How much does e bike weigh: get the facts

How much does e bike weigh: get the facts

One of the factors that affect the performance and usefulness of an e-bike is its weight. For example, weight can help determine your speed, distance and mobility. With this in mind, it’s important to do some research before making a purchase.

So, you may ask, “How much does an e-bike weigh?” Typically, e-bikes weigh between 40-80 lbs. although it varies depending on the type, battery and motor size, and materials used.

If you’re interested in learning more about the weight of an e-bike and how it affects your performance, then this article is for you.

Lighter or heavier: which is better?
If it’s a regular bike, then lighter is usually better. Of course, lighter means better handling, ease of use and mobility.

But e-bikes are different, especially because of the way they are built. The batteries and electric motors in e-bikes make them heavier than regular bikes. The extra weight of the e-bike means that it will be easier to pedal and maintain higher speeds for as long as the motor continues to give you a helping hand.

Reducing weight will therefore compromise the size and capacity of the motor and battery. Less weight may mean shorter travelling distances. However, with larger battery manufacturers entering the e-bike market, some e-bikes can still travel long distances despite their reduced weight.
An important factor to consider is how you plan to use your e-bike. A lightweight e-bike makes sense if you’re using it for commuting in the city and the need for a powerful motor and high-capacity battery may not be as important, but if you plan to ride longer distances, you’ll need a larger battery. The battery determines how far you can travel on motor power.

Heavier e-bikes usually need to be equipped with powerful motors. Powerful motors are not only bigger and heavier, but they also produce so much torque (up to 170Nm) that the pressure can actually bend the frame of a lightweight bike. As a result, bigger, bulkier frames with powerful motors will weigh in the 70-80lb range, but if you intend to go off-road (e.g. hunting) then an e-bike will do the job.

It’s rare to find an e-bike that weighs less than 40 pounds that can still travel great distances due to a smaller battery. But these rare finds come with a premium. Usually it’s because the frames are made of carbon fibre rather than aluminium, and they are fitted with smaller motors and batteries.

That’s why it’s important to choose according to your needs.

Factors affecting the weight of an e-bike

As mentioned earlier, e-bikes are made from batteries and electric motors and are therefore heavier than regular bikes. These bikes run well with the aid of electricity from the battery. In fact, due to their design, e-bikes weigh about 20 pounds more.

In addition, the wider wheels allow you to ride on rough terrains such as snow and sand. But to do this, e-bikes need to be equipped with an electric motor, which means extra weight.

Electric bikes need electric motors to support wider wheels because they make it easier to move around. This is important because without an electric motor, it will be harder for you to move the bike as the resistance increases. Ease of movement is also the reason why only mountain bikes usually have wider wheels than regular bikes.

The LCD display allows the user to control the level of power assist required, which is an added feature of e-bikes. However, it usually doesn’t add much as far as weight is concerned.

The weight of an e-bike is based on the type
The type of e-bike determines its use and likewise affects the weight of the e-bike. For example, if you want to ride as fast as possible, you need a lighter bike, so a road bike is best. However, if you want to tackle tougher routes, drive midway or continue hunting, you need a mountain bike, which is heavier because its wheels are wider.

Of course, understanding the different types of e-bikes and the weight of an e-bike is necessary to help you know which one is right for you. Listed below are the different types of e-bikes and their corresponding estimated weights.

Folding

These are designed for easy storage and carrying. If you are looking for something that you can easily carry for travelling or commuting, a folding e-bike is the best option. You can choose from the following variants and their respective weights:

Mini folding electric bike: 30-40 lbs
Folding electric mountain bike: 40-70 lbs
Folding fat tyre e-bike: usually weighs about 50 pounds

Commuter Bikes

Commuter bikes, as the name suggests, are designed for comfortable commuting. They are also known as hybrid e-bikes because the handlebars are similar to mountain bikes and the wheels are similar to road bikes. In order to travel longer distances, commuter e-bikes are equipped with larger batteries and therefore weigh more, at 50-70 pounds. There are many benefits of riding a commuter bike, so be sure to learn more about them!

Race Bikes
They are one of the more expensive and lighter types, usually weighing around 40 lbs. Racing e-bikes are made with very thin wheels and frames and handlebars that curve forward. Given their design, you can ride as fast as possible.

Mountain
Mountain electric bikes are expected to be quite heavy at 40-70 lbs, but usually 70 lbs. Being one of the most common types, these electric bikes are designed for both off-road and on-road. In addition, the suspension is capable of reducing the impact of bumps and generating a power output of up to 750W.

Cruiser E-Bikes

The Cruiser e-bike weighs around 70 lbs and is more for recreational use. Its wide soft seat and wide handlebars allow you to use it with more ease compared to other products.

Fat tyres

Similar to mountain e-bikes, wide tyre e-bikes are designed for off-road, rugged terrain (such as sand or snow) use. Fat tyre bikes with wider tyres typically weigh 60-80 lbs.

Comfort
Like cruiser e-bikes, comfort e-bikes are more commonly used for recreational purposes. In terms of design, they have handlebars that extend backward rather than sideways. Typically, Comfort e-bikes also come with a step-through frame and weigh around 50-70 lbs.

Is the extra weight a significant issue?
Let’s assume that you do intend to purchase an e-bike. However, the extra weight still makes you think twice. All you need to do is make it clear why you are considering buying an e-bike.

If you want to commute long distances in the fastest way possible, then the benefits outweigh the extra weight. The electric motor on an e-bike makes it easier to pedal even when it is heavier. However, if you need to carry it with you, weight can be an issue.

Understanding the weight of your e-bike is important. It gives you an idea of how to manage your e-bike. Moreover, you can choose the lightest e-bike. However, note that getting the lightest may mean that you will not be able to cover a longer range. You can carry an extra battery if needed, but again, it adds weight.

Typically, you can cover 20-50 miles on a single charge, and some lightweight e-bikes can cover more than 50 miles. However, range usually depends on the size of the battery and motor and where the bike is located off-road.

Also, make it a habit to clean your e-bike thoroughly, as accumulated dirt can add weight. Consider switching to thinner tyres as well, but be aware that the ease of riding the bike will affect grip. Additionally, you can remove other items attached to your e-bike, such as bags.

So what are you waiting for? With an electric bicycle, hills suddenly turn into lowlands. Enjoy the ride and don’t forget to purchase your favorite electric bicycle from Shuangye (www.zhsydz.com).