I understand that the cost of running the site has to be covered, but is there any way to review the growing category of light-weight eBikes such as the Orbea Gain, Bianchi Aria, Pinarello and so forth? By reviewing bikes only from those who pay for it we keep getting reviews of the same brands and types of bikes - basically the heavy bikes full of gadgets and stuff that may be perfect for many of the readers, but totally ignores those who want a light weight bike with quick handling. There is obviously some interest in these bikes because even though they are quite expensive they seem to sell well and are rarely in stock, and they appeal to an entirely different group of people from those who want heavy, fully loaded bikes and have gotten a lot of attention from magazines and sites that cater to bike riders. They're almost like a bridge between analog road bikes and the bikes covered here. I doubt that any of these brands want to pay for reviews when they're getting lots of coverage from other publications so is there some flexibility to review bikes that are creating a new category that could interest a lot of forum members?
Light weight eBikes review
- Thread starter Solom01
- Start date
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
I'd also like to see some light e-road bike reviews, but I imagine it's not easy getting these new breed of lightweight e-road bikes for review purposes. They've only just started becoming available in the US market, so it will probably take some time for dealers to actually have promo bikes in stock to test ride.
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
The Cannondale Synapse Neo looks interesting. It comes in a gravel version and weighs just under 40 pounds. It has a 500w battery and a 250w Bosch Active Line Plus motor.
I'd like to take this bike out for a test ride, but I can't find a Cannondale dealer within a 100 miles that has one in stock.
I'd like to take this bike out for a test ride, but I can't find a Cannondale dealer within a 100 miles that has one in stock.
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Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
Like you I wouldn't buy this bike without a test ride. I'd also wait for the bike to come with the new Bosch motor.
Our local dealer has a EVO Bushwick bike for $1900 that is roughly 40#. Any reviews out there on this bike? It's a rear hub 350w 36v with only a 7.8ah smart battery. The info I could find says its rated for 20mph and a 50 mile range? I wonder if a bigger battery pack could be installed and/or rebuilt?? Appreciate y'alls thoughts on this! Ted
A side note, I had the chance to ride the Synapse’s little brother, Cannondale Quick Neo. It was agile, quick, and lightweight. And at only 40 lbs easier to lift than many other ebikes. However the small frame was just a smidgen too big for me. And no mid-step or step thru. Otherwise, I would have one!
rexel1
Active Member
Lightweight electric gravel bike you say? I give you this....
https://www.cairncycles.com/products/cairn-e-adventure-1-0-gravel-bike
Has the fazua motor in it.
31lbs with the motor and battery.
25lbs with battery and motor removed
https://www.cairncycles.com/products/cairn-e-adventure-1-0-gravel-bike
Has the fazua motor in it.
31lbs with the motor and battery.
25lbs with battery and motor removed
So it does seem like there is some interest in these types of eBikes. It is an interesting category where for the most part people want a light, quick bike without all the stuff such as kickstands, large digital displays, fenders, large batteries, etc. that another group wants in eBikes. Even things that people take for granted (like mid drives being better than hub drives) get turned around, since plenty of reviews prefer the rear hub drive since it seems to have less drag when you aren't using electric power - which is often the case with these bikes. Hope there's a way to review some of these bikes in the forum since I've found that European forums seem to be the place to get reviews and opinions on these bikes from people who primarily are analog cyclists but just need or want a bit of extra help.
Which European forums?
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
I recently went to Ribble's online site to look at their Endurance SLe model. This looks to be a very nice, light e-road bike for a great price and the good news is that the website listed the bike's price in Canadian dollars.
The bad news is when I tried to order the bike I got a notice that they don't ship to Canada.....DAMN!
The bad news is when I tried to order the bike I got a notice that they don't ship to Canada.....DAMN!
I hate it when companies sell things/services in the US but not Canada or vice versa - what a pain. Are you close enough to the US border where you could have it shipped to a freight forwarder in the US and just pick it up and take it back home, or would that be a hassle getting through customs?
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
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I live on Vancouver Island, which is off the coast of the province of British Columbia. To get to the US I have to take a ferry. Does Ribble ship to the US?
pdisley, I love the factory custom paint option. Very nice!
I live on Vancouver Island, which is off the coast of the province of British Columbia. To get to the US I have to take a ferry. Does Ribble ship to the US?
pdisley, I love the factory custom paint option. Very nice!
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
We have difficulty getting these new lightweight e-road bikes here in Canada, but a least we have a more realistic top speed (20mph/32kph). EU's law to limit the top speed of ebikes to 16mph is bureaucratic BS at its worst.
I find even 32kph to be too low. My Pedego Ridgerider's top speed has been increased to 40kph (easily done through the screen controls) and I'm happy with that limit. It's not often I need motor assist in the 32-40kph range, but it sure it nice to have it when I need it.
I find even 32kph to be too low. My Pedego Ridgerider's top speed has been increased to 40kph (easily done through the screen controls) and I'm happy with that limit. It's not often I need motor assist in the 32-40kph range, but it sure it nice to have it when I need it.
rexel1
Active Member
With these lightweight bikes the lower speed cut out actually makes more sense. The battery on these are typically are 250W and with a 20mph cut off they won’t last very long at all. The main point I’d say is that they are useful on any uphill section/ flat with headwinds and the rest of the time you’re pretty much using human power only.
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
A couple of the personal reviews I've read on riding these light, low-powered e-road bikes is they do most of their riding in eco mode, which cancels out the extra weight of the motor and battery.
It seems that riding in eco mode still gives these riders a really decent riding range (70+ km).
On one of the e-bike forums I've come across recently someone asked if they should get a light, low powered road bike, or a heavier road bike with a bigger motor/battery. Someone else replied that if you ride by yourself often get the heavier bike with the bigger motor. On the other hand, if you participate in group rides go for the lighter bike with the smaller motor/battery.
I thought that made a lot of sense.
It seems that riding in eco mode still gives these riders a really decent riding range (70+ km).
On one of the e-bike forums I've come across recently someone asked if they should get a light, low powered road bike, or a heavier road bike with a bigger motor/battery. Someone else replied that if you ride by yourself often get the heavier bike with the bigger motor. On the other hand, if you participate in group rides go for the lighter bike with the smaller motor/battery.
I thought that made a lot of sense.
A big reason a Class 3 e-bike being so heavy is the additional power needed to maintain a 29 mph speed puts additional stress on the bike and increased strength. Recall, twice as much power is need to maintain 27 mph as 18, wind resistance increases at the cube of speed. Those light weight 15.5 mph e-bikes may need little change from analog bikes.
Capt Sisko
New Member
This is the big question when it comes to choosing an e-bike. Do I want a Power Assisted Bike, light enought to ride power off , only really giving assistance on hills & headwinds, or do I want a Powered Bike that will zoom me along, but can't really be riden power off because it's so heavy?
Me, I went for the lightweight route and an Orbea Gain as I prefer the ride to speed.
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