Best Lightweight E Bikes mightygadget

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Best Lightweight E-Bikes [Page 2]

Orbea Gain M30 Flat Bar

Orbea Gain M30 Flat Bar
  • Country availability: UK / Global
  • Weight: 26.5 lb. (12 kg)
  • Frame: Carbon
  • Motor: Ebikemotion X35 Plus 250W motor / 40 Nm
  • Battery: Ebikemotion 36V/6.9A 248Wh ANT+
    Range: Up to 60 miles
  • Sensor: Torque
  • Drivetrain: Shimano 105 2×11 drivetrain with an 11-32T cassette
  • Brakes: Shimano R7070 Hydraulic Disc
  • Tyres: FULCRUM E-Racing 900 wheels and Schwalbe ONE 700x30mm
  • Price: £3,895

The Orbea Gain M30 Flat Bar is an expensive bike but it uses high-quality components. The Shimano 105 groupset currently costs £400 for the full set, and the carbon frame adds significantly to the costs. At this price, it is not a bike I’d buy for commuting but more for leisure cycling.

LeMond Prolog

LeMond Prolog
  • Country availability: UK/ US
  • Weight: 27 lb / 12.2 kg
  • Frame: Carbon fibre
  • Motor: Mahle M1; Rear hub; 250w – Max. Torque: 40N.m
  • Battery: Embedded/down tube; 36V, 250W Panasonic
  • Range: 40-70 mile
  • Sensor: Torque?
  • Drivetrain: Shimano GRX RD-RX812 11 speed / Shimano CS-M7000 11-40T
  • Brakes: Shimano BL-RS600 Hydraulic Disc Brake
  • Tyres: Token G23AR Prime / Panaracer Gravelking Slick+ 700 x 38mm
  • Price: £4,228

The LeMond Prolog is a beautiful but very expensive e-bike. It is more aesthetically pleasing than the Orbea but also has some practical additions, like an integrated front light and reflectors built onto the frame.

It uses an MTB/gravel-based groupset, and the full Shimano GRX 810 Gravel Groupset will set you back about £875 by itself, which helps justify the high cost of the bike.

There are some good but very expensive upgrade options. This includes upgrading to DI2 electronic shifting (£800), a LC30 carbon wheelset (£1800) or specially designed carbon fenders (£210)

Overall

There are more lightweight e-bikes that are chain based vs belt driven, but the vast majority are most expensive than the belt-drive alternatives, even when looking at the single-gear options.

Once you start adding gears, you add both weight and cost. The budget Shimano Alivio groupset can cost £150 just by itself.

The KBO Hurricane 2.0 is undeniably an attractive option for US buyers. It is a bit basic, but you can’t complain about the price.

For UK buyers, the Estarli e28 hybrid or Quella ELECTRIC Varsity seems to be your best bet. I am torn between which one I’d buy if it was my money, probably the Estarli because it is both cheaper and has the flexibility of gears for cycling without power. The aesthetics and lightweight design of the Quella do make it very appealing, though.

As much as I would love to own the LeMond or Orbea, they are targeting a more affluent or serious cyclist. I wouldn’t be locking either of these in the town centre where I live.

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