Cycling is wonderful for a whole range of reasons. It’s a lovely way to travel, a leisurely activity for a sunny weekend, and a great way to get and keep fit, too. However, if you’re overweight, you might feel a bit daunted about starting to cycle. Riding a bike can feel like really hard work at times, and you might even be concerned about finding a bike that will hold your weight.
E-bikes are a great idea for those who are just getting back on the saddle, or who want all the fun and fitness that comes with cycling without all of the effort and sweat – and they are, like plenty of non-electric bikes, often suitable for heavy riders too!
On this page, we’ll answer some common questions about e-bike weight limits, how good they are for weight loss, and what to look for in an e-bike for an overweight person, before recommending seven brilliant electric bikes that are perfect for heavier riders.
Best Electric Bikes for Heavy Riders (Top 7)
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Max weight: 181kg / 400lb
Himiway Zebra
A durable electric fat bike that’s packed with power and boasting a long range of 80 miles.
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Max weight: 181kg / 400lb
Aventon Aventure.2 E-Bike
Fat bike with torque sensor for natural riding experience, great suspension and powerful motor.
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Max weight: 181kg / 400lb
Himiway Cobra Electric MTB
A mountain bike with extra wide fat tires and 80+ miles of range.
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Max weight: 158kg / 350lb
Rad Power RadWagon 4
A cargo bike with an excellent weight capacity, low centre of gravity and 250W motor.
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Max weight: 150kg / 330lb
Riese & Müller Superdelite E-Bike
A really premium touring bike with a gorgeous look and quality components that’s on the pricier side.
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Max weight: 158kg / 350lb
GUNAI 1000W Electric Bike
This powerful bike bridges the gap between e-bike and dirt bike for a wild ride.
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Max weight: 158kg / 350lb
Wallke X3 Folding E-Bike
Folding e-bikes can have a high weight limit too: this is a great example.
Do Electric Bikes Have a Weight Limit?
Yes, electric bikes do have a weight limit, and it’s usually in the range of 220-300 pounds, or 100 to 130kg. That said, some manufacturers do have models for heavier cyclists, and the weight limit can vary depending on the type of bike, too.
Can You Lose Weight on an E-Bike?
Yes, absolutely! While e-bike pedalling is assisted by a motor, you can still burn between 100 and 600 calories an hour depending on the intensity of your ride and how much motor support you opt for. It’s good cardiovascular exercise, and great for weight loss when combined with a healthy diet.
What to Look for in a E-Bike for Overweight Person
Strong frame
Looking for a frame that’s made from strong materials like aluminium and steel is a good idea, as is finding a chunky frame with large section joints and plenty of weld between parts of the frame.
This shouldn’t be difficult, though – most e-bike frames from reputable brands will be very strong and well-made.
Sturdy wheels and wide tires
Double-wall wheel rims will be strong and load-bearing, and they’re pretty standard so you shouldn’t struggle to find them on an e-bike. You should also look for a wheel with more spokes, and smaller wheels are generally stronger than bigger ones, but they can be a bit bumpy to ride.
Wide tires are also a good idea, as they’re better for load-bearing, grip and stability. Anything over 2” in width can be considered ‘wide’.
Motor power and battery size
It makes sense that the more weight your e-bike needs to carry, the more powerful its motor should be. Of course, powering a powerful motor takes more energy, so it’s best to have a bigger battery too to ensure you keep a decent range – 500Wh is a decent benchmark battery capacity for daily commuting for heavier riders.
Best E-Bikes for Overweight Riders (Top 7)
1. Himiway Zebra Fat E-Bike
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£1,999 -
$ 1,999 -
€2,299
Prices are approximate
Type: Fat-Tire E-Bike
Weight Capacity: 181kg / 400lb
Max. Rider Height: 1.95m / 6’5
Gears: 7-Speed
Fat Tires
Strong Frame
Front suspension for maximum comfort
Fat bikes are some of the most durable bikes around and having electric assistence makes riding them a pleasure.
The Himiway Zebra is a stunning fat e-bike that is packed with power thanks to its built-in battery, and can even ride through deep sand, snow and mud.
Enjoy up to 80 miles of pedal assistance from this extremely durable and stylish electric bike.
Pros
- Can handle any terrain (seriously: deep sand, mud and snow are not a problem)
- It is sturdy and durable
- Throttle to help move off
- Pedal assist for up to 80 miles
Cons
- The bike itself is very heavy (79lb/35kg)
- Fat tires and suspension fork may require additional maintenance
- Expensive
2. Aventon Aventure.2 E-Bike
- £1,568
- $ 1,899
- €1,788
Prices are approximate
Type: Fat-Tire E-Bike
Weight Capacity: 181kg / 400lb
Max. Rider Height: 1.93m / 6’4
Gears: 8-Speed
Fat tires
60 mile range
28mph top speed
The Aventure.2 e-bike comes with an intuitive torque sensor to promote a more natural riding experience, allowing you to switch between four levels of pedal assist and throttle to have a great adventure while barely breaking a sweat.
Its 4″ fat tires, quality suspension fork and powerful motor make it great for larger riders: in fact, it can support up to 400lbs in weight.
Pros
- Wide tires
- Aluminium frame
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Decent range
Cons
- Expensive
- Only two colour choices
- Heavy at 77lbs/34kg
3. Himiway Cobra Electric MTB
- £1,981
- $ 2,399
- €2,259
Prices are approximate
Type: Electric Mountain Bike
Weight Capacity: 181kg / 400lb
Max. Rider Height: 1.95m / 6’5
Gears: 7-Speed
Aluminium frame
4.8″ fat tires
Up to 80 mile range
This is a beauty of an e-MTB, and it’s perfect for tall and heavy riders too.
With a 750W motor and 86Nm of torque, it will tackle steep hills with ease and is capable of accelerating quickly from a stop.
With 80+ miles of range, the Cobra is ideal for adventures, and its fat tires make it great for all terrains.
Pros
- Blurs line between e-bike and dirt bike
- Super fat tires can tackle all kinds of terrain
- Extra long range of 80 miles
- Powerful upgraded motor with longer life expectancy
- Premium components
Cons
- Heavy at 88lb/39kg
- Very pricey
- Only suitable for riders up to 6’5
4. Rad Power RadWagon 4
- £1,999
- $ 2,419
- €2,282
Prices are approximate
Type: Electric Cargo Bike
Weight Capacity: 158kg / 350lb
Max. Rider Height: 1.95m / 6’5
Gears: 7-Speed
Stylish cargo bike
250W motor
Low centre of gravity
This electric cargo bike combines a 158kg (350lb) payload capacity with a 54kg (119lb) rear rack capacity and running boards that can take 13kg (28lb) per side for an excellent max weight limit.
On top of this, its small but wide tires give it a lower centre of gravity, its twist power assist gets you going from a standstill, and its mechanical disc brakes give you great stopping power even on loose or wet terrain.
Pros
- Excellent weight capacity
- Power assist
- Suitable for multiple terrains
- Eye-catching design
- Great digital display
Cons
- Small wheels may be uncomfortable
- Best for urban riding only
- Only 44 miles (72km) range
5. Riese & Müller Superdelite Ebike
- £7,099
- $ 8,611
- €8,101
Prices are approximate
Type: Touring E-Bike
Weight Capacity: 150kg / 330lb
Max. Rider Height: 2.05m / 6’9
Gears: 11-Speed
Beautiful design
Powerful Bosch motor
Suitable for tall and heavy riders
If you’re still not convinced that heavy riders can ride beautiful bikes, let this one be the proof you need.
The Riese & Müller Superdelite is a gorgeous, powerful and high quality touring bike with an excellent range, built with all the best high-end components for the perfect ride.
Pros
- Quality components
- Bosch Performance Line CX motor
- DualBattery for extra long range
- Looks fantastic
- ABS
Cons
- Very expensive
- Not for riders below 5’5
6. GUNAI 1000W Electric Bike
- £1,663
- $ 2,018
- €1,899
Prices are approximate
Type: High Power E-Bike
Weight Capacity: 200kg / 440lb
Max. Rider Height: Unknown
Gears: 7-Speed
50km/h (30mph) max speed
75km(45 mile) range
Pedal mode, pedal-assist mode and electric mode
The GUNAI e-bike bridges the gap between e-bike and dirt bike with its 1000W motor and whopping top speed of 50km/h, but this high power means it is treated like a moped/motorbike under UK law.
Despite this, it’s a great choice for heavier riders with a 200kg max load, and its long range makes it brilliant for adventurers.
Pros
- High power
- High speed
- Durable
- High weight limit
- Hydraulic suspension and shock absorber
- Long battery life
Cons
- Need a licence for road use
- Large and heavy
7. Wallke X3 Folding E-Bike
- £1,647
- $ 1,999
- €1,879
Prices are approximate
Type: Folding Fat-Tire E-Bike
Weight Capacity: 158kg / 350lb
Max. Rider Height: 1.95m / 6’5
Gears: 8-Speed
Folding bike
On- and off-road riding
Aluminium alloy frame
Folding bikes are ideal for people living in cities or who love to travel with their bike, and this folding e-bike from Wallke is suitable for heavier riders, too.
It comes in four stylish colours, has fat tires that can handle on- and off-road riding, and has a durable frame with smooth welds for complete safety.
Pros
- 26″ x 4″ fat tires
- Folding bike
- 3-5 hour charge time
- Throttle
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Smooth welded frame
Cons
- Heavy at 39kg
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