Mid Drive Bicycles

Mid-drive motor systems on electric bicycles from German manufacturers Bosch and Impulse have started to become more common in the Australian and NZ market. This option is quite different to the hub motor setup. The mid-drive motor pulls on the chain, just as your pedalling power does. This then turns the rear wheel and away you go. The motor's drive goes through the bicycles gears, so the motor is effectively geared too. 

Advantages: Allows both wheels to be 'normal' bicycle wheels, giving all the available options of quick release, internal hub gears etc. Front forks can be any time and both front and rear end of bike is kept light. Centre of gravity is low and the whole e-bike is usually a little lighter too. The drive is via the rear wheel, so traction is not an issue. Rear wheel spokes are not stressed as much as on a rear hub motor setup because the motor's weight is not back there and the wheel build is not affected. Motor is geared, so going slow and steady up very steep hills is achievable.