Bosch, Shimano STEPS, TQ, and Bafang are the four systems we recommend at Vélozone Boutique. Why? Available parts, detailed technical documentation, and certified workshops like ours to diagnose them if there are any problems.
Here are a few selections with these motors at Vélozone:
In Quebec, the law limits all electric bike motors to 500 W of power and 32 km/h of assistance.
Why top speed doesn't mean anything when shopping: All electric bikes sold in Quebec are capped at 32 km/h, whether it's a $2,000 bike or a $5,000 bike. Comparing two bikes by their top speed is like comparing two cars by the highway speed limit.
What makes the real difference is torque (Nm): A 50 Nm motor takes its time to accelerate and struggles on hills. An 85 Nm motor takes off like a rocket from a standstill and climbs hills as if they weren't there.
40 to 60 Nm: urban commuting and flat terrain. Gentle and progressive assistance. Sufficient for bike paths, short city trips, and rides without major hills. At Vélozone, we have the Maui Hera with a 48 Nm motor.
65 to 80 Nm: the sweet spot. Enough power for medium hills. This is the range we recommend if your route has elevation changes or if your rides are longer than an hour. At Vélozone, we have the Husqvarna Crosser 2 with a 75Nm motor.
85 Nm and up: electric mountain bikes and performance. This type of very high-power motor is mainly seen in mountain bikes, where the primary goal is to climb steep slopes with force. At Vélozone, we have the Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC5 with an 85Nm motor.
The range of an electric bike is measured in watt-hours (Wh), not kilometers. Batteries on the market range from 300 Wh to 800 Wh. The higher the number, the longer you ride before recharging.
300 to 400 Wh: short trips. Good for 30 to 50 km in mixed mode. Sufficient for a round trip commute to the office or a Sunday ride. At Vélozone, we have the Trek Verve+ 2 Lowstep Gen 3 with a 400 Wh battery.
500 to 625 Wh: versatile. 60 to 100 km depending on terrain and assistance mode. The comfort zone for someone who uses their bike several times a week. At Vélozone, we have the Husqvarna Crosser 2 with a 675 Wh battery.
700 Wh and more: long distance. 120 to 200 km per charge. Necessary for long rides and/or when cargo is loaded. Ideal if you want to charge once a week instead of every two days. At Vélozone, we have the Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 800 with an 800 Wh battery.
Mid-drive motor: Located at the bottom bracket, in the center of the bike. This is the configuration found on Bosch, Shimano STEPS, and TQ systems. Assistance kicks in based on your pedaling effort, providing a natural feel, as if you're just stronger. The center of gravity remains low and balanced, which is immediately noticeable when cornering and on trails.
Hub motor: Located in the hub of the front or rear wheel. More affordable to produce, it's seen on entry-level electric bikes and conversion kits. Assistance directly powers the wheel, regardless of what you're doing with the pedals. Less natural feel, more like a "scooter."
What we see in the workshop: Mid-drive motors last longer and are easier to maintain. Hub motors tend to stress the spokes and the frame around the drive wheel. For a bike you want to keep for 5 to 10 years, a mid-drive motor is the best investment.
Maui Bronte $2,499.00 CAD |
NCM T3S $1,499.99 CAD |
Trek Verve+ 2 $3,649.99 CAD |
Husqvarna Crosser 2 $3,999.99 CAD |
Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC5 $10,399.99 CAD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range | Input | Entry+ | Middle | Environment+ | Top |
| Kind | City bike | Hybrid bike | Hybrid bike | Hybrid bike | Mountain bike |
| Engine Position | Rear hub | Rear hub | Main | Central | Central |
| Couple (units) | Torque sensor | 60 Nm | 50 Nm | 75 Nm | 85 Nm |
| Battery | 720 Wh | 576 Wh | 400 Wh | 625 Wh | 720 Wh |
| Stated battery life | ~53 miles | ~47 miles | ~37.3 miles | ~84 miles | ~56 miles |
| Weight | 26 kg | 26.8 kg | 23.5 kg | 25.4 kg | 24.3 kg |
| Engine | Bafang 500W | Das-Kit X15 | Bosch Active Line Plus | Bosch Performance Line | Shimano STEPS EP801 |
| Ideal usage | City, tight budget | First electric bike | Urban commuting comfort | Cycle tourism, gravel | Technical trails |
| Specificity | Thumb throttle, torque sensor new for 2025 | Best value for money | Lightest in the selection, reliable Bosch motor | Long-range autonomy, full trekking equipment | Carbon frame, full suspension, serious e-MTB |
Maui Bronte
$2,499.00 CAD
NCM T3S
$1,499.99 CAD
Trek Verve+ 2
$3,649.99 CAD
Husqvarna Crosser 2
$3,999.99 CAD
Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC5
$10,399.99 CAD
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