How To Ride A Mid Drive Ebike

[@Joerides7]

I've never owned a hub-drive, but from what I know about them, a mid-drive is better suited to a more experienced rider. However, I wouldn't let the risk of being stranded stop anyone from trying one. My dad has ridden tens of thousands of miles over the last 35+ years and he's never even fixed a flat tire. If he gets a flat or breaks down, he just calls for help. Usually me.

[@southernebiking]

I have both a mid drive and a hub drive. They both have their place. Each has some advantages and some disadvantages. Thanks for watching.

[@redwingsgo12]

Same, I think Ive had 1 flat tire from running over glass in 30+ years biking. Im not against walking home or calling for help. Really, how many spare parts do you carry in your car? Maybe just a tire, of 1000s of parts. You break down you call somebody

[@waltersmithat70]

Lots of steep pacific north west hills ,400 mi on my ❤ bbso2 750w mid drive ❤ and I love it ! I have a 1-8 set up. I shift using cadence between 65 to 85 in all gears feathering brake sensor and leting off on tork between the gears. 260lb rider on 78lb mtb......nice video ! Very informative I put my master link with 5 links as my zipper pull on my fanny pack. 😊

[@Ro-Bucks]

Them master links are easy to use once you know the tricks and do it a few times. Make sure to face the closed side towards the direction of travel, I found out the hard way 3 times in about 3min, somehow found the pin each time and the fourth time I put it on facing right lol

[@southernebiking]

Great point and you are correct. Thanks for watching.

[@pauloliveri9621]

Dear sir, I can’t thank you enough for such a comprehensive video on “mid drive” e bikes. As I’m reviewing all my research and videos on e bikes your video has absolutely convinced me to get a “HUB DRIVE”. After you finished detailing the process for shifting gears, I stopped the video and made my decision. By December I’ll be 70, and between learning how to use my iPhone, watch, my smart tv, and my Bluetooth stereo, I’m done. At this stage of my life I need simplicity. You can’t imagine what I went through when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, the GPS stopped working in my car. I almost drove it off a cliff. So thanks again. Enjoy your e bike.

[@southernebiking]

@pauloliveri9621 You are very welcome and thank you for watching paul. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. I actually do have a hub drive that I use all longer rides at my wife and I do. I use the mid drive for off road. If I had to have only one I would choose the mid drive, but the nice thing is they're getting affordable enough that we can't have more than one. Again thanks for watching

[@dalvenable331]

Love me a hub drive, all my bikes are direct drives. heavy but silent power and speed with no moving parts they are about bullet proof. get you a nice 48 volt system around 1500 watts have fun.

[@nathanmcgill4157]

I'm 210lbs. I put 7500 miles on my bike before changing the cassette chain all that. Just ride the damn thing. get used to it the way your going to ride it. I changed the cassette from 11-34 to 11-50. Changed front sprocket from 48 to 42 offset. Then it hauls me almost anywhere through the woods. I also have one leg

[@18andlikeit]

I did exactly what you did. Converted a Polygon Extrada 6 to a eMTB with a 750w Befang mid drive. Came out real good but mid drives are really sensitive to what gear you're in, you're shifting all the time for different terrains ect. Lots of stress on the drivetrain even with proper shifting. My 11 speed cassette got trashed in 1000 miles. Then I got a Ecell's 5 Star fat tire ebike with a 1,500w hub motor. Holy crap! My mid drive has been collecting dust ever since. Just get on my Ecell's and go. What gear you are in doesn't matter. Got so much power you can tackle good hills in the highest gear if you want, or just throttle your way up. Once you get into the really powerful hub motors, the advantages of mid drives disappear. I can now go up steep hills WAY faster than I ever could on my mid drive. And instead of a top speed of 30mph on the mid drive, I now have a top speed of 40mph with the hub motor Ecells.

[@southernebiking]

@@18andlikeit thank you for watching. Yes you definitely have more maintenance with a mid drive. As far as what is better, it depends on what someone is wanting to do. I don’t mind shifting. When I am riding an E bike, I am wanting to ride a bicycle that has some assistance with it. I think if somebody wants to ride them like a bicycle then a mid drive would do better for them. If they want to ride them like a little pretend motorcycle, maybe a hub drive would be best for that person. so it all depends on what you’re looking for.

[@18andlikeit]

@@southernebiking I didn't get the Ecell's for speed, only for the power. 90% of my riding is in PAS 1, I'm still interested in getting exercise, and I still do. But believe me, it's great knowing you have big power on tap if you need it. There's no hill I can't get up quickly and easily which is what I was really after. I got some good hills in my area that I like to explore.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Great video. I've been thinking that eBikes really just need five speeds. Granted, if somebody rides without any assist they would want to have more....but the five speeds I'm familiar with have three ranges of boost, which ...in a round about way provide you with more than 5 choices. tHanks for the video

[@dalvenable331]

Thanks for the video. I am building a mid drive conversion out of an old bike someone had thrown out with flat tires. I won't be using gears but locking the bike on one gear with fixed derailleur. This makes it easier to change the wheel. I am hoping the original chain will hold up it was not rusty when I found the bike. I have a 1000 watt 48 volt system in route as we speak. this bike is a one piece crank so there is going to be some back yard engineering happing to get everything hung and hooked up. I have built mid drives before but never for one of my personal bikes. I love a conversion kit they are so flexible you can simply change them out from frame to frame that is good for me because I am always wanting to do another build.

[@southernebiking]

@@dalvenable331 enjoy the build and thank you much for watching.

[@terryrccrazy6993]

Very informative, lots of great information, thanks

[@southernebiking]

Thank you much Terry. I do appreciate it. It really does seem like a lot of information, but the actuality is that it’s very simple. Thank you much for watching.

[@edulloalf]

Nice video, good explanation!

[@southernebiking]

@@edulloalf thank you very much. I do appreciate it and thank you for watching.

[@Emtbtoday]

Never heard anything like that about mid drive but heard all the horror stories about hub drives, why I have a mid drive absolutely no problems atoll like the bafang hub drive gave me!

[@southernebiking]

I believe they both have their advantages and disadvantages. There is a place for either. If I were to only have one bike, it would have to be a mid drive for me. I do have my mid drive for off road, but I also have a hub drive that I use on our long rides that we take on weekends. The advantage of the hub drive is the lower maintenance. Thanks much for watching

[@jamesharrison7114]

Take a look at Lekkie chain rings for BBs motors. They have made them to correct the chain line issues the stock rings have.

[@southernebiking]

The problem with the offset of the chain line is not so much a product of the motor as it is the chain stay, or, as I would call it the swingarm. When you are converting a mountain bike. Typically they have a very small chain ring. This one was I believe a 28 tooth. Because I ride primarily bike trails, bringing it up to a bout a 44 to 48 tooth will give a top speed of approximately 24 to 28 mph with the way I have the controller tuned down just a bit. With a 48 tooth, I have to actually push the chain ring 2.5 mm out farther than the motor would have it. With a 44 tooth, I can get by with having it attach straight to the motor. But it leaves very little room for flex at that point. If I were to keep this to off-road trails, I would definitely be using a lekkie and probably about a 36 or even 32 tooth. That would definitely allow my chain line to do a bit better. Thanks for watching James.

[@terrynelson2385]

Good advice. Used to have a 21 speed bike at a younger age that I rode a lot. If I had a barrel of money I would buy a mid drive to ride in the mountains. It would have to have a throttle to get me going just like my hub motor bike does. No throttle no buy. Many new mid drives have a temporary motor cut off when gears are shifted but the idea is the same, back off the torque.

[@southernebiking]

Thank you Terry. Most mid drives now have a throttle. On the cost, if you wanted to put a bafang motor on a bike, it could be cheaper. I do have a gearshift sensor on my mid drive. Still in the habit of using the break cut off to make that cut go for a little bit longer. Especially when downshifting several gears at a time. I have been considering looking for a ready, built mid drive. Just don’t tell Mrs. SE. Lol thanks for watching.

[@terrynelson2385]

my lips are sealed!!@@southernebiking

[@Rip1Outdoors]

Very informative Blaine. I know nothing about them

[@southernebiking]

Thank you Richard. To me, they are better way to go. But it’s just in what you’re used to. Thanks much for watching.

[@GK-yk4eh]

My townie 5i is the best bike for me 5 speed trans internal where your motor is. What a great riding bike I love it and mid drive is the best for me ride before you buy.

[@southernebiking]

Thank you much for watching. That ride before you buy sums it all up. For my off-road, when I really want to cycle, I prefer a Middrive. I just purchased a hub drive. Surprisingly, I could’ve gotten the same bike as a Middrive which I have always talked about liking more. Could’ve gotten it at the same price as well. I chose the hub drive because this is the bike. I will be using when my wife and I are out biking. I really don’t need a Middrive in that case. And the mid drive does require a bit more maintenance. If I had to have one, I would choose a Middrive. but so far, no one has tried to stop me from owning more than one. Lol as my wife just heard me, say this, she stated she will stop me if I keep buying more. Thanks much. Enjoy your evening.

[@caser41]

Thanks for the very informative video. After having a hub drive I now have a mid drive, also with a throttle. Trying to get my head around using the throttle and/or the gearshift. Especially when I come to a hill. If I put it in a lower gear and try to use the throttle for a boost it will not go 'full out' unless the gearshift is in 7, my upper gear. Do I make any sense, lol...

[@southernebiking]

@@caser41 thank you for watching and yes, it makes perfectly good sense. What you wanna do is get started out in a lower gear. The reason so many people have problems with a mid is because they are trying to start out in a very high gear. You can kind of look at it this way. If you turn your motor completely off and put your bike in seventh gear how easy would it be for you to start up a hill? As hard as you have to work to do that, your motor has to work just as hard and so it is definitely difficult for it. If on the other hand, the motor was turned off and you started in first gear and then as you generated a little bit of speed shifted up to second, third, etc. you would not have much problems as long as you had the momentum I’m going with you. Try to treat your mid drive motor the same way. Once you generate a little bit of speed in the lower gear, it’s OK to shift up. If you’re doing this with throttle, I would back off the throttle for a half a second while shifting. Probably there is a gearshift sensor that will cut the motor power when you move that cable but just to be safe I would back off just as I’m shifting, kind of like backing off the gas when shifting gears in a standard vehicle. Again, thanks for watching and hopefully that was clear enough, but if not, feel free to reach out again.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

I saw the title....and thought " I bet there is something I will learn on this video". (This from someone that has ....at least six eBikes sitting). tHanks for the video

[@southernebiking]

Thank you very much for watching. I hope you was able to pick up a few things. Stay safe friend.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Yes @@southernebiking I never imagined the chains breaking. I started opting for the belt drives....however, you pointed out the issue a derailleur bike could have. That is good to know. On a different note. I know in the bikes shops we would change out bike chains long before the 3,000 mile mark. You may have spotted a concern eBike riders will have that old Schwinn bikers never imagined.

[@southernebiking]

@@Dancing_Alone_wRentals I kind of see it this way. If I get 2000 miles out of my chain and cassette. I’m pretty pleased with the amount of pressure that those two things take from a mid drive. I am going to be doing a video soon on what I feel like it’s going to be the newer technology for ebikes. An internal gearbox would certainly make belt drive. Possible with gears. I’ve never tried a belt drive yet, but I’m looking forward trying one. Again thanks for watching.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

I'm a touch behind on schedule.....but@@southernebiking, if you are ever by the Keystone Museum ( As seen in your other video; for anyone who missed that post ) I can bring a belt drive cargo. If....if....If I'm on schedule, I'll be in RVA on Monday and or Tuesday.

[@southernebiking]

@@Dancing_Alone_wRentals we are actually from Raleigh area. Our next trip is going to be headed a little more south. Down toward Charlotte only because the cooler weather is coming in.

[@omnipresentvideo7686]

I just want to build a light single speed mid drive BBSHD for commuting, got a recommendation for a strong chain?

[@southernebiking]

Thanks much for watching. To be very honest with you I would suggest you get a hub drive if you are going with a single speed. The major advantage to the Middrive is that you are using the gearing on the bike to increase your torque or speed depending on the gear you choose. I understand there is a maintenance schedule on Middrive bike as well. Especially the bafang units. I do like a Middrive much better and if I had to have only one, it would be a Middrive. But I actually just purchased a hub drive for rides that were on Greenways bike trails, etc.. I keep my Middrive for the more difficult ride or off-road. That way I am not having to put mega miles on it and do the maintenance. If you do, go with the BBSHD, please consider a bike with at least seven speed. Preferably, a nine or 10 speed. You will be much happier when it’s all said and done. Thanks much.

[@pedrofernandez8729]

This could be an issue in urban riding where you have to constantly stop and go all the time. Give me my hub drive with cadence sensor and I don't need to be bothered by gears since I have no hills over here.

[@southernebiking]

Say to me, it’s not really a problem to shift. I would be doing that on the hub drive as well. It’s just been what someone is. Used to I guess. Thanks for watching.

[@IsmaelPR32]

What do you mean when you say back-off or back-down prior to shifting? Do you cut the motor power (brake sensor) or do you throttle down?

[@southernebiking]

Great question. And thanks for watching. Definitely the motor power needs to cut. That happens with a gearshift sensor in most cases, or as you said a brake sensor. But I also want to back off my peddling. I almost want to ghost pedal for a quarter to a half of revolution. A great way to see what I’m talking about is to turn off your motor and just keep it pedaling up a slight incline. If you try to shift while you have pressure going from the chain to the rear cassette, you will feel bad shift and hear a clunking through. If you back off and ghost pedal about a half a turn as you are making that shift. There will not be pressure from the chain to the back sprocket. This will allow a much smoother shift. This is much more important on a mid drive. On a hub drive, typically the back wheel is turning more than the chain. That means there’s not a lot of pressure from the chain to the sprocket. Thus, this is not as big of an issue. On a mid drive, this is much more important. Please let me know if this answers your question. Again, thanks for watching.

[@8thsinner]

I'm completely new to this but thinking of the bafang 1000w, for my merida big 7,20, with an s ram 8s/11-48 on the back. But whats that you're saying about front gears..have you seen it done properly yet or is it still more an idea floating around cause I think for me it sounds like a good option.

[@southernebiking]

It has been done in some prototypes. not sure if they ever had any of them in production. Thanks for watching

[@gergofodor8275]

I have a tsdz2b with a sturney archer 5 speed internal gear hub shifter,and single speed chain.. all of this cost like 500 $

[@southernebiking]

Internal geared would be the way to go. Now you don’t have to worry about derailer. Could also end up using a belt instead of a chain. Is it an E bike or regular bike? And how do you like it?

[@gergofodor8275]

@@southernebiking i have factory ebike before,and i converted my old mtb with the tsdz2b mid drive kit. Finished today,and i very happy with it.

[@southernebiking]

@@gergofodor8275 I am not familiar with a TSDZ2b.

[@redwingsgo12]

Its funny, I have a hub drive fat bike and consistantly out of habit am shifting gears when Im coming to a hill or a stop ect. I dont even notice I do it, it just happens from 30+ years experience riding

[@southernebiking]

This is actually a better and smarter way to ride even a hub drive. By doing this, you are providing more help to the motor thus, you are going to get better range. Thanks for watching.

[@plutobars7700]

So what kind of mid drive unit do you have on your bike?

[@southernebiking]

Bbso2

[@JDski]

From what I gather, a mid drive is closer to the transition from conventional bike to e-bike. Hub motors feel more like mopeds especially if you don't have torque sensors.

[@zlatkomi1210]

Your chainring is for high speed flat paved roads , not for gravel raiding. I use 32T chainring......

[@southernebiking]

You are correct. But I have built this bike to be an all purpose. I do take it on some mountain bike trails, on the road, and on the bike lanes. I use a 46 or 48 in front and that allows me to comfortably go about 25 or a bit more when I am in traffic. I just put a new cassette on and I believe it is a 40 or 42 in the back for the low gear. Plenty good enough even without using the motor for majority of the hills in this area. Thanks for watching.

[@zlatkomi1210]

@@southernebiking 25 is my max speed, throtle only. Lower chainring is good for your motor and raiding is more comfortable. Try it

[@comedyman112]

why not buy a belt drive bike to avoid this ?

[@southernebiking]

@@comedyman112 for watching. Certainly that would work. you would have extremely limited selection time about drive that is also mid drive.

[@ghostedyoutuber263]

Newton-Meters is torque... not power.

[@southernebiking]

@ghostedyoutuber263 Understood. But in layman's terms that translates to power to most people.

[@randyeller8139]

So in other words, much ado about nothing. I can see where someone who hasn’t been on a bicycle much could have issues but someone more experienced with an acoustic one it should be fine.

[@southernebiking]

I agree. Much Ado about nothing. But the midwives do have a reputation as being very difficult to ride. It does take a long time to try and explain how to ride, but really does not take much time at all to learn to do it. I don’t think you need experience on acoustic bike. I did very little riding of regular bikes before we started with a ebikes. I did ride my custom, build a little, and it taught me that something was not right. It really only takes about five minutes to figure it out if you understand what is going on though. Thank you much for watching Randy. We do appreciate it.

[@Trevor-Simmons]

Get on the saddle and peddle it's not rocket science

[@southernebiking]

You are correct for someone who thinks mechanically, or has experience with riding bikes. I think very mechanically. Never did do any cycling until I started ebiking. Never did have any problem with it. But this video is for people who do not think mechanically, or have very little experience cycling. They could use some help in how this thing works, because let’s face it mid drives have a reputation for being hard on the drivetrain and breaking chains. They think differently than you and I. That doesn’t make us superior. I have a friend who is a scientist. When I cowboyed for a living l tried to help him with his horses which he never got along with. He said you really don’t like me because I don’t get along with these animals do you? I told him I looked at it this way, I’m good with these type of things, but you would have to help me if we were doing something scientific. I than looked at him and said you drive a jaguar to work, I’m driving in a Ford F250. No way I could say I was better than him. He was also not better than I. We just thought differently. Thanks for watching.

[@carnivorecave]

Too much info to think about. Over thinking about shifting and the process of riding a bike. Just ride and experiment your style of riding...

[@pedrofernandez8729]

yeah, biking is all about having fun, we complicate things too much, I just wanna ride and have fun with my e bike. I can ride longer w/o getting too tired and w/o having my arthritic knees hurt.

[@southernebiking]

I would call this info something like trying to teach somebody to tie shoes. Seems very complicated, but in reality it’s very simple. Thank you much for watching. We do appreciate it.

[@XxTournaquetxX]

My mid-drive ebike motor cuts out while the gears are shifting to avoid chain damage. I thought it was a genius idea!

[@southernebiking]

@@XxTournaquetxX this bike also has a gearshift sensor on it. When I say about backing off a bit, I am not speaking about the motorbiking off, but just a torque from my legs. The chain ring is a bit to the outside so the chain line is not perfect. Even with the motor turned off I would want to back off a bit when peddling and shifting. Thanks for watching.