Do Electric Bikes Need Special Chains?

Over time, you may find that different parts of your electric bike begin to deteriorate from everyday wear and tear. One of the most common parts that need to be replaced is the chain that helps to transfer power from the pedals to the wheels.

The more you ride your electric bicycle, the more often you’ll need to replace the chain — typically happening once you’ve ridden approximately 1200 miles. But can you go to the store and buy a standard bike chain to use on your electric bike? Or do electric bikes need special chains to operate correctly?

The answer is a bit more complex than a simple yes or no. Some electric bicycles can function with a standard bike chain, while others will require a special chain. To ensure you purchase the proper chain for your electric bicycle, Best Electric Bikes is here to walk you through the difference between a mid-drive and hub-drive electric bike motor.

Mid-Drive Electric Bicycles

If you ride an electric bicycle that’s powered by a mid-drive motor. In that case, you’ll notice that the engine is located directly between the pedals to provide power directly to the chain to accelerate the bicycle. By having the motor between the pedals, the weight of the electric bike is more evenly balanced, making the ride more comfortable.

Compared to a hub-drive motor, a mid-drive electric bicycle can provide you more power in a smaller package, allowing you to take longer rides on a single battery charge. You’ll also have the advantage of using lower gears when riding on an incline. Because a mid-drive motor offers more power, it also puts a lot more strain on your electric bicycle’s chain.

A mid-drive electric bicycle should use a special chain instead of a standard bike chain. While a typical bike chain will allow you to get from Point A to Point B, it’s likely to wear down much quicker than a more robust chain would.

Standard bicycle chains are designed to work with human power outputs and don’t factor in additional power assistance from a motor. If used on a mid-drive electric bike, you may experience a snapped chain which can put quite a damper on your ride if you’re not near home.

If you ride an electric bicycle with a mid-drive motor, you need to invest in a special chain to ensure it is strong enough to handle power coming from both you and the engine. A stronger, more durable chain will ensure you can keep on riding with no breakdowns.

Hub-Drive Electric Bicycles

While mid-drive motors are located between the bike’s pedals, hub-drive motors are attached to the front or back wheel of the bicycle. Because of its location, the weight of the motor tends to make the e-bike a bit off-balance and lean towards the engine, which can make these electric bikes have a bit more of a learning curve when riding.

Hub-drive motors are the most common type of motor for an electric bike because they are less expensive to produce than mid-drive motors.

The size of the motor is larger than a mid-drive, providing more power. However, they are typically the less efficient option for electric bicycles because they are independent of the drive chain linked to the pedals.

Because the motor and the drive chain function separately from one another, you’re still able to operate the bike by pedaling when the battery runs out.

Since the motor and the drive chain operate independently, hub-drive electric bicycles don’t require a special chain since the strain on the chain is the same as a traditional bicycle with only manual pedaling. While you don’t need a special chain for a hub-drive e-bike, you do need to select a suitable chain for the number of gears on your bicycle.

What Type of Chain Should You Buy for Your Electric Bike?

When browsing electric bike reviews, you’re probably wondering if you should opt for a bike with a mid-drive or hub-drive motor. There isn’t a right or wrong answer — it depends on which option you prefer and will give you the smooth ride you’re looking for! Either way, you’re going to need to replace the chain now and then to keep your electric bike in tip-top shape.

If you own a mid-drive electric bike, you should purchase a heavy-duty bike chain that is more durable than a standard chain. If the chain isn’t strong enough, you’re going to wear through them extremely fast and deal with unwanted breakdowns when the chain snaps from too much pressure.

If you own a hub-drive electric bike, you can replace your chain with a traditional bicycle chain and have peace of mind knowing that it won’t snap under pressure and will help propel you forward.