formula101
1 kW
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2019
- Messages
- 386
Hardcore said:Grantmac said:75# is a really heavy bike unfortunately. I was hoping then be more inline with other ebikes around 55 or so.
I've heard stories that back in the 90s, lighter bikes became the trend to the extend where riders put their lifes on the line with underconstructed frames, thin wall'd rims, and rim brakes.
This is just dumb. Bikes in the '90's were not especially light. It's tough to generalize about bikes from that era since it was a time of so much change in frame materials, componentry and with the introduction of suspension. A statement like the above compromises your credibility.
Hardcore said:Grantmac said:75# is a really heavy bike unfortunately. I was hoping then be more inline with other ebikes around 55 or so.
Nowadays, bikes actually became heavier, look at disc brakes, dropper posts, suspension forks, larger and wider wheels, wider handlebars, etc. .. would you like your bike without? Ebikes have most the weight in the right places, because of the placement of the motor, battery, controller, in the downtube and cranks. The emtbs weight conveys an enormous degree of confidence and provides undreamt-of grip through corners with incredible stopping power and makes ease of any uphill section. Just to mention, some downhillers have even placed lead weights on their bikes for the exact same reasons.
Now where is the disadvantage of weight, you name it, acceleration and uphill, or if you want to transport the bike unassisted. All these can be neglected if you just get a big enough battery and motor and I believe frey has hit a sweet spot with their EX that with one battery weighs about 30kg (34 with both batteries).
Now please, give me your view on this as I am eager to hear your side.
A heavier bike is more difficult to handle in every respect. Cornering becomes more difficult and laborious. Jumps are more difficult. Handling is compromised. Without suspension, electric bikes are much more uncomfortable than standard bikes due to their weight. Lifting the front wheel of an e-bike, bunny hopping or any other elementary bike handling maneuver becomes exponentially more difficult.
Weight is not a minor issue, as you portray it to be. There is also the issue of safety. A disproportionate percentage of ebike riders are older, and a significant percentage have some degree of disability from age and/or injury. Handling a very heavy bicycle is disadvantageous in such circumstances.
In my experience, e=bikes and nonmotorized bicycles have a very different feel due to the differences in weight. They cannot be dismissed out of hand or ignored as you attempt to do so so flippantly.