Pedaling

Posted by PoetryForeign3391@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 10 comments

I want an e bike that I can mainly pedal, that's lightweight, and basically only uses the assist when I'm struggling. I currently have the apias m1 pro, I love it but I can't pedal on it that hard, it starts to wobble

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Ok_Cartographer_8893@reddit

A bike below 20kg you should be able to pedal,

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steveonski50@reddit

Buy a super light acoustic bike and slap a mid drive motor on it, problem solved, you're welcome

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pinkfloydhomer@reddit

Get a mid drive.

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The_Mighty_Glopman@reddit

Check out the new Velotric Tempo. It weighs 39 lbs. I just bought one. It is loaded with features, but I can pedal without the power with no problem.

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Insufferable_Twit2@reddit

Im also a fan of a standard bike with a powered hub or mid-drive, or Clip Bike (removable) power assist. Do it correctly with a good kit, or hack together a monstrosity like I did, but this minimizes the chance of stranding due to a dead battery and a bulky, too-heavy-to-pedal bike.

It’s a bit like an escalator becoming stairs, instead of an elevator leaving you stuck between floors.

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ParsleyOdd7599@reddit

I recently bought an Aventon Adventure M and love it for its cadence and torque sensing features. It’s not a light bike but the mid motor is so smooth and the auto shifting is brilliant.

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yaboi_ahab@reddit

I just did a bunch of looking around recently before buying a bike in this kind of niche. Aventon, Ride1Up, Velotric, Vvolt, and Lectric (not an exhaustive list) all have \~40-50lb models under $1500 that are reportedly pretty nice to pedal, even on light or no pedal assist. All of them have torque sensors for a very natural and responsive pedal feeling, and proper riding geometry.

The Ride1Up Roadster v3 and the Vvolt Alpha 2.1 are the only ones I've found with a belt drive option, multiple size options, and easily-removable batteries. Ride1Up got my money for being a bit cheaper (only $1650 for the bike and a second battery right now) and having a 28mph max speed, even if I don't plan on using the class 3 setting often with how small the battery is. The Roadster also has a suspension fork option for $50 more, but only with a chain drive. Cool paint job on the suspension versions though.

Special mention to the Lectric XPress 500 for being only $1000, the cheapest I've seen in this category I just made up, while also having the biggest battery. It's also the heaviest (about 55lb with the battery, really starting to lose unassisted pedal-ability cred at that point), only has a "one-size-fits-most" frame, and doesn't have a belt drive option. But being that much cheaper is still notable.

There are also options in the $2000 range like the Ride1Up CF Racer1 (only 28.6lb) and the Cannondale Treadwell Neo 2 that are even lighter and more pedal-able, using more premium materials but also with smaller motors and batteries.

Also, if you're okay buying used, Upway has a lot of nice looking bikes at great prices. Probably the best option for most people, really.

If anyone wants to know how the Roadster v3 turned out, it should be here some time this week, feel free to ask :)

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