Pro’s and Con’s of using Hub/Mid drive Motor with a single speed Bike.

Product / Topic Reviewed

The video isn’t reviewing a single branded product. Instead, it discusses the best motor setup for a single-speed bike—specifically comparing a mid-drive motor versus a hub motor.

Key Points Mentioned (Unique)

1. Mid-drive on a single-speed can still make sense

   • The creator says they’re “still going mid-drive even when it’s a single-speed drivetrain.”

2. Main mid-drive advantage: customizable gearing via sprockets

   • You can change sprockets to alter the gear ratio and tune performance over time.
   • This is presented as especially useful for achieving different performance characteristics.

3. Hub motor disadvantage: you’re locked into its built-in reduction

   • Hub motors include internal planetary gear reduction.
   • Because of this internal gearing, you’re generally stuck with the gearing the hub motor provides, unlike a setup where you can swap sprockets.

4. Mid-drive advantage vs hub on human-powered gearing

   • The creator argues that adjusting the human gear ratio can help, but it’s not as important as the mid-drive’s ability to effectively tune the overall ratio.

5. Hub motor advantage: easier installation

   • Hub motors are described as generally easier to put in.

6. Hub motor advantage: more space for the battery (motorcycle example)

   • The creator claims hub motor mounting can leave space for the battery, since the motor occupies different mounting locations.
   • They note this could affect aesthetics (for better or worse).

7. Decision depends on priorities

   • Hub motor camp: “Ease of install and more room for battery”
   • Mid-drive camp: “Performance and dialing it in”

Pros / Cons (as stated)

Mid-drive (on single-speed)

Pros

• Performance-oriented
• Can dial in/customize gearing by upgrading sprockets
• More control over how the bike rides over time

Cons

• Implied complexity (contrasted with hub motor ease; not deeply detailed)

Hub motor

Pros

• Easier installation
• More battery space (example: motorcycle fitment)
• Packaging/space flexibility

Cons

• Fixed internal gearing due to planetary reduction (limited customization vs sprockets)

User Experience / Practical Takeaways

• If a rider expects to want to change ride characteristics later, the creator favors mid-drive + single-speed because sprocket swaps enable ratio changes.
• If a rider prioritizes simplicity and battery packaging, the creator points toward hub motors.

Comparisons Made

• Mid-drive vs hub motor, specifically for single-speed drivetrains
• The emphasis is on:
  • Gearing flexibility (mid-drive) vs fixed gearing (hub motor)
  • Install simplicity (hub) vs performance tuning (mid-drive)
  • Battery space potential (hub) vs different packaging considerations (mid-drive)

Ratings / Numerical Scores

• None provided.

Overall Verdict / Recommendation

For a single-speed setup:

• Choose mid-drive if you care about performance tuning and adjustable gearing (via sprockets).
• Choose hub motor if you care about easier installation and more space for the battery, and you accept fixed gearing.

Speakers / Views

• Single speaker: Johnny Nerdout (primary opinion throughout; no other speakers mentioned).