, since they’re located in the middle of the e-bike.

The Key Differences Between Hub And Mid Drive E-Bikes 

Before discussing the advantages of both hub drive motors and mid drive motors, or before discussing which one you should get, it’s important to discuss a few of the key differences between front of rear hub motors and mid motors.

The main differences have to do with the motor placement, how each type of motor works (pedal assist), and the range. Let’s take a look at these three things.

Placement Of The Motor

Mid-drive motors are placed by your e-bike’s pedals, while hub drive motors are placed on one of your wheels. It could be the front wheel or the rear. This placement affects something called weight distribution, making the bike’s handling significantly better or worse.

In my experience, a mid-drive motor improves the handling of your electric bike because of its placement. With all vehicles, any added weight is less noticeable the closer it is to the center of gravity.

Find out how long your e-bike motor will last!

How The Motors Work

Hub motors apply power directly to one of the wheels of the bike. So, for example, a rear hub motor is placed on the rear wheel.

On the other hand, mid-drive motors work with your gears. This makes mid-drive motors a lot more efficient than hub motors. However, you do need to pedal with a mid-drive motor, while with hub motors (that also include pedal assist), you can take short breaks and let the motor power the ebike until it slows down.

The Range Of The Motors

Because mid-drive motors work with your gears, they are generally more efficient than hub motors. When you shift to a lower gear, the motor’s power doesn’t have to provide as much because natural pedaling cadence becomes easier.

At the same time, when you change to a higher gear, the motor has to do more work but the change is less noticeable (the pedal assist feature continues to work smoothly and pedal speed doesn’t change noticeably). Therefore, you’ll get more range out of a mid-drive electric bike motor when in a higher gear because its workload is not constant.

Of course, this is only true as long as there is battery power (find out here what to do if your battery dies)!

Get a better understanding of how gear shifts work on an e-bike!

Should You Get A Hub Or A Mid Drive Electric Bike?

I’d like to give you the facts and allow you to make your own decisions. So, I’m not going to tell you which type of motor-driven bike you should get.

Instead, I’ll ask five questions and give you a recommendation based on each of those scenarios. Let’s jump into it.

What Is Your Budget?

The misconception that I see a lot is that hub motors come on entry-level bikes, but that’s not always true. A hub motor electric bike can be premium, but it’s still generally more affordable than mid-drive motors.

Potentially, you can save a few hundred dollars or more by choosing a hub motor e-bike. That said, I’ll discuss pricing further down in the article. However, if you are strictly looking to spend as little money as possible, a hub drive bike would be your best option.

Take a look at costs for different types of electric bicycles.

Do You Like Taking Breaks?

Because a mid-drive works with your gears instead of applying power directly to your wheels, the motor works when you pedal, so if you want to take a break during a long straight, you’ll have to stop the bike entirely.

But since a hub motor applies power directly to the wheels, you can stop pedaling and still have power delivered to the wheels to keep moving.

Don’t let that fact make your decision all by itself.

Because of the efficiency of mid-drive motors, you’ll feel less tired when riding and perhaps need fewer breaks on longer rides in general. In my experience, this is more useful than having the ability to stop pedaling, especially on long commutes.

Want to learn more about riding an e-bike without pedaling?

How Often Do You Ride Your Ebike?

The maintenance costs of mid-drive bikes tend to be higher than hub motors because more moving parts need to get looked after. However, what many people don’t tell you is mid-drive motors typically need less maintenance in general.

See, the motor is more efficient even with more moving parts, which means it goes through less wear and tear over the same distance. But, if you’re worried about high maintenance costs, hub electric bikes are your best option.

But, if you’re after convenience, then mid-drive motors are the better choice.

What Distance Do You Typically Ride?

The range you get with mid-drive electric bikes is far greater than that of a hub motor. So if you ride anything more than 15 to 20 miles per day, you should consider getting a bike with a mid-drive.

With a 750W motor on a mid-drive bike, you can cover around 45 miles of road with consistent pedaling. 

And, even though you have to constantly pedal, you won’t feel as fatigued riding a mid-drive motor e-bike the same distance as a hub motor bike, especially over long distances.

What Type Of Roads Do You Ride On?

If you ride on terrain mostly made up of straights or even downhills, hub motors will be perfectly fine. And you’ll be able to take quite a few breaks while cruising down the straights. 

If you have a few hills on your route, a hub motor will not be very efficient. Instead, you want to consider buying a mid-drive motor e-bike because it’ll assist you better with pedaling uphill. The minute you slip into a lower gear, the motor will do a great job of making it feel like you’re still going on a straight even though you are on a steep incline.

Advantages Of A Mid Drive Electric Bike

Most of you are looking for the best option available and don’t mind spending a few hundred dollars extra to get the best option (after all, you’re already shelling out quite a bit of cash for an e-bike).

So, let’s take a look at some of the advantages of mid-drive e-bikes to help you make your decision.

• Performance: Because the motor provides power to the bike’s drive train, it feels like you have more power while riding.
• Higher range: If you take a mid-drive or a hub bike with two similar specs, you’ll get more range out of the mid-drive bike. Remember, it’s not all about the power that a motor has; the efficiency of a mid-drive is what makes it able to go further.
• You feel less tired: You can ride further without feeling fatigued because of the increase in power. This is especially helpful if you ride long distances or commute every day.
• Better handling: A mid-drive motor is placed close to the center of gravity on the bicycle. This placement improves the handling of the bike.

Looking for great performance? Check out the best e-bikes with belt drives!

Advantages Of A Hub Electric Bike

Many people prefer using bikes with hub motors because of the variety of models, styles, and brands. Plus, there are still a couple of advantages when it comes to e-bikes with hub motors.

• Lower cost: As mentioned in this article, you can save a few hundred dollars by going for a hub motor e-bike instead of a mid-drive one.
• Ability to take breaks from pedaling: Also, you have the ability to take breaks and still have the electric motor power the wheels and keep you moving.
• New brands and features: As e-bikes grow in popularity, so do the number of brands, models, feature, and types…so there’s a never-ending stream of e-bikes to choose from.

Because of the variety of features and models, as well as the lower cost, many recreational cyclists still end up buying a hub motor electric bicycle (I have the Rad Mini step-thru with rear hub motor that you see below).

Hub Motor Electric Bike Cost

You can get cheap hub motor bicycles. Still, these usually come with small motors (such as 250 watts) that don’t get you very far and don’t provide great performance. Therefore, when considering the cost of hub electric bikes, I didn’t include them.

For a 500 Watt hub motor electric bike, your entry-level is around $800-$1000. Depending on the brand you go for, you can spend around $1200 for a premium model. A 750 watt motor will typically cost you a couple of hundred dollars more.

It’s important to always look at the wattage of the motor. One of the worst mistakes you can make is to get a bike that doesn’t have enough power for your daily commute. So, try and look for 500 watts or more. Ideally, you should look at a 750 watt hub motor electric bike, like my own RadMini foldable (read a review of it here).

Mid Drive Electric Bike Cost

The cheapest mid-drive electric bike I’ve seen is around $1500. However, in recent times I haven’t seen one below $2000. This is partially because the mid-drive motor itself is more expensive than a hub motor.

Further, because the motors are better, the more premium the e-bike generally is. Thus, the more it’ll cost. You can even end up spending a lot more than $2000; sometimes they reach $8000-$9000.

For a good 500 Watt or more mid-drive electric bicycle, you can expect to pay around $2500 to $3000. 

It must be said that most mid-drive e-bikes are not low-end. They simply don’t put that type of motor on low-end bikes. Instead, $2000 will get you a mid-range electric bike, while $2500 or more will get you a high-end one.

Hub vs. Mid Drive Electric Bike Maintenance Costs

I’d advise you to have your electric bike serviced regularly, at least on an annual basis but likely two or three times a year if you ride daily. Maintenance should include checking and cleaning your electric motor. If any problems are found with individual parts, they’d need to be replaced, and that’s where mid-drive bikes tend to be more expensive.

To give you the best estimate of what you can expect to pay to maintain your electric bike based on what type of motor you have, hub vs mid drive, we need to break down the costs into a few sections:

• Batteries: $200 to $400 every three years
• Bike service including motor: $200 to $300 per year
• Miscellaneous parts: $100 per year

When you break those numbers down to a yearly maintenance cost, you can expect to pay around $350 to $500 every year for a hub electric bike.

For a mid-drive bike, expect to pay $600 to $800 per year.

Read our complete e-bike maintenance guide here!

Conclusion: Mid drive vs front or rear wheel hub motors

I’ve just reviewed everything you need to know about hub vs mid drive electric bikes. Choosing between both types of e-bikes is tough. My goal with this article was to try and make it a bit easier, even though that’s a relatively tough job.

The truth is that hub motor e-bikes are a ton of fun, can get you where you need or want to go, and come in a huge selection of styles in a price range that fits many budgets. So, a hub e-bike is a great choice and is what many beginner e-bike riders choose.

However, if you’re serious about riding performance and you can afford to spend a little more on a mid-drive e-bike, then this is what’s right for you. Overall, the performance advantages outweigh the heavier price tag.

I can make a case for both types of motors on e-bikes. But at the end of the day, you’ll be the one riding it! So choose which is right for you based upon the advantages of each I’ve discussed in this article!

You’ve heard about electric bikes with “fat” tires and it sounds like an interesting trend. But what does having fat tires actually mean and is it even something you want or need in an electric bike?

Essentially, if an electric bike has 4″ to 5″ wide tires, it’s a fat tire e-bike. However, tire widths as narrow as 2.8″ and less than 4″ are also sometimes thought of as fat tires because they’re wider than the standard tires on electric road bikes or e-mountain bikes.

When I bought my first electric bike with 3″ tires, I thought I was getting a fat tire e-bike, only to discover later that my tires were not nearly as wide as some bikes with fat tires and that they didn’t perform in quite the same way.

Before you make the same mistake, I’d like to help you understand exactly what is a fat tire e-bike, why you may want (or need) one, how wide your tires should be to meet your needs, and whether buying one is worth it for you.

What is a Fat Tire E-Bike? (Tire Width Explained)

Fat tire e-bikes can come with many different features, tire sizes, and tire widths. Further, the tires can be studded or not, and high-quality or not.

Generally speaking, a fat tire e-bike has wide tires that can be ridden comfortably on a variety of surfaces simply by adjusting the tire pressure.

4.0″-5.0″ Super Fat E-Bike Tires

Any electric bike with tires over 4 inches can be called a fat tire bike. But with the increased variation in tire widths and electric bike styles in general, they’re often considered “super” fat tires.

You might see people riding these bikes on paths or roads, but they’re primarily good for riding on wet surfaces or loose ground. Because these tires are super wide, they contact more surface area on the ground, thus providing better traction on almost any surface.

2.8″-3.8″ Tires (are they fat tires?)

You might not always hear e-bikes with wide tires between 2.8 inches and 3.8 inches being called “fat tires”. However, what’s important is that there is a huge variety of e-bikes with extra-wide tires that get better traction on the ground than standard bike tires which are typically 2.6 inches or less.

Basically, even though the tires may not be as wide as super fat tires, it remains true that the wider the tire, the more it comes into contact with the ground, and the better traction you’ll have.

So, if you buy an e-bike that has tires under 4″, you can expect that they might not have as good of traction as those with tires 4″ and up. However, even a 3″ tire will provide more surface area contact than a standard e-bike tire 2.6″ and under.

After reading all of the details below, you might just decide that you don’t need a 4″ fat tire e-bike but could benefit from a 3″ tire instead. Or check this article if you’re looking for an electric mountain bike with fat tires.

The Most Comfortable PSI for Riding Your Fat Tire E-Bike (how a fat bike is different)

Another important thing to know about a fat tire electric bike is in regards to the fat bike air pressure.

Typically, fat bike tire pressure can be as low as a PSI of 5 when riding over ultra-soft or slippery ground up to a high PSI of 30 for riding on the pavement. The most common fat tire air pressure used is between 10 PSI and 20 PSI.

I can’t truthfully describe the purpose of a fat bike without giving you an understanding of how different tire pressures are needed for total comfort in different riding conditions. And although I’ll give you some recommendations on the best pressure for fat tires, there’s still a bit of personal choice involved.

For instance, if you’re a heavy rider, then you’ll probably want to increase your air pressure by a couple of PSI above what is recommended.

Or, if you plan on riding on the pavement as well as dirt or sand during the same ride, you might want to keep your air pressure somewhere in between what’s recommended for each.

As this is often the case for me, I typically keep my 3″ tires at around 15 PSI so that I can go over loose ground safely but easily ride over the hard ground without feeling like I’m dragging.

Another option is to carry a small portable tire pump (Amazon) with you to change the pressure as needed.

Recommended Fat Bike Tire Air Pressure	Low PSI	High PSI
Snow and mud	5 PSI	8 PSI
Sand	10 PSI	12 PSI
Dirt, loose ground, or leaves	12 PSI	15 PSI
Road or Pavement	10 PSI	20 PSI

Regardless of whether you carry a portable tire pump with you, you’ll want to have a full-size air pump with a pressure gauge to adjust your fat tires appropriately. I use this powerful one from Topeak (Amazon).

I’ll show you some amazing hybrid electric bikes with fat tires that are definitely worth the cost in a moment. But you’ll have a better idea of what you want to get by learning their advantages and disadvantages first.

Read my Haoqi fat E-Bike review!

What Are the Advantages of Fat Tire E-Bikes?

The advantages of fat tire electric bikes are many and include better riding performance on different terrains, comfort, and safety.

Advantages of Riding a Fat Tire E-Bike

• Less physical jarring over tough terrain or uneven ground
  
• Better traction in snow and mud
  
• Better traction through dirt and loose ground such as sand, leaves, twigs, and rocks
  
• Ability to ride through deeper sand but still remain at the surface, such as at the beach or in the desert
  
• Greater e-bike stability and balance (less chance of your tires slipping and falling)
  
• More rear-end comfort over any type of bumpy terrain
  
• Ability to ride on any surface, not just rough terrain

So What is the Point of a Fat Bike?

The point of owning and riding an e-bike with fat tires (also called a fat e-bike), is similar to any hybrid electric bike... being able to ride on the pavement but also riding easily, safely, and comfortably on softer ground.

An electric mountain bike will take you over rough terrain but won’t always provide tires wide enough to stay on the surface of soft ground like snow, mud, or sand, even with the right tire pressure.

If you are never planning to ride on a dirt trail or sand at the beach, or snow, then you’re better off buying an electric road bike!

Get the ultimate list of the best fat tire e-bikes here!

What Are the Disadvantages of Fat Tire E-Bikes?

Although riding a fat tire bike has so many advantages, there are several reasons why you might choose an electric bike without fat tires, many having to do with the extra weight. Electric fat bikes can weigh as much as 80lbs!

Disadvantages of Riding a Fat Tire Electric Bike

• They are heavier than other electric bikes (60-80 lbs vs 40-60 lbs) due to the massive tires and rims
  
• It will be harder to push or lift into a car, upstairs, or onto a car bike rack (here’s one from Amazon that can accommodate fat bikes with up to 5″ tires)(paid link)
  
• The wide tires may not fit in standard bike racks for carrying on a car, parking or garage storage
  
• May feel more resistance when riding up steep hills, again due to the heavy weight
  
• More likely to sink into mud (but this does depend on using the correct tire pressure)
  
• Some gravel may be harder to ride on than you expect, especially if they are lower quality fat tires
  
• You’ll get noticed… you may love this attention but it also puts your fat tire bike at a greater risk of theft

These cons are most likely to affect a small person or senior who might have trouble with the bulk and weight of a fat bike. Otherwise, it’s really about preference. Do the benefits of having a fat tire e-bike outweigh the cons for your situation?

Hybrid Fat Tire Electric Bikes

Combine a hybrid electric bike with fat tires and you essentially get an e-bike that goes pretty much everywhere you’d want to take it. You can choose a fat bike with all of the features you want, like a foldable step-thru or a massive e-bike with 5″ wide tires.

Additionally, a lot of electric fat bikes are designed with a specific function in mind. For example, specialty bikes are manufactured for winter riding, beach or electric mountain bike riding, hunting, and surfing. They may also be foldable or have a step-thru frame or full suspension system. Many new fat bikes also have handlebars that allow you to sit upright.

And of course, there are different wheel sizes, wide tires, and even wider tires. Foldable fat tire e-bikes generally have smaller 20″ wheels to accommodate folding it up. But other fat e-bikes have 24″ or 26″ wheels. These differences in tire size make it possible for people of all heights and weights to find one that’s perfect.

However, naturally, the larger the wheel and the fatter the tire, the heavier the fat bike will be. Keep in mind that if the tires and rims add 4 lbs of weight to the e-bike, this is in addition to the extra weight of the electronic components (battery, motor, and controller).

How Much Does an Electric Fat Bike Cost?

Electric fat tire bikes with 20″ or 26″ frames typically cost between $900 and $3500. Here’s a list of the cost of good-quality electric fat bikes along with their tire size, width, and weight.

E-Bike Brand	Fat Tire Width	Tire Size	Weight	Cost
Lectric XP- Foldable	4″	20″	63 lbs	$999+
Sixthreezero EvryJourney	4″	26″	62 lbs	$2400
Ecotric Fat Tire	4″	26″	69 lbs	$1500
Magicycle Cruiser Step-Thru	4″	26″	75 lbs	$1600+
Quiet Kat Ranger	4.5″	26″	65 lbs	$3200+
RadExpand Folding E-Bike	4″	20″	67 lbs	$1500+

Take a look at the best fat tire e-bikes for sand and beach!

Are Fat Tire Electric Bikes Better?

There are several reasons fat tire e-bikes are better than e-bikes with standard tire sizes. First and foremost, your ride will be more comfortable thanks to increased cushioning and better traction on slick or soft ground.

Better traction and greater cushion are both due to the increased contact of the tire on the ground and the ability of the fat tire to roll over loose leaves, dirt, sand, and snow without slipping. And the truth is, the wider your fat tire, the greater your comfort is likely to be!

And, I may be biased, but the reality is that electric bikes have so many advantages over regular bikes as it is. So, getting an e-bike with fat tires just adds to the flexibility and enjoyment of riding one.

But, given some of the disadvantages of fat bikes mentioned above, you might not need or want 4″ or 5″ wide tires. It’s best that you check out all of the features of electric bikes before deciding what kind to get.

Learn what you need to know about the types of e-bikes and their cost before buying one!

Conclusion

Electric fat tire bikes are totally worth it, especially if you intend to ride on dirt paths, mud, snow, or sand! They don’t necessarily cost more than other hybrid electric bikes and the riding comfort they provide can’t be beaten.

Although the advantages are greater than the disadvantages, you’ll still want to make sure an electric fat bike is for you. Its heavy weight could be a deal-breaker if you aren’t able to lift all 70-80 lbs onto your car bike rack or into your car.

Further, you’ll want to decide what tire width you really need for your intended riding conditions and use the correct tire pressure as well.

No matter how wide your fat tire is (from 2.8″- 5″) one thing’s for sure, fat electric bikes are in a class by themselves when it comes to outdoor fun and functionality!

Electric bike batteries are one of the most expensive parts of the bike. Unfortunately, they don’t last forever and battery failure will occur eventually. This leaves e-bike riders wondering if their batteries can be rebuilt or repaired safely?

Electric bike batteries can be repaired and rebuilt. Repairing the battery means replacing broken parts, while rebuilding is replacing worn parts before they fail entirely. Refurbishing an old e-bike battery is better than replacing it as it is significantly cheaper and can improve the battery to its former level of function.

An important part of owning an electric bike is properly maintaining and caring for the battery. Without a functioning battery, an e-bike is really just a heavy bicycle!

If your e-bike battery no longer recharges, a full charge cycle doesn’t hold, or you have a damaged battery, there are some viable options available to help you get it running again. Let’s take a closer look at refurbishing electric bicycle batteries by rebuilding or repairing them.

Can E-Bike Batteries Be Rebuilt? 

Electric bike batteries are one of the most critical parts of the bike. Without it, there’s nothing to supply power to the motor and other electrical components of the e-bike.

Unfortunately, the battery is usually the first component to wear out or fail on electric bicycles, although newer lithium-ion batteries tend to last longer than the old Nickle or Lead batteries.

Fortunately, a broken or worn-out electric bike battery can be repaired or rebuilt. The process of refurbishing includes installing new battery cells and repairing any worn-out or damaged components such as the battery management system (BMS), wiring, or even the casing or mountings of the battery.

Battery Refurbishment

Refurbishing old e-bike batteries may be a simple repair (like fixing a loose connection) or a complete rebuild. It may be done on its own or accompany an e-bike conversion.

Learn about electric bike conversion here!

Rebuilding the battery will entail completely overhauling it and installing new cells, wiring, battery management system, connectors, and any other components that are likely to wear out or cause the battery to fail.

A repair will simply involve repairing or replacing the primary cause of the fault or break in the battery. This usually entails replacing one or two battery components before returning them to the customer. 

This is typically only done if it’s still in good working condition in every regard other than the fault; otherwise, the entire battery will require refurbishing.

All e-bike battery rebuilds, repairs, and refurbishing must be done by a qualified technician with experience and access to high-quality components.

This type of work can do more harm than good to an ebike battery if it’s not completed to a high standard.

Can All E-Bike Batteries Be Rebuilt or Repaired?

Electric bike batteries have been around for a good number of years now and there are many brands and manufacturers that produce them. This means that there is a large variety of e-bike batteries.

However, the trouble that comes with such a wide range of batteries is that some are so old and used that they can no longer be repaired, and other batteries are so advanced that they are almost impossible to repair without causing harm to the battery.

However, there are batteries that can be refurbished well and even drastically improved. The trick is knowing which brands and types of these higher-energy batteries are eligible for rebuilding.

Find out if your e-bike’s lithium battery is interchangeable!

Not all bike batteries can be refurbished. 

Very old batteries are sometimes irreparable depending on the technology; if a battery pack is too damaged, it cannot be repaired and should rather be replaced. And there are some batteries that have battery management systems that are too advanced for refurbishment. Bike shop repair technicians won’t work on these ones.

Further, now that lithium-ion batteries are commonplace among the best electric bikes, it’s important to know that, although they can be rebuilt, they may be difficult.

The main two brands of batteries that repairers tend to turn down are Bosch and Panasonic. This is due to the advanced intelligent lithium battery management systems that these batteries are equipped with.

List of E-Bike Battery Brands That Can Typically Be Refurbished

Here is a list of the most common battery brands for e-bikes that can be easily repaired, refurbished, and rebuilt by experienced bike technicians:

• A2B
• Alpine Sports
• Bionix
• Busettii
• Currie / i-Zip / TransX
• Cyclamatic
• E-moto
• Easy Motion by BH
• Evelo
• eZee / Hebb
• FLX
• Gazelle
• Giant
• Ital Jet
• Jetson
• Juiced Riders
• Lee laCocca / EV Global
• Lyric
• LPX
• Pedego
• Prodeco
• Protanium / Torker
• Raleigh
• Schwinn
• Silver Fish
• Smarta
• Stromer
• Trikke
• Urban Mover
• Wisper

How Are Electric Bike Batteries Refurbished?

Refurbishing an electric bicycle battery is the best way to bring new life into an old one that’s no longer performing as well as it should be.

Old batteries require refurbishing when the time between each full charge is drastically diminished (even when the battery is low on power). Or if the battery’s performance is poor… thus if the battery is not charging well or is taking a very long time to charge.

The Process of Refurbishing an E-Bike Battery Includes:

• Checking the exterior casing and mountings for damage.
• Opening the housing of the battery pack to access internal components.
• Identifying any damage or faults with the internal workings.
• Detaching all pre-existing dead cells in preparation for new or upgraded cells.
• Cleaning the battery pack.
• Checking all connectors and wiring.
• Repairing or re-soldering wiring and connectors where necessary.
• Replacing any faulty, damaged, or old wiring and connectors.
• Installing new or upgraded battery cells.
• Checking the Battery Management System (BMS) functionality.
• Performing BMS diagnostics.
• Replacing BMS if necessary.
• Testing all components.
• Closing and re-securing casing.
• Testing new battery components with the existing charger.
• Testing refurbished battery with the bike’s motor to ensure proper function.

Watch this YouTube video to learn how to troubleshoot your battery and repair it:

Keep your motor in as good of shape as your battery with these 5 essential motor care tips.

How Are Electric Bike Batteries Repaired?

The repair process for an ebike battery is different from that of a refurbishment.

Repairing is more focused on replacing components that have been damaged or broken, rather than restoring an old or worn-out battery to full working condition.

3 Steps to Repairing the Battery

1. This process involves performing diagnostics to identify the broken or faulty components.
   
2. The next step in the process is disconnecting and removing the culprit parts.
   
3. Once the parts have been removed, replacement parts can be installed to return the battery to full working order. 

If a component of the battery can be repaired rather than replaced, this may be a viable option, depending on how severe the damage to the component is.

The process of repairing an eBike battery is different in every instance, as different components may need to be replaced or repaired depending upon the damage.

Repairing one is usually only done for batteries that are relatively new and thus don’t need to be completely refurbished. Typically, the repair is for newer batteries that have been damaged or misused, rather than those that are worn out. In this case, the repair cost is cheaper than replacing your e-bike’s battery.

Pros and Cons of Refurbished or Repaired E-Bike Batteries 

E-bike batteries don’t last forever and will require some repairs or refurbishment eventually. Even this won’t extend the battery life for the entire existence of the bike itself.

That being said, there are some advantages and some disadvantages to repairing and refurbishing bike batteries that you may not have considered.

Let’s take the time to go over the pros and cons of refurbishing and repairing them.

Pros and Cons of Repairing an E-Bike Battery 

There are a lot of things to consider before deciding to repair your battery. First, if your electric bike itself is worn down and/or outdated, you may wish to buy a new one, which will already include a brand new battery.

But if you’re sure you want to keep riding your current electric bike, then take a look at the list of pros and cons I’ve put together to help you decide whether to repair or replace your old battery.

Pros:

• Any faulty or broken parts are replaced safely.
• The battery will function normally after repairs.
• Repairs safety concerns and removes the possibility of hazards such as fires.
• The battery will not need to be rebuilt if repairs are made quickly and properly.
• Repairs are a good deal less expensive than buying a new battery.

Cons:

• Battery repairs can be costly depending on the type and severity of the damage.
• Repairs may take a long time to complete.
• Finding the right bike shop or repair technician can be difficult.
• If the battery is irreparable, the repairer may still charge you for the assessment even if the battery is not repaired.
• Repairing a broken part is risky, especially if there are underlying issues causing the fault.
• If the technician is inexperienced or unqualified, they may ruin the battery.
• Opening the battery may void the warranty.

Pros and Cons of Refurbishing an E-Bike Battery

As mentioned above, make sure you are happy with your current e-bike before you decide to refurbish it.

Some of the pros and cons of refurbishing an ebike battery are:

Pros:

• The battery will function well or even better than when it was new.
• Refurbishments often include upgrading battery capacity and performance.
• Less expensive than buying a new battery pack.
• It will reinstall easily with the original battery case.
• Using a good repairer will ensure high-quality components.
• Refurbishing will significantly extend the battery’s lifespan.
• Refurbishments often come with a 12-month warranty.

Cons:

• Refurbishments can be expensive, even more so than repairs.
• Working on high-voltage batteries can take a very long time.
• Opening the battery casing may void the warranty.
• Poor quality work may worsen the condition of the battery pack.
• Not all battery types, models, and brands can be refurbished.

Learn more about typical ebike battery problems and solutions BEFORE you need to refurbish your battery.

How Long Do Repaired or Refurbished eBike Batteries Last?

E-bike batteries typically last for 2 – 4 years, depending on how well the battery is cared for and maintained. But can repaired or refurbished batteries last for the same length of time and use?

Refurbished batteries will last as long or longer than new e-bike batteries. This is due to advancements in technology, meaning that the new components may last longer than the original parts. 

Repaired batteries may not last as long, depending on the type and severity of the damage that had to be repaired.

The lifespan of a repaired, refurbished, or rebuilt battery is entirely dependent on the quality of the new components that are installed, the quality of the workmanship, and the type of battery. Lithium-ion batteries generally last for about 1000 charge cycles, while Nickle batteries and Lead batteries only last for about 500 and 300 charges respectively.

A lithium battery that has been worked on or installed by a bike repairer with experience, and who used high-quality hardware, will last for as long or longer than a brand new electric bike battery pack.

If the components and workmanship are not of good quality, the battery may not last at all, and it may well wear out or break significantly sooner than a new battery would.

For this reason, it’s critical to be sure that you use a qualified bike repair shop to work on your battery issues, regardless of the work that must be done.

Get these e-bike battery charging tips to help your battery last longer!

Why Refurbish an E-Bike Battery Rather Than Replace It? 

If the option is available to purchase a new battery to replace the worn-out or damaged one, why would you rather rebuild or repair the battery?

Refurbishing a battery is significantly less expensive than purchasing a replacement. Refurbishing one may include upgrading it or replacing the old battery cells with more efficient modern technology that will serve the bike better.

One of the best reasons to refurbish an old battery is to convert a lead or Ni-based battery to a lithium-ion battery. This will significantly improve the power, performance, and battery life. It’s also far better for the environment and less likely to cause fires or other hazards.

Refurbishing a battery rather than replacing it may come with upgrades. This will bring it up to the same specifications as a brand new battery without the higher costs of purchasing a newer, modern battery.

When an old one is refurbished, the original case is maintained, which ensures that it will fit onto the bike properly. There is no such guarantee with buying a new battery.

However, a defective battery should be replaced if it is too severely damaged or if it’s too old to be fitted with new components.

Conclusion 

Electric bike batteries are not designed to last for more than 4 years or so. After this time, they will have deteriorated significantly enough to warrant a replacement battery or a complete rebuild. 

These batteries are quite rugged, but they can be damaged if they are knocked hard enough or treated incorrectly, such as attempting to use a car battery to charge it incorrectly. Then they will either need to be replaced or repaired.

Both refurbishing and repairing them are viable options for a battery that isn’t working properly, has been damaged, or has started to wear out.

These processes will return it to full working condition and may even produce an upgraded battery, making it even better than when it was before!

So, the good news is that if your electric bike battery is broken or if the full charge isn’t lasting as long as it used to, you might not need to purchase a replacement. Rather, a qualified bike shop may be able to fix it for significantly less cost than buying a new one.

Electric bikes are getting better and better these days, and there are several e-bike brands that stand out from the rest. Two such brands are Focus and Giant. When considering which one is best, these two brands are top contenders. But when compared, who makes the better ride?

In general, Giant e-bikes are more powerful while Focus e-bikes have a better range. Focus electric bikes give more value for money and have more models to choose from. Giant electric bikes are well made and built by an established brand. When compared, both brands have a great selection of high-quality bikes with unique features.

No matter how you look at it, both Focus Bikes and Giant produce world-class electric bikes. But there are many considerations to make when comparing them to determine which one will make the better ride for you.

Keep reading to discover which brand and e-bike is right for you. First, I’ll compare Giant and Focus electric bike brands and models and then look at which one is the best brand of an e-bike for you.

Focus E-Bikes Types and Models (Reviewed)

Focus has a wide range of the best electric bikes available. This brand produces many different types of e-bikes with various features, designed for different roads and environments and sold at various price points.

Although Focus produces some of the best e-bikes in the world, they specialize in e-mountain bikes (e-MTB).

The types of Focus e-bikes include:

• Full-suspension mountain
• Hardtail mountain
• Road
• All-round (hybrids)
• Road and gravel

Here are the types and models you need to know about:

Focus Electric Mountain Bikes

The range of eMTBs produced by Focus is quite extensive. The models are separated into two categories: Full-suspension and hardtail bikes.

The Focus full-suspension electric mountain bike range includes:

Thron2 – a genuine trail and tours bike with optional features. This bike features Focus’ 130mm F.O.L.D full suspension system, 29” wheels, and the 625Wh Bosch Performance CX e-drive system.

Jam2 – an all-mountain electric bike that is equipped with 150mm full Focus F.O.L.D suspension, 29” wheels, and a choice of either the Bosch CX 625Wh or Shimano EP8 756W e-drive systems.

Focus Sam2 – the new e-enduro features 170mm full F.O.L.D suspension, 29” wheels with variable geometry and size settings due to the Focus Flip Chip, and the Bosch Performance CX 625Wh e-drive system.

The Focus hardtail range of e-mountain bikes includes:

Raven2 – an incredibly light bike with a 100mm suspension fork, 29” wheels, removable Fazua motor, and battery unit. This bike holds the course record at the Transalp Route.

Jarifa2 – a hardtail touring bike with a 100mm suspension fork, 29” or 27.5” wheels that come in sizes S and XS, optional rack, mudguards, light, and stand. And it has a Bosch Performance CX e-drive in either 625Wh or 1125Wh and is equipped with an extra battery for a longer cycling range.

Focus Road E-Bikes

There’s only one electric road bike offering from Focus Bikes, but it’s worth taking a look at!

Paraline2

This electric bike is designed for endurance rides. It’s rugged yet designed with a racing geometry. Plus, it has a Fazua motor/battery unit that can be uncoupled from the drive system and comes equipped with the Focus Road-Boost Standard quick-release axles, disc brakes, 35mm tire clearance, and mudguards.

Focus All-Round E-Bikes (Hybrids)

Focus manufactures two all-around e-bikes as well. These hybrid bikes are the Aventura2 and the Planet2.

Aventura2 – this one is designed for e-bike trekking but is as fast as a racing bike. It’s built with endurance bike geometry and is equipped with the same Road-Boost Standard kit as the Paraline2 and a removable Fazua motor/battery unit.

Planet2 – Made to be an everyday e-bike for city use and commuting, it’s equipped with mudguards, a light, a stand, and rails. It’s available in both wave and diamond frame shapes and is equipped with the Bosch Performance CX 625Wh e-drive system.

Focus Road and Gravel E-Bikes

Focus manufactures a good selection of road and gravel e-bikes that are designed to be as versatile as possible.

These include:

Izalco Max – this electric bike is designed for racing and is set up to apply all power directly to the road. It’s built with Aero race geometry, lightweight carbon materials, and disc brakes with thru-axles.

Atlas – designed to be a fast gravel bike for adventuring and bike backpacking, this electric bike is built with endurance geometry, has a large tire clearance of up to 47mm, and has disc brakes. It can handle sand and loose particles on the road with ease.

Mares – this e-bike is ideal for cyclocross races and is built with cyclocross geometry. The Mares is tough and designed to handle harsh environments such as snow, mud, and rain. It is also equipped with disc brakes and quick-release axles.

Giant E-Bike Types and Models (Reviewed)

Giant is a manufacturer of regular bikes as well as electric bikes, which means that their range of offerings is not as extensive as the Focus brand.

However, Giant brand bikes are among the best in the industry, and there is still a good selection to choose from, including electric road bikes, gravel bikes, and electric mountain bikes.

Generally, these bikes are of good quality and are quite reliable. This is why Giant is recommended as a trustworthy brand by many ebike riders.

Below is a more in-depth inspection of the range of bikes made by Giant:

Giant Road E-Bikes

There is only one bicycle on the list of electric road bikes made by Giant, as their primary focus is on e-MTB’s (but you’ll also find a hybrid road bike further below).

Roam E+ – the Roam E+ is made for increasing performance. And it’s built with a lightweight aluminum frame, a composite for the current Giant SyncDrive Pro motor system, and a high energy density 400Wh EnergyPak Smart battery.

Electric Mountain Bikes by Giant

There are several models of Giant e-mountain bikes available. Since they’re known for building excellent bikes for mountain biking, let’s take a closer look at the range of models offered, most with full suspension:

Trance X E+ Pro 29 – this intense bike is designed for serious riders who want electric assistance. It features maximum control functionality with variable settings. This bike features 29” wheels, 140mm rear suspension, 150mm front suspension, and an aluminum progressive geometry frame in addition to a 625Wh battery and the Giant SyncDrive Pro e-drive system.

Talon E+ 29 – this e-MTB is very lightweight and features a durable Giant SyncDrive Core motor system that is quieter than other Giant motors. It has a 100mm suspension fork, an aluminum frame, and a 500Wh battery.

Stance E+ Pro – this is the real deal e-Mtb. They’re perfectly designed for technical riding, both climbing and descending. Further, the Stance has a trail-friendly frame geometry, 120mm rear suspension, 130mm front suspension, 29” wheels, electric drive motor power, and a 625Wh battery.

Trance Advanced – this is a full-suspension mountain e-bike with hybrid cycling technology featuring 150mm suspension, a high-performance electric drive motor, an aluminum frame with an integrated battery pack, and advanced suspension forks.

Giant Road and Gravel E-Bikes

This is another of Giant’s categories that only consists of one bike, but it has a dual function and can therefore be considered an electric hybrid (or all-round).

Revolt E+ Pro – this electric road and gravel bike is designed for city streets and gravel roads. It’s equipped with versatile drop-bars, an aluminum frameset, a Yamaha SyncDrive motor, and a 375Wh battery with an optional extender that is integrated into the frame.

This is the best option from Giant for those seeking an all-rounder, or hybrid e-bike.

Read our comparison of electric road bikes vs hybrid bikes

Are Focus or Giant E-Bikes Better? (Compared)

There really isn’t a straightforward answer to this question. Instead, it’s necessary to compare them.

Neither Focus Bikes nor Giant Bikes are better than the other. But they each provide benefits that some electric bike riders will prefer over others.

When comparing e-bikes, the most important features to consider are:

• Type you need: Road, mountain, or electric hybrid
• Quality of bike frame, motor, and battery
• Electric motor performance
• Battery watt hours, available range, and maximum power
• Rideability
• Reliability
• Features
• Price and value for your money

How the Focus and Giant Brands Measure Up

Giant is a more established, well-renowned brand than Focus. However, Focus Bikes produces electric bikes exclusively, so you could argue that they’re a specialty brand. This means that Focus is able to apply all of their time and effort into making the best electric bike possible.

Regardless, both brands are industry-leading companies and produce high-end bikes of many varieties. But there are a few defining features that set these brands apart, and there are some considerations to make when comparing them.

Overall, Giant just has more experience manufacturing a regular bike in general, whilst Focus Bikes has greater experience building an electric bike.

Noted Features and Quality Comparison

Whether you prefer Giant or a Focus as a brand will depend a lot on your intended use. Are you interested in riding one primarily for commuting, recreation, or for exercise and sport? Are you a casual bike rider or a more serious, athletic one?

The defining features of Giant’s electric motorbikes are the SyncDrive motors that they are equipped with and the EnergyPak batteries that all of their bikes use. 

Since their motors are made by Yamaha, which is notorious for producing excellent electric motors with plenty of torque, Giant brand bikes tend to attract more serious cyclists.

The EnergyPak batteries made by Giant are very good as well. These batteries have a lower capacity than other batteries of the same size, but they are of higher density. This means that the rider gets more power and range from a smaller battery, allowing the batteries to be built into the frame of every bike.

Focus e-bikes feature high-quality Bosch power and drive systems that are known for their quality, range, power, and sophistication. These Bosch motors produce substantial power and efficient battery management, making them high quality and intelligent (in an artificial intelligence sense).

But the battery range is really what makes them stand out… they can get up to 127 miles on one charge!

So, even discerning buyers should be happy with their purchase of a Focus e-bike.

Overall, the design of both bikes is up to industry standards. Plus, there are electric bikes made by both brands to suit every rider and their unique requirements.

Price Comparison

Focus is able to produce motorized bikes that perform at the same level as the biggest brands while costing significantly less. This is the main attraction for Focus Bikes – they offer a big value for the money.

With prices ranging from around $2200 to $7500, Focus gives you a huge range of choices for your money, including bikes in the lower price range.

Giant Bikes, on the other hand, start at a slightly higher price of $2700 and go up to around $6300. So, you’ll have to pay a bit more for their lower-end (but still high-quality) bikes. This might make you a more serious rider if you’re willing to spend more money on the lower-end models than you would on a Focus brand e-bike.

Find out more of the best electric bike brands for your money

Focus vs. Giant E-Bikes (Who Makes The Best Ride?)

Electric bikes made by Giant are known in the industry for their reliability, motor strength and range capabilities, reliability, and wide range of features.

In comparison, Focus Bikes are well known for having excellent value for the money, unique design features, toughness, and a very good battery range.

These factors make both Giant and Focus tough contenders when directly comparing models.

When these brands are compared and reviewed by professionals, there tends to be a consensus that Giant e-bikes are the better option if you have the budget for them.

The motors and drive systems in Giant’s electric bikes are specifically made for the models produced by the company, rather than using a standard drive that is used by many other manufacturers. This means that the drive systems in a Giant electric bike are the best systems for their models… thus, a recipe to be the best ride.

This is not to say that Focus bikes are bad, but only that the motor drive systems in Giant bikes are a little better.

With that being said, many riders confirm that riding a Focus electric bike is a joy to ride and excellent for the price. These bikes are tough and nimble. And the wide variety of models available from Focus means this company produces an e-bicycle that is perfect for every type of rider.

Conclusion 

At the end of it, you won’t be disappointed if you choose to ride a Focus or Giant electric bike. Both companies make some of the best electric road bikes, electric hybrid bikes, and motorized mountain bikes.

Whether you’re into mountain biking, climbing hills, trail riding, city commuting, or just want to enjoy riding, both brands produce excellent offers.

If you have the budget for it, you’ll get a little more from Giant e-bikes. This is only because they have better electric drive systems than Focus.

Ultimately, the most important comparisons to make are how each e-bike performs, how reliable and sturdy it is, what it’s like to ride, and how much it costs to buy.

In order to really determine which one is best for you, take the time to try both brands and as many different types and models as possible. Then base your decision on your personal preferences, requirements, and budget.

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