Due to the motor and battery, electric bikes can be quite a bit heavier than their unpowered equivalents.

For example, the standard Raleigh Strada weighs 13kgs, while the electric version is 19kgs. Bigger batteries are usually a big factor. They give you longer range but the increased cell density makes them heavier.

So, what are some of the lightest electric bikes available?

Hummingbird

They are no stranger to making bikes light, having also designed a 6.9kg folding bike from the ground up. Their electric equivalent doesn’t see this change all that much either, weighing in at just 10.3kgs.

Lighter than most bikes generally, they partnered with some of the world’s leading engineering companies that work on brands like Aston Martin’s racing team. Being constructed mostly out of Carbon Fibre certainly helps too.

However, this does come at a cost. The intensive manufacturing methods and high end design means it does cost £4,500.

For this you get a stripped back, pure speed and weight-loss focused bike that’s fast, but maybe not all that comfortable. Much like a Lotus Exige is light, you forgo comforts such as suspension, battery charge indication and there are no integrated lights.

The catch? With a battery of just 158Wh, expect to see just 20 miles range from a full charge.

Coboc

When it comes to a stylish bike that is lightweight and doesn’t look at all electric, there is really no competition for Coboc.

The ONE Soho (£3,275) weights just 13.7kgs but carries a punchy single speed motor, with batteries all concealed within the frame.

Little more than three LEDs in the top tube give away to the stylish power this bike delivers. The lightness of this bike means it can easily be ridden when you’ve run out of power and handling is responsive.

If you have a bit more money to burn to get the lightest full sized electric bike on the market, then take a look at the ONE eCycle. Also featuring a lot of carbon fibre, it weighs just 11kgs.

That’s a mere 700 grams more than the Hummingbird, but is a full sized bike with a battery that’s twice the size at 352Wh, giving an impressive 50 miles of range. Expect to pay for this engineering genius though, as it costs £5,999.

CARBO

Another folding bike that’s made from Carbon Fibre, the CARBO was funded on crowdfunding platform IndieGoGo last year. It was quite successful too, receiving $1,050,000 from a goal of $50,000.

A total weight of 12.2kgs sees it a little heavier than the Hummingbird, but it’s also a little more affordable with an estimated starting price of $1,799.

Whether this will ever make the UK market, or meet that price, we will have to wait and see. Currently in production.

Further Considerations

If you're concerned about control of the bike due to the heavier weight, do not fear! QWIC bikes are built by the Dutch and as such, handle fantastically - they certainly know about cycling. 

Their range of Premium Electric Bikes have integrated batteries into the downtube, and powerful mid mounted motors. 

This combines into a well balanced, easy to ride bike that while heavy on paper, is light and agile in the real world.

It really has to be ridden to be believed. Book a test ride today.