Electric-assist bike weight

[indalo]

In this second decade of the 21st century, it surprises me that most ebikes on the market still weigh in excess of 20Kgs; a lot more in some cases.

My own bike comes in at around 27Kgs and while I know that many bikes are quite a bit less than mine, surely lighter weight is the way forward in the ebike market? When one sees what Cytronex achieve with their system allied to extremely light bicycles, it must be possible for others to produce lighter ebikes which would sell in sufficient volume to justify their production.

As the power is limited by regulation, weight reduction offers scope, in my view, to bring more sporty ebikes into mainstream cycling. I note the newer power systems allow for a reduction in wheelbase and if accompanied by a reduction in weight, the business of loading and unloading from cycle carriers would be much easier. Although I refer to all cycle carriers, I'm thinking particularly of the type used on the back of motorhomes which make use of channels supporting the wheels.

It's for that reason that I'd like to see more bikes in the style of the new Bosch-powered Haibike which I think comes in around 20Kgs. If someone could manage something similar but with another couple of kilos shaved off, I think they'd have a winner.

Indalo

 

[flecc]

I think cost and resulting retail price plays a big part. Lightweight construction costs more in materials, care of build and extent of inspection to avoid the risks that come with minimal weight designs.

Anyone who has seen the horrific sudden collapses of front wheels, forks and frames at speed in such as the Tour de France will know how vital it is to avoid those risks.

That's the bike part, but when it comes to the electrics there are no real weight reduction possibilities. The latest battery types have irreducible weights and motors of necessity are built from metals in order for them to work. They already use the best performance to weight ratio metals and lightweight nylon gears, so there's little room for change.

Frame style imposes limits. The need for strength means step-throughs are heavier for a given rigidity and the traditional diamond frame already gives the lowest possible weight. Departures for marketing appeal mean more weight, as witness the current Tonaros, the BigHit at circa 29 kilos.

Improved featurs like disc brakes also add weight over the usual much lighter V brakes that give the rims a dual purpose.
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[Scottyf]

Most bikes are around 10 to 14 kilo's. Add a typical ebike kit or an off the shelf ebike is +7kilo's.
Its more effective to put yourself on a diet than shave precious grams off a bike.

 

[trex]

Indalo wrote:
I note the newer power systems allow for a reduction in wheelbase

Very practical remark!

 

[eddieo]

Yes to me weight and handling are extremely important and the new Bosch bikes from the likes of Scott/KTM/Hailbike/Cannondale etc...seem to have accomplished a weight of around 20kg which has to be a good thing.

my new specialised crosstrail ltd disc, with wisper DaaHub kit should scrape in under 20kg. So I think at long last there are significant advancement and improvements in design....

 

[Cyclezee]

It is not just the weight of the bike that is a problem, there is the rider too, I just have to look in the mirror to see that
If I had the figure of a racing snake, I wouldn't need an electric bike...........I would still have one though, no going back to pure pedal power now

 

[flecc]

It is not just the weight of the bike that is a problem, there is the rider too, I just have to look in the mirror to see that
If I had the figure of a racing snake, I wouldn't need an electric bike...........I would still have one though, no going back to pure pedal power now

Remember though the point I've made previously, rider weight does not affect performance until the weight gets into the obese region.

That's because in our day to day living the body automatically provides the muscle strength to match the weight carried during body movements.

If you are not obese and lose weight, the body will automatically reduce your muscle strength to suit unless you perform extra exercises like weight lifting to prevent that loss.

Therefore, if you are not clinically obese, either stay as you are, or diet with a fitness club membership!

 

[PJM]

Remember though the point I've made previously, rider weight does not affect performance until the weight gets into the obese region.

That's because in our day to day living the body automatically provides the muscle strength to match the weight carried during body movements.

If you are not obese and lose weight, the body will automatically reduce your muscle strength to suit unless you perform extra exercises like weight lifting to prevent that loss.

Therefore, if you are not clinically obese, either stay as you are, or diet with a fitness club membership!

Now I know I shouldn't have posted my weight in my Bighit posts !!!

 

[Scottyf]

But Flecc if you are on the overweight scale chances are your muscle percentage is lower becasue more of the weight is well blubber.

I'm currently 13 stone. At my best athletic stage I was 11 stone. I know currently that now I am no way as stong as I was when I was lighter. I don't eat bad and excercise lightly. No where near to the extent I used too.

However even at 26 i notice my fitness is not as good and i sweat quicker than I used to.

As weight increases yes muscle will compensate for it. To a point. then your just fat. Most of us are overweight.

Eat better, more excercise for fitness!

Personally though, It wouldn't bother me if the bike weighed another few kilo as chances are I wouldn't notice it while riding. If I had to pick it up I would.

 

[funkylyn]

It is not just the weight of the bike that is a problem, there is the rider too, I just have to look in the mirror to see that
If I had the figure of a racing snake, I wouldn't need an electric bike...........I would still have one though, no going back to pure pedal power now

Hmmmm.....your friend Stella again ?????

My friend mateus has a lot to answer for too

Funky

 

[flecc]

But Flecc if you are on the overweight scale chances are your muscle percentage is lower becasue more of the weight is well blubber.

The muscle gain will still try to balance the blubber weight if short of obesity, the body automatically compensating since it's doing weight lifting exercises all the time. That's why "bouncers" are mostly big heavy guys often with excess weight. The extra strength their body weight has given them makes it easy to overpower lighter people with less strength.

Healthy weight is I agree a different issue, excess weight leads to all manner of other problems. The ideal is if the weight is in the correct zone and enough exercise is done to keep high muscle tone, but that's not always possible, since such things as age, disability or living circumstances often prevent it.
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[Scottyf]

Or like me your lazy and live near to to many take aways!

 

[overlander]

It is very surprising that the weight of the bike has so much more bearing on the rate of progress than does the body weight. When i go back onto my non assisted bike which weighs 11Kg its like cycling in thin air.

As for weight of electric bikes i still think the Trek Fx+ is one of the lightest coming in at 19Kg, still hefty but much lighter than most.

 

[flecc]

It is very surprising that the weight of the bike has so much more bearing on the rate of progress than does the body weight. When i go back onto my non assisted bike which weighs 11Kg its like cycling in thin air.

Absolutely, every extra bike kilo and every added drag/friction/roll resistance factor, however small, makes a very noticeable difference. I have at times put on 7 kilos and its made no difference to my cycling, but adding 7 kilos of shopping to panniers is very noticeable, especially when climbing.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hmmmm.....your friend Stella again ?????

My friend mateus has a lot to answer for too

Funky

Despite what you might think, my problem is not Stella as we only meet very occasionally, it is food, I have more than healthy appetite as Anne would tell you

Glad we are still speaking I'm really not jealous of Mateus, a bit girly wouldn't you say

 

[funkylyn]

Despite what you might think, my problem is not Stella as we only meet very occasionally, it is food, I have more than healthy appetite as Anne would tell you

Glad we are still speaking I'm really not jealous of Mateus, a bit girly wouldn't you say

In case you hadn't realised.......I AM a girl........
Also in my case the vino goes along nicely with the (over)eating.....but I am doing something about it !

Actually its just like pink lemonade and so I used to knock it back just like lemonade, especially in the spanish heat .......now I prefer a nice strong dry rose.....except right now I'm not drinking nuffing .....healthy eating regime ......hoping for more range out of my battery

Funky

 

[Jon]

Im confused i thought this thread had already been done a couple of weeks ago i thought it was groundhog day when i read it. Strange!!

My bike is 23 kg and i agree with the point that we are in 2011 and bikes should be getting lighter not heavier. I understand that with efficient drive systems the weight doesnt normally become an issue on the move but when trying to lift/move or store it does become an issue and in the future i will either add an esystem to an existing bike or buy a bike that weighs under the 20kg mark. I feel that weights like 27kg are far too heavy even for me and i have quite a bit of strength. As discussed before the weight is subject to all sorts including the battery ah im sure if my battery was not a 15ah battery the weight would be about 20.5 kg.

 

[flecc]

I imagine motorcyclists with 200 kg on two wheels would be a bit bemused by this thread's mentions of difficulty in manhandling circa 25 kilos!

 

[eddieo]

I imagine motorcyclists with 200 kg on two wheels would be a bit bemused by this thread's mentions of difficulty in manhandling circa 25 kilos!

Yes but there is a big difference between a lithe road sports bike and a moped like e bike...happiness lays somewhere in between I think and as close to a sport road bike as possible...

My sons 8 kg Boardman is easily carted around with one hand....and he leaves me standing (until a hill)

 

[vectra]

I imagine motorcyclists with 200 kg on two wheels would be a bit bemused by this thread's mentions of difficulty in manhandling circa 25 kilos!

Hi Flecc.

You are correct, of course, however most motorcyclists wouldn't dream of trying to lift their mounts onto the roof of their car!
Regards
vectra