Wanted: Lightweight (less than 20kg), high Torque (90NM), Motor offering large amount of power 500w+, removable large battery

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

Because weight is so important to you would a stand up electric scooter work? There are some with larger wheels and suspensions that offer a smooth fast ride. They don’t weigh much and fold up for easy lifting and storage. Just trying to think outside the box.

Hi Cyklefanatic, i definitely DON'T want one of these scooters. My aim is to be able to replace my car with a good enough, practical electric bike that will allow me to carry my mini music PA home in panniers. I have an arm and back injury so can't manage heavy lifting, hence the call for a lightweight bike but with good enough power to help me up the steep hills where I live without having to put in more than say 60% effort level. I think it's the power up those hills that I need to addrss with a decent motor and fairly high amount of torque (but I know it's not all about the torque either). Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

Based on your feedback on the bikes listed above, I think the Specialized Turbo Vado SL @37 lbs. might be a good match.
Also look at the eMulekick @35 lbs... both are super lightweight bikes with integrated batteries and Class 3 speeds @28 mph.

https://electricbikereview.com/specialized/turbo-vado-sl-4-0-eq/

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products...tric-flatbar-road-bikes-emulekick-express.htm

View attachment 53454View attachment 53456

Thanks for this. I wasn't getting updates in my email so I thought you'd all disappeared but see you're still on the case! Thanks guys. SO... with this Specialised Turbo Vado SL, the weight is pretty good (15KG) but do you think it would provide a high level of pulling power up the steep hills I have to go up? I think I read that the torque is only 35NM so I guess the motor must be impressive. How would you say this compares to the Specialised Turbo Levo as regards weight and lots of power up steep hills? Is there a big difference when the battery is removed for carrying indoors? x

 

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

BTW, you can always remove the 5-6 lb battery when carrying the bike up steep stairs to reduce the weight to an acceptable level.

Once arriving home on my bike, i expect to have to lock up my bike briefly, remove the battery and panniers and do a first trip indoors followed by second trip with the bike. It seems removing the bike is the most practical way for me to lift it up our stairs. Having a slightly heavier bike whilst riding isn't such a problem as the assistance will help if i'm struggling.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Is there a big difference when the battery is removed for carrying indoors?

Turbo Vado SL: You cannot remove the main battery yourself and that's the price for the bike being so lightweight. You can buy an additional battery extender for more support uphill (since riding uphill uses a lot of battery) and remove that extender. But not the main battery.

 

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

(Not allowed in the UK where she lives).

Oh no! I thought we were making good progress. From what you know I need which bikes do you think come closest? Aneesa

 

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

Turbo Vado SL: You cannot remove the main battery yourself and that's the price for the bike being so lightweight. You can buy an additional battery extender for more support uphill (since riding uphill uses a lot of battery) and remove that extender. But not the main battery.

Do you know how well this one does up steep hills? If the battery doesn't come off it's not the end of the world so long as I can lift it up steps. It's already 15kg. Thanks

 

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

(Not allowed in the UK where she lives).

Can I just ask why I'm not allowed the eMulekick in the UK? Thanks

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Can I just ask why I'm not allowed the eMulekick in the UK? Thanks

You are not allowed to ride the 28 mph ebike in the UK unless you have registered it as a moped, have a registration plate, insured it, wear a motorcycle helmet and don't ride bike paths but only roads. The L1e-B class ebike must also have all day lights, horn and whatnot. ,

 

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

You are not allowed to ride the 28 mph ebike in the UK unless you have registered it as a moped, have a registration plate, insured it, wear a motorcycle helmet and don't ride bike paths but only roads. The L1e-B class ebike must also have all day lights, horn and whatnot. ,

Ah. Thanks for that. Still looking.....x

 

[WilliamT]

SO... with this Specialised Turbo Vado SL, the weight is pretty good (15KG) but do you think it would provide a high level of pulling power up the steep hills I have to go up?

I think Grandma Joan rode a Vado when she beat Sagan up that steep hill. All jokes aside, what they claim at 250 watts is probably close to 2-3x that power.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I think Grandma Joan rode a Vado when she beat Sagan up that steep hill. All jokes aside, what they claim at 250 watts is probably close to 2-3x that power.

It was a 2018 Como with the Specialized 1.2s motor. It would to too heavy for the OP.
And yes, the peak power of that motor is 510 W at 80 Nm.

 

[FlatSix911]

Can I just ask why I'm not allowed the eMulekick in the UK? Thanks

You are not allowed to ride the 28 mph ebike in the UK unless you have registered it as a moped, have a registration plate, insured it, wear a motorcycle helmet and don't ride bike paths but only roads. The L1e-B class ebike must also have all day lights, horn and whatnot. ,

Is it not possible to fly under the radar with regard to a Class 3 bike in the UK?

 

[TomD]

Probably less possible than in the US. I think the solution is bikee's lightest ebike kit (see post #2) when it is available this fall. Pay a mechanic to install. OP will still be looking for her unicorn ebike by the time it is available. It will be much lighter than BBSHD and it will have torque sensing and an app that she can probably switch on/off road profiles to be legal when she needs to.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I don't want to quote a press article FlatSix911 but there was an accident in Poland recently (March) in which the idiot riding an illegal ebike (technically, e-motorcycle) seriously wounded a pedestrian and killed himself during his fall at mere 38 km/h (his vehicle could reach 79 kph). So you can do things that are illegal but it is your risk (and you might become a killer of some innocent person).

L1e-B ebikes are allowed in the UK. Now, which of the bikes we are talking has the Certificate of Conformity, eh?

The whole discussion is pointless. The ebike as specified by the OP is an unicorn.

 

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

I think Grandma Joan rode a Vado when she beat Sagan up that steep hill. All jokes aside, what they claim at 250 watts is probably close to 2-3x that power.

Thanks Stefan. So would you say that the Vado offers a high level of power like the Trek powerfly or Cube Acid? They seem the closest in terms of power to what I wanted. I'm in Brighton in the UK so need to find out where I can try one. Cheers

 

[Captain Slow]

I think more than any other time I'm looking forward to finding out what the OP buys and how well it works out. I sure hope there's a happy ending here.

 

[Deacon Blues]

Aneeesa wants it all. The Holy Grail of ebikes, which is light weight, has power for the hills, and has a decent range. I'm not sure such an ebike exists, but if it does I suspect the members on this forum will find it.
Five years from now I'm sure the ebike that Aneesa wants will be fairly common, but for now the search continues.

What the Vado SL needs, to be the perfect bike, is a 'boost' button that gives the bike a short, but powerful boost for those steep hills. At least 500W of kick-ass power please, and while your at it also give it to the Creo.

 

[Captain Slow]

while you're at it, how about having the battery the same size and weight but say double or triple the energy density so you've got gobs of power.

 

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

Aneeesa wants it all. The Holy Grail of ebikes, which is light weight, has power for the hills, and has a decent range. I'm not sure such an ebike exists, but if it does I suspect the members on this forum will find it.
Five years from now I'm sure the ebike that Aneesa wants will be fairly common, but for now the search continues.

What the Vado SL needs, to be the perfect bike, is a 'boost' button that gives the bike a short, but powerful boost for those steep hills. At least 500W of kick-ass power please, and while your at it also give it to the Creo.

Hi Deacon Blue
Do you have any experience of the Vado SL or Creo and know how it performs up steep hills?
Thank you
Aneesa

 

[Captain Slow]

What do you consider a steep hill? Grade and length?

I have a Creo and I've used it at roughly half power up a long hill that is roughly a 6% grade for 4.5 km's and to me it goes up well but I'm working reasonably hard. Although I am over 50, I am probably younger than most on here and thus a bit fitter. I will ride a conventional bicycle and go on 70 - 100 km rides unpowered.

One thing I would point out, is that after regularly using the bike for 4 weeks you will see an improvement to your fitness so that will help.

But I think you need to find a shop, ideally near your route, and ride whatever your commute will be. That's really the only way to tell.