The Central Motor Reconstruction in U.S. Electric Bikes (2011–2020)

The EcoE 5000W electric bike

Powerful Motor: EcoE is equipped with a 60V 5000W high-speed brushless motor. Due to different loads and road conditions, the electric bike drive system provides adjustable assistance, allowing you to stay healthy, relax, and exercise.
Accessories: This electric bike accessory set includes a rearview mirror, water bottle holder and bottle, a sturdy phone mount, and a waterproof phone pouch. The reinforced cargo rack allows you to easily carry extra items needed for your ride. Additionally, if you need more accessories, you can purchase a detachable storage rack, passenger safety seat, trailer, and more.
60V 32AH Battery: The bike is equipped with a high-capacity, removable 32AH battery, providing longer range per charge and over 1000 charge cycles. With pedal assist, the fat tire e-bike can travel 35-80 miles, depending on riding mode, load, and terrain. You can also purchase a spare battery for extended trips.
Comfort and Versatility: This fat tire electric bike comes with dual front suspension and rear shocks to reduce impact and strain during rides. Its 26-inch wheels, 4-inch tires, and SHIM 7-speed system offer excellent grip across diverse terrains. Front and rear disc brakes ensure safe, responsive stopping, whether on mountain trails or city streets.

–

Between 2011 and 2020, the U.S. electric bike (e-bike) motor landscape underwent a paradigm shift with the rise of central (mid-drive) motors, driven by American engineers’ pursuit of efficiency, terrain adaptability, and rider experience. Unlike earlier hub motors (dominant in the 2000s), central motors—positioned at the bike’s bottom bracket—redefined performance by integrating with the drivetrain, optimizing weight distribution, and enabling torque-sensitive power delivery.

2011–2014: Foundations of American Mid-Drive Innovation

In 2011, California-based Pedego launched the TrailTracker, America’s first mass-produced mid-drive e-bike. Equipped with a 750W Bafang central motor (licensed from China but locally optimized), it addressed a critical flaw of hub motors: uneven weight distribution affecting downhill stability. Meanwhile, Connecticut’s Cannondale experimented with the Lefty Oliver—a 500W mid-drive prototype with integrated suspension, debuting at the 2013 Sea Otter Classic. These models highlighted U.S. brands’ focus on blending motor technology with bicycle dynamics, particularly for off-road use.

2015–2017: Mainstream Adoption and Sensor Integration

The turning point came in 2015 when German giant Bosch established its North American e-bike division in Portland, Oregon, introducing its Performance Line CX mid-drive motor (85 Nm torque, 250W). American riders embraced its torque sensor technology—unlike cheaper cadence sensors, it measured pedaling force, delivering seamless power (e.g., Specialized’s 2017 Turbo Levo, the first U.S. mountain e-bike with Bosch CX, sold out nationwide). Concurrently, Colorado’s Yeti Cycles partnered with Bosch to develop the SB130 Power, targeting high-end trail riders. By 2017, mid-drive e-bikes accounted for 38% of U.S. e-bike sales (up from 12% in 2015), driven by urban commuters and outdoor enthusiasts.

2018–2020: Miniaturization and Regulatory Alignment

U.S. engineers then prioritized miniaturization. In 2018, Silicon Valley startup TQ Group (U.S. branch in San Diego) unveiled the HPR50—a 50Nm mid-drive motor smaller than a water bottle, adopted by Santa Cruz Bicycles for the Chameleon E (2019). This coincided with the 2020 California Electric Assist Bicycle Regulations (AB 1096), which classified e-bikes by power output and speed, incentivizing mid-drive manufacturers to focus on sub-1,000W compliant models (e.g., Raleigh’s 2020 Redux iE, with a 750W Brose mid-drive optimized for U.S. hills).