How much torque should the motor of my e-bike have?Updated 7 days ago
When choosing the right motor for your e-bike, it’s important to consider the terrain where you’ll be riding most often. Your choice should be based on your typical routes and riding style.
City and Flat Terrain
If you mostly ride in the city or on flat terrain, a motor with 40–50 Nm of torque is sufficient. These motors are ideal for commuting and casual rides in flat areas but are not designed for frequent hilly or challenging terrain.
Countryside and Rolling Hills
For rides on countryside roads or gently rolling hills, a motor with 40–60 Nm is recommended. Motors in this range are perfect for comfortable daily rides and moderate climbs. Longer tours are possible, but for extended distances you may need a larger battery capacity.
Long Tours and Hilly Terrain
For longer tours or hilly terrain, we recommend a motor with 60–75 Nm of torque. These motors are popular among commuters for their smooth acceleration. Electric hybrid bikes often fall into this category, and Bosch motors are a great example.
Sporty and Mountain Riding
For very sporty rides or long tours in mountainous terrain, a motor with 65–90 Nm is ideal. These motors handle steep climbs and rough trails with ease and are commonly used on tour bikes and e-mountain bikes.
Bosch Motor Overview:
| Model | Torque | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|
| Bosch Active | 40 Nm | Entry-level city riding |
| Bosch Active Plus | 50 Nm | Powerful, quiet, and responsive on steeper hills |
| Bosch Cargo | 85 Nm | Electric cargo bikes with heavy loads |
| Bosch Performance | 75 Nm | Sporty and dynamic for hilly terrain |
| Bosch Performance Speed | 85 Nm | For speed pedelecs up to 45 km/h |
| Bosch Performance SX | 55 Nm | Compact and light for sporty or urban e-bikes |
| Bosch Performance CX | 85 Nm | Most powerful motor for sporty e-bikes & e-MTBs |
Choosing the right motor ensures your e-bike performs efficiently and matches your riding needs.