Also called: rear hub motor, front hub motor, geared hub, direct drive
What it does
It turns the wheel directly. It's the most common motor on lower-priced and many direct-to-consumer e-bikes, and it works independently of the bike's gears.
Signs of a problem
- Clicking or grinding from the wheel hub
- A wheel that's hard to turn with the power off
- Assist that cuts in and out over bumps (often a loose motor cable)
Safe things to check
- Look at the motor cable where it leaves the axle: it should be undamaged and plugged in fully.
- Check the axle nuts are tight and the wheel sits straight in the frame.
Looking after it
- Keep the axle nuts and torque washers tight.
- Don't hose the hub directly when cleaning.
- Removing a rear hub-motor wheel is harder than a normal wheel; ask a shop if you haven't done one.