Does battery location have an impact on balance and control?
Posted by shorty0927@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 10 comments
I'm shopping for pre-built ebikes (not a retrofit), and I'm wondering how much battery placement impacts balance and control. I have concerns about batteries on the down tube (either internal or externally mounted).
I'm a petite female (5'0", 152 cm) and am used to riding around town on a light-weight 26"-wheeled MTB that has been converted to a commuter (smooth tires, fenders, and a rear rack).
I'm leaning toward a small-wheeled cargo-type bike with a mid motor. I found a Tern locally that fits the bill, but I'm worried that I'm irrationally excluding other models because of the down tube batteries.
PuzzledActuator1@reddit
Lower the weight the more stable it is, downtube is about the most convenient place to keep it low.
RipOk3600@reddit
Having the weight low and at the center of gravity is best but it’s not a deal breaker. I have had 2 e-bikes, one with a rear rack battery and one with the battery in the down tube. The rear rack was also a hub motor whereas the new one is a mid drive.
I honestly didn’t notice any difference in the weight. Theoretically it would likely make it less stable when you use the kickstand and especially if you add extra weight to the back with luggage ect but I never noticed it.
ggezboye@reddit
Downtube (inner triangle) is best placement mainly because it's lower and well protected during a crash.
Bwilderedwanderer@reddit
YES I have a rear rack battery with a rear hub.when bike was new, 2 times i dismounted on a slight incline and tipped over.
aredridel@reddit
YES. My rear rack battery tippped me over backward once going up a very steep hill. One on the front can really make steering weird.
Downtube ftw.
Different-Kick-8649@reddit
Strap a #15 weight to either part of your bike for correct answer…
Relative-Display-676@reddit
downtube is the best place for bike battery. you want weight to be as low and centered as possible and there isn't a better location.
BassesNBikes@reddit
Where else would you mount it? Low and inside the frame is pretty optimal.
shorty0927@reddit (OP)
The Tern I've been looking at has the battery mounted behind the seat tube. The frame is a bit longer, so there's space between the seat tube and the frame. There's also rear rack-mounted batteries.
BassesNBikes@reddit
So close to the bottom bracket, either in front or behind, is optimal. A rear rack mount is a Very Bad Idea unless you're into wheelies.