Technology has played a very magnificent role in our lives. One of the dominating inventions is the emergence of electric bikes. E-bikes have helped cyclists keep fit both physically and health-wise. It has made their lives easier by being less costly and eco-friendly compared to other modes of transport such as cars. However, electric bikes have the drawback factor of being so heavy.
The question to ask is, why are electric bikes so heavy? Electric bikes are more serious than ordinary bikes because of the added components and the frame; the additional components include the display screen, wiring, a control system, and, most importantly, the battery and motor. A heavier frame is significant as it makes the bike maneuver swiftly under high speeds.
This article breaks down what is behind the heavyweight, essential factors to move swiftly, and different types of e-bikes and their weights. Stay with us.
Table of Contents
Why Are Electric Bikes So Heavy?
As aforementioned, electric bikes have various components that add to their heaviness but are they essential? Does the weight affect its speed? How heavy is an electric bike anyway? Let us find out and more if available.
What Makes an Electric Bike Heavy?
As mentioned above, the weight of the bikes is affected by the material used to manufacture them. The frame is typically built from carbon or aluminum material; one is lighter than the other, meaning the frame does not account for the grand mass of an electric bike. The motor and battery contribute heavily to the e-bikes’ weight.
A complete motor system weighs about 8.5kgs, while a battery weighs almost half the total motor’s 4-4.5kg. The motor weighs between 3-4kg from additional weights of wiring, the display screen, and a control system. The fun fact about e-bikes is that they can still operate as fast as an ordinary bike despite being heavy, and the motor is behind this similarity.
How Heavy Is an Electric Bike?
According to analytics, electric bikes are 45% heavier than ordinary bikes but lighter than motorbikes. On average electrical bikes weigh around 14 and 26 kg depending on the bike’s model type and stand at an average of 18-23kg. On the contrary, ordinary bikes weigh between 6 and 18kgs while standing at an average weight of 9-15kg. An e-bike weight limit is usually about 136kgs (300lbs) while that of a regular bike is 113kgs (250lbs)
Check out Frequently Asked Question about Electric Bikes
Does Weight Affect the Speed of an E-Bike?
Weight may or may not affect the speed of the bike, with no-heavy motors to help a cyclist pedal through satisfying kilometers per hour. It is also a yes because when you move at an average speed of 27km per hour.
It reaches a point when the pedal cannot move as you want it to. You have to use more energy to keep up with the pace because the motor is no longer your savior. This is mainly experienced while climbing through a hilly road, and it is difficult to move above 25km per hour. In developed countries like Europe, the legal average speed is above 25km per hour, which is unacceptable.
Does the Model Type Affect the Weight of the Bike?
E-bikes come in different models; each model type has its defined use, which means the weight is influenced too. For example, if you want a bike as your means of transport, you will need to get a lighter bike, and the road bike is the best choice. Still, if you want a bike for more demanding missions or going for range, you will need a heavier bike with wider wheels since such bikes can withstand harsh conditions, for instance, a mountain bike.
So having an idea of the bike type before you get one is very important. How much it weighs will help you identify your best fit. With that in mind, below is a list of the different model types of e-bikes with their respective weights;
1. Commuting bike
As the name suggests, commuting bikes are meant to help you run your simple daily errands. It is also known as the hybrid electric bicycle because of its physical appearance; the handlebars resemble those of a mountain bike with wheels similar to a road bike. What makes it suitable for traveling through a long distance is the presence of a larger battery, making commuting bikes heavier with 23-32kg of weight. If you are interested in commuting bikes, you can research them.
2. Cruiser
Cyclists who know the importance of leisure time, cruiser e-bikes are the best choice for you. It weighs around 32kg. It has soft seats and a wider handlebar for a more comfortable position compared to the rest of the e-bikes.
3. Comfort bikes
Like the cruiser, comfort bikes are meant for leisure due to their unique design. It weighs around 23-32kg.
4. Fat Tire
This model type comes from the family of mountain bikes. It is designed for rough roads, snow areas, and sandy beaches. The wide tires contribute significantly to its weight, estimated to be 50-70 pounds.
5. Folding bikes
A folding e-bike is one you can easily transport by folding it if you are relocating to a new place or going with it on vacation. This makes it easy to store, and it is the best choice for an e-bike during commutes. Folding bikes come in three variations with respective weights for preferences. They include;
- Folding mountain e-bikes, ranging between 18kgs and 31kg
- Folding fat electric tire, 22kg
- Mini e-bikes, ranging between 13kgs and 18kgs
6. Racing
If you want a lighter e-bike, a racing bike would be your best available option. It is an expensive electric bike; however, racing e-bikes are lightweight machines because of the extremely thin frames and wheels with a curved handlebar. Such a design makes the bike move as fast as possible.
7. Mountain
Mountain e-bikes are one of the most common types; they are suitable for use in rugged terrain and regular roads. It is heavier than the rest of the e-bikes at a weight of 33kg, but it can still range between 30-70 pounds. Also, it provides cushioning to reduce bumps’ effect and provides a higher power output.
Check out Top 8 Electric Bikes Under $1000
Is it Worth it Despite the Drawback?
Many believe lighter bikes are the best as you will ride faster, but will they withstand the rough terrains? When riding on an e-bike, it is easy to maneuver swiftly up the hill due to the presence of a pedal-assist mode. The extra weight is crucial as it makes your e-bike steadier even under windy conditions.
You will hardly fall since it is hard for the bike to change its direction unless you do. High chances are e-bikes will last longer than ordinary light bicycles. This will save you the recurring maintenance fee.
Check out Best eBikes below $2000
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about electric bikes:
● Are E-Bikes Heavy to Ride?
Yes. The additional weight that comes with the battery, motor and other components, e-bikes tend to be much heavier than traditional bikes. This means, when you run out of power, you will use a lot more extra effort to pedal your bike.
● Are All E-Bikes Heavy:
Not at all. As much as electric bikes are deemed heavy, they have different weights depending on construction and intended use. A fat tire ebike weighs more than a racing ebike. The lightest ebike weighs about 9Kgs (18.7 lb.) while the heaviest weighs about 30kgs (66 lb.).
● How Much Does an E-Bike’s Battery Weigh?
Generally, an e-bike’s battery weighs about 3.5Kgs (7 lb.) However, depending on the bike, some batteries weigh as much as 5.7Kgs (12.6 lb.) and as little as 1.5Kgs (3.3 lb.).
Conclusion
The article above shows that you cannot remove the heaviest parts of your electric bike since they play a significant role in the bike’s function efficiently. Therefore, the drawback should not be looked at as a troubling issue because, on the contrary, e-bikes have provided cyclists with an excellent opportunity to commute freely, enjoy their rides, and most of all, as means of transport. The extra weight is essential as it makes your e-bike reliable, durable, and steadier.
