Does Weight Actually Matter? | The Biggest eBike Misconception
Вставка
- Опубліковано 1 чер 2024
- Weight is a hot topic right now when it comes to eBikes, but does it really matter? Steve Jones is here to answer that question. He looks at the difference between how bike weight and rider weight can affect the feel of a eMTB, while taking into account the other benefits of a lighter bike.
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Lighter? Stiffer? Faster?
0:35 - How Does The Weight Of A Bike Affect Your Riding?
2:06 - How Does The Rider Change How A Bike Feels?
4:05 - Steve’s Conclusion
Useful Links:
Submit your Photo and Video to us 👉 upload.embn.com/
Check out the latest EMBN jerseys! 👉 embn.me/Jerseys
What do you think? Does the weight of a bike really matter? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 👇
Watch more on EMBN...
📹 Lightweight, Long Range - Is This 16.4KG Whyte The Future Of XC EMTB? 👉 • Lightweight, Long Rang...
📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 embn.me/EditorsChoice
📹 Watch our Features Playlist 👉 embn.me/Features
🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
4 Malcolm - Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
All Wound Up - Tigerblood Jewel
Genesis - Ooyy
Golden Triangle - Ava Low
Norita - Jobii
#embn #ebikes #emtb #ebiking
The Electric Mountain Bike Network (EMBN) is the world’s leading electric mountain bike (eMTB) channel and community.
Dedicated to igniting your passion for eMTBs, EMBN delivers weekly original content to inspire you to take your riding further, faster - and with more fun.
Whether you live to conquer the techiest terrain - both up and down; to access and explore the beautiful backcountry; or simply to pack as much fun as you can into the precious riding time you have, EMBN is dedicated to covering eMTB from every angle.
From inspiring you to go electric - helping you understand what you need, where and how to ride to get the best from your eMTB experience, and more - through showcasing and exploring the latest, most innovative tech, empowering and entertaining features, to skills videos that help you progress and can tackle ever-more adventurous terrain, and much, much more.
Every week we bring you informative and entertaining videos on…
- The know-how…
- The skills…
- The tech…
- The inspiration…
...to go faster and explore more!
EMBN is mountain biking… fully charged: helping you go faster, further, and with more adventures than ever before.
Join the EMBN community:
Facebook:
Instagram: embn.me/instagram
Twitter: embn.me/embntwitter
Thanks to our sponsors:
Whyte Bikes: embn.me/Whyte
Canyon Bikes: embn.me/canyon
Industry Nine Wheels: embn.me/IndustryNine
Ergon: embn.me/ergon
Garmin: embn.me/garmin
Peaty's Products: embn.me/Peatys
Pirelli Tyres: embn.me/Pirelli
MET Helmets: embn.me/MET
Bluegrass: embn.me/Bluegrass
Funn Pedals: embn.me/Funn
Watch our sister channels:
Global Mountain Bike Network - / gmbn
GMBN Tech - / gmbntech
Global Cycling Network - / gcn
GCN Tech - / gcntech
GCN Racing - / gcnracing
GMBN Racing - gmbn.eu/GMBNracing
Global Triathlon Network - / gtn
GCN Italia - / gcnitalia
GCN en Espanol - / gcnenespanol
GCN auf Deutsch - / gcnaufdeutsch
GCN en Francais - / gcnenfrancais
GCN Training - / gcntraining - Спорт
What do you think? Does the weight of a bike really matter? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 👇
Obviously. But weight is only half the issue, big fat balloon tyres are even worse and sap every ounce of energy out of the battery and cyclist. It saps out every ounce of the cycling experience
But you're talking about niche mountain bikes that cost a small fortune so why bother?
I think is bike dependent, I have 3 Specialized SL Levo, SL Kenevo, Turbo Levo,.
I ride in the PNW, for descending I enjoy and I am faster in the Kenevo SL, second fastest in the Turbo Levo and third fastest in the Levo SL, the bike I ride the most, Kenevo SL, just bought a Transition Repeater, I am interested to see how it feels.
It matters to me. I don't care what anyone else thinks.
Well for me it's not about speed it's about feeling. And feeling of possible motor failure somewhere in da woods is not enjoyable for me, whatever the speed. I prefer bikes with reliable motors like Bosch even the kenevo is faster harder better .. I replaced 3 kenevo motors.
Weight does matter.
I just switched from classic bike to eBike. I am not in sport form. I ride bike for joy all my life, and I am 53 now. I live in mountain area and I tend to do long rides over hills.
When riding uphill purpose of motor is not to assist but to make ride possible. Riding uphill with motor turned off is a torture.
Joy of riding is bit crunched with concern if battery would last long enough.
The weight is not issue whilst riding. My main concern is transportation of the bike on towbar bike carriers and so on.
2 trips to dolomites from eastern romania(around 3500km per trip)with 2 emtbs on the towing hook of an A6 and highway speeds. No problems whatsoever
buy a van
i'll tell you where it matters . when your old and weak and your 'walk '
mode doesn't work and you are stuck at the bottom of a trail so steep and rocky that even a mountain goat would give up .
I live in the Alps and ride mainly single-track. On virtually every ride I have to push (with walk assist available) and lift my bike. Bike weight is definitely an issue for me. My Orbea Rise weighs just over 20kg after beefing up tyres and cassette. I would never consider buying a bike heavier than 20kg for the type of riding I do here. The lighter the bike the better, absolutely !! I weigh around 70kg.
Yes, I’m in a very similar situation and have the same thoughts about weight.
I agree ! Depends upon the rider’s preferences . I’m 64 x motocross racer . E bikes are awesome fun😎
glad you mentioned off-road motorbikes...
my Husaberg had 108kg my Cube 24 kg
Have a guess which one is easier to get back up after a fall or when you're stuck in a rut 😁
i do not care if it's 21 or 28 kg
Within limits, I don't think weight is important on an ebike. I would like to be able to pick it up to get it on the bike rack though.
It doesn't matter what we want, because bike manufacturers will push us towards stuff we don't need that is more expensive, more fragile, less user friendly and unable to work on yourself unless you pay hundreds a year to get it serviced. This is the cycling industry business model.
I think most riders would be happy with either a heavy or a light E-bike on the right day. One thing that wasn't mentioned was the tendency of heavier bikes to 'steamroller' over bumps in a confidence inspiring, but trail feature erasing manner. This is similar to a short versus long travel discussion, the heavier and softer a bike is the less playful it is. Sure a big bike can be muscled over a huge rock, but will you want to pop off that root, or simply ignore it like it's a groomed trail? This then becomes a horses for courses discussion, if you mostly ride crazy rock gardens on big hills or are self-shuttling black runs then go heavy. A lighter rider looking for maximum fun on shorter rides without so much super-tech will perhaps prefer the lighter bike.
Steve, wonderful topic and comparisons!
You nailed this! thanks ! Great video !
Only matters when you're over the limiter. And you're peddling a 25kg bike on a flow trail with no motor.
On the new turbo levo when I hit 20mph on a trail sometimes I can’t tell the power cut right away . Things smooth still heavy tho about 50lbs
I totally notice the cut off on my Turbo Levo from 2020. I don't notice on my 2023 SL. Can even cycle the latter with the assist off without it feeling liking you are cycling through treacle.
But I can lift the SL over fences.
Both bikes are great fun for different reasons imo.
Good tyres is much more important than weight. Just installed the new Michelin e wild racing line.
Lots of very good points made here, cracking vid chaps.
Liked the car number plate. 😂
At one point i thought you heading in the direction of "the less you weigh perhaps the less your bike should weigh to be able to adequately control it." Which made sense to me. Also If you weigh alot you need a stronger bike for heavy riding which is likely goinf ti be a heavier bike.
If you dont weigh very much at all.. say 55kg your going to have a hard time being the boss in a 30kg bike relationship. Something i'd never really thought of. Lots of things to also consider which I think you tried to cover some of. What was the conclusion again?
i really dont know what to say. I have a very fit female friend the rips the hell out of a LaPierre OverVolt. She doesnt seem to be bothered by the bike's weight.
I think people get a wee bit too obsessive over EMTB weights - Take yourself for instance Steve - at 92KG you are 5+KG lighter than myself but on the same bike (light weight/lower power or a heavier/full power) we would both get the same out of a days riding but your experience and skillset is what sets us apart - not the bike. They are all numbers to consider but either way - get on and try different bikes and ‘feel’ what suits you, don’t worry about the ‘trends’ 😎
Soooo mamy factors for a good bike to suit different riders weight size etc etc etc completely agree...👍👍
Very rarely do I need carry my MTB on climbs- rare big mountain days out, but it still needs to be liftable and pushable for everyday riding and transporting around.
A dirtbike weighs in around 250lbs, at 30mph on the same jank logging road I bomb with my 160mm ebike, the dirt bike is unfazed and totally in control. The ebike however is moving in terrifying ways, washboards cause near wipeouts. The ebike has larger diameter tires than the moto, some of the best suspension you can put on mtb, it just doesnt matter. The weight of the bike makes the suspension move instead of the terrain and suspension moving the bike/rider. Thats why an ebike feels markedly more stable than a regular bike that weighs 15 pounds less. If you could make a bike weigh the same as a feather it would suck, but if it weighed as much as a harley davidson it would also suck, there is a sweet spot where weight is your friend, ebike weight currently reside in that spot for most situations.
I would say that weight does not matter that much in most situations- for example my filled water bottle is about 1kg mounted pretty high on the frame, sometimes I forget to take it with me and I do not feel the slightest difference when riding.. now I have tested my bike without the 4 kg power tube- and I did feel a difference- but mostly in weight distribution because the battery sits in the front.
When you have carry it over a stye or gate, then it matters loads!
you just avoid them, with komoot you can check
Or get it out of a creek after a crash.
Weights pretty much in the 750w bosch power tube for me! 24kg bike 19kg with battery removed makes it light a s a feather! You got 4.4kg in the battery alone!
4K video looks great
For more open mountain trails, I agree that bike weight is not such an issue and can actually be beneficial for better traction and much improved kinetic motion. But weight is definitely important on steep knarly sections of track with regards to braking, or hitting aggressive bumpy terrain that require lifts and pops to maintain motion (Enduro level terrain), or movement during jumps etc. For the majority of Mountain Bikers that are using an eMTB for occasional outings in nature, and simple track fun, I would not focus on the weight of the eMTB. Geometry is probably more important.
Weight is one of the important points but bike weight to rider weight is the critical element. Same for power.
Only time i have found the weight of mine an issue at a good 27kg, is on really steep slippery stuff and slowing it down is hard work
If all things are equal…. Power , geometry, suspension…. Yes weight matters!
Stevie another great presentation! My eBike weighs almost 25Kg.....but with 160Nm of Torque I can go anywhere my skills let me!
What bike have you got?? 160nm!!
@@danielsimmonds5162 Must be a bike with a Bafang M600 motor
@@danielsimmonds5162 It's not even made anymore....it's called an Apollo made by Luna Cycle....But I'm pretty sure they quit making them. 1100Wh battery ...weighs 54lbs.
@@danielsimmonds5162 Luna Cycle Apollo! I don't think it's even made anymore....2500 Watts! I love it though. Wish I could post a picture of it here...I have changed every component except the Cranks and SRAM Rear Caliper. I hate SRAM brakes but love all their other stuff. I have Hope Tech Brakes and my Rear Brake is a Hope Tech V4 Lever/Master cylinder/using a SRAM rear Caliper and it works GREAT! My bike can do almost 40 MPH in less than 100 feet!
I started riding BMX in the early 2000s when they weighed about 18kg, what's a few extra kilos for an EMTB?
Weight is not everything. Well weight of the bike that is. The bike is one aspect of the equation and we all weigh in differently and then there is a myriad of variables. What we wear, water we carry and tools or other things. At the end of the day it comes down to what you can afford and what you get used to or are open minded enough to accept. Enjoy what you have. We ride for fun.
Matters when youre jumping and doing drops and wants to slow down as fast as you can to make a turn or not crash into the tree. E = mv^2. Depends how hard you’re pushing yourself. I find I won’t take as many risks on a much heavier bike.
Luv my heavy Husky. Confidence speed.!!
in order to bring some accountability to this matter, one would need to first answer the question "why do you want an ebike to be lighter?". Once I resolved to add a motor and battery to a bike, what advantage could I expect to have by using lighter forks, tyres, brakes, wheelsets????
To me, the best advantage on adding the "e" factor to my moutainbike, is that now I can ride up my favorite trails with proper forks, tyres, brakes, wheelsets, witch would consume all my energy if I was riding a naughtybike (not ebike) ;)
I have both and my SL bike is more fun. My FF is a basher. Different styles and feel and different types of fun. I think you need both.
106 !! Sorry that was a 205 🤦♂️
I was gonna comment the same then saw the car number plate. 🤣
I will say I had a cove peeler back in the day and it weighed. 50lbs! And could throw it around pretty well. So weight of my current e bike a kenevo expert does not bother me in the slightest. It seems that weight is an issue for new riders that never experienced the joy and misery of riding a heavy bike or ride a dirt bike!
Th e first time I rode my hardtail eMTB I couldn’t believe how planted it felt going downhill on a fast forest fire road compared to my light carbon frame non-electric hardtail. Much safer and confidence inspiring, so ultimately a lot faster.
Lifting is where it matters,
Get yourself lost and have to exit via a locked gate or a fence, lifting it onto the van / bike stand etc
Amazing how many e-bikes specifically designed for women weigh in at 27kg
😂
Yeah and I’ve got buggered shoulders from years of lifting weights , 60s now
The action of lifting a bike hits right where it hurts , even on an analog bike
Personally it’s an issue for me. Some full fat ali bikes weighing 54lbs are just a no because it makes transporting them a pain in the arse and the weight is noticeable on jumps and drops for me.
Turning hard corners is better on heavier bikes because of the weight in the center
Lighter is always better.
I have been on eMTB for less than a year. It is full-power eMTB, more on the heavy side 24+kg, due to a medical reason. Before I rode the same MTB model and a FAT bike. I liked my MTB and even more bus feeling on my former FAT bike. So my expectations from eMTB we're leaning more towards FAT bike due to added mass. But in reality, the feeling is quite the opposite: easy handling like on regular MTB and stability of the FAT bike. The only downside is the workout, however with two stents in my heart that is not a priority anymore. I must admit I was a big-time eBike hater but now I consider my eMTB as the best bike ever and I have been riding MTBs since the year 2000. Ok, still I can enjoy my small HT on a pump track. So for me, the transition to eMTB was easy because I had the same model of MTB and a ton of experience in handling a heavy FAT bike.
Conclusion: I have found an extra added mass of an eMTB as a downside on slippery rooty counter camber sections. Everything else is better. However, it may be that it takes more time to get that technique too.
I think it is a matter of preference and riding style. For me full power bikes are overkill and drawbacks are far more than the benefits. I have pushed my analog bike for years, I don't mind pushing my Levo SL here and there on the steepest uphill sections. Yet, when you ride on mountain trails, there is plenty of lifting, balancing on shaky rocks or going over fallen trees. Doing that with a 24kg bike would be a nightmare. Transportation is another issue. Range of light emtb is not a big issue either, in fact range is unlimited as you can ride motor off with ease.
If you want to minimize uphill effort to the max, or just want to enjoy the scenery and being outside f.p. is the way to go.
The comparison with the cars is pretty accurate actually. In real life, on open roads, sporty hatchbacks feel faster and more enjoyable than a 600+hp heavy, wide, big saloon.
I''d say, if you are at a point where 5-10 kgs will make or break your "competitiveness", then weight makes a difference with the eMTBs you ride. That said, 98% of us are not competing in any serious way, and thus, would never ever feel a difference. So, to shell out more money for a lesser weighted eMTB is just wasting money.
My electric unicycle is over 80lbs, all the electric mountain bikes seem light to me 😅
Lift the bike two flight of stairs even with the 4kg battery out still sucks.😂
YOU DONT KNOW ANY 60KG Mountain bikers 🤨 2:28
More weight, more drain of your battery. Its simple!
My weight its 65kg, my bike 20kg and with 250w i can reach 50km.
Weight is another pice of the puzzle, just like geometry and sizing.
For downhill riding a heavier bike can be better.
For technical stuff no! Lighter is the way to go.
The bigger you are the more weight you can handle.
I’m 5’5” & 155 lbs and do mix ridding so if you have me a full power light way I’ll take it on a heart beat. Beats my 59.5 lbs fat boy.
If you’re concerned about weight is about traveling, suck it up! It’s just an extra 20lbs you are picking up on average. Not a big deal!
Nothing else to say Ste said it all if if makes you feel good and gets you out on the trails why are we constantly going on about saving weight??? If your 100kg plus like me I would never in a million years go for a super light full carbon with a small motor!!nah full fat for me..
Now I get it. ebikes are exactly like European cars! Who would have known? I guess I'll sell them now.
I'm new to this....Anyone out there give some recommendations for E-bike models ?
Go a demo day ,
Giant Trance E+ Elite. Lighter weight and full power 😮
Ibis Oso. Santa Cruz Heckler. Santa Cruz Bullit.
@@BrianF-wv5cl thanks
@@dadventuretv2538 nice one thanks.
People whining about the weight of a 25kg ebike makes me laugh. It's got a motor ffs. Never heard anyone whining about 100kg dirtbike being heavy either
205 more nimble around a car park id say
205 1.9GTI. Yes please.
The point is to buy a bike with no engine period😂
Yes, to much weight is unhealthy ;-).
Because of 25kg and no motor over the limiter I'm faster on my 17kg pedal bike on pretty much ever single trail at swinley forest. Apart from up hill obviously 😁
80kg rider = heavy!?
Try a 110kg rider!! (Not Mr Nonu btw)
Re, weight... a heavier bike just takes getting used to.
Like Prophet Steve says, if you've been in the game for any serious length of time... you'll be conditioned to think lighter is better and heavier is not.
My full fat Eeb weighs (at a guess) somewhere around 23kg's.
It is set up middle of the pack re, heft.
Mullet vs stock 29 configuration.
Fox 36 fork vs Zeb or 38.
Conti Enduro Soft vs DH tyres.
These 'lighter ' parts are offset by - coil shock w/ 600lb spring
-10 mm extra front travel
-steel cassette & steel free hub
The final rub is, I love the 'weigh' it rides 😁
so funny 10 yrs down the line when we have 20lb emtb this vid will be so irrelevant
Potentially even earlier at the current rate of things! We look forward to it!
The lighter the bike the less impact to the overall weight of the rider and bike, against time of battery usage and maneuverability. Then comes the weight to transport, and the peripherals. I simply couldn’t get along on an e-bike with aluminum rims and slop in the pedal between paws. A lighter rider doing less aggressive riding probably doesn’t notice. So really there are a few things here where weight of the bike should be no greater than 30% of the total weight combination. This would be where the weight would be absolutely noticeable in any case. Leaving the bike as overly cumbersome IMHO. So for me, the lighter the bike, the more stiff, with less compromising components is typically more expensive. I think Steve loses some context inside a larger narrative of the rider’s capabilities against a generic backdrop. Just didn’t work for me here…