Looking for a light e-bike
 

I had a female customer come in my store the other day looking for an e-bike. She needs one light enough that she can put it on her rack. The typical 40-50 lbs was too much. We considered a fold bike, but the one I had easy access to did not have the range she's looking for.

Anything that might fit the bill in your collection of bike statistics?

-SP

I have a Bike Friday pakiT, non electric. It's a pretty light bike to use as a starting point for an ebike.
Maybe with this; she also has the option of placing the bike inside the vehicle. Here are the specs from BF:
https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-bikes/e-pakit/
"The heart of this brilliant system is the Bafang G01 Front Hub Motor that smoothly delivers 250-500W of power at a top speed of 18 mph for up to 20-30 miles on a single charge. With a 2+ hour charge time, you can count on this bad boy to get you to work and back without breaking a sweat, or leaving you hanging"

Look for something where you can easily remove the batteries before lifting so the only added weight is a small hub motor (~5 lbs). Best bet might be to add to a very lightweight road bike or hybrid.

Nothing on the market.

I built my own. Its 25lb + 4lbs for a energy dense 360watt-hr battery. Nothing on the market comes close...

S25, by 2018 Focus should gave a 30 or so pound e-road bike in EU, and maybe 2019 in the US. Closest bike that I know of is the Populo; specified by the mfg @ 36 pounds and $999. Otherwise, AFAIK, build your own with a Q100 motor and Luna battery.

The ones they hide in the seat tube , Aka 'Mechanical Doping', in the Race Bike world, are light, compact, and expensive.

F, good point, but I haven't heard of them being available in the US yet.

Copenhagen wheel and a reasonably light bike will weigh around 32 lbs.

Manufacturers build heavy ebikes. End of story. I think a bike shop could build its own line. If you can get the electronics with the Higo round connectors, it will look quite clean.

My home built e-folder uses a Q100H rear motor on a Downtube Nova bike. Weighs in at 33.4 pounds with a 2 pound battery, but is a bit creaky in the frame. I'm thinking a miniVello with 20" wheels ought to be pretty light with the same drive train.

About 18 mph on the small wheels at 36V and very mild throttle response above 12 mph. I tried 52V and it pedals too easy. I think 48V would be right, but I don't have any small batteries in that voltage.

+1.

Need pictures.

FYI, a fully charged 48v battery should be about the same as a nearly depleted 52v battery.

Copenhagen Wheel. You will still be bicycling, since there is no throttle. And, you still get an aerobic workout.

Copenhagen wheel is expensive for what you get. You can get a good bafang kit, Grin Tech kit, etc,. for quite a bit less and it will weigh less as well for lifting purposes, since the batteries are separable.

Actually I just came across a company that makes a folding bike maybe low 30something pounds - not sure.

I"ll see if I can find the link - I looked just now but saved it someplace very safe. (if you know what I mean)

The bike had some very good features - I was planning on getting one for my college age niece.

What I remember:
500 watt hub motor
180 mm disc brakes
48v 10ah battery
fancy display w/usb port
lights and a rack
the batter is mid ship behind the seat tube
plus all the stuff i forgot..

Price was 1499 free shipping.
Once I get the link I'll post if for you - I"m a little sick today with bad head cold so pardon the DAness.

It looks like Vivax not only has their internal seattube/crankshaft motor, but they also make a powered frame/bike.

The most lightweight E-Bike product - vivax assist
E-Rennrad - E-Bike vivax Passione CF
E-Rennrad - E-Rennrad vivax Passione CF Disc - frame kit

Their complete road E-bike is listed at 10.3 kg (22.7 lbs).

Their MTB is only a hair heavier at 10.9 kg (24 lbs).
E-MTB - E-Mountainbike vivax Previo 27,5"

My guess is one could build a custom road bike in the 19 to 20 lb range if one wished.

http://www.vivax-assist.com/global/2...visible-PP.jpg
http://www.vivax-assist.com/global/2...X-PREVIO_0.jpg
http://www.vivax-assist.com/global/i...adient_gro.jpg

Starting around $1900, 26 pounds lite, with regenerative function: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/v...le/x/8678064#/

https://www.faradaybikes.com/product/porteur-s/ . 40lbs, but the battery is 9, so net 31 to lift.
Is the Focus Raven² An Evolutionary Leap in eBike Technology? | Singletrack Magazine . claims to be 22lbs when the battery/motor (combo pack) is removed.

The Faraday batteries are in the frame, so not feasible to remove. On the other hand, I rode one for a week or so and it's a nice e-commuter.

Here is your best bet for light weight
https://www.bikeforums.net/electric-...l#post19922260

You can get any reasonable range you want buy using the correct battery on any bike.

Ought to be light but might start slipping on wet roads.

I have worked on a lot of expensive top of the tire friction drive generators with nearly the same mounting system. I would want to see one in action before I bought it---even as cheap as it will be I would question it.

Ha ha. I originally put 48V Dolphins in bags on the rear racks during my shake down tests, but after one fell out and hit the ground, I got a 10S-3P battery for one, and used the Luna Mini on the other.

http://www.mikesue.com/ebike/nova_2.jpg

http://www.mikesue.com/ebike/fs8_1.jpg

I used DNP 11-35 free wheels. Everyone in the bicycle world hates them, but they probably won't wear out (main complaint?) under 18 mph. If so, $30 for another one. The yellow one only has a 48T front gear though, while the blue one has a 52T gear and came with a cassette. Both bikes pedal nice w/o power.

I tried out the ebay 10S-2P hoverboard bomber batteries. At worst, I burn .2AH per mile, and those are 4AH batteries, resulting in a 20 mile range. Another power source is my Ryobi 40V 5AH lawn tool battery, but that's only good for 15 miles.

The lightest budget folder I know of is the Euro-bike series. They claim 21.5 pounds for the Vilano coaster brake model. A front drive Q100H motor would add 5 pounds.

You Buy them where they sell them, then pay shipping, to get them to you. :lol:










....

You start with a light bike that fits her needs, add a lightweight, reliable motor, and a removable battery.

SFAIK the Faraday battery slides out easily and is not permanently mounted. But the bike is limited in scope.

IMO, selecting components for the job and an easily removable battery is the best way to handle the need, as very few pre-made bikes are in the range to choose from.

Friction drive might work, but in most cases, won't. She might be a rider in Chas58's class, but very few women are. A folder might work, if the compromises involved are not too severe; IMO, they are.

Would recommend Vivax too.

DO you use Vivax Assist? WHat are the pros and cons of the unit? Good commuter motor?