Brushless motor? Geared Motor? Brushless Geared Motor? DRAG, HUH?

[AHicks]

Have to agree that it's a pretty fine point. At the same time, it is interesting that some mid drives have the second clutch, while others do not.

For my own purposes, a recreational rider only, occasions where I might be pedaling without power will be rare, if ever.

 

[GregGritton]

Coasting is not the issue. All bikes since 1940 can coast. The question is, what does the bike feel like when you pedal on the flat with the power turned off? Like an unpowered bike of the same weight & tire size?

Not all mid-drives are created equal. The Bosch Generation 2 Performance line ones have a reputation of being draggy, while the Active Line or the new generation (2020) Performance Line are supposed to be less so. Even so, the drag reported is often exagerated. I own one of the draggy ones (Gen 2 performance) yet I often ride without power and haven't noticed a speed difference vs. my old road bike. However, I did notice that my daughters unpowered bike is quite a bit easier to pedal on a moderate incline. Of course, bumping the power up to ECO turns the tables the other way with mine being faster/easier.

 

[rich c]

Coasting is not the issue. All bikes since 1940 can coast. The question is, what does the bike feel like when you pedal on the flat with the power turned off? Like an unpowered bike of the same weight & tire size?

Nope, not all bikes. You can still buy a fixie with no freewheel. "Today’s fixed-gear enthusiasts use the bikes for track and criterium racing, time trials, and bike messenger use." https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a22655085/best-fixie-bikes/

 

[AHicks]

I wondered about this. And yes, I figure that based on what everyone here is telling me, I may have to use the tiniest amount of power. I just wanted exercise; because of a spinal injury, I cannot easily stand up and swerve back and forth as people do to get up hills, so I only wanted hill power. BUT I can work it out. And some of you might be right; If "brushless geared motors" are not supposed to have drag when off, and if the model was only doing it sporadically, maybe the test model had an issue. Thanks!

If it's exercise you're after, I think it's a pretty safe bet you'll find all you're after, and then some, on a low power setting (PAS=1 or ECO mode for instance). My wife had the same concern when she was picking out her first bike. I think now that she's been riding her e-bike for a while, she's found "getting exercise" is not a concern.....