Most of you have probably heard the terms “brushless” and “brushed,” but you might not know how those terms relate to electric bikes, or what exactly brushless and brushed mean.

They don’t appear to matter much, but your e-bike’s motor can have a serious impact on how your bike performs, the maintenance required, and how long it lasts. And if you’re here to figure it out without opening an engineering textbook, be right here.

This beginner’s guide to e-bikes in the UK about the type of motors will help you understand the difference, which is better, and why you need to know as a member of the e-movement’s e-biker club.

Why the Motor Type Matters

An e-bike motor is what keeps you from having to humiliate yourself while riding uphill in a headwind, or from a stop. Some e-bikes are pure-power machines. Still, others offer limited support. But in every case, it’s the type of motor inside doing the heavy lifting.

There are two key varieties you’ll encounter:

Brushed motors: Old school, cheaper, and require more maintenance
Brushless motors: Modern, efficient, and being used in the UK’s best road-legal electric bikes.

Let’s begin with brushed motors-what exactly are they, how do they work, and what caused their decline?

Brushed E-Bike Motors: The old school option

Brushed motors have been around for decades, not just in bikes, but in everything from electric trains to cordless drills. The construction is simple: a rotating shaft with brushes in contact with a commutator. This is what lets electricity in to the motor, so it spins.

They’re old tech, but they work.

How A Brushed Motor Works?

Carbon brushes convey the current.
Some of these brushes physically make contact with the motor and generate motion.
The current in the motor is reversed by the brushes, which rotate with the motor.
This produces a magnetic field that keeps the motor running.

Sounds straightforward, right? It is. But that simplicity has some downsides.

Disadvantages of Brushed Motors

Let’s take a look at what occurs when you use an e-bike with a brushed motor.

Physical Wear Over Time

The brushes wear down over time since they have constant contact with the motor’s spinning part. The faster you ride, the sooner this occurs.

Heat Buildup

All that friction creates heat. And when any motor overheats, it runs less efficiently. So brushed motors can get hot on long rides or uphill jaunts, which drains your battery quicker and can reduce the motor’s lifespan.

More Noise

Brushed motors aren’t quiet. They are loud, and you hear and feel them when they are running close to their capacity. Some people don’t mind it. For some, it’s a distraction, at least when riding on quiet country roads or in parks.

Less Efficient Use of Power

Some of the electrical energy in brushed motors is wasted as heat and friction. So, it cannot give as much range as a brushless system.

Lower Cost

Although it might seem like an upside, it’s also a downside. Brushed motors are inexpensive to manufacture, but cutting costs on the HVAC often means a shorter life span and more maintenance.

Brushless Motors: The Modern Standard

Now that you have some idea how an e-bike works with a brushed motor, let’s turn our attention to its more sophisticated, more efficient, and more popular cousin, the brushless motor.

This is a standard in the UK’s best road-legal e-bikes. You’ll see brushless in city commuters, mountain e-bikes, cargo bikes, folding bikes, you name it. Why? They are better in almost every way that matters to today’s riders.

How Brushless Motors Work

Brushless motors ( BLDC motors for Brushless Direct Current) operate through a magnetic field and a few sensors.

Here’s a simplified explanation:

The idle part of the motor (the rotor) has permanent magnets applied to it.
Around it are stationary coils (the stator).
An electronic controller delivers electricity to the coils in a precise sequence.
This produces spinning magnetic fields that rotate the rotor without anything rubbing.

So instead of carbon brushes physically moving, the electricity is electronically and magnetically controlled. It’s a small change that makes a huge difference.

Advantages of Brushless Motors?

Let’s run down the practical implications of brushless motors and why you should care, as a day-to-day rider.

Less Wear and Tear

There are no brushes to wear out and no parts constantly rubbing against each other. That translates to longer motor life, reduced risk of breakdown, and no motor maintenance for most riders. Moreover, according to our guide to insurance for electric bikes in the UK, you’ll get better packages.

Cooler Operation

No friction on the inside = less heat produced. Your battery will run cooler, and so will your motor on long and uphill rides. This is particularly useful in summer or hilly locations such as Sheffield, Bristol, or the Lake District.

Super Quiet

Brushless motors are near-silent. You’ll be able to hear your tires moving on the road. That’s a big win for riders who like to soak in the sights, glide quietly through nature, or not stand out from the crowd.

Better Battery Efficiency

Because they don’t waste energy on friction and overheating, brushless motors get more miles from the same battery. You will see a 10–20% better range over a brushed counterpart.

Smoother Power Delivery

Due to being all electronic, the acceleration feels much more organic and less jerky. With a torque sensor or pedal assist, on the other hand, the motor responds very quickly and then adjusts according to how hard you’re pedaling.

Day-to-Day Differences You’ll Feel

Let’s rise above the tech and talk about how your ride will feel regardless of the type of e-bike with a brushless motor.

Starting from a Standstill

A brush motor may cause a jerk or delay when starting. However, a brushless motor starts smoothly with a gentle push of your pedal.

Riding Uphill

Brushless motors can adjust more quickly and can deliver more torque when needed. That translates into easier climbs and less battery depletion.

Noise and Vibration

You would hardly know a brushless motor is running. No humming. No mechanical noise.

Battery Performance

A brushless system provides a longer range with a similar charge, especially on mixed terrain.

Brushless Motors and UK Riding Conditions

UK riders have specific needs. Our roads are a cosmopolitan concoction of urban congestion, hilly countryside, and rough tracks, and let’s be frank, it’s wet the majority of the time. So how does a brushless motor compare?

City of London Commuters

Low noise means you can enjoy pre-dawn rides or congested cycle paths without that annoying buzz.
Better responsiveness in stop-start traffic.
If you don’t want to charge daily, a brushless motor gives better range.

Casual Riders

Cruising national parks or along the coast? You seek peace, something a brushless motor imparts by its very nature.
Inclines are easy due to smooth hill assist.

All-Weather Cyclists

Brushless motors are typically waterproof and dustproof.
Less chance for corrosion, shorts, or grit (makes it a viable option according to the tips in the ultimate guide to e-bikes’ safety).

Mid-Drive vs Hub? Still Brushless Either Way

One final point: do not confuse the location of the motor with the type of motor.

Hub motors (Front and rear wheel) are also popular and can be either brushless or brushed.
Mid-drive motors are always brushless.

So whether you’re after a city-sleek commuter or a rugged mountain e-bike, the motor type ultimately matters as much as its placement.

Who Still May Opt for a Brushed Motor?

If you’re wondering, “Are electric bikes legal with brushed motors? The answer is Yes. Although brushless motors are the superior choice 99% of the time, there are some applications where brushed motors still make sense.

Budget-Conscious Beginners

And if you still aren’t sold on e-biking, want a low-cost entry and are willing to accept the limited range or lifespan of an A.M. bike, a used or brushed-motor bike could still be a way to see what the fuss is about. Just prepare yourself for a bit of extra maintenance.

DIY Builders and Tinkerers

Brushed motors are easier to wire and control. Therefore, it can be an economical option if you plan to DIY and you don’t mind regular maintenance.

Low-Speed, Low-Mileage Riders

If you only use your e-bike occasionally, for quick trips to the store, say, and don’t mind a little buzz or the occasional repair, you can still squeeze a few good years out of a brushed setup.

But if you’re a commuter, a leisure rider, or a serious cyclist, a brushless motor is a much smarter investment.

How Brushless Motors Have Dominated the UK Market

The change didn’t come overnight, but it has been seismic. Here’s what has led to the brushless motor becoming the norm across the UK:

UK cyclists like to keep things quiet, particularly in cities and on scenic rides.
Performance is now as much a battleground as price.
People have become eco-conscious and are picking long-lasting products.

Entry-level machines from reputable UK brands such as e-movement are now available with brushless hub or mid-drive motors.

Conclusion

If there’s one thing we want you to know from this guide, it is: a brushless motor is your ultimate solution if you wish to ride better, quieter, and safer.

Unless you’re on a shoestring budget or you’re consciously creating a custom vehicle, there is little reason to choose a brushed motor in this day and age, especially in the UK, where terrain, weather, and urban traffic require smart solutions.