Hi guys,
So I got an opportunity to build an electric cargobike to haul stuff and people around.
It will be an "Two Wheel" cargo bike like this (picture from the interwebs):
I was wondering about the options regarding electrical motors:
My first thoughts and things I read on the internet:
Front wheel:
Rear wheel:
Central, mid-motor: (mounted on a standard BSA bottom bracket)
Does anyone have something to add and experiences to share?
Normally I don't ride and/or build electric bikes, so I need to do some research and try things out.
Thank you in advance!!
So I got an opportunity to build an electric cargobike to haul stuff and people around.
It will be an "Two Wheel" cargo bike like this (picture from the interwebs):
I was wondering about the options regarding electrical motors:
- Front wheel motor
- Rear wheel motor
- Central (bottom bracket) motor
My first thoughts and things I read on the internet:
Front wheel:
- A front wheel motor could skid when riding away without a load.
- A front wheel motor has a long wiring harness and the wiring is moving due to a steering movement.
- With a dead battery you can still cycle in comparison to a central motor.
- You can still have a rear hub with gears.
- A bit more weight on the front.
- Centre of gravity relatively low (20" front wheel).
- Front disc brake possible.
- Also rollerbrakes are available, but I really dislike these rattling brakes.
- More force on the front fork.
Rear wheel:
- Rear cassette or derailleur, no internally geared hub.
- A bit more weight to the back.
- With a dead battery you can still cycle in comparison to a central motor.
- Centre of gravity a bit higher compared to a front wheel motor (24+ or 26 inch rear wheel).
- Disc brakes possible.
Central, mid-motor: (mounted on a standard BSA bottom bracket)
- Low centre of gravity.
- Looks good.
- Due to a long bike that needs to be practical: Motor too low? It hangs underneath the bottom bracket.
- Assembly strong enough?
- Replacement sprockets standard??
- Internal gear hub still possible.
Does anyone have something to add and experiences to share?
Normally I don't ride and/or build electric bikes, so I need to do some research and try things out.
Thank you in advance!!
Last edited: