Bafang front wheel hub

[Peter Brigg]

Is it possible to buy a Bafang front wheel hub that "freewheels " when pedalling to provide no resistance ie when you are coasting.
I assume there would be a ratchet in the hub so the motor drives when under power but somehow remains still when not under power.
If this is true what model numbers have this feature?
Pedalling would be hard enough without the added effort of spinning the motor and gears
Thanks
Peter

 

[Scottyf]

Most if not all "Geared" hub motors have a freewheel ability that once no power is going through from the motor disengages a clutch to leave it to free wheel.
It will technically still be creating a little drag but no where near the equivalent direct drive hub motor.

Hub Motors
http://www.explainthatstuff.com/hubmotors.html
Inside a Bafang Hub
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ_qN0y5lqQ&feature=related

Bafang Models That Free wheel
http://szbaf.com/product.asp?pid=1

 

[neptronix]

All geared hub motors have freewheeling capability, except some oddball ones that i don't even think are on the market anymore.

One thing to know is that bigger motors like the MAC and BMC tend to freewheel better. I'm not sure if this applies to bafangs. But the MXUS and several other various small geared motors have always had a tiny bit of drag in my experience.. and the MAC/BMC don't seem to have any measurable resistance.

Hopefully someone with bafang experience can chime in.

 

[jateureka]

The larger Bafang BPM motor is the better one if looking at Bafang.

 

[Wurly]

Tongxins were reputed to be the best 'free wheelers', but i would say a well used Bafang SWXK is just as good, they loosen up with use. They are a bit heavier but you get better reliability. I've used both.

 

[kriskros]

i have a Bafang front hub motor on a norco mtb,,, freewheels perfectly... i have done 40 plus mile round trips with a ping 36v,12 amp bttery,,i do pedal quite a lot

 

[docnjoj]

I do wish that Tongxin motors were available in this country and more reliable than their previous versions. Mine lasted only 4.5 miles when I got it about 10 years ago but it was quiet and geared( well, rollered). No one I know of to date has made a quiet, geared motor yet. My geared motor collection includes a broken A1B (brushed but a great motor until the steel gear split in half) 2 Bafangs (good motors but not quiet) and the Tongxin which was sent back to the original dealer for a refund.
otherDoc
Edit: Oh yeah the bafangs freewheel fine but I don't notice drag on my 9C either.