The relevance of (light) hub motors in modern ebike design

Lightweight eBikes are becoming an increasingly important topic in the industry. Broadening the discussion around it can help drive growth in the city and urban categories, where there is significant potential for the industry to capitalise. During an interview with Cycling Industry News, we shared our insights on the relevance of (light) hub motors in modern eBike design. Read the full story in their April print edition, or read it below.

Ananda argues for developing lightweight urban eBikes that appeal to a wider audience, to drive market 

When we think of lightweight eBikes, we often associate them with high-performance, light-assist eMTBs equipped with a mid-motor. However, this category should also include lightweight urban eBikes—agile city bikes that are easy to carry and store, especially for people living in the city or apartments. This segment remains largely untapped and holds significant growth potential.

It’s important to broaden the discussion beyond mid-drive motors and include hub motors for eGravel, eRoad, but particularly for eCity applications. The real future of the market – and its new opportunities – likely lies in developing lightweight urban eBikes that appeal to a wider audience. We have recently gathered extensive market feedback from both customers and retail¬ers. One unexpected demand has emerged: a hub motor that is both power¬ful and lightweight.

Hub motor popularity has decreased among OEMs in the past, but this kind of motor can help reduce a bike’s weight and production costs, as these motors are typically more affordable. With recent increases in power and compo¬nent miniaturisation, hub motors now offer a compelling alternative to mid-drive motors at a more affordable price. At Ananda, we have developed compact, quiet and high-performance hub motors while maintaining cost-effi¬cient production.

“THE REAL FUTURE OF THE MARKET – AND ITS NEW OPPORTUNITIES – LIKELY LIES IN DEVELOPING LIGHTWEIGHT URBAN EBIKES THAT APPEAL TO A WIDER AUDIENCE”

Different needs on the trails and in the city

For modern eMTB riding, a lightweight drive system must still provide more than 60 Nm of torque to ensure a fun and capa¬ble ride. This quickly leads to the choice of a mid-drive motor. An eMTB motor with less than 60 Nm of torque, paired with a battery under 450 Wh and supple¬mented by a range extender, carries all the downsides of an eBike – extra weight and bulk – without providing enough power and range to explore trails that would otherwise be impossible on a tradi¬tional bike.

For urban bikes, this balance between weight, power and range is even more critical for first-time buyers and those who rely on bicycles for daily commuting. Many urban riders travel relatively short distances on flat city roads, meaning their power demands are lower. This opens the door for significantly lighter bikes than the current industry benchmark.

As pioneer in hub-motors and more than 15 years of expertise we can help riders and eBike manufacturers optimise this balance by developing new technolo¬gies such as ‘Auto Mode’ and intelligent automatic shifting. These innovations ensure the right torque is delivered at the right time, ultimately improving efficiency, reducing maintenance, and ensuring a smoother, more responsive ride.

“THE LARGEST MARKET POTENTIAL LIES WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT YET REGULAR CYCLISTS, AND BRANDS MUST OFFER THEM SIMPLE AND ACCESSIBLE SOLUTIONS”

Current motor models for lightweight eBikes and their advantages

For eGravel and eRoad, our R820 motor is an excellent choice, featuring a 142 mm OLD, a thru-axle, and a magnetic connec-tor. It delivers 40 Nm of torque while weighing under 2 kg, allowing brands to design lightweight, agile bikes—some¬thing that mid-drive motors often struggle with in these categories. We’ve also developed an integrated system with a frame-mounted display and discreet buttons for effortless mode switching, combining functionality with sleek aesthetics.

The Ananda R900 represents a major step forward in eBike motor technology, delivering exceptional performance, intuitive electronic shifting and smart gearing opti¬misation. Weighing 3.8 kg and offering 50 Nm of torque, the R900 introduces a new level of intelligence in e-drive systems by integrating the motor and 3-speed shifting mechanism into a single housing.

The R900, wich just won the gold creative award at China Cycle 2025 shifts perfectly in sync and is specially designed for a new group of riders who want to focus on their ride, not on shifting gears. With this in mind, Ananda has developed PedalFlow™, a patented technology that enables automatic gear changes for fluid transitions without power loss, even under high torque or heavy load. It allows riders to pedal smoothly while automatic gear transitions happen effortlessly.

”ANANDA SPECIALISES IN ADVANCED TWO-WHEEL MOBILITY DRIVE SYSTEMS, BOASTING OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERTISE IN MID-DRIVE, SIDE-MOUNTED AND HUB MOTORS”

The Gear Hub Motor: “An alternative that doesn’t compromise on quality”

With the comeback of hub motors, eBikes are once again becoming accessible to a different group of people who struggle with the idea of spending over €5,000 on a lightweight eBike today. Brands must offer more accessible options without compro¬mising on quality and service. This is where Ananda stands out as a strong OEM partner, delivering a well-balanced mix of performance, value and reliable support for both manufacturers and retailers.