New member from London UK

[londoncyclist]

Hi folks.

Love cycling since it's one of the only forms of exercise I can do. However, I don't love sore shoulders, sore bums or sore arms. I'm 25 and about to buy a recumbent bicycle.

As for the power assist options... I'm not sure. But the main reason I came here was as I cycled home on my 11.9kg (26lbs) upright (love of my life and favourite bicycle so far), I was thinking about trouble climbing with a recumbent.

I just tested 2 electric power bicycles (whispers) and hated them due to the riding position. I also strongly dislike the weight, since they tend to be double in weight of my favourite ride.

Then I started thinking about a documentary I watched on cycle couriers in NYC. There is a 3 second shot of a guy with a motor on his bike.
"What if this was the solution?" I thought.

So there we have it. The question burning in my mind is: how much does a typical small 2 stroke bicycle engine and extra parts weigh?

I did many searches but was unable to find anything. I'm sure someone who knows the forum could find some results.
Since I love and strongly believe in the power of light-weight cycling, I have sometimes wondered if there was some kind of conspiracy to keep people from knowing the wieght of things. Ha ha.

 

[PatrickW]

Welcome to MBc, Chap. I personally ride a Trailmate Delta Meteor with a Robin-Subaru EH035 and gear box made by Staton-inc of Ocklahoma,USA. Staton will also customize nearly anything, including what I plan to motorize next is the is the "LowRider" by Trailmate...it is even more 'low-slung' than the Meteor. Good luck.

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

Hi folks.

Love cycling since it's one of the only forms of exercise I can do. However, I don't love sore shoulders, sore bums or sore arms. I'm 25 and about to buy a recumbent bicycle.

As for the power assist options... I'm not sure. But the main reason I came here was as I cycled home on my 11.9kg (26lbs) upright (love of my life and favourite bicycle so far), I was thinking about trouble climbing with a recumbent.

I just tested 2 electric power bicycles (whispers) and hated them due to the riding position. I also strongly dislike the weight, since they tend to be double in weight of my favourite ride.

Then I started thinking about a documentary I watched on cycle couriers in NYC. There is a 3 second shot of a guy with a motor on his bike.
"What if this was the solution?" I thought.

So there we have it. The question burning in my mind is: how much does a typical small 2 stroke bicycle engine and extra parts weigh?

I did many searches but was unable to find anything. I'm sure someone who knows the forum could find some results.
Since I love and strongly believe in the power of light-weight cycling, I have sometimes wondered if there was some kind of conspiracy to keep people from knowing the wieght of things. Ha ha.

Welcome to the club, londoncyclist!

My Diamondback Response 26" bike weighed 35lbs; now it weighs 69lbs fully loaded. The engine weighs less than 10lbs. However, the aluminum mounts, gearbox, tank, rack, HD rims, larger brakes, tires and tubes add weight. I tip the scales @ 200lbs, backpack and protective gear weighs 25lbs. The bike climbs moderate hills and tops off @ 45mph.

I'd love to have a bike with more torque. However, it'd be heavier. I'm a senior citizen, and I have to push or carry my bike upstairs, 21 steps.

 

[Happy Valley]

The question burning in my mind is: how much does a typical small 2 stroke bicycle engine and extra parts weigh?

I did many searches but was unable to find anything. I'm sure someone who knows the forum could find some results.
Since I love and strongly believe in the power of light-weight cycling, I have sometimes wondered if there was some kind of conspiracy to keep people from knowing the wieght of things. Ha ha.

To your question, weight matters to me a lot, 50 lbs is the cut-off for me. My heaviest MAB weighs 50 lbs. and the lightest is 42 lbs., with several in between that.

And it's a good question. IMO it's not a conspiracy per se but more 'mission creep'. It is still very possible to design and build a lightweight power assist and maintain the original functionally of a bicycle. For myself this is paramount but it may however no longer be "typical", as you ask in your question as reading through much of the online material will attest.

The trend, as least in the US, has gone somewhat from helper motors as power assists on bicycles to aid in pedaling against headwinds, help on hills, or assist when carrying cargo like in touring, to more of a design where little or no pedaling is intended with an emphasis on bigger engines and faster speeds. Of course, to achieve that more weight is added, so in essence the MAB becomes more like a moped or small motorcycle.