The lightest electric motors for E-bikes

Lightweight motors are a growing and significant trend in the e-bike industry. They are designed to be as efficient as possible without sacrificing too much power. These motors are easier to integrate, resulting in bikes that also look sleeker.

Pros and Cons of Lightweight Motors

Lightweight motors offer various advantages, such as improved bike handling, increased efficiency, and aesthetic appeal.

However, there are also some disadvantages, such as potential compromises in power or durability. Powerful electric motors are usually too heavy, making hybrid cycling very challenging. Especially with road bikes or eMTBs, the motor must be light enough to truly provide an advantage.

The Lightest Electric Motors

There are several major brands that produce lightweight motors, including Fazua, Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha, Brose, and Bafang. Each of these brands has unique features and benefits.

Fazua Ride 60

The Ride 60 is Fazua’s lightest motor, weighing just 2.0 kg. It provides a peak power of 450 watts and a torque of 60 Nm. The battery capacity is 430 Wh, with a weight of 2.3 kg. Fazua also has two other motors, but the Ride 60 is the newest and most innovative, as it is integrated into the frame.

Bosch SX

Responding to the demand from bicycle brands, Bosch introduces a new, lightweight electric motor, the Bosch SX. The lightweight magnesium casing contributes to its compact size. Weighing 2.2 kg, the SX comes close to the Fazua Ride 60. However, the Bosch motor offers a slightly higher performance, with a peak power of 600 watts and a torque of 55 Nm.

Other Bosch motors all have the same weight. For example, the Performance Line CX (gen4) weighs just 2.9 kg. It provides a maximum torque of 85 Nm. The battery capacity ranges from 300 to 625 Wh, with a weight ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 kg.

Shimano EP8

The most powerful Shimano motor is also the lightest. Shimano has yet to release a lightweight variant like the SX or Ride60, although they are working on it. The EP8 is Shimano’s lightest motor, weighing just 2.6 kg. It provides a maximum torque of 85 Nm. The battery capacity ranges from 418 to 630 Wh, with a weight ranging from 2.6 to 3 kg.

Bafang M820

The M820 is an eMTB motor, the lightest motor from Bafang, weighing just 2.3 kg. It provides a maximum torque of 75 Nm. The battery capacity and weight are not available in the provided source. Slightly heavier than the aforementioned lightest electric motors, but also slightly larger.

Yamaha PW-XM

The PW-XM is Yamaha’s lightest motor, also weighing just 2.6 kg. It provides a maximum torque of 85 Nm. The battery capacity ranges from 400 to 600 Wh, with a weight ranging from 2.8 to 3.8 kg.

Brose (Specialized) SL 1.1

The SL 1.1 motor from Specialized weighs 1.95 kg and provides a torque of 35 Nm. The battery capacity is 320 Wh, with a weight of 1.95 kg. Brose has its own range of motors but also produces models specifically for certain e-bikes or brands.

Comparing the Lightest Electric Motors

In the table below, the key features, weight, power, and other relevant specifications of the lightest motor from each brand are compared.

Brand	Motor Model	Motor Weight	Peak Power	Torque	Battery Capacity	Battery Weight
Fazua	Ride 60	2.0 kg	450 watts	60 Nm	430 Wh	2.3 kg
Bosch	Performance Line CX 2020	2.9 kg	–	85 Nm	300-625 Wh	2.5-3.5 kg
Bafang	M820	2.3 kg	–	75 Nm	–	–
Shimano	EP8	2.6 kg	–	85 Nm	418-630 Wh	2.6-3 kg
Yamaha	PW-XM	2.6 kg	–	85 Nm	400-600 Wh	2.8-3.8 kg
Brose (Specialized)	SL 1.1	1.95 kg	–	35 Nm	320 Wh	1.95 kg

The e-bike industry is evolving rapidly, and the information in this article will need to be updated regularly to stay current. Lightening electric motors is the next step for electric bikes. It will provide cyclists with more options and bring e-biking closer to regular cycling.