Best Mid-Drive Electric Bikes: 7 Picks From Maker Specs

What a mid-drive is, and when it beats a hub motor

You're halfway up a long grade, the bike is in a gear that suddenly feels too tall, and you wish you could just shift down. On a mid-drive you can, and the motor benefits from the shift too.

A mid-drive motor sits at the bottom bracket, where the cranks are. It pushes the chain, so its power runs through the same gears you use. A hub motor sits in a wheel and turns it directly, no matter what gear you're in. That difference is the whole story:

• Climbing. On a mid-drive you pick a lower gear and the motor works through it along with you. A hub motor can't do that, so on a long steep grade it leans on its own torque alone. Our hub vs mid-drive guide walks through the mechanics.
• Weight balance. The motor and its mass sit low and in the middle of the frame, not out at one wheel. That usually makes a bike feel more even, and it's one reason mid-drives are common on trail bikes.
• The trade-offs. The chain and cassette take more load, so drivetrain parts can wear faster. Mid-drive bikes also tend to cost more than hub bikes. For flat rides and short trips, a hub motor does the job.

For the wider picture of how motors, sensors and controllers fit together, see e-bike motor systems explained.

One note on how we label things. Some makers, Velotric among them, don't always say where their hub motor sits. We only call a bike a mid-drive when the maker says so. If a page is silent, we leave the bike out of this list.

How to choose a mid-drive e-bike

1. Torque. Torque (in newton-metres, Nm) is the twisting force the motor adds. The seven picks list 100 Nm (Discover M, Ramblas ADV, Aventure M, Level 4 ADV), 90 Nm (Prodigy V2 ECO, TrailRush) or 50 Nm (Trek Verve+ 2 Lowstep). More torque helps on steep ground; 50 Nm is plenty for rolling terrain.
2. Gears. A wide gear range is the reason to buy a mid-drive. The Ramblas ADV lists 12 gears, the TrailRush, Aventure M and Level 4 ADV list 10, and the other three list 9.
3. Sensor. A torque sensor scales assist to how hard you pedal; a cadence sensor adds assist once the cranks turn. Our records list a torque sensor for the TrailRush, Prodigy V2 ECO, Ramblas ADV and Aventure M. The Velotric page lists both kinds. Aventon and Trek don't state it for the Level 4 ADV and Verve+. See torque vs cadence sensors.
4. Battery and weight. Batteries run from 400 Wh (Trek) to 801.6 Wh (Discover M). Listed weights run from 51.8 lb to 73 lb. The makers list some weights with the battery counted separately, so check the spec page for yours.
5. Class and throttle. The Ride1Up bikes are Class 3 (28 mph assist). The Trek and most Aventons are Class 1. Only the Discover M lists a throttle. Check your state's rules in our law checker.
6. How you'll get service. A mid-drive motor and its drivetrain are not a backyard project. Know who will fix the bike before you buy it.

How the picks differ

Velotric Discover M (maker price $2,499). A commuter-style mid-drive with 100 Nm, a 500 W motor (960 W peak), a throttle, 9 gears and the biggest battery here at 801.6 Wh, with up to 95 miles claimed. It weighs 60 lb without fenders, kickstand or pedals. Riders 4'11" to 6'7"; 440 lb limit. Warranty: frame 5 years, battery and electrical parts 2 years.

Ride1Up Prodigy V2 ECO ($1,295). The least expensive pick here. A Brose mid-drive with 90 Nm and torque sensing, 9 gears, a 504 Wh battery and a Class 3 limit, at 58 lb. No throttle is listed. The page shows it on back-order, expected to ship late October, so check availability first.

Ride1Up TrailRush ($1,995). A trail bike with a torque-sensing Brose mid-drive (90 Nm), a 120 mm fork, dropper post, 29 x 2.6 in tires and quad-piston Tektro brakes. 10 gears, 58 lb, 350 lb limit. The 504 Wh battery means up to 50 miles claimed, the shortest range in the group.

Aventon Ramblas ADV ($2,899). A trail bike with 100 Nm, 12 gears, a 708 Wh battery and 4-piston SRAM brakes. At 54 lb as listed, it's one of the lighter bikes here. The maker lists a 300 lb total limit and riders 5'5" to 6'5".

Aventon Aventure M ($2,899). A fat-tire mid-drive on 26 x 4 in tires with an 80 mm fork, 100 Nm, a 733 Wh removable battery and an electronic 10-speed shifter. It's the heaviest at 73 lb, with a 400 lb limit. No throttle comes with it.

Aventon Level 4 ADV ($2,799). The commuter pick: 100 Nm, an 800 Wh removable battery, 10 gears and up to 110 miles claimed, the longest range here. 61 lb, a step-over frame, and a 300 lb limit. A throttle is compatible but not included.

Trek Verve+ 2 Lowstep ($2,399.93). A step-through Class 1 commuter with a Bosch mid-drive, 50 Nm, a 400 Wh battery and 9 gears. It weighs 51.81 lb in size M, the lightest here, and tops out at 20 mph assist. It's also the only dealer-sold bike on the list. Trek's product page cites 3,000+ Trek retailers, and warranty claims go through an authorized retailer. Practically, that means someone local can look at the bike, and you aren't boxing it up and shipping parts back and forth. The trade is a smaller battery and less torque than the others.

Who should skip all of these

• You ride mostly flat and short. A hub motor bike costs less and has less to maintain. Look at our commuter picks instead.
• You want a throttle for everything. Only the Discover M lists one.
• You want to carry a lot. Most of these list a 300 lb total limit. See the heavy-rider picks.
• You can't get to a shop and won't do basic upkeep. Direct-sold brands handle support by phone, chat and articles, and Ride1Up labor is covered for only 30 days. Trek is the exception.

FAQ

Is a mid-drive better than a hub motor for hills?

Often, yes. It works through your gears, so you can drop to an easier one on a long grade. Hub motors can still climb, but they can't use your gears. See our hub vs mid-drive guide and our hills picks.

Do mid-drive bikes wear out the chain faster?

The drivetrain carries the motor's force along with yours, so chains, cassettes and chainrings see more load. Shifting while you ease off the pedals is the usual advice. Your maker's manual has the specifics.

Which bike here has the longest claimed range?

The Level 4 ADV, up to 110 miles. Next are the Discover M (95), Ramblas ADV (90) and Aventure M (85). The Trek and the two Ride1Up bikes list up to 50. These are maker claims, and hills cut range.

Is the battery safe?

Look for UL 2849 certification and use the maker's charger. Our records list the Discover M, Ramblas ADV, Aventure M, Level 4 ADV and Trek Verve+ as certified. Ride1Up's pages for the TrailRush and Prodigy V2 ECO don't state it. For recalls, check the CPSC Micromobility Information Center.

Can I return it if it doesn't fit?

Velotric: 14 days with a $200 restocking fee. Aventon: 14 days, no restocking fee on new, unused bikes, buyer pays $125 shipping, and not for shop purchases. Ride1Up: 30 days with return shipping on you. Trek: 30 days on trekbikes.com; store purchases follow the retailer's rules.

Is a mid-drive e-bike legal where I live?

Class limits, age rules and trail access vary by state. Use our state e-bike law checker. It's general information, not legal advice.