Worth the Weight?

We’re programmed to believe that when it comes to bicycles, lighter is always better. But with e-bikes, not only is that theory not always applicable, in some cases it’s just plain wrong.

We often hear people saying they need a light bike, and sometimes that’s because they have to regularly negotiate an obstacle or lift the bike into a car, but in the majority of cases it’s just that hard-wired belief that lighter must be better. Very often, if you want a lighter e-bike, it comes down to priorities. Are you willing to forgo front suspension, mudguards, a rear carrier, or lights? Are you happy with much less assistance and reduced battery range? If so, your bike will probably weigh less but may be missing many of the features that make a bike more usable, practical, and enjoyable.

Without the non-electric constraints of trying to save every gram, e-bikes can benefit from luxuries such as tougher, more puncture-resistant tyres, suspension forks and seatposts, more comfortable saddles, bright, permanent lights that don’t need to be separately charged, carriers that can take cargo without affecting the ride quality, or wheel locks that add an ever-present additional layer of security.

Off-road, there can be a positive advantage to more weight—adding stability and rigidity to downhill sections, with the powerful eMTB motors more than compensating on the way back up. The motor and battery in an e-bike will always make it heavier than the equivalent non-electric bike, but a good e-bike will make it feel lighter to ride by intuitively assisting the pedal strokes in a natural way.

There is still no major shift in battery technology on the horizon, and the ‘bigger must be better’ approach means that batteries are generally increasing in size and therefore weight, which consequently slightly increases the overall bike weight. For most, that’s a price worth paying because a bigger battery will give more range between charges, will need charging less frequently, and will maintain a bigger capacity for longer.

If you’re looking for a new e-bike, always go for good quality from a reputable retailer. Don’t include any features you won’t need, but enjoy the benefits of those that improve the ride and leave your weight worries far behind.

Chris
Fully Charged Guildford