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The word lightweight isn’t something that usually springs to mind when thinking about electric bikes. Traditionally, e-bikes have been very heavy, mainly down to the extra weight of the electric motor and, in particular, the battery. The best lightweight electric bikes are barely distinguishable from their unassisted counterparts, thanks to recent technological developments.
The 12 best lightweight electric bikes
- Fiido C21
- Trek FX+ 2
- Tenways CGO600
- Raleigh Trace
- Ribble Hybrid AL e
- Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0
- Orbea Vibe H30
- Cannondale Treadwell Neo 2 EQ
- Vitus Mach E Urban
- Kinesis Lyfe Equipped
- Ortler Speeder
- Boardman HYB 8.9e
Why e-bikes are getting lighter
About 20 years ago, early e-bikes still used very heavy sealed lead acid batteries; as we moved through the first decade of the 21st century, NiCAD batteries started to be used. However, until this last decade, we saw lithium battery technology become commonplace.
As the technology has evolved, so has the energy density of the lithium cells – put, you can cram more power into a single cell than you could a few years back. The upshot of this is a more powerful battery that is smaller and considerably lighter.
Another big leap in technology is motor efficiency. When e-bikes first became available, the motors used were typically heavy direct-drive hub motors. The latest generation of electric bike motors, like the Fazua Evation and X35 ebikemotion, are small, lightweight and efficient. Not only that, but they result in an e-bike that is practically indistinguishable from a regular bicycle.
lighter e-bikes generally appeal to people looking to return to regular cycling or cyclists who want to take the edge off a hilly commute. Either way, all the bikes featured here are well worth considering. At the bottom of this article, I have listed the key benefits of owning a lightweight electric bike.
Benefits of Owning a Lightweight E-Bike
Owning a lightweight e-bike is a particularly good idea if you have trouble lugging heavy items around. One of the first questions many of my customers asked me was, ‘How heavy will my bike be?’ after I fitted a conversion kit. Another thing to consider is that many bike racks made for cars have a weight limit, and many modern e-bikes exceed this limit. Below, I have listed four key benefits of owning a lightweight electric bike.
Ease of transportation
With the difference in weight being as much as 10kg, owning a sub-15kg electric bike will make life a lot easier, particularly if you want to put your e-bike on a car rack or live in a flat and take your bike upstairs. They’re also much easier to cart around, especially if you occasionally take your bike on a train.
Easy to pedal with the motor switched off
Most regular hybrid e-bikes that weigh more than 20kg can be pedalled with the assist off, but the extra weight quickly becomes a burden, even on the slightest hill – you will feel like you are cycling with a couple of panniers loaded with shopping!
Pedalling with the motor off isn’t an issue when riding a lightweight electric bike. All the lighter e-bikes I have tested feel like regular bikes, and the moderately extra weight doesn’t impact the overall riding feel.
Increased efficiency
Most lightweight e-bikes have lower-capacity batteries by design. There are a couple of reasons for this – the main one is to keep the weight down, and the second is so the battery can be neatly integrated into the frame.
Lower overall weight will improve the motor’s efficiency, as it will not need to work so hard to produce the assist. 8-10kg can make one hell of a difference to a 250w motor.
Despite the relatively low energy capacity of the batteries fitted to lightweight e-bikes, you can increase your range in many ways without buying a spare battery.
An e-bike that looks like a regular bike
All the bikes featured in this article don’t look like electric bikes. This can have a few benefits – from an aesthetics point of view, these bikes look much neater, and no large battery pack dominates the frame. Also, they are less likely to be targeted by would-be thieves.
Another thing is there is still a bit of isolated snobbery within the cycling community regarding e-bikes, and some riders don’t want to ride a bike that shouts out ‘I’M RIDING AN E-BIKE’. Personally, any cyclist who knocks someone for riding an electric bike is a backwards-thinking idiot and shouldn’t be given the time of day!
Great for commuting
Lightweight electric bikes are perfect for commuters who only want to use the electric assist to help with hills. Because there’s very little weight penalty (compared with regular bikes), you still feel like a normal bike riding without assistance. Several lightweight models in my article feature the best electric bikes for commuting.
On to my list of the 12 best lightweight e-bikes available in 2023. I have included quite a few 2022 models that are still available. I’ll be updating this article as and when newer versions become available. None of the e-bikes featured below are particularly cheap. There are cheaper bikes available, but I have gone with models that, in my opinion, offer the best all-around riding experience, quality and versatility.
Fiido C21 E-Gravel
Best budget lightweight e-bike for 2023
Key Features:
- Mivice M080 Rear Hub Motor
- 208Wh Internal Battery
- Up to 80 km range
- Tektro Hydraulic Brakes
- 17.5 kg Weight
- Approximate Price (UK) £1266 (USD) £1599 (EUR) £1458
I’m currently testing the new Fiido C21 E-Gravel, and I can honestly say it’s one of the best and most affordable lightweight e-bikes currently available. It features a super-smooth and quiet Mivice M080 rear hub motor, which is virtually silent while providing a strong boost to your pedalling efforts. In addition, the 208Wh battery has returned a range of 32 miles on a hilly route, with some left spare at the end of the ride.
The Fiido E-Gravel boasts smartphone and smartwatch connectivity, a smart OLED colour display, Tektro hydraulic brakes and all-terrain gravel tyres. Its smooth weld frame and internal cable routing offer a sporty but comfortable riding position and look incredibly stylish. I can highly recommend the Fiido as it’s both lightweight and affordable.
Watch my YouTube video review.
Trek FX+ 2
Key Features:
- Heyena HyDrive 250-watt Rear Hub Motor
- 252Wh Internal Battery
- Up to 56 km range
- Hydraulic Brakes
- 17.5 kg Weight
- Price (UK) £2250
New for 2023, the Trek FX+ 2 looks almost indistinguishable from its unassisted counterpart. Weighing in at 17.5 kg, it’s not too heavy considering the full complement of accessories fitted. The FX+ features the HyDrive motor with a 250Wh internal battery and sophisticated torque-sensing pedal assist.
This will be a great e-bike for commuting and even better for exploring the countryside. With Shimano 9-speed gearing, hydraulic brakes, mudguards, a pannier rack, lights and a kickstand, the Trek FX+ 2 wants for nothing!
Tenways CGO600
Key Features:
- Mivice M070 250W Rear Hub Motor
- 252Wh Internal Battery
- Up to 43 Miles / 70 km range (in eco mode)
- Tektro Hydraulic Brakes
- Gates Carbon Belt Drive
- 15 kg Weight
- Price (UK) £1399
The Tenways CGO660 is a lightweight single-speed e-bike with low-maintenance Gates Carbon belt drive. The CGO660 offers a really good spec for the price and is available in the US, EU and UK. Weighing in at just 15 kg, it’s nice and light. It has a nice frame geometry, Tektro hydraulic brakes and torque-sensing pedal assist.
The motor is a 250w brushless, geared rear hub motor, and the 252Wh battery is integrated into the frame. The maximum range is 70 km, which should be possible on flat roads in the lowest assist mode. A smartphone app also gives more detailed info, like total distance covered and range remaining.
Raleigh Trace
Key Features:
- Mahle ebikemotion 250-watt Hub Motor
- 252Wh Internal Battery
- 30 – 80 Miles Range
- Tektro Hydraulic Brakes
- 16.5 kg Weight
- Price (UK) £2199
Iconic UK-based brand Raleigh has all but turned their back on regular bikes. Their range now comprises almost exclusively e-bikes. The Raleigh Trace is the first lightweight electric bike in their lineup, and it looks like a great option.
Featuring the Mahle X35 ebikemotion system wrapped up in a lightweight alloy frame and full carbon fork, the Trace comes in at a respectable 16.5 kg. In addition, there are quality components like Shimano Alivio 9-speed gearing and Tektro flat-mount hydraulic brakes. There are also WTB gravel tyres, mudguards, lights and a pannier rack. The Raleigh Trace is a light and practical e-bike with sporty looks.
Check out 100’s nearly new e-bikes on the Pro’s Closet (USA only)
Ribble Hybrid AL e
Key Features:
- Mahle ebikemotion 250-watt Hub Motor
- 252Wh Internal Battery
- 30 – 80 Miles Range
- Shimano MT200 Hydraulic Brakes
- 15 kg Weight
- Price (UK) £2499
The Ribble Hybrid AL e is a popular lightweight e-bike. This ‘fully loaded’ version comes complete with a rack and mudguards. Weighing in at under 15kg, it’s light for a hybrid e-bike. It features quality components like the excellent SRAM NX 1 x 11 gearing and Shimano hydraulic brakes. In addition, there are tough Mavic Allroad rims. The motor is the Mahle ebikemotion with a 252Wh internal battery.
Ribble has produced a practical and versatile electric bike that looks great and is substantially lighter than some of the competition. Here is an e-bike that will be equally comfortable on canal paths and urban streets. Use the assist only when you need it and ride it like a regular bike any other time – the best of both worlds!
Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0
Key Features:
- Specialized SL 1.1 250-watt Mid-Drive Motor
- 320Wh Internal Battery
- 40 – 80 miles Range
- Tektro Hydraulic Brakes
- 16 kg Weight
- Price (UK) £3500
The Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 uses their SL 1.1 mid-drive motor, which was developed in collaboration with German company Mahle (who also makes the x35 system). Riding the Turbo Vado SL is a whole lot of fun! What the Specialized offers isn’t a motor that takes over but an assist system that mechanically enhances your abilities in a way that makes you feel superhuman!
Tipping the scales at just 14.9kg, the Vado SL is an easy bike to get along with. Considering the impressive 320Wh internal battery and the 1.96kg motor, you have the perfect combination of e-assist with a potential range of up to 80 miles. The Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 is one of the best lightweight electric bikes available and well worth considering if your budget allows it.
Orbea Vibe H30
Key Features:
- Mahle ebikemotion 250-watt Hub Motor
- 252Wh Internal Battery
- 30 – 80 Miles Range
- Tektro Hydraulic Brakes
- 16.5 kg Weight
- Price (UK) £1949
The Orbea Vibe H30 uses the latest version of the tried and tested Mahle X35 ebikemotion system, which is a small and lightweight 250w rear hub motor and 250Wh (watt hour) internal battery. Pedal assist is provided by a magnetic sensor ring installed on the rear freehub. This ensures smooth electric assistance as and when needed.
The Orbea Vibe H30 will fit the bill perfectly if you want a lightweight e-bike. Weighing in at under 14kg, it weighs about the same as a regular hardtail mountain bike. The 42t front chainring combined with an 11-46 10-speed rear cassette gives a good spread of gears, and the excellent Magura MT30 hydraulic brakes do a good job of slowing the rider down.
Check out 100’s nearly new e-bikes on the Pro’s Closet (USA only)
Cannondale Treadwell Neo 2 EQ
Key Features:
- Mahle ebikemotion 250-watt Hub Motor
- 252Wh Internal Battery
- 30 – 80 Miles Range
- Tektro Hydraulic Brakes
- 18.5 kg Weight
- Price (UK) £2000
The Cannondale Treadwell Neo 2 EQ is a fun and practical lightweight e-bike designed to be comfortable. Featuring the same torque-sensing Hydrive motor as the Trek, the Cannondale is a practical urban hybrid e-bike that has the added feature of a large front basket for carrying things like shopping bags.
It’s a nice-looking e-bike with relaxed frame geometry, durable 650b wheels, and wide 47c tyres. Perfect for riding on the tarmac or to venture off the beaten track. Other features include powerful Tektro HD-R280 hydraulic disc brakes and Microshift 8-speed gearing. If it’s a comfy urban bike you’re after, the Cannondale Treadwell Neo 2 EQ is worth considering.
Vitus Mach E Urban
Key Features:
- Shimano Steps E6100 Mid-Drive Motor
- 504Wh Removable Battery
- 80-100 Miles Range (in eco mode)
- Shimano MT200 Hydraulic Brakes
- 17.5 kg Weight
- £1729
The Vitus Mach E Urban is a well-made e-bike. The 6061 alloy frame has a relaxed geometry and is finished with smooth welds and great paintwork. It also comes with a full-carbon fork and tough 700c wheels with thru-axles. I owned an earlier model for 12 months and covered nearly 2000 trouble-free miles. The Shimano Steps E6100 will get you up almost any hill. And the 504Wh battery will get you 50-70 miles between charges.
The Mach E weighs just over 17 kg, which is very light for a mid-drive e-bike. It’s a great all-rounder and is unbeatable at the current price. Based on my personal experience, I cannot recommend this bike highly enough.
Check out my YouTube video review
Kinesis Lyfe Equipped
Key Features:
- Mahle ebikemotion 250-watt Hub Motor
- 252Wh Internal Battery
- 30 – 80 Miles Range
- Tektro Hydraulic Brakes
- 17 kg Weight
- Price (UK) £1640
Kinesis are a UK brand whose focus has been designing bikes with the British rider in mind. Their range of e-bikes includes the Kinesis Lyfe Equipped, a lightweight e-bike aimed at commuters or weekend leisure riders. The Lyfe features the Mahle X35 motor with a nice alloy frameset and tapered fork.
There are also some quality components, like Shimano Deore 10-speed gearing and hydraulic disc brakes. It has front and rear lights, mudguards, a pannier rack and a kickstand. Its current discounted price of £1640 is an absolute bargain!
Ortler Speeder
Key Features:
- Bafang G20 250-watt Hub Motor
- 252Wh Internal Battery
- 30-60 Miles
- Shimano MT200 Hydraulic Brakes
- 19.2 kg Weight
- Price (UK) £2239
Featuring a Bafang G20 rear hub motor, torque-sensing pedal assist, and a 252Wh internal battery, the Ortler Speeder is reasonably lightweight and very nice to ride. In addition, the Speeder is adorned with some very high-quality components. Gearing is Shimano Deore 10-speed, with hydraulic brakes, Ergon grips, Velo saddle, SKS mudguards, and more.
The motor is smooth and efficient, and it feels like you’re riding a regular bike without the assist activated. It would be a great e-bike for commuting or shorter leisure rides. Read my Ortler Speeder review.
Boardman HYB 8.9e
Key Features:
- Fazua Evation 250-watt Mid-Drive
- 252Wh Internal Battery
- 40-80 Miles Range
- Tektro Hydraulic Brakes
- 16 kg Weight
- Price (UK) £2299
The Boardman HYB 8.9e has been around for a few years and remains unchanged. It is, however, still an excellent option in 2023 and has loads of positive customer reviews. It uses the excellent Fazua Evation drive system, and the total bike weighs under 16kg. Better still, if you want to ride without the motor and battery, you can remove it in seconds, fit a blanking plate (optional extra), and go away!
Some nice components are fitted to the Boardman, including a Shimano Deore M6000 1 x 10 drivetrain and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. It’s a well-designed bike that can comfortably handle a mixture of terrain. It’s a bit heavier than the Ribble and lighter than the Trek. But it has the benefit of an easily removable drive system and battery.
Conclusion
Owning a lightweight electric bike isn’t going to be for everyone. There are certain compromises, like motor power and battery range, that will put a lot of people off. But, for me, the benefits far outweigh the negatives. I’ve ridden lots of light e-bikes, and I prefer them. They’re like having a good old-fashioned regular bicycle with the benefit of a helping hand on longer rides. You still get a good workout and can easily pedal beyond the assist cut-off. What these bikes do is help to reduce fatigue and put the fun back into cycling.
Thanks for reading, and if you need any help or advice choosing the right electric bike, please leave a message in the comments below; I will aim to reply within 24hours.
Hi Tony,
Thanks for all the brilliant advice!
I am wondering if the Boardman HYB would cope with my daily commute. It’s about 5miles each way but on country lanes and a rough cycle track, and it’s very steep on the way home (from sea level back up to 570m). I’ve been cycling the route three or four times a week for six years so I’m reasonably fit. What do you think of the Boardman for this?
Hi Bethan,
I reckon the Boardman would cope fine, but I would advise changing the 44t chainring for a 38t and maybe fitting some Schwalbe Marathon GT 365 700x38c tyres for added grip. I’ve tested the HYB 8.9e on rough Bodmin moor gravel tracks and it handles surprisingly well.
All the best,
Tony
Hi Tony,
Thanks for you advice. I managed to find a Boardman HYB in Halfords yesterday so had a sit on it in the store. I actually found that the ride position was more technical and like a road bike for me, so back to the drawing board.
Is there anything you would recommend that is lightweight, gives a bit of assist but doesn’t need to be too powerful and has a more upright position? Ideally under £2000. Could be a tough task!
Hi Bethan,
Unfortunately most of the lightweight hybrid style e-bikes seem to have a sportier geometry / riding position. The most comfortable lightweight e-bike I’ve ridden is the Orbea Optima E50, it has a very relaxed and upright riding position, but it’s a step-thru design which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
I have a friend who owns a Boardman HYB, and he’s fitted slightly wider, riser handlebars (which are also slightly swept back) in combination with a 30 degree stem and finds that gives a much more comfortable riding position. The Orbea mentioned above is sold by Pure Electric. If you have one of their stores local to you it may be worth a visit to see if they have one in stock.
Regards,
Tony
That’s really helpful info Tony, thank you. I’ll see if I can have a go on one somewhere.
You’re welcome.
Hi Tony, Thanks so much for this useful article! I and my partner first tried out an electric haibike while in Austria a few years ago, and loved it! We’d like to buy our own hybrid electric bikes now, but with mudguards and pannier rack – and it has to be lightweight, as we need to be able to lift them up onto a high bike rack on the back of a motorhome. The positioning of this rack is fixed due to the shape of the vehicle – and it’s a bit of a struggle for me being female and 60. My touring bike is a claud butler at over 16kg, so if we could get an e-bike under 15kg that would be ideal. We don’t care if it looks like an e-bike … if we can remove the heavy battery to get it up onto the rack, even better. We’d like the battery/motor combo to be able to assist for over 50 miles – preferably at least 80 if possible. We’re both 5 ft 2 inches, around 60kg. Any advice you can offer will be very much appreciated! We did try a couple of other e-bikes after the haibikes – one type we hated as it depended on the speed/effort you put into pedalling to decide automatically what level of assist it would give you. We much preferred being able to select eco, or sport, or whatever as we saw the terrain ahead changing, to immediately get the level of assist WE chose, rather than the bike. Not sure what that is called? We’d be prepared to spend up to £3500 per bike to get what we need – though less is fine! 🙂 We’re up in NE Scotland, and would need to be able to go on a test ride … though we’re happy to travel to do this – once we’re allowed!
Hi Anne,
I’ve received your message and will see what’s currently available that suits your criteria. The only e-bikes I’m currently aware of that weigh under 15kg are powered by the ebikemotion rear hub motor system, but these do have limited battery range, but a range extender can be purchased that effectively doubles the battery range. Did you require low-step or regular frames?
Regards,
Tony
Thank you Tony! Alternatively, if removing the battery takes the weight to under 15kg, that would be fine too. We don’t mind whether it’s a low-step or regular frame 🙂
Warmest wishes,
Anne
Hi Anne,
My own e-bike uses the Shimano Steps motor with a 504Wh battery. I get about 60-70 miles in constant ‘eco’ mode with up to 100 miles if I don’t rely on the assist as much. Bearing in mind I weigh 107kg and live in Cornwall which is very hilly. I’ve weighed my bike and it’s 17.8kg with battery and 15.3kg without (that’s for a large frame). I have covered about 1000 miles on it since I bought it at the end of October last year and it has performed flawlessly. I’ve ridden it on rough tracks on Bodmin moor and it handles different terrains really well – I have written a detailed article here.
Another good bike is the Ribble AL e hybrid. I am in the process of testing one out courtesy of Ribble cycles and it’s a great bike, very light (13.7kg) but it only has a 250Wh battery and because it uses a hub motor it doesn’t produce the same kind of assist as the Vitus. The main benefit of the Ribble is it feels like a normal bike with the assist switched off. My Vitus is fine to pedal with the assist off but you do notice the extra weight on the hills.
The BMC AMP AL Cross is another very good bike which uses the Shimano Steps E6100 system, it’s available from Pure Electric and they have a shop in Edinburgh, which you could potentially visit and arrange a test ride. The BMC also weighs around 17/18kg minus 2.5kg for the battery, I had a go on one last year and was very impressed with the general feel and quality of the bike.
I hope this information helps, if you need any more advice, please let me know.
Kind regards,
Tony
Thanks again Tony! Lots of food for thought there. We’ll be heading off to test-drive some of these as soon as we are allowed to move again!! Looking at the mudguards and rack you got for your Vitus Mach E, they would add another kilo or so of weight. Is there a lighter combo that doesn’t cost the earth? Living up in Scotland, and holidaying regularly in Cumbria, we do encounter rather a lot of wet weather and roads so full length mudguards are essential 🙂
Best wishes
Anne
Hi Tony
I read your article on lightweight ebikes with great interest as I am about to replace my Smart ebike. I also live in Cornwall and have several of 10-15 % inclines on any route I take. I have always coped with the hills with my 30nm motor on my Smart bike but have run out of range a few times at 25-30 miles.
I had been persuaded by my friends to go for the Cube Cross Hybrid All-road pro 625 with its large battery and 85 nm Bosch 4 motor. I went to Certini to order the Cube only to be distracted by the Specialized Turbo Vado SL. I was unable to try a Cube but had a quick ride on the Vado which I found slick and very easy to ride. Now I am unsure which bike to go for.
I am 67 years old and weigh in at just under 100kg. I consider myself a reasonably strong cyclist. I have found the Smart ebike heavy to handle and ride without power and am concerned that I may find the same with the Cube. My other concern is that with the reduced power of the Vado would I be able to keep up with my friends on their more powerful bikes on hill climbs, at the moment I leave them standing with the Smart as I attack hills. I mostly ride on roads rather than trails and cycle for exercise rather than just leisure.
When I change bikes I want to feel that I have up-graded from the Smart which was advanced with its regeneration braking system when I bought it several years ago.
I would appreciate your advice as to which bike would suit me best.
Thanks
Pete
Hi Pete,
As much as I like the Cube (I’ve ridden several models including the 2020 Kathmandu 625)it’s incredibly heavy at around 25kg. I also had a go on the Specialized a while back and in my opinion the Turbo Vado SL is a much better option for a cyclist who wants a lightweight bike that can be ridden with or without the assist. Because the Vado uses an integrated mid-drive system combined with a wide-range rear cassette (11-42 for the SL 4.0), it does the job on the steep climbs in South East Cornwall. The latest Bosch CX motor does produce considerably more torque and feels more powerful when riding, but you tend to rely on the higher assist levels for the climbs to overcome the extra weight of the bike – there’s nearly 10kg difference between the Cube and Specialized. I ride a mix of regular road bike, CX bike and e-bike – my electric bike is a Vitus Mach E which uses the Shimano Steps E6100 motor. That weighs in at 17.8kg with pedals fitted. I have done a YouTube video of me comparing heart rate monitor and Strava segment data riding a local route on two different e-bikes vs a regular bike – Here is the link to the video. I’m doing some more videos on local Strava hill segments which I’ll be posting soon.
If you have any more questions, please let me know. If you want to pop in for a chat, I live halfway between Saltash and Liskeard.
Cheers,
Tony
Hi Tony.
Very good articles. Have you had a chance to ride a kinesis range e bike? I did & was very impressed with it the saddle was very unconfutable the handlebars were to wide it, it did give the ride i thought it would.
I ride a Whyte Montpellier with carbon wheels, which makes for a very good ride considering I have arthritis of the knees, its a good light weight bike. I am after a ebike that will give a similar ride any suggestions.
Regards Phil
Hi Phil,
I haven’t had a chance to ride any of the Kinesis range yet, but I’m hoping to get hold of one of their gravel e-bikes in the new year. The BMC Alpenchallenge AMP Sport is an excellent bike, it weighs in at around 16.5kg, and uses the excellent Shimano Steps E6100 motor. I’ve ridden the Fazua, X35 ebikemotion and Shimano Steps motors side-by-side and the Shimano motor produces a lot more in the way of assist, whilst also being very efficient.
I did have a quick ride on a Whyte Hoxton earlier in the year and that is very similar in design to the Kinesis and it uses the Fazua motor.
If you’re looking for a really lightweight e-bike, the Ribble AL e takes some beating. I just handed back their CGR AL e gravel bike and that tipped my scales at 13.4kg. The x35 ebikemotion system fitted to the Ribble has a total weight of 3.5kg making it the lightest e-bike system currently available. I personally felt when riding it (without the assist) it didn’t feel like an electric bike. Although the assist wasn’t as strong as the Shimano motor, it still felt more than adequate to cope with the short, steep hills in Cornwall.
Another fairly lightweight e-bike I’m hearing good things about is the Canyon Roadlite:ON – that also uses the Fazua motor and is currently on offer.
It really depends on how much assist you need, and how hilly the area is where you live. I personally love my Vitus Mach E Urban – it’s good to ride, with or without the assist and although it’s heavier than some of the other bikes, it still has light and responsive handling but with really strong e-assist when needed.
I hope this helps, if you have any more questions, please let me know.
All the best,
Tony
Good reviews, to me there is too much focus on heavy front suspension bikes whereas the bikes you’ve reviewed are a better option. However, my Boardman HYB 8.9e is once again back at Halfords after 5 months with a recurring problem of very clunky gear changes when the fazua system is operating. The latest solution (from Halfords) is to stop pedaling each time I change gears which to me not a viable solution at all. I think the Fazua system is great in principle but possibly the bikes other components are not up to the task. If Halfords offer a refund I’ll probably pay the extra and go for the specialized.
Hi Stuart,
Thanks for sharing. I have read about similar problems with other Fazua-powered e-bikes – it seems to be related to the motor gearbox. I own the Vitus Mach E which uses the Shimano Steps E6100, and gear changes are incredibly smooth and precise, despite Shimano Alivio being considered an ‘entry level’ derailleur. The Specialized SL 4.0 is a remarkable bike, they’ve done an excellent job of integrating the e-assist to the point that you feel like you’re riding an ordinary bike, but have the legs and fitness of a pro rider!
All the best,
Tony
Hi Tony,
I have a Trek Powerfly 5 Hardtail at the moment. The Bosch motor gives great assistance but the bike is heavy. A couple of times I have used all the battery after 45/50 miles. Really hard work finishing the last few miles without assistance. But as I have been cycling longer journeys recently and spend far more time riding on roads I have been considering the Vado 5 SL or the Cannondale Quick NEO 2 SL. I am 67 years old so slightly concerned about reducing the motor assistance level. Vado lists 35 NM, Cannondale 40 NM. Can you simply explain how much power assist I will lose although I realise a lighter bike will mean I can continue my ride anyway. Finding your reviews brilliant, very helpful by the way.
Hi Richard,
Even though the torque figures for the X35 hub motor (fitted to the Cannondale)are marginally higher than the Specialized motor. The way the Vado SL transfers the power from the crank to the rear wheel is more efficient and will be better for hill climbing. The 320Wh internal battery should also give a potential range of 50-70 miles. Even though the Bosch CX motor fitted to your Trek produces greater torque, the actual power output is approximately the same (as the Specialized and Cannondale). The 8kg weight difference between the Specialized and Trek should compensate for the difference in torque – plus the Vado is a lot easier to pedal without assist, so if you do run out of battery power it will feel like pedalling a slightly heavy regular hybrid bike. The tyres on the Vado SL will also have substantially lower rolling resistance than the MTB tyres fitted to your Trek.
Having ridden quite a few X35 hub motor e-bikes, I feel the assist is adequate for a rider who already has a reasonable level of fitness, but wants to ride a bit further without being totally knackered. The pedal assist is provided by a sensor ring mounted on the gear cassette and has a more on/off feel to it. The torque-sensing pedal assist on the Specialized SL 1.1 motor will feel more familiar if you’re used to riding a Bosch-powered e-bike.
I hope this helps. If you have any more questions, please let me know.
All the best,
Tony
Hi Tony,
I really appreciate your explanation, describing the difference in motors/batteries.
Many thanks
Richard
Hi Richard,
You’re welcome. Glad you found the article useful.
All the best,
Tony
Hi Tony, as others, I have found this article very useful. I am thinking of buying a Specialized turbo Vado SL. In your article you link to a 4.0 model and say it weighs in at 14.9kg. Later, in response to a comment you mention the Future Shock suspension saying it takes the sting out of potholes. As far as I can see this is only available on the 5.0. Is this right? I cannot find anything which tells me how much it adds to the weight. Also are 38mm tyres really ok on forest tracks?
Hi Joanna,
I can confirm the Future Shock 1.2 is only available on the Vado 5.0 and above. The 4.0 also has aluminium forks whereas the 5.0 has carbon forks. The Future Shock system adds approximately 200 grams to the overall weight of the bike.
The suitability of the tyres really depend on how rough the forest tracks are. My touring bike uses 35mm tyres and handles gravel and forest tracks just fine (running slightly lower tyre pressure than on the road). If you were going to be riding off-road on a regular basis, then I might be worth getting something with front suspension like a hybrid or MTB. There is a weight penalty, but for regular off-road riding you can’t beat a bit of front suspension.
Regards,
Tony
Hi Tony – as with other readers I really appreciated your article. So much so I decided to buy one of the bikes for my partner, she isn’t an experienced cyclist and is asthmatic so an e bike looks like a good choice. Unfortunately we can’t find anything in stock (12th September, UK). Halfords have sold out of the Boardman HYB 8.9e, can’t find a Orbeo Gain F40 anywhere and ditto the Vado SL.
Is there a famine of these bikes and how would you recommend I go about ordering one? My first choice would be the Gain F40, followed by the 8.9e then the Vado.
Regards,
Hi John,
There’s definitely been a shortage of available electric bikes recently due to the large spike in the demand caused by the current situation. I’ve had a look around an Pure Electric have some stock of the Gain F40, depending on colour and size preference – here is the link to the Orbea Gain F40 on their website.
All the best,
Tony
Great review.
However I just tried to order a Ribble CGR ALe with flat handlebars and they advised me they no longer sell it ! Pity, as it looked like the right bike for me.
Hi Colin,
Thanks for letting me know. That’s a shame Ribble have stopped selling the flat bar version of the CGR, I was always under the impression you could custom-build a bike using their ‘bike builder’ option. I know they’ve experienced unprecedented demand over the last 3 months, so maybe they’re only selling the more popular options.
Hi,
thank you for this very interesting article.
Could you tell me if the Vado SL can go on tracks, like a gravel? or is it really for the bitumen and the city?
Hi Dominique,
I have tested the Vado SL on gravel and light woodland trails and it deals with different terrains very well (in my opinion). I was so impressed with its all-terrain abilities that I’ve included it on my list of Best Electric Bikes for Bikepacking.
Regards,
Tony