Front Hub vs Rear Hub

[Taka5hi]

Hey all, I'm looking into my first e bike build with an older Specialized steel frame bike of mine and I've decided on a hub style motor. It'll be a commuter, no crazy off roading, but I'm worried about having a bike that's too front heavy, or too rear heavy for that matter. Front hub motor with battery in the rear? I've heard of traction issues with front motors, and safety issues too?

What setup would you recommend and why?

 

[motomech]

Frt mounts can work well with sm., usually geared mini-motors, when the power is limited to around 800 Watts.
In the real world, that means up to 22 mph and moderate hills, that are not more than a 1/4 mile.
If you need more, a bigger motor is indicated and it should go on the rear.

 

[Taka5hi]

Thanks!
What's "sm" btw?

 

[bobthemotorcycle]

But you cannot use a rear wheel motor on a 3 wheeler so it has to be a front wheel drive does it not?

 

[motomech]

sm.-small

But a 3-wheeler won't throw you on the ground when the fork is cocked and you inadvertently leaned against the throttle.

Seriously, the frt. mount on a 3-wheeler won't mess the handling up as much.
It's already messed up :lol:

 

[amberwolf]

But you cannot use a rear wheel motor on a 3 wheeler so it has to be a front wheel drive does it not?

Really?

Somebody shoulda told the SB Cruiser that, cuz it's got one in each rear wheel....and Delta Tripper before it (whcih just had the right rear motorized)....

http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=67833

Poor things.

 

[d8veh]

A front wheel motor is OK up to one rated at 350w (say 20 amps max). You can get a bit of skipping on exceptionally steep hills, though you have more or less complete control even when the wheel is skipping, so it's nothing to worry about.

 

[dogman dan]

Most delta trikes don't have a fork in the back, so on those schwinns, worksmans, etc it does have to be a front hub. Because the rear wheels have a solid axle, instead of dropouts.

Two rear hubs on the SB cruiser, NICE.

In general, front hubs are the best choice only when it's impossible to use a rear. For example, a beach cruiser with a coaster brake. If you swap out the rear wheel on that bike, you'd have an ebike with no brakes at all.

Easy to add regular brakes if the bike is steel, but most won't want to weld on the bike.

The other one where a front might be best, is if you have a nice internal gear rear hub. If you put a motor on that bike, you have to lose the IGH, and convert to derailleur.

 

[Voltron]

I thought front vs rear came down to how much you like to do wheelies? :lol:

 

[wesnewell]

This has been covered ad nauseam. Only use a front hub motor when there's no other choice. If you have a brain and think about it, you won't need to ask why?