Lightweight electric bike - is it possible?

The answer to this question depends on how precisely we ask it. Is it possible to make a lightweight electric bike ? Not at this time. Is it possible to make an ebike that will stand out from the competition in terms of weight? Yes. The Bzen Milano, which we'll be discussing today, weighs 14 kg. For an electric bike, that's featherweight. And for a bicycle? It's obviously significantly heavier than our entire lineup, which hovers around 10 kg. However, this is significantly better than most Dutch bikes and average for typical city bikes or cross-country bikes. Considering this, I wouldn't shy away from the term "lightweight electric bike." You can buy Milano in our online store! And that's why it intrigued us enough to buy one to see if an electric bike makes sense in the city. The experiment is interesting because a large portion of our team is, at best, skeptical of electric bikes, and the Antimatter philosophy prioritizes simplicity. However, it's hard to ignore market trends, and they are clear – there are and will be many more e-bikes. And Bzen electric bikes are definitely different from typical bikes.

Bzen - about the brand

This small Belgian manufacturer offers only three models: the Milano, a city single with a compact, practically sporty geometry (which we tested); the Amsterdam, a women's city bike; and the Brussels, a cross bike with an external derailleur. All of them share a lightweight aluminum frame. Interestingly, Bzen frames are handcrafted in Poland, specifically in Silesia. The manufacturer also boasts that many other components (including all electronics) are manufactured in Europe. The batteries aren't large, providing up to 60 km of range, although you can optionally pay extra for a larger capacity version. However, it's still clear that their intended use is city riding, not long trips. All bikes can be equipped with a rack, kickstand, and fenders for a small additional fee. Phenomenal lighting comes standard.

Bzen Milano from the technical side

At first glance, this lightweight electric bike doesn't look like anything special. The monochrome frame and lack of oversized lettering are a big plus for the mature finish. The carbon fork also deserves a mention. Most of the standard equipment is basic, yet proven, trustworthy components. It's clear that quality is paramount, and there were no a few euro cuts made on the crankset or tires, which unfortunately isn't common with all manufacturers. The mudguards are SKS—a class of their own. The rack is clearly inspired by the Tubus, and this is a good example. A laptop bag will fit perfectly. Disc brakes are a must-have on an electric bike, and again, they're an excellent choice—the Shimano M315 is an affordable, yet highly efficient set that easily handles the Milano.

Electric bike on a belt

What won us over was the lack of a chain. The Milano is a belt-driven bike, and not just any belt-driven one. Our favorite Gates Carbon Drive solves a major problem for electric bikes (though mainly those with a central drive) – the insane rate of chain wear. The belt will last a very long time, not to mention other advantages – it's quiet, requires no oiling, and requires less frequent tightening. And it certainly won't stain your dress pants. A bull's-eye! The bike comes with a wide range of factory options and paint finishes. It can also be purchased with a traditional 9-speed Shimano drivetrain, but we think that would be a waste of potential. The only issue we see, though significant for some, is sizing . Two sizes are available: M (56 cm) and L (57 cm). The rather unusual geometry (contrary to appearances, L is significantly larger) is likely due to the financial and logistical constraints of this small manufacturer. While the modest offering is entirely understandable, I'd dismiss the claim that a bike with a 56 cm seat tube is suitable for people between 160 and 175 cm tall. The bike we tested was a size M and fit Rafał, who is almost 180 cm tall.

Electrics in an electrician

The drive system, aside from the belt, is fairly standard: a motor in the rear hub, a torque sensor in the bottom bracket, and a battery in the downtube. Control is via a control unit on the handlebars, offering five levels of assistance. While all the electronics are manufactured in Europe, the electrics are not. This doesn't mean it's of poor quality—once again, the Belgian brand has opted for a proven solution, and it's hard to find fault with anything. The motor is a 250W Bafang coupled to a 36-volt battery. While 7 ampere-hours and 252 watt-hours aren't impressive, they allow for a compact size and, above all, low weight. In practice, this translates to a range of 35-60 kilometers, depending on the terrain and mode selected. There's also the option of an additional 382 Wh battery. The entire system is waterproof, and the manufacturer recommends charging it at 50 percent capacity, meaning for commuting—daily or every other day. The final element of the electric system is... the lighting . And this definitely deserves attention. It's highly automated. Not only is it equipped with a dusk sensor, but it also automatically turns off when stationary and turns on when moving. Of course, it can also be operated manually. The real star, however, is the front light – a genuine halogen lamp, with an output comparable to brand-name products costing several hundred złoty. It can handle out-of-town riding, illuminating the road in complete darkness. The rear light is integrated into the seat post. It looks and shines great, but it has one drawback – the LEDs protrude beyond the tube's circumference. One careless drop of the saddle and all the LEDs will neatly cut off. This isn't an everyday problem, but the market shows that it can be avoided.

Lightweight electric bike - how does it ride?

Surprisingly well. Above all, it's stiff and agile. Unlike most available electric bikes, the Milano has a very compact geometry with a distinctly sporty edge. The silhouette is reminiscent of a mountain bike, though not an extreme one. This makes the bike nimble and agile, provoking you to pedal – a huge plus for us. And since we're on the subject of pedaling, it's time to move on to the electric assist. Assistance, in fact, because the Bzen Milano isn't an electric monster that will ride for you. Rather, it will provide discreet, yet noticeable, assistance. The electric motor kick, often accompanied by an irritating delay, so characteristic of many ebikes, is absent. At each setting, the motor engages smoothly and gradually delivers power. This makes the bike handle very predictably and naturally. This is a very positive surprise, as until now, such performance was reserved for much more expensive systems with a central motor, and even these are often set aggressively. As you can see, you can – chapeau bas! The assist control has five levels, allowing you to adjust it to your preferences. Importantly, this isn't simply a motor power adjustment – ​​you can "boost" the acceleration or focus on maintaining a higher speed, and of course, compromises can also be reached. It's clear that the developers spent a lot of time selecting the acceleration curves. The control computer is aesthetically pleasing and, most importantly, intuitive to use. One of the main advantages of central motors over hub motors is better weight distribution. Unfortunately, in the case of the Milano, this is noticeable when carrying the bike up stairs – the rear wheel pulls down significantly, making life a bit more difficult. However, this has an unexpected advantage. The electric bike can be easily adjusted vertically, making it incredibly easier to ride in elevators and, for a change, more enjoyable than bikes with a motor at the bottom bracket. It's a trade-off. Unfortunately, the rear hub's weight is also felt over bumps – you can feel the impacts, which noticeably slow the bike down. Fortunately, the extra power compensates for this.

Summary

The lightweight electric bike is not only completely realistic, but it's cooler than you might expect. In our opinion, that's because it's still a bike. Yes, it has an electric motor, which will get you 15 km to work in a suit without breaking a sweat. However, unlike most of its competitors, it's designed to make pedaling as enjoyable as possible, not to avoid it. Riding on the bike path, you won't feel out of place or out of place. It's a great choice for daily commutes for those who need or simply want a little more power under their feet, while still enjoying the pleasure and comfort of a real bike. We're less skeptical (even the negative Rafał couldn't hide his admiration for the smooth ride and handling), though we still prefer traditional bikes without motors. The Milano is available at our shop on Skolimowska Street and is available for riding, as soon as the pandemic calms down, of course. We're also happy to answer any questions you may have about it.