The title describes the gist of things. In 18 months of owning my Bikonit MD750, I’ve traveled over 2100 km (1300 miles) in day, night, and rain; swapped out four sets of tires trying to lower the rolling resistance; built my own new set of 29" wheels with ebike-speed rated tires; and have taken it on mixed-mode adventures by using light-rail as my range extender.

It’s the latter where the weight is a small issue, as the light rail train has three stairsteps onboard, which I have to carry the bike up and onto. 43 kg is kinda a lot, although that does include all the things I will need for a day out. I can pursue getting stronger to lift it more easily, or convincing the transit department to acquire low-floor trains, but I’d like to know my options:

What are some Class 3, mid-drive ebikes currently available in the USA, that weigh less than 43 kg (95 lbs)? Ideally, less than 25 kg (55 lbs) too, as that’s the most common weight restriction for buses. I want to see what y’all can recommend, irrespective of price or range or other considerations.

I’m not likely to terminate my investment in this current ebike, as it’s provided sterling service thus far. But I wonder if maybe what I have has already been outmoded by the latest developments in this ever-changing slice of the mobility space.

TY in advance!

    • litchralee@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      1·
      5 months ago

      In the USA, ebikes use a three-tier classification, originally articulated by federal import laws and then incorporated into state laws, which govern what sort of ebikes are allowed on the streets and bike lanes of that state. California adopted the federal ebike classes verbatim: https://www.calbike.org/california-e-bike-classifications/

      A Class 3 ebike is a pedal-assisted ebike, providing assist up to 45 kph (28 mph), using a motor rated up to 750 W continuous. This is roughly analogous to the speed of an “S-pedelec” in Europe, although a USA Class 3 ebike is not a moped and does not require license and registration, and the USA enforces a lower power limit than the 1 kW or 4 kW limit for “S-pedelecs”.

    • litchralee@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      1·
      5 months ago

      From the specs of your ebike, it appears to be limited to 25 kph (15 mph). That might explain the substantial weight difference, as Class 1 or 2 ebikes will frequently weigh well below 20 kg (44 lbs), often with reduced range of only 40-60 km, which sounds in-line with your bike’s specs.

      I once rode a USA Class 1 ebike continuously until the 700 Wh battery was uncomfortably empty, and traveled 37 miles (60 km) at 20 mph (32 kph) average, despite the manufacturer rating of only 33 miles (53 km).

      Because of the distances I wish to cover, and for a fair comparison with my existing ebike, I am only considering Class 3, 45 kph-capable ebikes.