9 Tips for Selecting Your Electric Bicycle Motor

Many people wonder, motors look almost identical, what are the differences, and how to choose a motor that is most suitable for me?

This article is written by the engineers of truckrun e-bike motors. Based on our experience in manufacturing motors, we try to explain from multiple perspectives what makes an excellent e-bike motor. Whether you are a manufacturer looking for a suitable motor for the e-bike or an ordinary e-bike rider, you will benefit from this article.

Here are some key factors to consider:

1.Power

What is power?

The power output of an electric bicycle motor is measured in watts. Generally speaking, a higher wattage means more power and speed. The power of the motor is not constant; it adjusts the power level at any time according to the needs of the rider. What we often say about the power of a motor refers to its rated power, such as 250W/500W/1000W, or even 1500W.

However, in actual riding, the motor often performs with greater power than the rated power, so there is another parameter called peak power, which is the maximum power that a motor can achieve. For example, a rated 250W truckrun motor may reach a peak power of up to 450W. To avoid exaggerating the performance of the motor, the power that truckrun usually refers to is the rated power.

What power is suitable for me?

Although there are different powers of motors, it does not mean that you can or need to choose a motor with a larger power, because many places have restrictions on the power of the motor, and you may not need a motor with a larger power.

Choose according to the region

For Europe, due to legal restrictions, we can usually only choose a motor with a power of 250W. This power is very suitable for urban riding. For the United States, this restriction is relatively relaxed, and most states allow higher power.

Choose according to the riding scene

If you ride in the city, you usually only need a motor with a power of 250W. They are compliant, operate quietly, and have a gentle power, but they can also bring you a comfortable riding experience, and you can easily reach 25km/h in the first gear assistance mode.

If you need mountain riding, you can choose a motor with a power of 350W-750W, and their strong torque can easily challenge steep slopes.

If you need to ride on the beach or snow, or need a fat tire electric motorcycle, you can choose a motor with more than 1000W. They have amazing acceleration and strong torque to get rid of soft and muddy terrain.

2.Torque

Torque is also an important parameter, and torque is the force that helps the bicycle accelerate and climb. A motor with high torque can provide a smooth and powerful driving force, making it easier to cope with slopes, resist wind, and shuttle through complex terrain.

It is worth noting that there is a difference in torque between mid-drive motors and hub-drive motors because mid-mounted motors need to transmit motor power to the wheel through the transmission system (chain, belt), so there will be some loss of power. The hub motor directly transmits the motor torque to the wheel, and the power utilization rate is higher. Therefore, a hub motor with a smaller torque can match a mid-mounted motor with a larger torque.

Torque Parameters of The Most Popular TruckRun Motors

Scene	Road	Road	MTB	MTB	Fat-Tire	Fat-Tire
Type	Hub Motor	Mid Motor	Hub Motor	Mid Motor	Hub Motor	Mid Motor
Model	RN04	M11	RW28	M03	RW29	M09
Power	250W	250W	750W	500W	1500W	1200W
Torque	32N.m	65N.m	70N.m	140N.m	90N.m	220N.m

3.Efficiency

Efficiency refers to the ability of the motor to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. A more efficient motor consumes less battery power when completing the same amount of work, thereby extending the range of the electric bicycle. So if you want to extend the mileage as much as possible, efficiency is an important aspect to consider.

The efficiency of Truckrun's hub motors is above 78%, and the efficiency of mid-mounted motors is above 80%, which is at the leading level of the industry.

4.Weight

The weight of the motor will significantly affect the overall weight of the electric bicycle. A lightweight motor helps more agile riding and easier operation, especially when driving in narrow spaces or shuttling through rugged terrain.

TruckRun has been exploring in lightweight, in addition to the common hub motors, we have also developed an automatic internal gear motor that integrates the internal gear with the motor, and the M11 mid-mounted motor with epoch-making significance - it only weighs 1.7kg, and can be completely hidden in the down tube of the e-bike, making the appearance of the e-bike consistent with traditional bicycles.

Scene	Road	Road	Road	MTB
Type	Mid Motor	Front Hub Motor	Rear Hub Motor	Mid Motor
Model	M11	FN01	RN01	M12
Weight	1.7kg	1.8kg	1.9kg	3.6kg

5.Durability

Durable motors are crucial for long-term use. They should be able to withstand the wear and tear of regular riding and the impact of the natural environment without significantly reducing performance. Therefore, a qualified motor should pass temperature tests to cope with extreme environments, waterproof tests to cope with water environments, acid tests to cope with humid and hot climates, and fatigue tests to cope with the test of time.

The motors launched by Truckrun all meet the working environment of -20~55 degrees, the hub motor meets the IPX5 waterproof grade, the mid-mounted motor meets the IPX6 waterproof grade, the hub motor passes the 48-hour acid test, and the mid-mounted motor passes the 96-hour acid test. All motors have passed 5000km riding tests and 2000-hour fatigue tests. Because of the above rigorous tests, we provide a 2-year warranty for all motors. You can visit the truckrun factory through pictures and videos in A Glimpse into the TRUCKRUN Testing Process.

6.Noise Level

Without a doubt, e-bikes generate some noise during riding, and the sources of this noise are diverse. The noise generated by the motor is one of the significant sources.

Although not a key factor for all riders, a quiet motor can enhance the riding experience, especially in residential areas or during group rides. Truckrun motors operate very quietly, with most motors controlling noise below 55 decibels, even lower, and a few high-power motors below 60 decibels.

7.Integration with the Frame

The best electric bicycle motors are well integrated with the bicycle frame, providing a seamless and aesthetically pleasing design. This integration also helps with better weight distribution and handling.

In addition to the M11 we mentioned earlier, which can be perfectly embedded in the e-bike down tube, the M12 mid-mounted motor hanger is universal with most mounting brackets on the market, ensuring that you can unlock more possibilities without additional expenditure.

8.Human-eBike Coordination

An excellent motor should be very smart. It should be able to sensitively perceive every subtle idea of the rider and adjust the power output in time. In simple terms, it should be fast when it needs to be fast and slow when it needs to be slow.

For example, during commuting, it is often necessary to wait for traffic lights. After the red light ends, it can help you quickly output power to start, getting rid of congestion. During mountain riding, it can quickly increase power after turning. This has always been a key direction considered by truckrun in research and development, through controller tuning, torque sensors, speed sensors, and other methods, truckrun motors can respond to the needs of riders in time. At the same time, a built-in Cassette torque sensor has been developed, enabling hub motors to achieve torque sensing without using a center axle.

9.After-sales Service

A good motor is accompanied by reliable after-sales service, including warranty and easy access to parts and services.

For riders, Truckrun motors provide a 2-year warranty, and we have established cooperative relationships with e-bike brands, and all after-sales services of the motors can be obtained at e-bike brand dealers. If you are an e-bike brand, we will communicate in detail about the after-sales processing method when establishing a cooperative relationship with you.