Crank or wheel mounted motor?

[Demannu]

For an e bike.
Not on any tredder forums, but there are enough electric owners on here for a decent opinion.
What are the benefits/issues with either set up.
Looking at a fs bike, if that makes any difference.
Finally, what watt motor should I be looking at? It's for trails, not gnarly FoD uphills!

[MingtheMerciless]

Most FS will be frame/crank type motors. Wheel mounted tends to be Chinese motors (apart from Orbea on their road/gravel machines).

Legally EU/GB motors are 250W, though the 250W is an average over a time period apparently so peak power can be up to 500W and around 85Nm of torques. Top speed is limited to 16mph before the motor cuts out, though this can be easily bypassed and is kinder to the motor than it continually cutting in and out as you hover around 16mph (ahem).

Not an expert on hub motors but they can be up to an illegal 1KW (dodgy eBay adverts) but the wheel may well be cheap n nasty.

So for a Crank mounted motor, you have Specialized specific Brose motors which are the best ride feel IMO (Mrs M's first gen Levo motor feels nicer than my 2nd gen Shimano EP8), however they are fragile, even the Brose 2nd generation seem problematic so if you get a specialized get it from a local dealer.

Shimano EP8's are reliable, but prefer a higher pedalling cadence than the Brose motors. I prefer the Brose feel but my Evil comes with the Shimano so you get used to it. Its seems with Shimano motors, if they're going to shit their guts it'll be in the first few weeks, otherwise they go on for ages. Bosch are about the same as Shimano for reliability.

Stealth edit, a mate test rode a new Yamaha motored bike and loved it and she's a die hard Specialized/Brose fan

Battery wise I'd go for a minimum of 500-625Whr.

Any more questions just ask.

[millemille]

Bosch are about the same as Shimano for reliability.

I'd say Bosch kick Shimano into cocked hat as far as reliability goes

[MingtheMerciless]

Bosch are about the same as Shimano for reliability.

I'd say Bosch kick Shimano into cocked hat as far as reliability goes

Only going on what the LBS are saying and they flog bikes with both motors.

[millemille]

Bosch are about the same as Shimano for reliability.

I'd say Bosch kick Shimano into cocked hat as far as reliability goes

Only going on what the LBS are saying and they flog bikes with both motors.

I know dozens of people with Bosch motored bikes, none of whom have any serious issues, and one person with a Shimano motored bike, who's had to buy a replacement motor out of his own pocket because while Shimano accepted the failure as a warranty claim they couldn't supply a replacement for many months.

That experience seems to mirror the threads on emtbforum.