Mid-drive or hub motor?
Updated 12 July 2026 · the elbike.dk editorial team
Every legal e-bike in Denmark has 250 watts and assists up to 25 km/h — yet they ride completely differently. The difference lies in where the motor sits and how much torque (Nm) it delivers. Here is what motor position means in practice, and when the cheaper hub motor is actually the sensible choice.
The difference in 30 seconds
| Mid-drive (at the cranks) | Rear hub motor | |
|---|---|---|
| Pulling power on hills | Best — the motor works through the gears | Fine on the flat, strained with a heavy load uphill |
| Typical torque | 60–120 Nm | 30–50 Nm |
| Ride feel | Natural — assistance follows your pedalling via a torque sensor | More of a "push from behind", often governed by a cadence sensor |
| Range per Wh | Usually better, because the motor uses the gears | Usually a bit shorter, especially in hilly terrain |
| Wear | More wear on chain and cassette | Gentle on the drivetrain — but a rear puncture is more hassle |
| Price | More expensive (Bosch, Shimano, Bafang M series) | Cheaper — often DKK 4,000–8,000 below mid-drive |
Same bike, two motors: a real example
Winther sells its Kangaroo Lite in two versions — identical box and frame, but with a Shimano STePS mid-drive in one and a Bafang rear hub motor in the other. That makes the pair the cleanest comparison in the database:
| Model | Motor | Nm | Battery | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winther Kangaroo Lite – Shimano Steps centermotor | Shimano steps E-6100 Cargo | 60 Nm | 504 Wh | DKK 38.999 |
| Winther Kangaroo Lite – Bafang Baghjulsmotor | Bafang Baghjulsmotor | 45 Nm | 475 Wh | DKK 35.699 |
33% more torque and a torque sensor that doses the assistance by how hard you pedal — that is what the mid-drive premium buys. With two kids in the box you notice it every time the road tilts upward.
Choose a mid-drive if …
- You ride a cargo bike or longtail with kids — weight plus hills is exactly where hub motors give up.
- There are hills or bridges on your daily route.
- You ride far and want maximum range from the battery.
- The bike has to last for years — Bosch and Shimano have nationwide service networks in Denmark.
A hub motor is fine if …
- You live somewhere flat (which covers most of Denmark).
- The load is light: one child, groceries, a dog under 20 kg.
- The budget is tight — the money may be better spent on a bigger battery.
- You want minimal maintenance on chain and gears.
See which models have what: filter the database by motor position and torque, or start with the best-of list, where the motor choice is part of the reasoning behind every recommendation.