Gazelle city Zen t10 weight capacity 130 kg can it handle 150 kg

[warek437]

Hi All

I have a 2018 build Gazelle City Zen T10 with 10 speed cassette, Bosch performance line motor and 500wh powertube battery. The bike has been excellent, stable, reliable, no issues. I have ridden it 5000 kms, mainly on rail trails and often towing a dog trailer. Dog and trailer weigh 30 kgs and I weight 105 kgs.
Now battery life has reduced to less than 70 km unladen, using Eco and Tour power levels and I want to use the bike for multi day tours of 100+ km a day carrying 15 kg of gear in rear panniers. This would mean bike rider and gear weight around 150 kg.
I can buy a second battery and hopefully get the range needed. However bike plus rider and gear is rated to 130 kgs. I contacted Gazelle and naturally they advised me not to exceed the 130 kg capacity.
After researching some other bikes they seem expensive and less reliable than Gazelle. I would like to try the Gazelle for touring, but would be nice to get feedback from users who have carried heavy loads.
In the real world have people had bikes overloaded and did they handle more weight without issues?

Enjoy the ride
Kevin

 

[Stefan Mikes]

32 spokes per wheel does not make this e-bike any different from many similar e-bikes re the Total System Weight limit
What you, however, can do is to order 36 spoke wheels with good hubs and strong rims. Remember that the rear wheel magnet must be moved there, too.
DT Swiss components are highly recommended. You might upgrade the drivetrain on this occasion, too.

 

[warek437]

Hi Stefan

Yes thinking stronger wheels are an option in the future. Currently my bike has 36 spoke deep V rims front and rear at the moment. I trued the rear once in 5000 kms

Enjoy the ride
Kevin

 

[Dewey]

Hi Kevin,

A friend, Greg Maasen, has ridden across the US on a Riese & Muller with dual batteries, a Bosch CX motor, towing a trailer and heavy camera gear for his documentary, about 416lb/188kg weight of bike, rider, & gear. He averaged about 100km/day and also recommends reinforced rims and a second battery!

 

[fritz katzenjammer]

We get the occational bike through the shop that has been overloaded, it’s pretty much always the rear wheel that goes. Shocking I know.

I suggest they contact a tandem specialist, those things are really hard on their wheels. Co-motion in the US and Van Raam in Holland both offer e-tandems.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

This is what happens to a wheel that had been regularly overloaded for 3 years Yes, that wheel only had 28 spokes.

I had to order building a new 32 spoke wheel based on a 150 kg weight limit, ASME class 4, DT Swiss H522 rim, a DT Swiss 350 rear hub and DT Swiss spokes as selected by an experienced wheel builder.

 

[warek437]

Hi Kevin,

A friend, Greg Maasen, has ridden across the US on a Riese & Muller with dual batteries, a Bosch CX motor, towing a trailer and heavy camera gear for his documentary, about 416lb/188kg weight of bike, rider, & gear. He averaged about 100km/day and also recommends reinforced rims and a second battery!

Hi good to know. RM not available in Australia for 3-4 months in chain and cassette model.