this post was submitted on 07 Jun 2024
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micromobility - Ebikes, scooters, longboards: Whatever floats your goat, this is micromobility
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Ebikes, bicycles, scooters, longboards, 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"
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My existing mid-drive Class 3 ebike weights 95 lbs (43 kg) loaded. What could I replace it with?
(self.micromobility)
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If you want to give up weight, you'll likely have to give up some power. I bought a Specialized Turbo Vado SL a few years ago and it's 35 lbs, class 3 with 35mm tires. I've seen people fit larger ones, but I bought this thing for the weight.
It's class 3 and fairly light, but it won't drag me up the side of a mountain without my help. It was still worth it to me because I wanted a light bike that I could keep riding after running out of power. My partner bought me a nice solid basket that I fill up in the store and it clicks right into the rack so I can carry some groceries, 2 locks, a backpack, etc. I would guess with the basket, fenders, extra lights, and a coat of dust it would probably weigh within a pound or two of your limit.
All that to point out that you can go lighter, but there may be a tradeoff. I think the other folks who suggested different ways of carrying the bike probably have more affordable short-term solutions than acquiring more bikes... though less fun. :)
Surprisingly, my acoustic bike already pushes 20 kg (44 lbs) despite being manufactured as an 11 kg (24 lbs) bike. Basically, I travel with way too many things in my saddle bags. But better to have and not need haha
With the 29" tires, I'm able to ride the ebike at a useful rate (15-20 kph, 9-13 mph) if the battery is flat, although it certainly isn't anything resembling nimbleness because of its mass. This is much slower than the acoustic bike's "default" pedaling speed of 20-25 kph.
Power is something which I'm more attuned to trading away, as I don't need to traverse any particularly steep hills. But I think you're right that there may be substantial compromises to keep weight below the 55 lbs figure, more than I might be able to accept. And all would mean acquiring another ebike.
I guess I need to get swole lol
I hear you on the storage. I just bought a new mountain bike, I was flabbergasted that a lot/most of trail bikes don't have mount points for a rack. How am I supposed to carry all my stuff off road? Im not oblivious to the fact that I bought a sport focused bike, but ut would be nice to have the option if I wanted to travel further and with a little bit of cargo. At the very least I need 2 locks, my wallet, keys, phone, extra layer for when it gets cold, puncture kit, snacks, water. I also didn't expect to notice how different the weight and center of gravity was compared to the ebike, but it's obvious even when I'm shuffling them around the garage.
Having said that, if anyone frowns on you potentially acquiring another bike you can tell them Lemmy thought it was a good idea. :P