Advice needed on my first e-bike

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OP
OP
This Wreckage

This Wreckage

Active Member
Cube says it's 27.9kg: https://www.cube.eu/uk-en/cube-supreme-hybrid-deluxe-one-600-indigoblue-n-switch/114400

Shrk says it's 28.5kg: https://www.sharkebikes.com/products/mako

Gazelle says 27kg, without the battery: https://www.gazellebikes.com/en-gb/ebikes/grenoble-c5-hmb

Are they making their bikes from wrought iron with concrete bearings because I don't understand how my 2021 bike can be so much lighter.

I'm not in any hurry to get rid of my excellent - if heavy at 19kg - pushbike which is a belt drive Gazelle Esprit. I think I'll wait awhile before making a leap onto the saddle of an e-bike, as I have insufficient space for two bikes.
 

CXRAndy

Guru
Location
Lincs
Gazelle now do Esprit in ebike version now.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
I was going to ask, what is the bike made of weighing 19kg, then looked it up, ah a Dutch bike. I'll be brutally honest, dutch bikes aren't the nicest things to ride and are very heavy. Plus handling is 'interesting at best. I'd personally recommend looking at a modern ladies hybrid. My wife has an older Pinnacle Stratus 3, like attached. It handles well, is quick and light.

I had the delight of servicing a friends new Pashley, my word it was like a steam roller.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25671724...489&gbraid=0AAAAACnT8Vtf-EYyBAz-KTciuzGigJ0sj
 

CXRAndy

Guru
Location
Lincs
I went with a male/unisex aluminum commuter bike as the donor for the wife's conversion.

I fitted suspension on the front with lockout and dropper post for her. She loves this feature, dropping the seat at junctions, so she can confidently place leg for stability.
 

Dadam

Über Member
Location
SW Leeds
Given your needs in the OP, I'd recommend either a relatively lightweight regular ebike, or an electric folder.

A non-folding bike needs lifting up. Your existing bike weighs 19kg so I'd suggest you need to consider no heavier than that. Sub 20kg usually implies a non-removable battery due to reasons I outlined up thread. It typically means a fairly small battery too. However that's not necessarily an issue as range extender batteries are an option on many bikes.

A folder removes the need to lift the bike onto the racks, and also increases flexibility for getting on the train. It's luggage so you don't have to book a bike slot or risk one not being available. Electric folders do come with other compromises of course.

I'd carefully consider whether belt drive is worth the other compromises. Nothing wrong with it as a drivetrain, but it does reduce options. For example the Tenways bike you mentioned is a single speed. Given your use case of a day's riding with a few light hills that may be fine, but potentially reduces the kind of gradients you can get up. If you want gears with a belt drive you need a hub gear which means a mid motor, and quite a bit more expense. Going for chain drive gives more choice of bikes with more gears, for the price of a teeny bit more maintenance (i.e occasional use of a rag and a bottle of oil).
 
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