Heavier E-Bike vs. Lighter Road Bike: Which ONE is Faster? #technology #bikers #shortsyoutube

14 Jan 2025 · 1 min

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1:02

In this segment the presenter explains key design trade‑offs of their prototype electric bike. The motor provides assistance up to 25 km/h (15.5 mph); beyond that the rider must pedal. The bike ended up much heavier than intended—about 100 kg empty versus the target 60 kg—resulting in higher rolling resistance despite an aerodynamic shape. To address windshield condensation in humid conditions, a fan was added to create a fresh‑air zone that blows across the windshield, preventing fog. The discussion highlights how weight, aerodynamics, and auxiliary systems interact to affect overall speed and usability.

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It has assist up to 25 kilometers per hour, or 15.5 miles, and faster than that you need to pedal. But since our bike is heavy, it's 100 kilos empty, it has a high rolling resistance due to the higher mass. And even though it's streamlined, aerodynamic, it became heavier than planned. The target was to reach, have a weight around 60 kilos, but then we found out we need a fan. Because you want to keep fog away. And even though you have some distance to the windscreen, without the fan, when you have bad conditions, a lot of moisture in the air, there will be condensation. So the fan makes a very nice zone that is fresh air close to the windshield. It blows into the windshield and in a nice curved surface is then held at a low Airfield.