What does it mean when one motor is better than another??

[Alexander.7812]

SO many specs, power, peak power, NM, peak NM, weight... Is there a gold standard to judging if one motor is better than another?

 

[mrgold35]

Best ebike motor and best ebike for you don't always match up. Some ebike manufactures have similar models of ebikes; but, with a mid-drive or rear hub motor option (rear hub Himiway Cobra -vs- mid-drive Cobra Pro for example). You might need to narrow down your wants -vs- needs to help with the specs for an ebike to check as many boxes for you:
- budget
- how will you use the ebike
- type of ebike (MTB, cargo, city, step thru, downhill, etc...)
- average and max range needed
- max capacity (over/under 275lbs)
- over/under 20mph max speed
- riding environment (paved road/paths, dirt, single track, hills, work commuting, weekend rides only, etc...)
- size, weight, transportation, or storage considerations
- all weather capabilities
- able to do your own troubleshooting/maintenance/repairs or bike shop mostly

 

[Tom@WashDC]

Best ebike motor and best ebike for you don't always match up. Some ebike manufactures have similar models of ebikes; but, with a mid-drive or rear hub motor option (rear hub Himiway Cobra -vs- mid-drive Cobra Pro for example). You might need to narrow down your wants -vs- needs to help with the specs for an ebike to check as many boxes for you:
- budget
- how will you use the ebike
- type of ebike (MTB, cargo, city, step thru, downhill, etc...)
- average and max range needed
- max capacity (over/under 275lbs)
- over/under 20mph max speed
- riding environment (paved road/paths, dirt, single track, hills, work commuting, weekend rides only, etc...)
- size, weight, transportation, or storage considerations
- all weather capabilities
- able to do your own troubleshooting/maintenance/repairs or bike shop mostly

SO many specs, power, peak power, NM, peak NM, weight... Is there a gold standard to judging if one motor is better than another?

No, there is not, except for you, test driving each bike and motor before buying.
I recommend that you purchase from a local LBS. Test drive and compare their offerings.

 

[mrgold35]

No, there is not.
I recommend that you purchase from a local LBS. Test drive and compare their offerings.

What are you comparing? The best combo of everything on your check list that fits your needs, wants, budget, and riding environment. Very few ebikers are picking a specific motor type and test riding every ebike combination with that one particular motor.

 

[PHXRDR]

SO many specs, power, peak power, NM, peak NM, weight... Is there a gold standard to judging if one motor is better than another?

There is a tendency to over-buy.
Bigger (or more powerful) may not be best for your circumstances.
For the most part, any reputable LBS will advise you on the best combination for you, once you accurately describe how and where you will ride.

 

[PHXRDR]

SO many specs, power, peak power, NM, peak NM, weight... Is there a gold standard to judging if one motor is better than another?

I might also add this consideration (at the risk of starting a firestorm);
There is a 3 Class ebike system accepted throught most of the States. You can look it up anywhere, so I won't take the space here. Point is, if the Class system is used within a particular municipality and actually enforced, it would prevent you from using your ebike on (most) trails and pathways if you "over buy" into the most powerful (and faster) models available.
Some of us are watching this matter closely. With the increased utilization of ebikes (and accompanying reports of product and poor usage difficulties) it is felt that crackdowns are in the not too distant future. This might render your ebike technically illegal.

 

[indianajo]

There is a tendency to over-buy.
Bigger (or more powerful) may not be best for your circumstances.

Not all power is used for speed. I like to average 8 mph even if there are hills. There are lots of hills off the graded 55 mph state highway with 1' berms.
The ******* 3 class system has dried up the US sources of motors capable of hauling me + groceries to my summer camp. 350 w 36 v bafang will not drive 320 lb gross up a 12% hill. 2 mph slogs uphill burned the winding. 1000 w 48 v Mac12T was capable of 8 mph average over 30 miles & 77 hills, as was 1300 w ebikeling that wore out the gears at ~4500 mi. I damaged a clutch in Mac 1000 w motor (2500 miles) in July and shorted a winding on the replacement (500 w rated generic geared hub) 3 weeks later on first trip. Gearless hub motors drag too much unpowered to get any exercise, which at age 74 I need. I ride unpowered 80% of the 30 miles. Just need some help on 20 or so hills. Trying to make aliexpress work for me to import a pallet of 10 mac motors suitable for my route and load.
As far as mid-drives, I really do not want to replace the chain twice or 3 times a year. 90% of mid-drive ebikes available have a 10 or 11 speed chain which has the maximum wear available. Shifting lot also tears up my thumb joint. I had a 10 cm x 1 cm cyst over the thumb joint until I quit shifting so much and let the motor do the climbing. With a suitable front geared hub motor, I can use an 8 speed chain which lasts 5000 miles. Sprockets have 12000 miles, one is just beginning to show wear.