Originally Posted by
tds101
An internally geared hub is less efficient in general, but a (more expensive) mid drive makes it a non-issue. It's designed for ease of use, and less maintenance than a rear derailleur. Being a CVT with the NuVinci hub making it less efficient than geared IGH's is something I've never heard of. It's considered a premium IGH, like a Rohloff. I don't think it has the same gear range, but it's a great IGH nonetheless. I had it on my Xootr Swift. My only gripe was the weight, because it made my folding bike a boat anchor. An electric bike negates that issue.
As to efficiency in general, mid drives are definitely more efficient. Up until recently they were also hella' expensive. The pricing for them has now become reasonable. An IGH isn't always necessary either. I'd opt for a non-IGH mid drive and enjoy if that's your preference.
Me, I'm still waiting for my Lectric XP Lite JW Edition to ship. Rear hub, single speed, BMX style, 14+ AH battery... All the fixins for a simple, enjoyable ride.
The point I was trying to make was that the mid drive is burdened by a less efficient drivetrain. The belt and the enviolo hub are less efficient than a chain and derailleur. The chain and derailleur setup is on a hub motor.
and yet, the mid drive is still more efficient and has more range than the chain-derailleur-hub motor.
this makes me question the claims of regen braking and hub motors. Because a mid drive makes more efficient use of the battery to begin with that even accounting for hub motors and regen it is less.