Design and Experimental Evaluation of a Mid-Drive Electric Bicycle with BLDC Motor Bracket and Gearbox Integration

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.main##

Agus Harijono
* Corresponding author: ahartmi07@gmail.com
Rizki Priya Pratama
Nicky Suwandhy Widhi Supriyanto
Ahmad Hanif Firdaus
Nurhadi Nurhadi
Santoso Santoso

Abstract

Electric bicycles with mid-drive systems provide better weight balance and performance, particularly on uphill terrain. However, their production cost is generally higher than hub-drive systems, limiting accessibility for wider users. This study aims to develop a cost-effective mid-drive conversion system by modifying a hub-drive e-bike using a custom steel bracket and an integrated gearbox, and to evaluate its power performance and energy efficiency. The prototype was powered by a 60V 15Ah LiFePO₄ battery and tested under laboratory and road conditions, including no-load, flat-road, and uphill tracks (5°–15° slopes). Data were collected using a tachometer, GPS, and PZEM-015 module to record speed, voltage, current, and power consumption. The motor required 659 W during acceleration from 0–10 km/h, decreased to 183 W at 19 km/h, and increased to 867 W at 39 km/h. Under a 15° incline, the e-bike maintained 15 km/h with 1120 W of power. Distance-based tests (2.08–4.07 km) showed stable energy consumption between 21–26 Wh/km, increasing proportionally with rider weight. The gearbox-assisted mid-drive conversion improved torque distribution, transmission efficiency, and energy performance, providing a practical and affordable alternative for developing efficient electric bicycles.

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.details##

How to Cite
Harijono, A., Pratama, R., Supriyanto, N., Firdaus, A., Nurhadi, N., & Santoso, S. (2025). Design and Experimental Evaluation of a Mid-Drive Electric Bicycle with BLDC Motor Bracket and Gearbox Integration. MOTIVECTION : Journal of Mechanical, Electrical and Industrial Engineering, 7(3), 347-362. https://doi.org/10.46574/motivection.v7i3.484

References

[1] M. Huda dan B. Tristyono, “Desain Sepeda Listrik untuk Anak Sekolah SMP Remaja Perkotaan dan Dapat Diproduksi UKM Lokal,” J. Sains Dan Seni Its, vol. 5, no. 2, hal. 87–92, 2015.
[2] I. Insani dan G. Nugroho, “Perencanaan Motor Listrik BLDC Tipe Hub 1000W untuk Penggerak Sepeda Motor,” Semin. Nas. Inform., vol. 2020, no. Semnasif, hal. 265–274, 2020.
[3] F. M. Dewadi, “Efisiensi Pada Sepeda Listrik Dengan Dinamo Sepeda Sebagai Generator,” Prax. J. Sains, Teknol. Masy. dan Jejaring, vol. 4, no. 1, hal. 13, 2021, doi: 10.24167/praxis.v4i1.3215.
[4] I. Arango, C. Lopez, dan A. Ceren, “Improving the autonomy of a mid-drive motor electric bicycle based on system efficiency maps and its performance,” World Electr. Veh. J., vol. 12, no. 2, 2021, doi: 10.3390/wevj12020059.
[5] T. M. Krishna, “PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF BLDC MOTOR BASED ON CONVENTIONAL AND EXPERT CONTROLLERS,” vol. 12, no. 6, hal. 211–220, 2021, doi: 10.34218/IJEET.12.6.2021.020.
[6] M. V. Terzić dan D. S. Mihić, “Switched Reluctance Motor Design for a Mid-Drive E-Bike Application,” Machines, vol. 10, no. 8, 2022, doi: 10.3390/machines10080642.
[7] I. Arango, A. Godoy, dan C. Lopez, “E-bikes for steep roads: Mid drive and hub drive motor efficiency comparison,” Int. J. Veh. Syst. Model. Test., vol. 13, no. 1, hal. 44–58, 2018, doi: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2018.094587.
[8] S. Tjandra, S. Candra, A. A. J. Saputra, dan Y. D. F. Putra, “Design of Mid Drive Electric Cargo Bike for Urban Area,” vol. 2023, no. InCITE, hal. 312–325, 2023, doi: 10.2991/978-94-6463-288-0_27.
[9] Tianur, M. Bayu Anggoro Nurcahyo, Made Rahmawaty, dan Jajang Jaenudin, “Rancang Bangun Sepeda Listrik Menggunakan Motor DC Brushless,” J. Elektro dan Mesin Terap., vol. 9, no. 1, hal. 151–159, 2023, doi: 10.35143/elementer.v9i1.5933.
[10] I. Imaduddin, D. F. Ramadhan, dan R. A. M. Noor, “Effect of Voltage, Current, and Power on revolutions per minute in the brushless direct 3000-Watt current motor on E-Gokart,” ASEAN J. Sci. Eng., vol. 1, no. 3, hal. 221–228, 2021, doi: 10.17509/ajse.v1i3.50677.
[11] A. Harijono, A. M. Mufarrih, R. P. Pratama, N. Suwandhy, dan W. Supriyanto, “Design of Mid-Drive Motor Bracket for Electric Bicycles Perancangan Bracket Motor Mid-Drive pada sepeda listrik,” no. 9, hal. 271–280, 2024.
[12] W. C. Budianto, M. Muladi, dan I. M. Wirawan, “Sistem Pengisian Baterai Sepeda Listrik Berbasis Internet Of Things (Iot),” Emit. J. Tek. Elektro, vol. 1, no. 1, hal. 23–30, 2023, doi: 10.23917/emitor.v1i1.21772.
[13] A. A. Yusuf dan A. Asrori, “Perbandingan Konsumsi Daya Baterai Li-Ion 18650 Dengan Lifepo4 32700 Perbandingan Konsumsi Daya Baterai Li-Ion 18650 Dengan Lifepo4 32700 Berdasarkan Jarak Tempuh,” no. December, hal. 2–7, 2023, doi: 10.24843/JEM.2023.v09.i02.p26.
[14] H. N. Sari, I. Nurjannah, Aminudin, I. M. Arsana, H. Arizal, dan A. H. Ramadani, “Perancangan Komponen Dan Analisis Uji Beban Elektrik Bike,” Indones. J. Eng. Technol., vol. 5, no. 2, hal. 62–65, 2023.
[15] A. Roza, A. A. Ismail, dan D. J. Kristianto, “Pengujian Konsumsi Energi Baterai pada Sepeda Motor Listrik Konversi Tipe Mid Drive 2 kW,” J. Tek. Mesin Indones., vol. 20, no. 1, hal. 17–23, 2025, doi: 10.36289/jtmi.v20i1.732.
[16] A. T. Zain, D. D. Suranto, A. Irawan, dan C. N. Karimah, “Pengujian konsumsi daya baterai litium-ion pada sepeda motor listrik dengan variasi kemiringan lintasan,” Din. Tek. Mesin, vol. 13, no. 1, hal. 46, 2023, doi: 10.29303/dtm.v13i1.620.
[17] L. Suhadha, N. Sutarna, dan B. S. R. Purwanti, “Perancangan Modul Pengendali Torsi Motor pada Desain Kontrol Pedal Assist Sepeda Listrik,” Pros. 12th Ind. Res. Work. Natl. Semin., no. Agustus, hal. 4–5, 2021.
[18] I. A. Pratama, “Rancang Bangun Bracket Sistem Steering Roda Depan Pada Prototipe Mobil Listrik Heulang Galunggung,” Al Jazari J. Ilm. Tek. Mesin, vol. 9, no. 1, hal. 11–17, 2024, doi: 10.31602/al-jazari.v9i1.14239.
[19] S. Ariyono, B. Supriyo, B. Sumiyarso, B. Cahyono, dan D. R. Harahap, “Mechanical System Design in Automatic Motor Transmission,” SINTEK J. J. Ilm. Tek. Mesin ISSN 2088-9038, e-ISSN 2549-9645, vol. 13, no. 2, hal. 59–64, 2019.
[20] A. Tohasan, E. Prihastuty, dan W. D. Yudisworo, “MESTRO JURNAL ILMIAH Rear Wheel Drive Sprocket Gear Transmission Design for Electric car Desain Transmisi Gear Sproket Penggerak Roda Belakang mobil Listrik,” 18 Mestro J., vol. 6, no. 01, hal. 18–21, 2024.
[21] S. I. Prayoga, “Desain Sepeda Listrik Sebagai Sarana Penunjang Mobilitas Staff Industri PT.INKA,” hal. 7, 2017.