Last Updated on May 17, 2023 by Matt
An electric bike’s weight limit is an important factor you need to know. It indicates the maximum amount of weight the electric bike can carry. Buying an electric bike whose weight limit is lower than your body weight is not ideal as it affects performance and the e-bike’s durability over the long term.
In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about electric bike weight limits, including the average weight limit, the weight limits of the most popular electric bikes, and how to choose an electric bike for your own weight.
Average electric bike weight limit
The average weight limit for electric bikes in the market currently is 348 lbs / 158 kg. Generally, cargo electric bikes and utility electric bikes tend to have higher weight limits than road e-bikes.
Electric bike weight limits
These are the weight limits of popular electric bikes from top e-bike manufacturers.
| Electric bike | Weight limit (lbs) | Weight limit (kg) | Has cargo rack? | Has a pillion seat? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ride1Up 700 Series | 300 | 136 | No | No |
| Ride1Up Roadster V2 | 300 | 136 | No | No |
| Ride1Up Café Cruiser | 350 | 159 | No | Yes |
| Ride1Up Prodigy | 300 | 136 | No | Yes |
| Ride1Up Revv 1 | 350 | 159 | No | Yes |
| Aventon Aventure | 400 | 181 | Yes | Yes |
| Juiced RipCurrent S | 300 | 136 | No | Yes |
| RadPower RadWagon 4 | 350 | 159 | No | Yes |
| RadRunner Plus | 300 | 136 | No | Yes |
| Velowave Ranger Heavy Duty eBike | 300 | 136 | No | No |
| Velotric Nomad 1 | 440 | 200 | No | No |
| Zugo Rhino | 300 | 136 | No | Yes |
| Lectric XP 3.0 | 330 | 150 | No | Yes |
| Lectric XP Step-Thru 3.0 | 330 | 150 | No | Yes |
| Lectric XP Trike | 415 | 188 | Yes | Yes |
| Lectric XPedition Cargo | 450 | 204 | Yes | Yes |
| Ariel Ride Grizzly | 300 | 136 | Yes | Yes |
| Juiced Ripracer | 275 | 125 | No | No |
| Juiced Closeout HyperScorpion | 275 | 125 | No | Yes |
| Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS | 300 | 136 | No | No |
| Trek Fetch+ 4 | 551 | 250 | Yes | Yes |
| Trek Fetch+ 2 | 441 | 200 | Yes | Yes |
| Average | 348 | 158 |
What determines an electric bike’s weight limit?
Several factors determine the weight limit of an electric bike including the design of the frame, materials used for the frame, size of the motor, tires, battery, and other manufacturer-imposed parameters. In some cases, a manufacturer can choose to design their e-bike with a lower weight limit to ensure better bike range and efficiency.
What happens if you put too much weight on an e-bike?
Will your e-bike break in half if you surpass the weight limit by a few pounds? Of course not.
You will likely observe reduced performance, including less range, top speed, and climb angle, and you will increase the risk of damage a bit. However, overloading your electric bike by a little for short periods of time will typically not result in a disaster.
Now, putting too much weight on an electric bike is still not a good practice. This is why most e-bike manufacturers indicate weight limits on the frame where it is visible, and you will want to try and respect that weight limit as much as you can.
Here is a breakdown of the main reasons why you should observe your electric bike weight limit.
Overloading an e-bike reduces performance
Most electric bikes are equipped with a fixed-wattage motor that has maximum power output. The weight limit on the electric bike also determines the maximum load it can carry while providing peak motor performance for pedal assist or motor-only propulsion. Overloading your electric bike makes it harder for the motor to provide pedal assistance or propel the wheels.
Reduced performance in an electric bike often manifests as sluggish acceleration, lower top speed, and ineffective pedal assist, especially when going up hills. In worst-case scenarios, the electric motor or pedal assistance can stop if the extra weight is too much.
Overloading an e-bike reduces the range
Going beyond the recommended weight limit on any electric bike stresses the motor which then has to use more electric energy from the battery to provide pedal assistance. You will notice that you keep getting less range than expected as it discharges at a faster rate to keep up with the motor’s demand.
I have used a cargo bike in the past while carrying heavier loads and one thing I’ve noticed was the reduced range. While I could get around the maximum range in normal commutes, I would always get a bit less range with the extra load. I didn’t exactly measure how much extra weight I was carrying, or how much less range I was getting, but I would estimate that I was sometimes carrying a backpack weighing around 26-33 lbs / 12-15 kg, and I’m almost certain I got around 2-3 mi / 3-5 km less range.
Overloading makes the electric bike unsafe to ride
Some of us may know how difficult it is to ride a smaller bike. I still remember riding my early teenage bike after my growth spurts – it was quite instable.
You’ll get the same experience when riding an e-bike with a weight limit that’s way smaller than your weight. It will be harder to handle and maneuver the bike. The handlebar can become stiff or jerky which can make you lose control of your e-bike. Because of this, overloading your e-bike increases the chances of accidents in general.
Extra weight can also reduce braking power on an electric bike because the brakes have a maximum amount of stopping power linked to the weight limit of your bike. This can be dangerous especially when going downhill because the extra weight increases the momentum of the bike. Your brakes will also wear at a faster rate.
Overloading increases tire wear
You’ll increase the chances of having a puncture or blowout if you frequently overload your electric bike.
Manufacturers choose tires based on weight limits too and they can only handle up to a certain amount of pressure. Exceeding the weight limits means you are putting too much pressure on the tire, which accelerates wear and tear. You can go around this by upgrading your tires, but that still doesn’t help the motor and battery.
Overloading can cause damage to the e-bike frame
Depending on the extra weight loaded on the e-bike, there is a good chance you will damage the frame and other load-bearing components like the saddle and wheels. Over a long period, the extra weight will likely cause bends or cracks on the frame or other components, which could require costly repairs, or even throwing the bike away.
Electric bikes with high weight limits come with tougher frames made of stronger alloys and reinforcements, which is why they can support more weight.
Which electric bike has the highest weight limit?
The electric bike with the highest weight limit I have come across is the Trek Fetch+ 4. The Trek Fetch+ 4 has a weight limit of 551 lbs / 250 kg and has space to carry four kids plus an adult rider. It is the best special-purpose electric bike for hauling stuff or carrying your kids on leisurely rides.
The best electric bike for heavy riders
The best electric bike for heavy riders in my opinion is the Velotric Nomad 1. The Velotric Nomad 1 has a high weight limit of 440 lbs / 200 kg and has one of the strongest frames in the market. It is a fat multipurpose bike with a powerful 750-watt motor and a top speed of 25 mph / 40 kmh.
However, it does not come with a pillion seat or cargo rack.
If you want to carry passengers or cargo, the Lectric XPedition Cargo is a great alternative, with a 450 lbs / 205 kg weight limit.
Can 2 people sit on an electric bike?
You can carry a passenger on your electric bike if it has a pillion seat (passenger seat) and rear foot pegs. Many utility electric bikes and cargo e-bikes are designed to carry passengers or cargo at the back. Your combined weight should not exceed the e-bike’s weight limit.
Examples of electric bikes designed to accommodate two people include the RadRunner 2 Electric Utility Bike, Tern GSD S10 Folding Electric Bike, Ariel Rider X-Class, and the Juiced Scorpion X.
Some electric bikes are designed to carry 3 or more people and have even higher weight limits. These e-bikes have elongated pillion seats while others have double pillion seat designs. For instance, the Trek Fetch+ 2 has space to carry two kids and has a weight limit of 440 lbs / 200 kg.
Is it better to have a lighter or heavier electric bike?
Generally, lighter electric bikes provide better handling and faster acceleration. However, you’ll find that these lightweight bikes tend to have smaller batteries, which means they have less range. Because they have lightweight carbon fiber or aluminum frames, such e-bikes tend to have lower weight limits.
Do heavier electric bikes have bigger weight limits?
Don’t confuse the weight of the electric bike with its weight limit. Electric bikes are generally heavier than regular bikes because of the motor, battery, and additional components. However, just because they are heavier does necessarily mean they can carry heavier loads.
Conclusion
Pay attention to the weight limit of an electric bike before you make that purchase decision. Ideally, you should go for an electric bike whose weight limit exceeds your body weight by at least 50 lbs/ 22 kg, and even more if you plan to carry passengers or use it to carry stuff on the cargo rack.
