With an electric motor, cyclists can use less effort to get up and over hills, or even just maintain their speed when commuting. It also gives them the ability to ride further than they would on a standard bike. That can be great if you want to go on an off-road bike ride, but struggle to keep up with friends or family, or if you need extra power to overcome physical limitations.

There are many ways to fit an electric motor on a bicycle, but some of the easiest include replacing either the front or rear wheels with ones powered by an electric motor, and swapping the crankset for one with an integrated motor. This is the approach taken by companies such as Swytch and Cytronex, which attach a motor to the cranks or hub, while others like the Rubbee X fit their units into a mount that sits on the seat post. These systems are often less expensive than full eBikes, and can be easily fitted by the average bike enthusiast at home.

Direct drive motors (also known as hub motors) are the original and most basic motors used on eBikes. They are simple, durable and quiet, but their performance is limited by the size of the wheel they can spin. These types of motors can be used with geared hubs or without them, and are usually capable of regenerative braking.

The most popular ebike motors are mid-drive, and there are many different options available from manufacturers such as Bosch, Yamaha and Shimano. These are the motors found on eBikes from many of the leading brands, and they are usually used with a Shimano STEPS system. Shimano offers six motors in their STEPS range, with the E500, E600 and E6100 aimed at city and trekking bikes, while the EP6, EP8 and Cargo Line are designed for eMTBs.

Mid-drive motors work by using a stator and a rotor to create torque. The stator has electromagnets around its circumference, and when current passes through them in a circular pattern, they attract and repel the rotor’s permanent magnets to make it spin. This in turn generates torque that powers the ebike, which is transmitted to the tyre via the chain.

Many electric motors produce enough power to take riders up to 28mph, which is usually the maximum legal limit for eBikes in most areas. A 750-watt motor can give riders a significant boost, however, and may allow them to climb steeper routes or ride at higher speeds. It’s worth noting, though, that a more powerful motor can also consume more energy and reduce battery life quicker than a smaller one. Despite this, the extra power offered by a larger motor can be worth the added weight and cost.