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Lightweight 12.5kg sport e-bike

Published: 27 January 2013
Last updated: 07 April 2024

The need for a lightweight e-bike

I want to produce lightweight ebikes and here I tell you why.If you have to lift an ebike or have to climb stairs, it is nice if it does not weigh more than 15kg. However, most ebikes weigh much more than 20kg, which is totally unmanageable. Without motor assistance you may not feel any difference with a normal bicycle.I also want to produce a number of Maxun One solar-powered bicycles. The two extra solar panels adds weight of about 3kg. The solar bike may not weigh more than 17 kg. So, the ebike alone may not weigh more than 14kg.

There is no e-bike on the market that meets these requirements; therefore I have built a 12.5kg full-size touring e-bike myself, temporarily with a front hub motor. Homemade carbon parts, such as the battery case, drastically reduced the weight.

Lightweight e-bike 12.5kgLightweight e-bike 12.5kg

Test of the lightweight ebike

For cycling without the solar panels, a battery is used with a capacity of 360Wh (36V, 10Ah). On a flat road, there is no need for motor assistance at all; you can simply reach a speed of 30km/h. I use the motor only at uphill, during headwind, and at acceleration. The ebike has a large action radius: I drive through the South Limburg hills in the Netherlands more than 70km on just one battery. On a flat road, without actually pedalling, the speed is 28km/h. 

The lightest e-bike

The 7.66kg e-bike Montanara Volta from Jean-Pierre Schiltknecht is the lightest e-bike. The middrive is built with an RC engine, which makes it lightweight and efficient.

7.66 kg e-bike Montanara Volta7.66 kg e-bike Montanara Volta

Normal heavy electric bike

It seems that nothing is done to reduce the weight of a normal ebike which is often 28kg. Electric bikes are usually made for pensioners with saddle pain, who want to have comfort. So, ebikes are built like a Harley Davidson, high comfort and many accessories.

Normal, heavy ebike of 28kgNormal, heavy ebike of 28kg

See also

 

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