Average Electric Bike Weight (with 7 Examples)
An electric bike’s weight is one of the most critical factors in determining its performance and usefulness. Weight often affects your speed, maneuverability, and distance. When deciding to purchase an electric bike, you’ll want to consider the added weight that comes along with it.
Electric bikes weigh about 40 to 50% more than traditional bikes weighing between 20 to 90 pounds. However, on average most e-bikes weigh about 45 to 55 pounds.
We’ll provide an overview of the different types of e-bikes, their corresponding weight, and the various components affecting their weight.
How Much Does an Electric Bike Weigh?
Pedelecs or pedal-assisted electric cycles weigh between 13 to 17 pounds more than traditional bikes. Some e-racing bicycles can be as light as 22 pounds, while electric cargo bikes can weigh up to 90 pounds. However, standard e-bikes weigh between 45 to 55 pounds. Here are some of the most common electric bicycle weights by type:
- eRacing bike: 22 pounds
- Electric commuter folding bike: 44 pounds
- Standard e-Bike: 44 to 55 pounds
- Electric mountain bike: 33 to 62 pounds
- eCargo Bike: 88 pounds
While electric bicycles are heavier than conventional bicycles, e-bikes require less energy and are easier to ride. That’s because all of the electrical parts on the electric bicycle help the rider. Some e-bikes assist when using the throttle or pedaling, or both.
Electric Bikes vs. Traditional Bikes Weight
The weight of an e-bike is just the weight of a traditional bike plus the weight of the various electrical components such as the battery, electric motor, and any electrical accessories such as the switches, LCDs, and wiring. Traditional bikes weigh between 15 to 28 pounds, while electric bikes weigh between 45 to 75 pounds.
Electric Bike Weights Across the Difference Classes of e-bikes
E-bikes often fall into different classes, which have their own unique designs, features, and weight. Let’s take a closer look at the different weights of various classes of electric bikes.
Class 1 Electric Bike Weight
Class 1 electric bikes, also called pedelecs, allow riders to pedal as a traditional bike while the motor helps them accelerate forward. Pedelecs typically reach about 20 miles per hour and are among the light e-bike models.
Class 1 electric bikes cost under $2000 and weigh about 45 pounds. These bikes typically feature an easy-to-use thumb throttle designed to help bikers with pedaling. They also have essential components like front and rear lights and foldable handlebars and pedals. Expect most of these class 1 bikes to travel up to 50 miles with each charge, making them suitable for the daily commuter.
Class 2 Electric Bike Weight
Class Two electric bikes don’t require users to pedal. Instead, the bike’s motor automatically helps the bike move forward. Throttle-operated electric bikes can reach up to 25 miles per hour. However, they tend to weigh more due to the additional moving parts needed to power the bicycle.
Some of the best class two bikes weigh about 75 pounds and can even carry more than one person. That’s because they’ll have a sturdier frame and a powerful motor, both of which increases the weight.
Class 3 Electric Bike Weight
Class three electric bikes, also known as speed pedelecs, are the fastest type of e-bike. Speed pedelecs rely on riders pedaling to move forward and can reach upwards of 28 miles per hour.
Class three bikes tend to way about 50 to 55 pounds with the battery equipped, including LED lights on the rear and front. However, the range of these bikes has a longer range, potentially up to 200 miles.
Why Are Electric Bikes Heavy?
Electric bikes weigh more than traditional bikes because of all the intricate components that make up an e-bike. The parts that account for the most weight include the motor, battery, and heavier frame. An electric bike frame is a significant reason why electric bikes are heavy. They are made from more durable material, which is necessary to support the battery and heavy motor.
E-bike batteries mostly is a result of their capacity. The longer the range, the bigger the battery size. That’s why higher-quality e-bikes can weigh more due to their extended range and power.
There are smaller bits that add potential weight, such as beefier wheels and tires, an onboard computer and display, protected wires, and a sturdier set of brakes and chains.
Does the E-Bike Weight Matter?
The weight of an electric bike can matter in several situations. For example, if you live in a city with tight staircases, it can be a pain to carry heavy e-bikes up the stairs. Also, mounting your bike on the bus or train carry compartments can be difficult for heavy bikes.
Fortunately, there are some e-bikes with a walk mode. This feature lets you walk alongside the bike as you press a button on the handlebars. It engages the motor and propels the e-bike forward at a walking pace.
However, in terms of riding, weight affects its performance. Lighter bikes tend to travel faster, but they aren’t designed to handle any bumps along the roads. Heavier bikes are more comfortable and stable to ride in.
Factors Affecting an Electric Bike’s Weight
As mentioned, there are plenty of factors that affect the weight of an e-bike, such as the motor brakes, battery, and frame. We have briefly explained each component and how much they weigh.
Battery
Most electric bike batteries weigh between 4 pounds to 11 pounds. Batteries with a larger capacity and longer range carry more weight due to their increased size. Standard, commuter, and city e-bikes tend to have the smallest batteries since they don’t require a lot of range to get around the city. Some bikes even have a removable battery, so you can easily remove the extra weight and ride it like a manual bike.
Electric Motor
An e-bike motor acts as the engine of your bicycle, which directly affects its power and top speed. The motor of an e-bike could potentially add up to 17 pounds to your bike due to its components and wires. The more powerful your motor is, the heavier it’ll be. The average weight of the electric bike motor is between 6 to 11 pounds.
Most electric motors are rated at 250W, and street-legal e-bikes won’t exceed 1000W in most countries. Electric motors tend to be either mid-drive motors or real-wheel hub motors.
Tires
Like traditional bikes, the fatter tires add significantly more weight to your electric bike. Fatter tires add more stability and grip to the biker while sacrificing slower speed and acceleration. However, since e-bikes use motor power, having fatter tires won’t significantly slow down your ride. In general, e-bikes have much wider tires for better control.
Frame Material
The material used on the electric bike frame has a huge effect on the weight. The most common frame materials are aluminum, steel, and carbon fiber.
Steel is the heaviest, while carbon fiber is the most expensive. Carbon fiber is also the most expensive and the most fragile. Conversely, aluminum sits between both materials in terms of price and weight.
Brakes
The type of brake on an electric bicycle will also affect its weight. Disc brakes are heavier than conventional rim brakes since many use an anti-braking system.
However, the extra weight is worth it since they provide plenty of safety benefits to the rider. For example, an effective anti-braking system on e-bikes reduces your braking distance. This is essential when braking suddenly on slippery surfaces.
Tech
Many tech components will affect the electric bicycle’s weight. These components include switches, an LCD screen, buttons, a controller, and any other wiring included on the e-bike.
E-bikes’ Weight Based on Types
Every electric bike is unique in its design, components, and features, which influences how much the e-bike weighs. If you’re looking to cycle with top speeds, you’ll want a light bike, such as a road bike. However, if you want to handle tougher terrains or mid-drive, mountain e-bikes are needed due to their sturdier frame and wider wheels.
Having a basic understanding of the different types of e-bikes and how much they weigh is helpful in knowing which one is best suited for your needs. Below we’ve highlighted the various types of e-bikes and their estimated weights.
Folding
Folding e-bikes are designed for portability and easy storage. If you’re searching for something that can you can bring along on your commutes or trips, folding e-bikes are the best option. There are many variations of folding bikes, such as:
- Mini folding e-bikes: 30 to 40 pounds
- Folding electric mountain bikes: 40 to 70 pounds
- Folding fat tire e-bikes: about 50 pounds
Mountain
Mountain e-bikes are usually heavier, typically weighing about 70 pounds. Mountain e-bikes are designed for off-road and on-road usage, meaning it’s versatile to use in just about any situation. Many mountain electric bikes have a power output of 750W and feature a dual suspension capable of reducing bumps.
Commuting
Commuting e-bikes are designed to maximize comfort when getting from point A to point B. Their wheels are similar to that of a road bike, while the handlebars closely resemble a mountain bike. Commuting e-bikes tend to have larger batteries, so users can commute long distances without running out of battery. As a result, these electric bicycles weigh between 50 to 70 pounds.
Fat Tire
Like mountain e-bikes, fat tire electric bikes are made for riding on rough terrain and off-road usages such as sand or snow. With wider tires and large batteries, these fat tire bikes weigh between 60 to 80 pounds.
Cruiser
Cruiser e-bikes weigh about 70 pounds and are designed to be used for leisure. They feature wide handlebars and large soft seats, letting you ride in a more relaxed manner.
Racing
Racing e-bikes are designed for speed, meaning they are lighter and the most expensive. With thin wheels and frames, and forward-curved handlebars, these e-bikes weigh about 40 pounds. Given the unique design, riders can cycle faster than other bike types.
Hybrid
Hybrid bikes are a mix of a mountain bike and a road bike, and these models weigh between 40 to 60 pounds. They feature small wheels for commuting and high handlebars for off-road usage. Hybrid bikes are best suited for recreation and fitness, allowing you to bike through mountain trails and other rough terrains.
Popular Electric Bike Models By Weight (With 7 Examples)
Now that you understand more about e-bikes and how they can vary in weight depending on the type of bike, we’ll cover several examples to give you an idea of the most popular electric bike models on the market.
Lectric XP 2.0 Black
The Lectric XP 2.0 Black is foldable, which is useful for storing it in small places. This bike weighs 64 pounds, so it’s definitely difficult to carry around, especially if you have to bring it up a flight of stairs.
However, it does offer 45 miles of range on a single charge, which is perfect for commuting to work or getting around town.
Cannondale Adventure Neo 3 EQ
The Cannondale Adventure Neo 3 EQ is a versatile 56-pound e-bike that can travel comfortably on the backroads and the city streets. It travels up to 20 miles per hour and has a range of up to 65 miles on a single charge.
It features a 40 newton-meter of torque, which helps you boost the total torque output by up to 250%. This increase in torque ensures you won’t have any trouble climbing up hills.
LeMond Bikes Prolong
The LeMond Bikes Prolong weighs only 26 pounds, making it one of the lighter models available, so you can carry it anywhere when you aren’t riding. It uses a carbon fiber frame, which is the lightest material available. LeMond Bikes Prolong travels up to 20 miles per hour and has a range of 45 miles per charge.
Propella 7-Speed V4
The Propella 7-Speed V4 weighs 37 pounds and travels up to 18.5 miles per hour. While it’s not one of the fastest e-bikes on the market, they can go up to 40 miles with a signal charge. It’s a bike that you can nearly anywhere and is designed for comfort.
Aventon PACE 500
The Aventon PACE 500 has a driving range of up to 40 miles with a single charge. At 52 pounds, this electric bike is designed for casual commuters who want to get around town for their daily necessities.
The PACE 500 is a class three e-bike with top speeds of up to 28 miles per hour. Additionally, this bike features a wider saddle for a more comfortable ride.
It’s equipped with both throttle and pedal assist. The pedal-assist is designed to help you get a good workout on your electric bike but still be able to assist when needed, such as climbing up hills. Conversely, the throttle allows you to move without pedaling at all.
Aventon Sinch Foldable e-Bike
The Aventon Since Foldable e-Bike is one of the heavier bikes, weighing 68 pounds. However, it offers supreme versatility, letting you travel on both city sidewalks and trails. It can be folded and stored away, which is useful if you live in a small apartment that doesn’t have a lot of space.
This electric bike has a range of 40 miles per charge and reaches a top speed of 20 miles per hour. The Aventon Sinch Foldable e-bike has five tiers of pedal-assist to choose from. And if you’re feeling lazy, there’s even a throttle-assist mode, so you don’t have to pedal.
Aventon Aventure Step-Thorugh e-Bike
At 73 pounds, the Aventon Aventure Step-Through e-bike is one of the heaviest bikes on the market. It travels 45 miles with a single charge and goes up to 28 miles per hour. The heavier weight is due to its wider and grippier tires and sturdier frame, ensuring you feel comfortable on the ride.
Aventon Level Commuter E-Bike
The Aventon Level Commuter e-bike weighs 62 pounds, so it may not be ideal for carrying it over several flights of stairs. However, the extra weight gives you plenty of advantages in terms of motor assistance.
This e-bike features both a pedal assist and throttle, letting you switch functions anytime. Also, the electric bike has a front suspension form to provide enhanced comfort when traveling on bumpy paths.
The Level Commuter e-bike comes in various sizes and colors, letting you customize the bicycle to fit your preferences.
How to Reduce Electric Bike Weight?
While e-bikes are naturally heavier, there are some simple techniques to reduce their weight. However, remember that customizing your e-bike also means that it’ll affect performance.
- Change tires: Replacing your existing tires with thinner ones reduces the overall weight of your electric bike. Make sure you find the right tire size before buying a new one.
- Reduce motor capacity and battery: Using a smaller electric motor pack and the battery will decrease the weight. Make sure to ask the bike manufacturer to see how these will affect your electric bike’s range.
- Ride manually and remove the drive pack entirely: Some e-bike manufacturers let you remove the electric drive pack completely and use a storage cover instead. However, this means you’ll have to ride without electric power.
Wrapping It Up
While e-bikes are modern bicycles, they are still much heavier than their traditional counterparts. However, over time we can expect to see the weights of electric bicycles decrease, especially as manufacturers move to carbon frames and aluminum. Motor and battery innovation will cause the weights of the drive packs to decrease, which constitute the majority of the weight that e-bikes possess.
While electric bikes are heavier, they are well worth it. They can maintain higher speeds, and ride much further with less physical exertion, so you can ride more comfortably and take in your surroundings.
Now that you understand all about the various types of e-bikes and their weight, you’re ready to find the best electric bike to take you on your on-road or off-road adventures.
