Dolan e-bike - any experience?

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Take the figures with a pinch of salt. There is no universal industry standard for such claims. Some quote ready to ride, so quote without pedals, some even without tyres or saddle (yes, honestly), and others such as Giant refuse to quote at all because this lack of standard makes it meaningless.

What a manufafturer claims, and what a bike weighs at the moment you cock your leg over it to go for a ride, are two entirely unrelated numbers.

I've found claimed weight to be in the ballpark for all my recent bikes, the biggest difference was for my '20 Voodoo Marasa, which was claimed ~13Kg and turned out to be 12.5Kg!

I can't find it now, but a web shop had the medium Bolt weight somewhere in the 14.7-14.9Kg ballpark as supplied, without pedals. Welsh chap doing youtube video review (from Caerphilly?) said some specific weight just under 15Kg. My medium weighed just under 15Kg out of the box before I added my Time ATAC XS Carbon pedals.

It's no surprise that the Dolan ebike is heavier than my Bolt, despite the Dolan being a carbon frame and having fancier drivetrain components... The Dolan's 500Wh battery is always going to add significant weight compared to the Bolt's 250Wh battery, but that extra weight is giving you a lot more assist time.

The only time you will really feel that weight is if you have to carry the ebike like I do between my back room and my front door, especially if you're like me and not a 70Kg racing snake (I used to be, now ~94.5Kg and losing a bit of weight thanks to Bolt getting me out more). Unless you either choose to turn the motor off while out, the motor system develops a fault while out, or the battery runs out of charge while out.

 

[T4tomo]

Sorry but it has to be a road bike.

You'd be wrong to rule out an e-gravel bikes as tyres aside, (which can be changed I believe ) there is very little difference between a so called endurance road bike and a gravel bike.

Dolan are decent brand, been around yonks and have a UK base and offer decent warranty so no issues on that front, just sell direct to consumer like Ribble, Planet x etc. Canyon have a reputation for running away from any problems and warranty issues

 

[youngoldbloke]

18kg.
Start with something proven and cheap, a gravel bike maybe?
The Fiido C21 gravel is lighter, fairly proven, and currently on offer for £1000.
Engwe have also released a carbon bike, the MapFour N1 Air, starting at £1400.
Both are lighter, the N1 2.4KG lighter.

Where is 18kg quoted for the Dolan? I'd be very surprised if it weighed any more than around 12Kg. I have a carbon Ribble SLe X35+ powered bike which is under 12kg, and an alloy Orbea Gain around 14kg. I'd be very tempted by the Dolan if and when I decide I 'need' another bike. I'm 77 and I've always ridden drop bar bikes and haven't yet felt the need to change, in spite of various ailments making e bike assistance necessary to continue riding.

 

[Drago]

I've found claimed weight to be in the ballpark for all my recent bikes, the biggest difference was for my '20 Voodoo Marasa, which was claimed ~13Kg and turned out to be 12.5Kg!

My Carrera Subway E was close, 18kg Dead actual weight as supplied with standard pedal, so a few grams under.

My Intercity Disc 9 was 2kg lighter than claimed.

Felt and Ribble were also both lighter, but I dont recall the numbers.

So only one out of four was even close to the advertised numbers.

 

[albion]

Weight from the one review sounds right. The battery is a decent size, the mid drive motor heavy plus it is a gravel.
The answer is missing from their FAQ sheet, though they left the question up.
The Ribble CGR gravels are 4kg+ lighter but that is with a light lower power hub motor and half size battery.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Weight from the one review sounds right. The battery is a decent size, the mid drive motor heavy plus it is a gravel.
The answer is missing difficult for me to loasdtheir FAQ sheet, though they left the question up.
The Ribble CGR gravels are 4kg+ lighter but that is with a light lower power hub motor and half size battery.

Thanks. I've now read a review in which the weight is quoted at 18.19 kg. That would make it a non-starter for me. As I get older and weaker even a 12kg bike is difficult for me to lift onto a work-stand or into the car, and virtually impossible to ride unassisted.

 

[gzoom]

^Sub 10kg eBikes are now here.

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/electric-bikes/electric-road-bikes/