Hub motor
A hub motor drives the wheel from its center. Replace it as a complete wheel or motor matched to your exact model and version, and leave work inside the motor to a pro.
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A hub motor sits in the center of the front or rear wheel and drives the wheel directly. Grin Technologies explains that hub motors are either geared, which simply stop adding power above their top speed, or direct drive, which can regenerate and resist above top speed (Grin, e-bike parts explained).
A hub motor is replaced as a whole wheel or motor matched to your bike, or by a pro. Never open a hub motor or solder inside it. Remove the battery before you unplug the motor cable, and see find a shop for anything past a wheel swap.
What it's used for
A motor that grinds, won't turn, or jerks and stops can need replacing, but often the fault is a cable, plug or hall sensor instead. Rule those out first with Hub motor e-bike troubleshooting, Motor cuts out, E-bike noises and Motor cable and hall sensors.
What to look for
- Exact model and motor version. Ride1Up lists its replacement rear wheel and motor by model, and some series were built with motors from different makers, for example a 500 Series (Shengyi) and a 500/700 Series (Bafang). Ride1Up asks owners to check which version they have, or contact support, before ordering (Ride1Up rear wheel and motor).
- Whole wheel or motor only. Ride1Up offers a full rear wheel, which it suggests when both the wheel and motor are damaged, or a motor and stator only option that does not include the planetary gears or motor plate (Ride1Up). The motor only option is a job for a pro.
- Returns. Ride1Up says it doesn't accept returns on motors and wheels (Ride1Up), so confirm the version first.
- A match for the controller. Grin notes that a motor's winding speed sets its top speed at a given voltage, and that whether it has hall sensors matters when pairing it with a controller (Grin). A like-for-like motor avoids both problems.
- Axle and torque arm. Grin says flat-sided hub motor axles can fail at higher power or on lightweight frames without extra bracing (Grin). See Torque arm.
- What moves over. Check whether the new wheel comes with a freewheel, brake rotor and tire or whether you move yours across. Park Tool notes that threaded freewheels are common on some e-bikes (Park Tool freewheel guide).
Where to buy
- Your bike maker's parts store, such as Ride1Up.
- For Bafang kits, a Bafang service center such as California Ebike.
- Independent specialists in Where to buy e-bike repair parts.
- A local shop, through find a shop.
Videos
Guides that use it
- Fix a flat on a rear hub motor wheel
- Rear hub wheel removal
- Ride1Up troubleshooting
- Hub motor e-bike troubleshooting
Sources
- Grin, e-bike parts explained, ebikes.ca
- Ride1Up rear wheel and motor, ride1up.com
- Park Tool freewheel guide, parktool.com
- California Ebike, california-ebike.com
- Rear Hub Drive eBike Wheel Removal and Install, youtube.com
Stuck after these checks? Find a shop near you.
Guides that use this
- Apollo Go: E7 error, a motor won't respond or feels locked
- Aventon Level.2, Pace, Sinch and Aventure: error 21 or W03, motor cuts out on long climbs
- Aventon Level.2, Pace, Sinch and Aventure: error 23 or 24, motor phase or hall fault
- Aventon Level.2: parts and specs
- Aventon Pace 500.3: parts and specs
- Gotrax G3, G4, GMAX and GMAX Ultra: error 4 motor signal failure or error 6 motor blocking
- Heybike Mars, Ranger, Cityscape, Cityrun, Tyson and more: error 23 or 24, motor jerks or won't pull
- Hiboy S2, S2 Pro, KS4 and S2 Lite: motor hall error on the display (E7, or E2 on the S2 Lite)
- Himiway Zebra and Cruiser: error 24 motor hall defect, motor stops
- Himiway Zebra and Cruiser: error 30 abnormal communication on the display
- Juiced CrossCurrent X and RipCurrent S: error 8 or 9, motor hall or phase fault
- Lectric XP 3.0: parts and specs
- Lectric XP, XP Lite and XPedition: E007 motor fault on the display
- Rad Power Bikes RadCity 5 Plus: parts and specs
- Rad Power Bikes RadMission: pedal assist level 2 light flashing, motor won't run (error 24)
- Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 1 and RadRunner 2: parts and specs
- Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 1, 2 and Plus: error 24 or assist level 2 flashing
- Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus: parts and specs
- Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus: parts and specs
- Rad Power Bikes Radster, RadWagon 5 and RadExpand 5 Plus: error 21 or 23 after climbing hills
- Rad Power Bikes Radster, RadWagon 5 and RadExpand 5 Plus: error 24 on the color display
- Ride1Up Core-5, 500 Series, 700 Series and LMT'D: error 23 or 24 after a flat or rear wheel removal
- Ride1Up Core-5: parts and specs
- Ride1Up Core-5: powers on, wheel spins for a second, then stops
- Ride1Up Vorsa, Portola 02 and Revv 1: error 08 or 09, motor hall or phase wire fault
- Segway Ninebot E2 Pro: error 42, motor not calibrated
- Segway Ninebot Max G30P and G30LP: error 18 motor Hall sensor fault, motor won't drive
- Velotric Discover 1 and Nomad 1: error code 21 to 30 on the display
- Velotric Discover 1: parts and specs
- Velotric Discover and Nomad: display on, but the motor doesn't respond
- Xiaomi M365, 1S, Pro 2 and Mi 3: error 18, motor gives no power when you press the throttle
If these steps didn't fix it, find a shop near you in our partner network. For battery or wiring trouble, look for shops marked Battery and electrical.
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