Myth-busting: E-bike Weight
When buying an e-bike, weight is a huge consideration and shouldn't be ignored. Most modern e-bikes come with a weight penalty mainly due to the motor and battery weighing around 3Kgs each. This is often unnoticeable when riding, but there are pros and cons based on the style of riding you are looking to do. For instance, a heavier bike can be advantageous for an electric hybrid bike, e-mountain bike, folding e-bike, or commuting electric. A lighter bike can help when looking for e-road, e-cross country, or e-gravel. Below we go into more detail on the pros and cons of heavy vs light electric bikes and hopefully bust some myths too!
Heavy Bikes Pros
- More stable at higher speeds.
- Gives newer riders a sense of confidence.
- Smoother power delivery.
- Usually equipped with a larger battery, meaning the distance you can ride is greater.
- A powerful motor which gives you more power up hills in particular.
- Stronger, more capable frame set.
Heavy Bikes Cons
- Less stable at lower speeds.
- It may feel like it could be more convenient when manoeuvring the bike in tight spaces or on tight trails.
- Harder to lift over styles/gates when off-road.
- Harder to lift onto bike racks etc.
- May feel sluggish when riding off-road on soft terrain.
Lighter Bikes Pros
- Stable at all speeds.
- Easily manoeuvrable.
- Performs well off-road.
- Offers a sensation more like riding a regular bicycle.
- Performs better on steeper descents.
- Allows for the more unassisted millage.
Lighter Biker Cons
- Usually equipped with a smaller battery.
- Usually equipped with a less powerful motor.
- Less assisted millage.
Overall, there is a lot to consider when looking at heavy vs light e-bikes, and if you are local to our shop near Winchester, test some out and try the difference for yourself.
e-bikes currently in stock
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If you enjoyed this article you may also like "A beginner's guide to e-bikes".
