How much is battery range affected by rider weight?

[DoofusOfThe Day]

My wife and I just bought Aventon Level 2 step throughs and went on our initial ride, about 12 miles, an hour ride stopped a couple times. We both started out at 100% battery charge, she was at 94% at end of ride, I was at 70%. I do have the slightly larger frame she has the smaller frame, so am thinking the difference in battery usage must be due to rider weight mostly. I tend to go about 6th gear she likes 4th gear. So am I right, rider weight difference of about 50 pounds makes that much difference in battery usage?

 

[m@Robertson]

Put simply: weight matters a lot. 50 lbs could easily create the differential you are describing.

 

[DoofusOfThe Day]

Put simply: weight matters a lot. 50 lbs could easily create the differential you are describing.

Thank you, I am now more educated on this subject!

 

[Atavar]

It could also be that she pedals more strongly than you.

 

[DoofusOfThe Day]

It could also be that she pedals more strongly than you.

She does more pedals per minute in like 3rd gear, I like riding in 5th gear.

 

[Atavar]

She is taking advantage of the gearing and getting more torque to the rear wheel. That could very well be why she is using less battery.
Are you both at the same PAS level?

 

[DoofusOfThe Day]

We both always go Level 1 PAS. Have to keep an eye on it longer term, not a real concern just wondering why the difference.

 

[addertooth]

You can often cancel out a lot of that "extra weight cost" by switching to tires which are 30 percent more pressure. I saw a measurable difference between having tires inflated at 15 PSI versus 25 PSI.

 

[Bohemoth]

Rider weight makes lots of difference. I weigh 260 and my wife 150. She gets way better range than me. Also though she pedals always and I throttle some times. We have mid drive Lectric XPremiums. Try switching bikes with her and see if it changes. As someone mentioned also tire pressure is important. I usually have mine at 20 (listed max). Last ride I set both are bikes to 10 psi and she liked it for comfort. I immediately noticed increased battery usage!

 

[JerryB]

More weight....less miles.....true with ebikes....cars....trucks......anything with an motor.

 

[Pinhead]

50 lbs is i a LOT, 3 1/2 stone

 

[Lovetoride]

There are no free Lunches but if one skips Lunch to every second day only I would bet ones eBike Mileage improves considerable.

Perhaps worthy of a New Year Resolution, hafta think about that !

Cheers

 

[Bohemoth]

50 lbs is i a LOT, 3 1/2 stone

We don't weigh stones in America, we just throw them in our glass houses! I'll bet not 5% of America even know what a 'stone' weight is. 14.something I take it?

 

[BiggKidd]

The weight makes some difference BUT if you're going over 9mph there is also a wind block difference. The difference in air drag is likely part of the difference. I am constantly surprised at the difference in the resistance of air and how much power that alone can consume...

 

[Dirthog]

It shouldn't make that much of a difference unless it was very hilly terrain. You used 5 times the power. If both bikes use a torque sensor and she is in a lower gear and probably pedals with a smoother more consistent cadence. So she is getting a smoother motor response which would be much more efficient.