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Best Electric Bikes For Heavier Riders 2023

Best Electric Bikes for Heavier Riders 2023

*Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.

For heavier riders, finding the best e-bike that can accommodate a larger body size may be a challenge, as many e-bikes on the market have relatively low weight capacities. In this list of the Best Electric Bikes for Heavier Riders, we share our picks from reputable brands, each of which are built to handle a larger amount of body weight.

As part of the design process, every e-bike is engineered to carry a specific maximum weight limit, but this number is not always clearly stated by the manufacturer. It can get even more confusing for prospective buyers when different terms are used, either separately or in conjunction – such as maximum rider weight and total payload capacity. Each of these figures is useful, but only when they are understood in context.

Maximum rider weight is relatively straightforward – this is the amount of weight that the saddle and seatpost can safely carry, and it includes not only body weight, but any additional load such as a backpack. Total payload capacity refers to the maximum amount of weight an e-bike can accommodate – this includes maximum rider weight, but also accounts for the capacity of any included or optional cargo racks. These, too, have their own weight limits which may be stamped on their structural members or listed on the brand’s webpage.

According to the Center for Disease Control, the average weight for US males is approximately 200 lbs, while the average for females is about 170 lbs. Most e-bikes can accommodate these averages, but as rider weight increases and any additional cargo is added, the pool of capable models decreases significantly. For this list of the best electric bikes for heavier riders, the reviewers at Electric Bike Report selected options with maximum rider weights and/or total payload capacities over 250 lbs – and often much higher.

Our picks for the Best Electric Bikes for Heavier Riders of 2023

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Torque Sensors vs. Cadence Sensors on Electric Bikes

Torque Sensor or Cadence Sensor: Which Is Better on an E-Bike

In order for an e-bike motor to know when to turn on or off, it must receive a signal from the controller, and in order for the controller to know when to turn the motor on or off, it needs to know when the rider is pedaling. To do that, all e-bikes are equipped with one of two kinds of sensors, either a cadence sensor or a torque sensor.

Until fairly recently, there wasn’t much need to discuss how the two types of sensors might influence a buyer’s choice. That’s because cadence sensors were found almost exclusively on e-bikes at the more affordable end of the market and torque sensors were only found on higher-end e-bikes. That’s no longer the case; thanks to a drop in the cost of torque sensors, we now see them on some e-bikes that cost less than $2000, which makes the spec of sensor another factor to consider when choosing an e-bike.

Cadence sensors and torque sensors work in very different ways and their presence on an e-bike will determine just how the motor delivers power. That gives an e-bike one of two different personalities, which the writers at Electric Bike Report will explain in this article.

One type of sensor is not inherently better than another; they are simply different. That said, most riders find that they develop a preference for one type of sensor over the other.

Torque vs. cadence: What’s the difference?

So let’s take a look at how the two different sensors work. Both sensors work by detecting pedal movement, or more accurately, motion at the crankset, but they do so in two different ways. We’ll start with cadence sensors, as they are simpler and easier to understand.

A cadence sensor mounts a ring of sensors (usually 12) at the part of the frame called the bottom bracket. This refers to the set of bearings that thread into the frame. A magnet is mounted to one of the crank arms and as it turns that magnet passes a sensor. Each time this happens a signal is sent to the controller to activate or sustain the motor.

A cadence sensor works on a binary principle: Are the pedals turning, or not? They have to move at a consistent speed to keep the motor activated, but above that, it doesn’t matter how fast they turn. Also, all cadence sensors are different, but most require at least a quarter-turn of the cranks to engage the motor. For as long as the cadence sensor detects pedal movement, it will continue to send a signal to the controller, telling the motor to do its thing.

A torque sensor is quite a different beast. With a torque sensor, strain gauges measure how hard the rider is pedaling. These strain gauges may be mounted in the bottom bracket or they may be mounted on the frame where the rear wheel bolts into place.

When the torque sensor receives a signal, it measures how big the effort is and then sends that message to the controller. The controller then tells the motor how hard to work in proportion to the PAS level the rider has selected.

Because the two sensors deliver different signals to the controller, the controller has to work on a different principle based on the kind of signal it receives. With a cadence sensor, each PAS level is set to a fixed amount of output. PAS 1 might be 20 percent of total nominal power, while PAS 5 might be 100 percent of total nominal power.

With a torque sensor the controller works by an inverse principle. Upon receiving a signal from the torque sensor, the controller measures how big that signal is and then multiplies it by the amount determined by the PAS level the rider has selected. With a torque sensor, PAS 1 might deliver power at a 1:1 ratio; PAS 2 might be a 1:2 ratio (the motor delivering double the power the rider is producing) and PAS 4 (often called “Turbo” on many e-bikes with torque sensors) might deliver power at a 1:4 ratio. This is why the motor’s output is constantly adjusting in response to the rider’s effort.

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10 Ideas for Modding Your E-Bike

10 Ideas for Modding Your E-Bike

The ideal e-bike is the one that fits a rider’s needs. Simple enough, huh? But riders’ needs can vary just as much as people vary. An e-bike must fulfill its function in two different ways. The first priority is rider comfort. Being able to pedal an e-bike comfortably is one of the big factors in just how much someone will ride their e-bike.

For anyone who wonders how important fit is, consider how much adjusting we have to do after someone has moved the seat in our car. And if they moved the steering wheel as well, we may be fussing with seat placement for the rest of that trip.

Whether someone is tall or small, slight or beefy or whether they choose skinny jeans or have a trunk full of junk, each of those differences and where we fall on the spectrum will make a difference in how comfortable we are on our e-bike.

The second way an e-bike fits a rider’s needs is functional. Can someone with a family carry a kid? Can they make a run to the grocery store? Are they riding at dawn, dusk or in the dark? If they are commuting to work, can the e-bike be stored conveniently and safely?

Even after we’re done testing an e-bike in it’s shipped condition, you better believe we have certain things we like to swap out. Everybody wants to get the most out of their bike and have a comfortable ride.

We’ve compiled a list of 10 ideas for modding your e-bike that range between simple upgrades a rider can do at home to ones that will require a shop’s experienced mechanics and a few that sit in between the two, depending on how handy the rider is.
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Best Car Racks For Electric Bikes – 2023

Hollywood Racks SportRider Review

*Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike car rack for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.

So, you’ve found an electric bike that you love and you’re ready to explore with it; now it’s time to look at finding the best e-bike car rack for your situation.

The market for car bike racks is not lacking in options, but it is important to find one that can handle the extra weight and bulk that comes with e-bikes. Many bike racks were built with carrying traditional bikes in mind, which seldomly ever meant accommodating more than 50 lbs worth of bike. That can pose a problem for many e-bikes, which often tip the scales at 50 lbs or more. Heck, we have plenty at Electric Bike Report HQ that weigh over 70 lbs.

Beyond weight, there are many other important variables you’ll want to consider depending on the style of e-bike you own. Did you buy an electric fat bike? Make sure your bike rack can secure those massive tires. Did you invest in a cargo e-bike that can tote you and the kids? Make sure you look at a rack that’s long enough to fit that.

Always carefully consider your e-bike’s unique features when shopping for an e-bike car rack, but perhaps the most important electric-specific feature is a rack’s carrying capacity.

There likely will never be one car rack that does it all, but there are several car racks for electric bikes that will likely work best for your style of bike and where you plan on taking it. Listed below are our picks for the best car racks for carrying e-bikes.

Oh, and if you haven’t settled on your e-bike yet, we’ve got you covered with the options for the best electric bikes too.

The Best Bike Racks For E-Bikes, 2023

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Replacement Electric Bike Batteries Guide

Shimano frame integrated
A good e-bike battery should last for hundreds of cycles. With average use, this means several years. Eventually, electric bike batteries need to be replaced as their life cycle comes to an end.

You can tell when a battery is nearing the end of its life when it does not provide you with much range. Some high-quality batteries that come on the top e-bikes such as a Bosch battery have a battery management system (BMS) integrated into the battery that actually tells you the current capacity and also how many charge cycles it has gone through.

But no matter what type of battery you have you’ll sooner or later be asking yourself the all-important question: how can I replace my e-bike battery?

Down below Electric Bike Report dives into this question and more in greater detail.

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6 Mistakes To Avoid When Buying E-Bikes

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying E-Bikes

With a gazillion different brands, categories, price ranges, and levels of quality among e-bikes (trust us, we checked), it can seem difficult to separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff. For many folks, the number of variables can be overwhelming, so they may feel inclined to make a purchase based only on a price tag or the repetition of an advertisement. Doing so can result in disappointment when an e-bike does not meet their expectations – whether in comfort, functionality, or longevity. To help prevent unfortunate results and unhappy customers, the friendly folks at Electric Bike Report have assembled this list of the 6 mistakes to avoid when buying e-bikes.

The most important thing we can recommend is doing a healthy amount of research; we’ll provide a brief overview of topics in this article, and link to sources you can explore for more in-depth information (for starters, you might also consider reading our buyer’s guide for electric bikes). There are many factors that go into finding an e-bike that is right for you, and fortunately there is a wealth of information available on the internet (we strive to be one of the most reliable and comprehensive) to help make that search easier. A thorough understanding of both the parts of a bike and your own needs in relation to those will help you find a model that you’ll be happy with for years to come.

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Mistake #1: Being Unaware of E-Bike Basics

Motor, Battery, and Other Important Features & Terms

To put it bluntly, e-bikes are complicated machines. For many newcomers, looking over a spec sheet for an e-bike can be like trying to do your own taxes; there is usually a ton of potentially confusing yet relevant information crammed into a small space on a page, and much of it can seem esoteric when compared to just glancing at a price tag.

But the importance of learning what components make up an e-bike, what their various sizes/ratings/capacities mean, and how that translates into a bike’s performance and feel when you’re actually ON one cannot be understated.

For example, a 250-watt (250W) mid-drive motor (one that is mounted centrally with the bike’s crank arms) is likely going to feel and perform much differently than a 750W rear-hub motor (one that is mounted in the center of the back wheel). Conversely, while a 36-volt (36V), 14 amp-hour (Ah) battery may look much differently than a 48V, 10 Ah battery on paper, they should, in theory, provide similar range in the real world.

Learning the basics of e-bike anatomy is a great first step in understanding the big picture. Then, it’s a good idea to focus on expanding your knowledge of e-bike motors and batteries and how their types and ratings relate to things like speed, hill-climbing ability, and maximum range.

Finally, research the various types of e-bikes, what they are designed for, and how their design affects rider position, comfort levels, and handling. We’ll touch on some of these things further down on this list, but by no means will this be a comprehensive guide.

Establishing a working knowledge base should help you to differentiate e-bikes both visually and on paper, and it will aid in deciphering all of the technical jargon that really does matter when finding a great e-bike for you.
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Hub Motor Brands: The Complete Guide

Hub Motor Types, Brands, and the E-Bikes That Use Them

Hub Motor Guide

All consumer-ready e-bikes provide assistance to their riders through either a mid-drive motor or a hub motor. While mid-drive motors are placed centrally at the bottom bracket and tie into their e-bike’s cranks, hub motors – as their name suggests – are mounted at the center of either the front or rear wheel. We’ll focus on the latter type in this complete guide to e-bike hub motors; read on to learn the differences between types of motors, and keep scrolling to examine some of the best hub motors on the market!

At the present time, electric hub motors are much more affordable than mid-drives, and are subsequently much more prevalent. Additionally, hub motors are often much lighter than their cousins, and make practical additions to urban e-bikes or folding frames that need to be carried often. They also function well in conjunction with belt drives and internal gear systems that are nearly maintenance-free. In fact, you’ll find hub motors on some of the best electric bikes we have had the pleasure of reviewing.

Mid-drive motors, on the other hand, have a reputation for being more efficient and responsive than hub motors – though hub motor technology is improving constantly and coming ever closer to bridging the gap. Mid-drives are also known for their ability to replicate or approach the feel of non-electric bikes. They are, however, much more expensive, and as such are most commonly found on higher-end models.

The topic of e-bike motors is complex enough that we have a separate guide to mid-drive motors. In this article, focused exclusively on e-bike hub motors, we will dive into the most common manufacturers, discuss some of the best e-bike brands who use their products, and also cover some unique one-offs.

Rev your engines and get ready to read!

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Buyer’s Guide to Electric Bikes

New to the world of electric bikes? Welcome.

The bicycling world is going through a bit of a reckoning right now. Or maybe it’s growing pains; it’s hard to say.

Even before a pandemic drove everyone outside (and drove bike sales through the roof) the budding popularity of electric bikes had been attracting newcomers to bicycling in droves. E-bikes have democratized the cycling world, opening the door for people who previously wrote off the sport (and mode of transport) as a pastime of lycra-clad fitness enthusiasts. Bikes equipped with small motors and batteries are changing the shape of what is possible on two wheels and by who; making bicycling more accessible, less intimidating and flatly more fun for beginners and experienced riders alike.

The bicycling world is booming and we’ve got e-bikes to thank. So if you’re new here, welcome.

But with this new tech (and all these new people) has come a void of knowledge. E-bikes are complicated, and things like amperage, motor type and watt hours can be foreign concepts to the uninitiated. So, we wrote a guide to help with that.

This electric bike buyer’s guide will help you navigate the budding e-bike market and choose which bike is right for you. From commuters to cruisers and drive systems to laws, we’ll cover the basics of what you need to know before opening your wallet.

Want to jump to a specific topic? Here’s links to specific sections of this guide.

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Guide To E-Bike Gearing Systems

Lectric XP 2.0 Electric Folding Bike Review 500W Brushless Geard Rear Hub Motor

– Confused by the pros and cons of derailleurs, hub gears and continuously variable transmission? We demystify all of this down below. –

A lot of e-bike publicity focuses on the performance capabilities of the motor or the size of the battery. One often-overlooked area is gearing.

Surely you just get the same choice as on a regular bike? Only to a point; the e-bike revolution has meant many things for e-bike design, one of which is an expansion of the gearing options available.

With extra motor power available bigger and better-performing gears can be used, gears which would be too heavy or difficult to pedal for most riders of non-electric bikes. These are covered in the Advanced Systems section dow below.

But for now, let’s stick with gearing systems 101: derailleurs and hub gears

The Basics: Derailleur and Hub Gears

The majority of e-bikes are equipped with derailleur gears, with hub gears being the major alternative choice. Both options go back many, many decades so the technology on both is well advanced and should work well for its intended purposes. But what are they and what are the pros and cons of each system?

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Guide To Electric Bike Brakes

E-bike Brakes

What You Should Know About E-bike Brakes

There are lots of companies hyping products that claim to be made specifically for e-bikes.

You can buy e-bike drivetrains, e-bike rated tires and even e-bike rated cycling shoes — It seems like everyone is trying to get in on the electric bike boom.

E-bike braking systems are high on the list of components we see most often marked as e-bike specific. A quick survey of the dozens of e-bikes currently in the Electric Bike Report offices shows they are all equipped with a braking system made and marketed specifically for e-bikes.

So, should you buy into the hype around e-bike brakes? Yes. You absolutely should. But there are some things to take into consideration.

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