Electric bakfiets | Motor systems
At Babboe, all cargo bike models are available with motor assistance. Every Babboe electric bakfiets also has a practical pushing aid. This allows you to move your (fully charged) cargo bike easily even when you are not riding it - for example: to transport it from a garage to the cycle path.
Babboe electric cargo bikes are available in two motor variants:
1. GWA rear hub motor
This GWA motor is located on the rear wheel of all Babboe electric variants. The motor hub replaces the classic rear wheel hub. The rear wheel motor has a Hall sensor for speed and a torque sensor at the crankshaft.
The electric bakfiets with a motor at the rear wheel is driven by rotation. As soon as you start pedalling, the electric assistance system is activated. The position you set determines the level of assistance you will receive from the motor. The hub motor can only use the integrated transmission and therefore has a lower efficiency when starting than the mid-mounted motor. The gear selected (7-speed derailleur) has no influence on the motor speed, which is always directly proportional to the driving speed. As the motor is located on the rear wheel, you feel like you are being supported from behind.
- Assistance: up to 25km/h
- Nominal capacity: 250 W
- Torque: 40-45 Nm
- Gearshift: Shimano 7-speed derailleur (When shifting gears, you must pedal so that the chain can jump to another cog).
- Backpedal function: No
- Assistance levels: 8
- Battery: 375 Wh or 450 Wh
2. Mid-mounted motor (bottom bracket motor)
The electric bakfiets with a mid-mounted motor assists you based on power. The more resistance your bike encounters - for example, if you are travelling uphill - the more electrical assistance is activated. One advantage of the mid-mounted motor or bottom bracket motor is that it uses the transmission of the gearshift, which means that it can contribute even more power on hills. As the mid-mounted motor (unlike the hub motor) also acts upon the chain and gears with its power, it wears out faster than the hub motor. The mid-mounted motor has a torque sensor that detects the pedalling force, a speed sensor to measure the driving speed, and a crankshaft sensor that detects the number of crankshaft revolutions.
If you live in a fairly flat area, the assistance offered by the hub motor will generally be sufficient. However, the constant assistance of the mid-mounted motor makes for a smoother and more powerful riding experience. The position of the motor in the middle of the wheel (the bottom bracket) provides greater stability.
- Assistance: up to 25km/h
- Nominal capacity: 250 W
- Torque: 70 Nm - 80 Nm peak
- Gearshift: continuously variable NuVinci 330 hub gear (the desired gear can be selected while riding or at a standstill).
- Backpedal function: No
- Assistance levels: Eco, Standard, High
- Battery: 400 Wh or 500 Wh
Battery range and charging
Cargo bikes with rear-wheel hub motor (E-variant):
- Range 375 Wh: 40 - 60 km
- Range 450 Wh: 50 - 70 km
Cargo bikes with mid-mounted motor (Mountain variant):
- Range 400 Wh: 40 - 60 km
- Range 500 Wh: 50 - 75 km
The actual range depends on:
- the total weight/total load of the bike (rider weight, additional load, and children)
- the resistance (headwind, road conditions, differences in altitude, tyre pressure)
- driving behaviour/driver performance (assistance level, timely shifting up and down, and the speed driven)
- the outside temperature (at low temperatures the battery capacity is reduced)
- the condition of the battery (the older the battery, the lower its capacity and range)
An empty battery can be fully recharged within approximately 4-6 hours.
On the electric models with a rear hub motor, the battery is located under the bicycle rack. The electric cargo bike is therefore equipped with a bicycle rack as standard.
On the Mountain models with a mid-mounted motor, the battery is located under the seat in the transport box. The Mountain models can be fitted with an optional bicycle rack.
Display and handling
1. Display rear hub motor
The electric models have 8 levels of assistance that are easy to operate via the control on the handlebars. Press Plus or Minus to select the desired level of assistance.
2. Display mid-mounted motor
Babboe's Mountain models have 3 levels of assistance: Eco, Standard and High. Using the arrow keys, you can simply select more or less assistance.