Electric bikes are known for their environmental-friendliness and compact sizes. Very few people expect electric bikes in California to safely accommodate people weighing over 350 lbs.
The good news is that there is a niche market of ebikes for plus-sized individuals. You just have to know where to look. In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into electric bikes for 350 lb people.
Best Electric Bikes for People Weighing Over 350 lbs
Cube Kathmandu SLT 750
The Cube Kathmandu SLT 750 is no stranger to high-performing ebikes. The manufacturer didn’t hold anything back when designing the SLT 750.
From the Bosch Performance Line CX Motor to the Shimano disc brake system. Everything about the SLT 750 is top-end with a premium finish.
The SLT 750 comes with an all-new frame specifically for plus-sized riders. The new frame features minor tweaks to the geometry to improve its capabilities.
The 750Wh battery pack allows it to cover 100 miles on a single charge. Most riders won’t need to use all 100 miles for their daily commute.
You can go to work, get groceries, and pick up your kids from school. All in a single charge with room to spare.
It comes with the XT groupset, four-pot brakes, and a 12-speed cassette. The airforks on the SLT 750 are designed for thrillseekers who like offroading.
There is also space for attaching a bike trailer for kids and pets. The SLT 750 comes with plenty of power, and then some, to handle day-to-day errands.
Bosch’s motors deserve its own blog. It features fine-tune pedal assist characteristics that improve ride quality and feel.
You can even use Bosch’s official app on the smartphone to tweak pedal assist settings. The total weight that the SLT 750 can do is 350lb +.
Heybike Cityscape Commuter
The Heybike Cityscape Commuter is specially designed for plus-sized riders. It does exceptionally well on both flat and hilly areas.
The ebike is equipped with a powerful motor rated at 350W. The top speed for this electric bike in California is on the low end.
It barely does 12 miles per hour. However, what it lacks in speed, it makes up for in load capacity. The Heybike Cityscape can handle weights of up to 400 lbs.
This means a 350 lb person can bring cargo weighing 50 lbs with them. The 36V 10Ah lithium battery can do 40 miles on a single charge.
The tires are wide at 4” and make short work of the snow and sand. Moreover, these tires are puncture-resistant – so they can take quite a bit of punishment.
Throttle mode allows you to ride without having to pedal. Furthermore, there are three different speed modes for riders to select.
These are based on different levels of assist to help you get to your destination. It comes with powerful dual disc brakes.
The disc brakes are powerful enough to bring the ebike to a grinding halt. It features highly durable materials and a step-through geometry frame.
The wide swept-back handlebar makes riding the ebike a breeze. There is a lighting system in case you are riding in the dark.
The lighting system illuminates your pathway and warns incoming cars about your presence. This electric bike in California is a must-have, given all these safety features.
The only major disadvantage of using the Heybike Cityscape Commuter is its low speed. It barely does 12mph, especially for plus-sized riders. The 350W motor is to blame for that.
But if you can look past the top speed, this ebike gets the job done.
Click here to buy this electric bike.
Angotrade Electric Mountain Heavy Duty
The Angotrade is a newcomer in the market, but it’s no slow poke. It is capable of reaching top speeds of 21.7 mph.
The premium 21-speed Shimano transmission system also inspires plenty of confidence. It is exceptionally durable thanks to the use of aluminum alloy.
The aluminum alloy makes this electric bike in California relatively light. It is also very flexible, but we feel it’s weaker than steel.
The tires are thick but not quite close to being classified as fat tires. They do come with various features, though. These include anti-slip resistance, width, and aluminum alloy wheels.
The seating on the Angotrade is a major lacking factor. It isn’t very comfortable, and it’ll take some time to get used to it.
The handlebars also feel as if amateurs designed them. There’s a lot of room for ergonomic improvement.
The good news for commuters is that this electric bike is foldable. This makes it compact and lightweight.
The motor is relatively lackluster and barely does 250W. But don’t let that hold you back from buying this electric bike.
It can reach top speeds of 21.7 mph. The climbing power of this electric bike is excellent because of the Shimano 21-speed gear.
However, it’s range is lacking at just 30 miles on a single charge. The lithium battery can be recharged in 4 hours.
The maximum load limit for the Angotrade is 350 lbs. The aluminum alloy frame, fat tires, and optimized motor make this ebike a must-buy.
Click here to buy this electric bike.
The Ultra Bike 2×2
The ultra bike 2×2 is a very unusual entry on this list. It is designed as a purely off-road electric bike. As such, it is equipped with top-tier components that deserve praise.
This ebike comes with a 1,000W motor on each wheel. It’s powered by a 48V battery that sits snugly in the center of the frame.
And here is where this ebike does things radically differently. Its wheel rims hold a dirty little secret that may be off-putting to most riders.
The wheel rims are full-fledged fuel tanks holding 6 gallons of gasoline. The Ultra Bike 2×2 has a gas-powered generator that can recharge the battery.
This ingenious – or controversial – design adds an extra 40 miles of range to the ebike. You can also use the generator to power objects. There is 800W of power ready for use.
And if you find the idea of gas-powered generators antithetical to ebikes, there’s a solution. You can easily remove the generator from the bike. It is swappable and can be removed effortlessly.
You have a choice to discard the generator or stow it away for later use. We recommend keeping it in case you ever run out of battery.
But the real winner of the show is the massive tires. The gigantic tires are unlike anything you’ve ever seen in the market.
After all, their rims hold enough fuel to extend the ebike’s range to 40 miles. The tires are designed for use on offroading surfaces such as snow and sand.
The Weight Limit of Electric Bikes in California
Unless we’ve unlocked the secret to infinite energy, all electric bikes have a weight limit. This is because electric bike motors are not as strong as gasoline-powered cars.
Regular ebikes have a maximum payload of 300 lbs. This will vary based on the make and model of the electric bike.
Indeed, some electric bikes can only support riders with a maximum weight of 225 lbs. Moreover, overloading the ebike can damage its construction and motors.
Ebikes that are overloaded beyond capacity may be subjected to refunds. To prevent this, manufacturers put a restriction on weight limits.
There are several reasons why manufacturers put a weight limit, including:
- Damage to the ebike because it isn’t built to handle this much weight
- Subjecting the battery and frame to stress will result in underperformance
- The tires are very likely to get deflated because of the heavy loads
- Adding more weight will void the warranty
How to Choose an eBike for a 350 lb Person
Ebikes designed for heavy riders should have certain features. For one, they must be explicitly designed for plus-sized riders.
These ebikes feature relatively strong components and can withstand wear and tear. But don’t just take the manufacturer’s word for it.
Scrutinize every part of the ebike before purchasing it. Some of the most critical things to look for include:
- Capability of the motor
- Battery pack
- Tire width
- Rims
- Seats (the comfier, the better)
- Frame size
- Frame design
The ebike should tick all the right checkboxes otherwise, it’d be incompatible with your weight. Ebikes with comfy seats and stunning designs but an otherwise weak frame don’t qualify.
Don’t be afraid of researching better options near you. Let’s look at some of the factors you should consider when researching ebikes.
The Battery
The heavier the person, the lower the ebike’s range. This is why the battery pack must be up to par.
Most manufacturers quote top speed and range for riders weighing 150 lbs. You will have to adjust these numbers based on your weight.
What if an electric bike can go up to 70 miles on a single charge? In practice, the ebike may not cover half the advertised range if you weigh 350lbs.
We recommend taking the manufacturer’s advertised numbers with a grain of salt. Looking for battery packs with at least 500wh of energy is strongly suggested.
Anything under 500wh might be too low for an everyday commute. 500Wh is a good starting point for ebikes that can cover a reasonable range.
This should help you get to and from work on a single charge. And you won’t have to worry about recharging the electric bike too frequently.
But if you want to ride carefree, opt for battery packs over 750Wh. The only disadvantage with more powerful battery packs is that they are very heavy.
So if the ebike loses charge during transit, you might have to carry it home. Now that can be highly taxing if the ebike itself is very heavy.
A Powerful Motor
Electric bikes designed for plus-sized individuals need more powerful motors. The motor must be engineered to perfection otherwise, it could waste energy from the battery.
The battery and motor should complement one another. What good is a powerful battery if the engine is lackluster? The same logic goes the other way round.
A good starting point are mid-drive motors. These motors are specially designed to pull more weight without wasting energy.
As the name suggests, Mid-drives are placed at the center of the ebike in California. This effectively balances out the load on the bike and improves handling.
Hub motors, by contrast, may not be up to par. They are placed either on the rear tire or the front tire. Rear-hub motors are more powerful than front-hub motors.
Neither of them holds a candle to mid-drive motors. The only problem with mid-motors is that they are generally more expensive and heavier.
Mid-drives allow ebikes to travel at faster speeds. They also make the most use out of battery packs by minimizing energy wastage.
But if you are on a budget, you can go with hub motors. Make sure they are comparable to mid motors in raw horsepower.
Powerful hub motors usually have very high torque. But you should steer clear of small hub motors. They won’t be enough to carry anything more than 150 lbs.
Overloading these motors might damage them, resulting in costly repairs. Moreover, it may even void your warranty, so you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
Tire Selection
Fat tires, as the name suggests, are wider than regular tires. In terms of performance, fat tires are in their own league.
They are the go-to choice for thrillseekers who take their ebikes for off-road adventures. Most people don’t know that fat tires have a higher load capacity.
They are optimized for all terrains, from snow and sand to gravel and tarmac. But you will notice a drop in top speeds. This is because you will be working harder against friction.
High surface area, lower PSI, and extra weight will require more power from the motor. Going at top speeds will really start to deplete the battery faster than regular.
Wrapping Up
Manufacturers are slowly waking up to the underserved market of plus-sized ebike enthusiasts. It won’t be long before we see more worthy contenders on our list.
Do you know of ebikes designed for 350 lb persons, but we missed it? Share them with us, and we’ll update this space with more information!
You may like the following ebike articles:
- Do You Have to Pedal with an Electric Bike?
- Can you Pedal an Electric Bike Without the Battery?
- How Do Electric Bikes Without Pedals Work?
- Best Full-Suspension Electric Mountain Bike under $4000
- Electric Bike Hub Motor Problems
- Electric Bike That Charges When You Pedal
- Electric Mountain Bike Hardtail vs. Full Suspension
My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.