🤣 thanks for the head up on the typo. Toby has just welcomed a newborn 👶 home and he’s a little bit jaded, so we’ll let him off 😂 Yes, a lack of a removable battery is a downside to most of the lightweight bikes on the market. I hope you’re enjoying your Vado. Thanks for watching and commenting. Jason
Thanks for the video. There are also very interesting and very light e-bikes from Coboc. They are rather cost-intensive but very great bikes. Perhaps also worth a test.
Thanks very much for the suggestion. Cobac isn’t a bike brand I am familiar with, but given they’re based in Heidelberg I would expect them to be well made. Their Bosch SX motored bikes look like a very interesting options, their hub motored bikes look a touch expensive for what they are in my opinion, but they’re certainly worth a look. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Very interested in the Vado SL. Also tempted by the Vado SL 2 (although it is way more money, probably due to the carbon frame). I currently have a trek e-bike. Love the bosch motor, but not so thrilled with the weight of the bike...
The Vado SL really is an excellent bike. It is one of our best sellers and for good reason. The Vado SL2 looks incredible, although very pricey. I would expect an alloy version of the bike to be announced at some point in 2025, but then again I said that I thought we would see it in 2024 *doh!* Once you go with Bosch (or Trek for that matter) it's not always easy to switch brands, but the Vado SL is worth the switch. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Desperately waiting for more lightweight mid drive ebikes that compete with the Vado SL. It costs way too much on its own. And if you want the stock racks and fenders its an extra $500+ for the EQ version.
Never had an ebike but looking at Cube editor hybrid SLT 400X for a 20min commute in work togs. Any other belt drive hub gear bikes i should be looking at?
The Cube Editor is an excellent option. It hadn't been released when we filmed this video, otherwise it would have probably made the cut. I am not sure what the weight is though. Another option worth looking at is the Kalkhoff Image L Advance. Thanks for commenting and watching.
Great question! In terms of commuter style bikes, the vast majority have solid forks to save weight. However, German brand Kalkhoff produce the Entice L Advance is a good option. It is well spec'd with the Bosch SX motor and 400wh battery. It has a 75m air fork on the front, Shimano Cues gearing, plus it is equipped with integrated lights, mudguards, pannier and kickstand and weighs 21kg. If you want something a bit more rugged, the Orbea Urrun comes in a little lighter at 19kg. However, it doesn't come equipped like the Entice, so (if you needed it) it would have to be added separately, which would bring it up to a similar weight to the Entice. A completely different option, would be the Specialized Creo SL. Although, it doesn't have suspension forks per se, it does have a shock in the stem, which provides some comfort over more uneven terrain. It's not as effective as suspension forks, but it is an option worth considering if you want a very light bike with drop handlebars. I hope this is helpful. Thanks a lot for watching and taking the time to comment.
Fiido air carbon fibre 13kg, Fiido e-gravel 18kg, Nokourban 14.2 Kg. These are cheaper, have longer range and are lighter than those on this video. Any reason why these aren't included?
Hi Paul, our apologies for the delay in getting back to you. Thank you very much for watching and taking the time to comment. Fiido are not a brand that we have had any dealings with, so I couldn’t pass judgement on them. However, looking at the specifications online, their battery sizes are smaller than all of the bikes on this list (208wh vs 250wh on the Momentum, which has the smallest battery on our list), so I would anticipate that their ranges stated are slightly unrealistic. (They are certainly not the only manufacturers to do this.) The ranges we quote are from experience with the bikes using mixed modes, surfaces and topography. From what I can see of the bikes, they’re very competitively priced BUT, this goes hand in hand with the quality of the components used. I’m not saying they are bad bikes, I can’t judge something I haven’t seen/ridden, but their components are of lower grade and than the bikes on this list. Thanks again for watching and for being the Fiido bikes to our attention.
Thanks for getting in touch. I have now edited the description with the bikes listed. I have also included below. You should be able to source all of the bikes fairly easily in the US, the only bike that might be slightly tricky is the Kalkhoff. Thanks for watching. Jason Momentum Voya E+ Trek Verve +1 LT Kalkhoff Endeavour Excite LT Merida eSpeeder 400EQ Specialized Vado SL 4.0 Eqp
Great question. I must admit I wasn't aware that LeMond had gone into e-bikes. I've just had a look through their bikes and they look like seriously good bits of kit. LeMond have a great pedigree, so I don't doubt that they are excellent riding bikes. My only comments are: in my opinion, they are probably a bit too expensive for the average commuter. Plus, for the cost of these bikes I would hope to see them fitted with the latest Mahle X20 motor not the older X35. Thank you for taking the time to comment and watch our video.
For me, the weight doesn’t matter but I’m unhappy about the lack of front frame mounts on so many e-bikes (minus cargo bikes). I don’t like fork mounts that affect steering more. Also non-removable battery is a no-go for so many folks living in cities.
Thanks for commenting. Undoubtedly, anything worth ££££’s ,whether it be a phone, wallet, watch, bike is at risk of being stolen. There are however plenty of security devices available to significantly reduce the risk.
No C in Trek 😉 Great video. I commute on a regular Vado. Nowhere at home or at work to park the bike next to a plug socket…..
🤣 thanks for the head up on the typo. Toby has just welcomed a newborn 👶 home and he’s a little bit jaded, so we’ll let him off 😂
Yes, a lack of a removable battery is a downside to most of the lightweight bikes on the market. I hope you’re enjoying your Vado. Thanks for watching and commenting. Jason
Thanks for the video. There are also very interesting and very light e-bikes from Coboc. They are rather cost-intensive but very great bikes. Perhaps also worth a test.
Thanks very much for the suggestion. Cobac isn’t a bike brand I am familiar with, but given they’re based in Heidelberg I would expect them to be well made. Their Bosch SX motored bikes look like a very interesting options, their hub motored bikes look a touch expensive for what they are in my opinion, but they’re certainly worth a look. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Very interested in the Vado SL. Also tempted by the Vado SL 2 (although it is way more money, probably due to the carbon frame). I currently have a trek e-bike. Love the bosch motor, but not so thrilled with the weight of the bike...
The Vado SL really is an excellent bike. It is one of our best sellers and for good reason. The Vado SL2 looks incredible, although very pricey. I would expect an alloy version of the bike to be announced at some point in 2025, but then again I said that I thought we would see it in 2024 *doh!*
Once you go with Bosch (or Trek for that matter) it's not always easy to switch brands, but the Vado SL is worth the switch. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
What about Urtopia Carbon Pro? Didn’t it meet the requirements? 8:30
It's not a brand that I am familiar with I am afraid, so I cannot pass judgement it seems to be a US only brand and we are based in the UK.
@ Yes, US although I did see another UK reviewer take a look at them.
Desperately waiting for more lightweight mid drive ebikes that compete with the Vado SL. It costs way too much on its own. And if you want the stock racks and fenders its an extra $500+ for the EQ version.
Never had an ebike but looking at Cube editor hybrid SLT 400X for a 20min commute in work togs. Any other belt drive hub gear bikes i should be looking at?
The Cube Editor is an excellent option. It hadn't been released when we filmed this video, otherwise it would have probably made the cut. I am not sure what the weight is though. Another option worth looking at is the Kalkhoff Image L Advance. Thanks for commenting and watching.
what is the lightest ebike with front forks that have shock absorbers?
Great question!
In terms of commuter style bikes, the vast majority have solid forks to save weight. However, German brand Kalkhoff produce the Entice L Advance is a good option. It is well spec'd with the Bosch SX motor and 400wh battery. It has a 75m air fork on the front, Shimano Cues gearing, plus it is equipped with integrated lights, mudguards, pannier and kickstand and weighs 21kg.
If you want something a bit more rugged, the Orbea Urrun comes in a little lighter at 19kg. However, it doesn't come equipped like the Entice, so (if you needed it) it would have to be added separately, which would bring it up to a similar weight to the Entice.
A completely different option, would be the Specialized Creo SL. Although, it doesn't have suspension forks per se, it does have a shock in the stem, which provides some comfort over more uneven terrain. It's not as effective as suspension forks, but it is an option worth considering if you want a very light bike with drop handlebars.
I hope this is helpful. Thanks a lot for watching and taking the time to comment.
Orbea for sure
Fiido air carbon fibre 13kg, Fiido e-gravel 18kg, Nokourban 14.2 Kg. These are cheaper, have longer range and are lighter than those on this video. Any reason why these aren't included?
Hi Paul, our apologies for the delay in getting back to you. Thank you very much for watching and taking the time to comment. Fiido are not a brand that we have had any dealings with, so I couldn’t pass judgement on them. However, looking at the specifications online, their battery sizes are smaller than all of the bikes on this list (208wh vs 250wh on the Momentum, which has the smallest battery on our list), so I would anticipate that their ranges stated are slightly unrealistic. (They are certainly not the only manufacturers to do this.) The ranges we quote are from experience with the bikes using mixed modes, surfaces and topography. From what I can see of the bikes, they’re very competitively priced BUT, this goes hand in hand with the quality of the components used. I’m not saying they are bad bikes, I can’t judge something I haven’t seen/ridden, but their components are of lower grade and than the bikes on this list. Thanks again for watching and for being the Fiido bikes to our attention.
It wouldn’t be a match between a Specialized bike with 50 years experience of building bikes and bike from company no one has heard of.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks David. We really appreciate your support 👍
Too bad the bike names are not in a list I could read… also anyway I could find these in the US?
Thanks for getting in touch. I have now edited the description with the bikes listed. I have also included below. You should be able to source all of the bikes fairly easily in the US, the only bike that might be slightly tricky is the Kalkhoff. Thanks for watching. Jason
Momentum Voya E+
Trek Verve +1 LT
Kalkhoff Endeavour Excite LT
Merida eSpeeder 400EQ
Specialized Vado SL 4.0 Eqp
@@ebikecentre thank you so much!!😊
What about Lemond?
Great question. I must admit I wasn't aware that LeMond had gone into e-bikes. I've just had a look through their bikes and they look like seriously good bits of kit. LeMond have a great pedigree, so I don't doubt that they are excellent riding bikes. My only comments are: in my opinion, they are probably a bit too expensive for the average commuter. Plus, for the cost of these bikes I would hope to see them fitted with the latest Mahle X20 motor not the older X35.
Thank you for taking the time to comment and watch our video.
Yes they are expensive but they are easily the lightest e hybrid bike out there.
My Lemond Prolog hybrid e bike weighs only 11.8kg. Unless anyone knows different it’s probably the lightest e hybrid flat bar on the market.
The Lemond is about 50% more expensive. (depending on where you live)
@Realist-m9ctrue but it is (by about 2kg) the lightest e hybrid out there.
For me, the weight doesn’t matter but I’m unhappy about the lack of front frame mounts on so many e-bikes (minus cargo bikes). I don’t like fork mounts that affect steering more. Also non-removable battery is a no-go for so many folks living in cities.
I love my Turbo Vado SL , I m out on the trail shooting video with it every week, Check it Out 😊
are you kidding ? they are stolen ! big risk thşs much of money !!
Thanks for commenting. Undoubtedly, anything worth ££££’s ,whether it be a phone, wallet, watch, bike is at risk of being stolen. There are however plenty of security devices available to significantly reduce the risk.
Treck??? 😬🫣
It is called Trek!
What a mistake… 😖