The Actual Difference Between Heavy and Lightweight E-Bikes
Written by: Rémy Rossi | January 16, 2024 | Time to read 4 min
Dr. Suess said “One bike, two bike, heavy bike, light bike”. Or was it fish? Anyway, I’ll explain the difference between heavy and lightweight e-Bikes.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
You’ve probably heard that e-Bikes come in all shapes and sizes… big whoop, we knew that already. Bike weight, on the other hand, is harder to judge by eye and can make a huge difference to your ride. The boost from an e-Bike effectively offsets the added weight from the motor and battery, but the story doesn’t end there— stick around to compare heavy and lightweight electric bikes.
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How much do electric bikes weigh?
There’s a huge range when it comes to the weight of electric bikes— some stay impressively close to that of standard bikes while others can approach 100 lbs. Most e-Bikes, however, fall somewhere around the 45-55 lbs. mark. E-Bikes are typically around 13-18 lbs. heavier than standard bikes, the added weight mainly coming from the motor and battery.
Electric bikes that can be described as “heavy” weigh more than 55 lbs. while “lightweight” models come in around or under 45 lbs. That’s not a hard and fast rule, but I think it’s an accurate and useful metric when comparing e-Bikes.
What is a lightweight electric bike?
Lightweight electric bikes keep weight to a minimum to preserve natural handling and efficiency. They are typically made from lighter materials like carbon fiber or aluminum to reduce frame weight and the battery is normally under 500Wh. These easily maneuverable e-Bikes are great for commuting, road biking, and recreational use, offering a ride feel similar to standard bicycles.
Simply put, these slim models provide a fun boost— especially on tough hills— but still ride like the bikes we know and love. A light weight electric bike may have a less powerful motor with lower peak power output and a smaller (i.e. lighter) battery to save weight. This moderate setup will provide less assistance than beefed-up e-Bikes, for example, doubling your pedal power rather than amplifying it by 4x.
There are lightweight road e-Bikes like the Specialized Turbo Creo or Bianchi Impulso. The Aventon Soltera.2 and the Specialized Turbo Vado SL both weigh in at a sleek 46 lbs. I’ve recently discussed the Vado SL on our Head of Mechanics’ list of favorite e-Bikes and covered the standard Turbo Vado in detail.
Advantages of lightweight e-Bikes
- Better handling: Less weight added to the bike preserves the natural ride sensation you’re used to on a standard bike.
- Easier off-bike use: Lightweight e-Bikes can still be carried upstairs or lifted onto bike racks. Less effort to pivot the bike or raise it up when doing maintenance.
- More efficient: Lower overall weight means less energy required to accelerate the e-Bike. Batteries provide a longer range on lightweight bikes.
- Sleeker look: There are often slim and stylish aesthetics instead of chunky shapes that have to house oversized batteries or motors of heavier e-Bikes.
- Range options: Many lightweight e-Bikes still come with an optional range extender battery so you can customize your setup to your needs.
Drawbacks to lightweight e-Bikes
- Less powerful: Likely limited to lower top speeds with less torque
- Less range: Typically have batteries with a couple of hundred fewer watt-hours than regular or heavy e-Bikes
- Integrated batteries may not be removable: Some models like the Vado SL have non-removable batteries that are sleek and low-weight, but can’t be removed for off-bike charging
Heavy e-Bikes
Heavy electric bikes have some extra meat on their bones, providing more power, range, and all-terrain capabilities. E-Bike batteries weigh a lot and that tracks with capacity, so more range requires a heavier battery. Higher-powered motors also require bigger batteries. Add on some fat tires, suspension, and accessories and you’ve got yourself a seriously hefty electric bike. These husky e-Bikes can be great for riders who put that weight to good use, like hauling cargo or exploring off-road.
Some electric bikes are indeed just outright crazy heavy, approaching light motorcycle or dirt bike territory. That’s fine if that’s what you’re after, just expect different handling. I’ve also noticed that heavy e-Bike weight can be an indicator of corner-cutting on behalf of cheap brands— they will use heavier low-quality metal frames, bulky tube shapes, and extra welds or joints.
E-Bike weight: the tradeoff
There are some drawbacks to both heavyweight and lightweight e-Bikes. On the heavy ones, the extra weight means the drive unit has to work harder, it can feel cumbersome to handle, and bulky aesthetics are common. For lightweight models, you’re likely sacrificing some range and top power output. Take a second to think about those tradeoffs to figure out what is the best electric bike for you.
“Full-fat” vs. lightweight e-MTBs
The weight debate is perhaps the most lively when it comes to electric mountain bikes. Is it better to ride a lightweight e-MTB or should you throw weight worries to the wayside and ride a “full-fat” model?
Lightweight e-MTBs are growing in popularity as riders prioritize low weight— also, manufacturers can now shave off serious bulk due to advances in motor and battery technology. Some well-known models include the Orbea Rise (36 lbs.) and Trek EXe (40 lbs.) with its special TQ harmonic pin ring mid-drive motor. The slim bikes are just as capable and powerful on the rough stuff while boosting efficiency and staying nimble on descents.
Full-fat e-MTBs are a great option, too. The powerful motors pull their weight up the climbs so you don’t need to worry about the extra weight. The handling isn’t much different, especially on super chunky rough terrain where you won’t notice a few pounds here or there. These burlier e-MTBs are ideal for enduro and downhill use.
Key Takeways
- Lightweight e-bikes (<45 lbs.) are nimble and efficient, ideal for commuting and recreation. Lightweight e-MTBs soar up the climbs.
- Heavy e-bikes (>55 lbs.) offer more power and range that comes in handy during off-road and utility use.
- Tradeoffs Matter lightweight models sacrifice power for better handling and efficiency, while heavier e-Bikes provide extra oomph but can feel cumbersome.
