Considering A Dual Motor Ebike! Help!

[ElkNut1]

I've been looking at countless models of Ebikes. I've pretty much settled on a dual motor ebike since most of its use will be on Trails that are not real user friendly. Lots of incline & decline. It's for elk scouting & hunting. I've learned a lot about them during my research but was looking for real world experience from guys like on here that may have used certain brands that were decent & even ones to shy away from. Thank You for any help.

ElkNut/Paul

 

[Bubblehide]

I presume you are referring to hub drive motors; if so, take a big step away from them, and start looking at mid-drives. Mid-drives significantly out perform on user unfriendly trails.

 

[Axlrod]

I presume you are referring to hub drive motors; if so, take a big step away from them, and start looking at mid-drives. Mid-drives significantly out perform on user unfriendly trails.

OP: Read this, then read it again. ^^^^^^^^^

 

[ElkNut1]

OK. Here's my findings for purpose of use.

Yes, I have read & watched videos on the mid range Ebikes. They are better when compared to a single rear hub motor. -- My use is not for paved roads & very little for dirt road use. I'm mainly interested in their ability to navigate steeper rough steep trails littered with boulders, rocks of various sizes & rutted washouts here & there. Much of the country I hunt is very mountainous & from what I've read & seen on videos these single motor bikes struggle at best in this terrain. -- Too, I'll be 71 in April so not a young hunter as many here are. I would like a bike I can handle & know it can crawl through this stuff if need be


. I'm not going to be blasting up or down any hill trying to maintain momentum. (grin) Thus the reason for dual motors. (AWD)

I also found out that on mid-range motor bikes that if motor dies you cannot peddle the bike. On dual motor bikes you can still peddle your way off the mountain if needed.

With this in mind are there any brands to consider or not consider. Thanks!

ElkNut/Paul

 

[Touchdown88]

I have two mid-drive bikes. A Bakcou (1000w) and a Quietkat (750). I took them to Monatana last fall for the deer hunt. Unfortunately, because they have a motor, you are restricted to motorcycle trails. The 1000W Bakcou was a lot more powerful than the Quietkat. There were on a few times that the 750w Quietkat was bogged down due to a steep hill. The 1000w Bakcou was never bogged down due to incline. Also, after we shot the deer, we put the whole thing on the Bakcou and took it 3.5 miles back to the truck.

A mid-drive will allow you to peddle without the motor, it's very uncomfortable but you can peddle. I suggest you take a road trip to the Bakcou store in Ogden, UT. They have a small off road setup in front of their parking lot that'll give you an idea of the differences between the two bikes.

 

[wapitibob]

You might be better off the with the new bakou e trail bike Jacobson is using. If you can license it, it would be even better.

 

[Bubblehide]

I also found out that on mid-range motor bikes that if motor dies you cannot peddle the bike. On dual motor bikes you can still peddle your way off the mountain if needed.

With this in mind are there any brands to consider or not consider. Thanks!

ElkNut/Paul

You are looking at the wrong middrives. Bafang makes one of the easiest DYI kits, up to 2500 watts that has good reliability. Climbing steep terrain is about gearing and troque, more than how many motors you have. DJI now makes a in frame motor that is highly regarded, Bosch is highly regarded, along with several more.

 

[supersonic_g&t]

In general, hub drives won't get you up too much elevation (they overheat). My friends have dual hub motors (older Rambos) and ,riding with them, there doesn't seem to be much advantage over my rear hub bike (Aventon). My batteries last longer though- which is enough of an advantage that my friends both say they plan on selling their dual motor bikes for a single.

 

[2buffalo]

I've been looking at countless models of Ebikes. I've pretty much settled on a dual motor ebike since most of its use will be on Trails that are not real user friendly. Lots of incline & decline. It's for elk scouting & hunting. I've learned a lot about them during my research but was looking for real world experience from guys like on here that may have used certain brands that were decent & even ones to shy away from. Thank You for any help.

ElkNut/Paul

My son and I both bought the Hellcat after demoing a mid drive. You are on the right track AWD is where its at for what you are looking to do with it.

 

[Z Barebow]

Paul

I had a Backou Mule. (Mid Drive. Single Motor) It is a beast. I used it in your home state. Yes you can peddle it. However it would suck to pedal up hill. (You would be better off walking it) It also had a walk mode. (I also had the single wheel trailer also) It will climb a wall.

The beauty of mid drive is you get the mechanical advantage of the bike gears. Use a low gear when climbing.

I sold it because I did not use it enough. It also has limits. It also is tricky riding with heavy load on trailer and single track trails. (I wrecked the derailer on a downhill. Kicked up a stick) They also have gone up in price. (I bought mine before Covid inflation hit)

Good luck!

 

[swavescatter]

Sounds almost like you really need a Surron electric dirtbike. I don’t think any e-bike is going to huck boulder trails very well…

 

[Tahoe1305]

I have a 1500watt mid drive from a lesser known east coast company (bafang motor).

Below are a few considerations:
1) it is very heavy (75lbs). Yes you can pedal it, but it’s tough and no way you are going far up hill, let alone loaded out for a hunt

2) crazy power. Can go up any hill I can keep the back wheel planted on. The weakness is rear wheel traction. I take a 50lb cart and can do my community hills at 20-30mph. Dirt or steeper grades it looses traction or starts stripping the chain because of the torque.

3) battery life is no where near advertised (maybe half under actual use). Maybe 10-20 miles on a hunt without charge.

I’ve had mine almost 3 years. I use it a good amount. And it’s hung in there. Company I bought it from is out of business but Amazon for spares has worked fine.

 

[Rokbar]

You are looking at the wrong middrives. Bafang makes one of the easiest DYI kits, up to 2500 watts that has good reliability. Climbing steep terrain is about gearing and troque, more than how many motors you have. DJI now makes a in frame motor that is highly regarded, Bosch is highly regarded, along with several more.

Are the DIY kits easy to install on just about any regular mt. bike?

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

Elknut, great elk calling app, now to answer your question...

Mid-drive is where the rubber meets the dirt. I have had a DIY Mid-Drive with a Bafang BBSHD 1000w motor since 2017. It is more or less an electric dirt bike, depending on how much you use pedal assist you can get 20-25mi (round trip) on FS roads with it, i tow a BOB Ibex trailer to haul gear and critters. If you need more range you could bring another battery.

 

[Bubblehide]

Are the DIY kits easy to install on just about any regular mt. bike?

If you're mechanically inclined, yes. If you're not, search for a shop near you that installs them.