micromobility - Ebikes, scooters, longboards: Whatever floats your goat, this is micromobility

2350 readers

3 users here now

Ebikes, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, longboards, eboards, motorcycles, skates, unicycles: Whatever floats your goat, this is all things micromobility!

"Transportation using lightweight vehicles such as bicycles or scooters, especially electric ones that may be borrowed as part of a self-service rental program in which people rent vehicles for short-term use within a town or city.

micromobility is seen as a potential solution to moving people more efficiently around cities"

Feel free to also check out

[email protected]

It's a little sad that we need to actually say this, but:

Don't be an asshole or you will be permanently banned.

Respectful debate is totally OK, criticizing a product is fine, but being verbally abusive will not be tolerated.

Focus on discussing the idea, not attacking the person.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

_haha_oh_wow_

[email protected]

My existing mid-drive Class 3 ebike weights 95 lbs (43 kg) loaded. What could I replace it with? (self.micromobility)

submitted 5 months ago by litchralee to c/[email protected]

24 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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!

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] litchralee 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I currently have an acoustic bike and this ebike. What I'm hoping to avoid is N+1 Syndrome, which is the desire to have N+1 bikes, where N is the current number of bikes lol

But I think you're right that the 25 kg target for a Class 3 with appreciable range may be tough to find. I'm in the fortunate position where I can take bus and/or light-rail with the acoustic bike no-problem, or can run the ebike for 20 km to the light-rail station and still have range at the end of the line. It may be too much of a stretch to have the features of both bikes: lots of range plus full compatibility with transit.

[–] pc486 3 points 5 months ago

Hah! I said "thanks for helping me solve my N+1 problem" to the sales guy at my LBS after walking out the door with the folder. More bikes is always the right answer! 🤣

Yeah, I can see you're trying to thread the needle here. It's going to be tough. Opening up your parameters is at least a decent start towards filling a spreadsheet of potential bikes.