How much does rider weight really matter on ebikes? - range and speed test
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ต.ค. 2024
- Heavy riders on e-bikes, bikes, electric bikes
Bikes and components at Competitive - bit.ly/3onc6Z5
JensonUSA - alnk.to/cSF8uw... trek Fuel EXe options here: bit.ly/3L6edsT
I’m about 215lbs kitted with 3L of water and with a Gen 3 Levo I get about 90 minutes of time in turbo, or about 1 minute for 1% of battery used. Elevation gain is about 4800 feet in 90 minutes on steep (20%+ grade) fire roads. I haven’t calculated how much power I put in, but it is less than when I ride my analog bike, where I get 3000 feet vertical in about 2 1/4 hours of riding.
Thanks for putting up the data FC, really cool to see the results!
Very very good share Rolf!!! Your numbers are good!!
For ebikes, especially in Turbo mode, it's very hard to put in big pedaling watts. I've done a few tests on this and the pedals get away from you and don't offer a lot of long resistance in turbo mode. No matter how hard I try, I can't put the big pedaling watts in as the pedals get away from me and I spin wildly. I turn the motor down or off and my power output shoots up.
Also, these drivetrains can't handle these loads very well. The Levo puts out 550 watts and a strong rider with 350 watts makes a total of 900 watts for a drivetrain that crunches under that load.
Didn't need to watch this video to know my 204 lbs needs a biggest battery and nm's motor power! Really appreciate the time and effort you put into these videos. Love your scientific approach.
Right on my 204 lbs of mountain biking brother!!
I love this! Scientific data & real life measurements.
Challenge subjective data such as “your bike is slower” or “your motor isn’t good enough”…
You’re the only reviewer using the Garmin power sensing pedals and the data you give us is fantastic! Congratulations 👍
Right on, thank you. Most other reviewers say it's impossible to compare range or anything about ebikes for that matter, because of all the variables involved.
We'll take the time to eliminate variables and deliver valuable insight whenever possible.
As a big fellow, I appreciate the numbers. I was surprised that it was only a small amount of battery use though. Another great vid!
Thank you. Yeah, it's good to have some data points proven by math and testing. The numbers can get big with more weight and big mountains.
Another excellent video. This lines up with my reasoning I chose the new Rise with the 540 battery over the 50mn options. Wanted a trail bike that wasnt a 50lb+ rock crusher but still wanted good power and range. Can run it in boost for hot laps and trail for long hauls without a range extender or range anxiety. Availability also plays a factor still. The new Comp is the same price as the M10! Thats crazy. The specs are drastically different.
I agree with your comments 100% and that is why I'm going for the Orbea Wild. Specialize what's to sell riders a high end bike with a low cost battery and motor.
@@mxbadboy263 nice choice. Was in my top 2 for full power. Take a look at the new Fezzari Timp peak as well.
Good choice. the Rise is a special bike since it is a lighter ebike yet it has the battery and extender to get a rider to keep up with full powered ebikes. Also allows a heavier rider a lot of riding options.
@@EMTBReview For me a bike has to be able to use an extender battery.
Best EMTB stuff on TH-cam! I love how objective you are. Also test rode the new levo sl today and man it feels amazing
I really appreciate that comment. Improving every day on this video stuff.
And yes, the new Levo SL is one of the best riding bikes today.
I’m a 200lbs rider looking to buy an Emtb right now. Thank you for making this video.
You are most welcome.
It makes lot of sense, it's like running if my weight is 200lbs vs if I was 150 lbs it will make differences in time energy used, very nice information, thank you.👍
You are most welcome!!!!!
This is all really great since using the same rider and just adding the ballast.
Where it gets less clear for me is that a larger rider of the same fitness should have a relatively proportionate amount of strength gained from carrying the extra mass.
If the extra mass is just flab, then that will definitely be dead weight and probably an indicator that the fitness doesn't match the size. In super simplistic terms it seems like taking the engine from a small car and putting it in a heavier car - of course it will be slower/less economy. Since people are the engine in cycling it is really hard to consistently A/B test. Mental is a huge factor too.
All that said, it is helpful to think about a test like this when considering which eMTB to get. At 180+ lbs I'm glad I went with a Giant Trance E+ 29r. I hardly ever use the assist past level 2 (of 5) and the range is outstanding.
Unless riders are at xc pro-level, lightweight rider will get way more benefit in terms of combined power-to-weight ratio in this type of e-bike scenario.
Love it when Francis gets scientific! Never thought rider weight was so significant.
I blinded myself with science!
Well done, good facts and figures 👍🏻
Thank you. Nice to know our real-world testing is validated by the math.
As a Super Clyde I actually prefer Mid power as i'm not a boost rider, and mid powers w/ range extenders gives you more versatility in ride time. I have a Rise H w/ 2 extenders for a possible 1044 wh of battery power. Depending on the rise I can run just internal for 540, 1 extender for 792, or 2 for 1044wh. Emtb lets me ride socially w/o ever slowing down the group w. my normal human sized friends. On my regular bike I climb half as fast without stopping when climbing steep NorCal trails which would put me 3miles behind after an hour if they are climbing @ 6mph and i'm at 3mph. Before Emtb I always rode solo. When I had my Rail, I always had range anxiety w/ 630wh battery even just riding in tour+. Mid powers are an equalizer for big guys riding with the little fellas LOL Built my H15 @ 19.8kg (43.65lbs) w. carbon wheels/bars, just under 47lbs with extender.
Great share. Thank you for the real-world info here.
@@EMTBReview was thinking of getting SL or EXe just need more extenders lol. Leaning toward EXe as it’s easier to sneak into non-emtb areas lol
Cool video, but I think the heavier rider should be putting in more effort to be a good comparison. On a non motorised bike the heavier rider would have to work harder too so this should be reflected.
ie. If the rider is 10% heavier it's reasonable for them to expect to have to put out 10% more power. 11:56
That is a good point. Heavier riders usually put out more power (assuming equal fitness). For basis of comparison though, it is much clearer and safer to analyze keeping things constant and only changing rider weight.
But... more rider power from heavier riders is something to keep in mind, yes.
I agree, partially. That would depend on overall build too. For example I cross train . My upper physique is much stronger than one of an only biker. I see a lot of noodle arms out there, especially road cycling. Long post, short, there are a lot of variables.
Great video.... as a math geek I did notice around the five to six minute mark you showed a system total of 221 when they actually add up to 229. (40+155+3+31)
thank you!
Great test, but there are some factors you might not be considering.
If YOU actually weighed 186 lbs, your muscular system and physiology would be conditioned to move 186 lbs. There are some physiological variables that need to be considered.
At 155 lbs, with 31 lbs onto your back, that's not necessarily a real life comparison, because your body is not yet physiologically adapted to move 186 lbs. It's adapted to move 155.
If you trained with that back pack more, you would see your "back pack on" times decrease over time as your body adapted and built up strength to move that added weight. You would also see a significant decrease in your time if you removed the back pack after having trained with it for a long time.
Would you agree or am I missing a variable?
He’s only measuring weight alone, not the power of the rider, he’s assuming power of the riders is equal. Rider power would be another factor again. You could have a light weak rider or a heavy strong rider, or vice versa.
@@streddaz Was he able to produce the same watt output consistently, over time, while riding with the added weight? If not, then I don’t think the comparison would be accurate. You can’t just assume power of rider is the same.
I’m 200lbs, 5’8” a gym addict, natural bodybuilding type and it’s not even fair to race against those light weight guys. There is a reason why Clydesdale have their own category. My riding buddy is 6’0” 150lbs and on the same ebike on trail mode he can pull off. We only ride park
@@JohnBreezy22 if you watch the video, he says he is peddling at a constant 200 watts using a power meter. That way he can ride with the same output each time, so only the weight is different.
@@pjsanab bike fitness matters too. A mate of mine who is shorter than me and a similar weight but super buff from the gym can’t get anywhere near me on a climb. My legs are stronger than his where it matters for pedalling. In the end we all just have a great time on bikes, so it doesn’t really matter.
even though power is the same, would there be something to be said if you had rode with the weight pack first?
I'm finding no. The rider can get more fatigued but that doesn't matter since the rider output is identical.
It is key though to ride the same lines and not have wild swings in effort and power output.
Another set of problems for heavy riders... If you are trying to lose weight you have to combine diet+exercise. Low carb diet most of the time, so you can't go too hard, and long Z2 rides, so you spend a lot of time in Trail and Turbo mode. That's why battery becomes so important.
That is a very good point. The ebike allows one to regulate output in the fat-burning zone and one has more options about nutrition as well. (and not eat like a horse when doing big effort rides)
@@EMTBReview Yep, when you do a big effort and the computer tells you that you burned 2.000 Kcal you think you deserve a big meal. Riding in Turbo is just the opposite, you go for one hour ride, come back as nothing happened, almost ashamed of how easy it was and you decide to eat a salad.
Great video. It's nice to see some science behind it all. I'm 250lbs, 6'4 and ride a 2020 Levo SL. It definitely make going uphill easier but not easy. Without the SL, I think it would be damn near impossible for me to get up some of the climbs I do.
depends on the steepness. i know that on the previous SL really steep hills were harder on it than my much lighter regular mtb. thats one big issue with light emtbs imo. im 185lbs and relatively fit. if i was 155lbs im sure the SL would take me up any hill. if i was your weight i dont know if the SL would take me up the steepest stuff no matter how fit.
@@kangsterizer I think that was the point when I got the SL was for it not to take the challenge out of the climbing but rather to keep me on the bike during the climb which it's doing a great job at. In Southern California, we definitely have some very steep climbs which are tough as you mentioned but most of the climbs that I do are slightly sleep but very long. I still haven't met a climb that has made me hike the SL.
Yeah, I'm 6'2" and 235 lbs. A 320 watt battery doesn't cut it alone for me.
Yeah, the heavier you are (even if you're a strong pedaler), the motor has to work harder and consume more battery to assist. The math is not friendly.
Basic physics tells me if weight reduces the run time, a battery change will suffice😂😂😂
Exactly. Choose your weapon wisely. :)
I know that climb! Don’t mind as it at all.
Ha, ha... I've done it 100 times this year for testing. Luckily some assist. :)
Thanks for thinking us heavy ogres out there. 230lbs before getting dressed. =)
Is there such a thing as a light ogre? Hmmmm....
Thank you again for real-world content... im 6'5" 215. Lean and muscular. I can't get much lighter. I ride a 22 stumpy evo. I've been on the fence between a full power or mid emtb. When I saw the new SL, I was in love. But this makes me think I should go for the full power levo...
The main reason to go with a full-powered levo are:
- to use full turbo mode to get rides quickly and compress time
- ride with other buddies who have full-powered ebikes
- take advantage of the big, 700wh battery and go on exploration rides.
@E-MTB Review I am mainly looking at an emtb to compress rides after work. I have 3 kids, and a 10-mile ride takes an hr on top of a 40 min round trip to the closest trail... im tempted to buy a carbon levo base model for 5k and swaping my nice parts over from the evo. Would I regret a 500wh battery?
@@bostondye3736 I’m 6’3” and 220. I can get 45km technical with a 800m climbing and still have 2/5 bars left on my trek rail with a 650Whr battery. I only stop because by then my shoulders are on fire. I reckon 500Whr is plenty for your needs
@@topheavy7616 is this at full power setting?
@@bostondye3736 No - a good mix of everything and I only usually use turbo when I’m on the way home.
His math is wrong at 5:40... system weight w/ add on weight should be 229 lbs, not 221 lbs.
You are correct. Thank you for that.
@@EMTBReview No prob, interesting video btw