Mid-drives are the dominant motors at the higher quality end of the European e-bike market and perhaps a little less so in the US and Canada where large batteries and instant motor response coupled with lower price tags are perhaps more important than keeping weight low and having an efficient e-bike, whatever the price tag (though the likes of Trek and Specialized might disagree with this analysis).
The fact remains though, in the US ‘regular’ e-bikes weighing over the 30kg / 68lb mark are not uncommon but in Europe and the UK e-bikes weighing this much would be assumed to be e-cargo bikes.
So it’s interesting to see how the latest motor developments from the likes of Giant and Bafang (both Chinese-based firms) could feed into the above trends. Giant have kept faith with their own modified version of a Yamaha mid-motor solution, but emphasising ever more power and performance rather than weight reduction. If the Bafang 2-speed rear hub motor proves practical to use and cost effective then it could prove to be the real market disruptor; in theory at least it offers as-good-as or greater motor efficiency and potentially at less cost than mid-drives. Will the likes of Bosch et al pay the price in the coming years for not developing lighter, leaner systems and relying on evermore power and bigger batteries to keep them at the head of the pack?
In this week’s news:
- Giant’s new powerhouse motor gets its first airing
- Bafang announce new 2-speed rear hub motor
- Cube’s new e-folder
- FLIT hint at new bike
- More cash for UK infrastructure
- Get jealous as you watch how the Dutch cycle
- Recumbent Cycle-Con Postponed
