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

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

Like I said remove the battery before lifting.

Thanks Steve, I don't see where you can remove the battery on their website, and thus the weight of the bike without it. If the powerpack battery comes off it would help. I will write to them tomorrow and ask and also see if they do flat handlebars. This bike seems very similar to the Focus paralane2 which is also dropdown and was lovely to ride but I felt I would need more power up the steep hills. It is 60nm.

 

[pmcdonald]

Thanks pmcdonald. It's been quite hard finding bike shops who will allow test rides let alone have stock in or are prepared to order anything in unless you commit to buying it without a test ride. I understand this policy but hate it and there's no way I can buy something like this without riding it first. If i'd done that i'd be stuck with several ebikes that weren't suitable for me. Where are you based? I'm in Brighton. I've made a comparison table based on my experiences and research so far but as you say, nothing will be as helpful as trying them out.

That's a shame re: lack of test ride options. I had a similar experience (Newcastle, Australia btw). My shortlist ran to about 8 bikes. Available local options quickly whittled it down to 3. Luckily one of the three worked out perfectly.

What's on your shortlist table?

 

[steve mercier]

Thanks Steve, I don't see where you can remove the battery on their website, and thus the weight of the bike without it. If the powerpack battery comes off it would help. I will write to them tomorrow and ask and also see if they do flat handlebars. This bike seems very similar to the Focus paralane2 which is also dropdown and was lovely to ride but I felt I would need more power up the steep hills. It is 60nm.

I hope you find what you need Aneesa. For reference my wife is 68 and can climb a 1500 metre mountain on her 75 Nm mid- drive bike. She may even be able to do it with a 60 Nm bike but I would not want her to try with less than that.

 

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

That's a shame re: lack of test ride options. I had a similar experience (Newcastle, Australia btw). My shortlist ran to about 8 bikes. Available local options quickly whittled it down to 3. Luckily one of the three worked out perfectly.

What's on your shortlist table?

Not so much a short list as what i've discovered. I think if I had to settle it'd be a flat bar version of the focus at 60nm but the trouble is I know i'm not happy enough with that. I loved the Trek powerfly most but it's too heavy. Here's what I've found so far...
Specialised Vado SL5 - EQ
£3499 with Rack, lights, mudguards, suspension (end Aug)
240W Power
35NM:-(
14kg

Specialised levo
560 watts of power
90 Nm of torque
19.9kg or 20.5kg

Focus
250Whrs
60nm motor Fazua
250w output - same as vado SL
Fazua motor
15kg (wx battery = 12kg)

Ribble
40nm
250w
14.5kg

Boardman adventure
16kg
250w Fazua
mid drive motor
NM?

Trek Alliant
250 watt
75 Nm
21.5kg :-(
20 mph


Dual sport - small front suspension
motor is more powerful than vado but heavier
500whr battery

50NM
250W
Bosch motor
£2900 (kickstand)
20kg?

Trek powerfly
250Watt
75Nm
24kg:-(

Fantic
26kg!! :-(
90nm
Brose motor
625wh battery

Haibike new
120nm
27kg!


Cube Acid

65nm
23.1kg
500w battery

Alchemy
60nm
250w


Moustache
65nm
250w
500w
20.2kg:-(
Bosch

Ezego
19kg :-(
250W Motor
45NM:-(
Creo (drop handlebar) and SL x2
240w of energy

Levo?

 

[pmcdonald]

This might be another one for the list: https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/reviews/electric-road-bikes/bianchi-impulso-e-road-1665

It may exceed your budget but all other boxes are ticked: motor rivals a Bosch Performance, 500W battery, 16kg total weight, can take a rack and fenders.

 

[byunbee]

I still think what you want doesn’t exist for the budget as evidenced by the number of responses on this thread.

I think you will need to make compromises. Really think about the must haves vs nice to haves and focus on the must have requirements that is a subset of your original requirements. That should help you narrow your choices and also get realistic recommendations. Otherwise, everyone here will be continuing to search for a pink unicorn.

You have to understand that some of your requirements are contradictory with current technology. For example, you want one of the lightest ebikes in the world but with high powered battery and high torque motor. There are fundamental reasons why ebikes are much heavier than analog bikes. They are the weight of the motor and the weight of the battery. But due to your injuries, it sounded like you are struggling even with analog bike. Are you planning on leaving the battery and panniers on the ground outside where someone can steal them while you carry your bike up?

 

[steve mercier]

I still think what you want doesn’t exist for the budget as evidenced by the number of responses on this thread.

I think you will need to make compromises. Really think about the must haves vs nice to haves and focus on the must have requirements that is a subset of your original requirements. That should help you narrow your choices and also get realistic recommendations. Otherwise, everyone here will be continuing to search for a pink unicorn.

You have to understand that some of your requirements are contradictory with current technology. For example, you want one of the lightest ebikes in the world but with high powered battery and high torque motor. There are fundamental reasons why ebikes are much heavier than analog bikes. They are the weight of the motor and the weight of the battery. But due to your injuries, it sounded like you are struggling even with analog bike. Are you planning on leaving the battery and panniers on the ground outside where some can steal them while you carry your bike up?

Not so much a short list as what i've discovered. I think if I had to settle it'd be a flat bar version of the focus at 60nm but the trouble is I know i'm not happy enough with that. I loved the Trek powerfly most but it's too heavy. Here's what I've found so far...
Specialised Vado SL5 - EQ
£3499 with Rack, lights, mudguards, suspension (end Aug)
240W Power
35NM:-(
14kg

Specialised levo
560 watts of power
90 Nm of torque
19.9kg or 20.5kg

Focus
250Whrs
60nm motor Fazua
250w output - same as vado SL
Fazua motor
15kg (wx battery = 12kg)

Ribble
40nm
250w
14.5kg

Boardman adventure
16kg
250w Fazua
mid drive motor
NM?

Trek Alliant
250 watt
75 Nm
21.5kg :-(
20 mph


Dual sport - small front suspension
motor is more powerful than vado but heavier
500whr battery

50NM
250W
Bosch motor
£2900 (kickstand)
20kg?

Trek powerfly
250Watt
75Nm
24kg:-(

Fantic
26kg!! :-(
90nm
Brose motor
625wh battery

Haibike new
120nm
27kg!


Cube Acid

65nm
23.1kg
500w battery

Alchemy
60nm
250w


Moustache
65nm
250w
500w
20.2kg:-(
Bosch

Ezego
19kg :-(
250W Motor
45NM:-(
Creo (drop handlebar) and SL x2
240w of energy

Levo?

Yes my wife has the Powerfly 5 and loves it ,but she almost never has to lift it because I do it for her.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Levo?

I don't think so. You could get lightweight MTB mudguards but forget about the rear rack (dropper seat post and long-travel full suspension make it almost impossible). Additionally, removing the battery in the Levo is not that simple (you use an Allen key to unlock the battery from the bottom). As perfect as the Levo is, it is not a commuter bike.

I'd may recommend waiting for the Vado SL when it becomes available for the demo ride. It meets your criteria of weight and commuter equipment. The battery is not removable but given the bike's weight it poses no problem. The price is very attractive. The point you contest is relatively small torque figure and relatively small battery. Yet you don't know how this e-bike really behaves before you have tried it out yourself.

I had no patience to read the whole thread but I wonder how really steep your hills are and for what distance. I don't know how fit your legs are. Still, you might be positively surprised, especially as the Vado SL has the 1x12 drive-train meant the motor and the driver complement each other and contribute with the power. The extender "bottle" battery is readily removable.

Perhaps that's the only choice for you.

 

[FlatSix911]

I still think what you want doesn’t exist for the budget as evidenced by the number of responses on this thread.

I think you will need to make compromises. Really think about the must haves vs nice to haves and focus on the must have requirements that is a subset of your original requirements. That should help you narrow your choices and also get realistic recommendations. Otherwise, everyone here will be continuing to search for a pink unicorn.

You have to understand that some of your requirements are contradictory with current technology. For example, you want one of the lightest ebikes in the world but with high powered battery and high torque motor. There are fundamental reasons why ebikes are much heavier than analog bikes. They are the weight of the motor and the weight of the battery. But due to your injuries, it sounded like you are struggling even with analog bike. Are you planning on leaving the battery and panniers on the ground outside where some can steal them while you carry your bike up?

This is the truth ... a pink unicorn. The EBR community has offered over a dozen choices so far...

 

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

T

I hope you find what you need Aneesa. For reference my wife is 68 and can climb a 1500 metre mountain on her 75 Nm mid- drive bike. She may even be able to do it with a 60 Nm bike but I would not want her to try with less than that.

Thanks for your message Steve.

 

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

This is the truth ... a pink unicorn. The EBR community has offered over a dozen choices so far...

I know. Compromises need to be made and it's a case of working through them. Thanks FlatSix911

 

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

I don't think so. You could get lightweight MTB mudguards but forget about the rear rack (dropper seat post and long-travel full suspension make it almost impossible). Additionally, removing the battery in the Levo is not that simple (you use an Allen key to unlock the battery from the bottom). As perfect as the Levo is, it is not a commuter bike.

I'd may recommend waiting for the Vado SL when it becomes available for the demo ride. It meets your criteria of weight and commuter equipment. The battery is not removable but given the bike's weight it poses no problem. The price is very attractive. The point you contest is relatively small torque figure and relatively small battery. Yet you don't know how this e-bike really behaves before you have tried it out yourself.

I had no patience to read the whole thread but I wonder how really steep your hills are and for what distance. I don't know how fit your legs are. Still, you might be positively surprised, especially as the Vado SL has the 1x12 drive-train meant the motor and the driver complement each other and contribute with the power. The extender "bottle" battery is readily removable.

Perhaps that's the only choice for you.

Thanks Stefan. I recorded my last 2 ebike test rides on strava (aneesa chaudhry) which show the hills I have to go up. I've been ringing around to see if I can trial a Vado SL but not been lucky yet. I'm also going to look at the Bianchi and need to see if there is a flat handle bar version of the 16kg ish bike. If not, that's an area I may have to compromise in.

I don't think so. You could get lightweight MTB mudguards but forget about the rear rack (dropper seat post and long-travel full suspension make it almost impossible). Additionally, removing the battery in the Levo is not that simple (you use an Allen key to unlock the battery from the bottom). As perfect as the Levo is, it is not a commuter bike.

I'd may recommend waiting for the Vado SL when it becomes available for the demo ride. It meets your criteria of weight and commuter equipment. The battery is not removable but given the bike's weight it poses no problem. The price is very attractive. The point you contest is relatively small torque figure and relatively small battery. Yet you don't know how this e-bike really behaves before you have tried it out yourself.

I had no patience to read the whole thread but I wonder how really steep your hills are and for what distance. I don't know how fit your legs are. Still, you might be positively surprised, especially as the Vado SL has the 1x12 drive-train meant the motor and the driver complement each other and contribute with the power. The extender "bottle" battery is readily removable.

Perhaps that's the only choice for you.

Thanks Stefan. I recorded my last 2 ebike test rides on strava (aneesa chaudhry) which show the hills I have to go up. I've been ringing around to see if I can trial a Vado SL but not been lucky yet. I'm also going to look at the Bianchi and need to see if there is a flat handle bar version of the 16kg ish bike. If not, that's an area I may have to compromise in.

 

[Aneesa Chaudhry]

This might be another one for the list: https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/reviews/electric-road-bikes/bianchi-impulso-e-road-1665

It may exceed your budget but all other boxes are ticked: motor rivals a Bosch Performance, 500W battery, 16kg total weight, can take a rack and fenders.

Thanks for this pmcdonald. Do you think it would work to ask a local bike shop to put flat handle bars on this bike? I've written to ask them what the weight is without the battery. I'm trying to find somewhere I can try both the Bianchi and Specialised Vado SL.

 

[FlatSix911]

Thanks for this pmcdonald. Do you think it would work to ask a local bike shop to put flat handle bars on this bike?
I've written to ask them what the weight is without the battery. I'm trying to find somewhere I can try both the Bianchi and Specialised Vado SL.

If you are willing to swap road bars to flat bars, the S-Electro may be a lightweight option for you... one reviewer claims it weighs under 30lbs/13.6 kg.

The S-Electro GR - Gravel e-bike | Silverback Bikes

With its roots in gravel, the S-Electro GR encourages exploration without reservation. Going further and doing more, is not a question of if, but when.

silverbacklab.com

 

[Deacon Blues]

Here's another possibility: https://www.yamahabicycles.com/bikes/crosscore/
Getting closer to your weight/torque/price criteria.

 

[Cyklefanatic]

Here's another possibility: https://www.yamahabicycles.com/bikes/crosscore/
Getting closer to your weight/torque/price criteria.

Website says 43 pounds for the crosscore so it way overweight.

 

[FlatSix911]

I am surprised no one has suggested the most over-hyped bike right now on the web... the 25 mph/ 33 lb Babymaker!

FLX Baby Maker Review | ElectricBikeReview.com

Price: $1999.00 | Model Year: 2020 | A single speed road bike with a reliable and smooth belt drive, very aesthetically pleasing, minimalist design that hides the battery and uses a no-nonsense display, also comes in a variety of color ways to choose from, a perfect setup for those that want an...

electricbikereview.com

The Babymaker - Stealth Road eBike With Belt Drive

Leave boring behind. Classic look with modern Ebike tech. Turn heads and crush any hill in style. | Check out 'The Babymaker - Stealth Road eBike With Belt Drive' on Indiegogo.

www.indiegogo.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

the 25 mph

The OP's in the UK, babe No rack, fenders, either.

 

[FlatSix911]

The OP's in the UK, babe No rack, fenders, either.

I just could not resist... gotta love the name!

 

[Deacon Blues]

Website says 43 pounds for the crosscore so it way overweight.

But unlike the Vado SL the battery can be taken off, which would bring the bike's weight closer the the Vado's weight.
I use the Vado as an example, because it's one of the few ebikes we've discussed here that meets most of Aneesa's criteria.