Does anyone make a lightweight but >1,000 watt EMTB?

[Cybersnow]

I live in very rural mountainous forest in Idaho and am looking to replace my Zen Photon Pro. I need something a lot lighter than 85lbs and power enough to really help climb some of the very steep fire roads near my cabin.

 

[Renton_Yorkshire]

Welcome to the forum!!

It should be very easy to find something less than 85 lbs, not too sure on much choice north of 1'000 watts tho.

Amflow PL Carbon for example, 800 watts, 105 nm torque and less than 45 lbs ?

Others will have other suggestions

 

[Renton_Yorkshire]

In fact, boost mode would even get you 1'000 watts on that bike also by the look of it

 

[TQFreak]

I live in very rural mountainous forest in Idaho and am looking to replace my Zen Photon Pro. I need something a lot lighter than 85lbs and power enough to really help climb some of the very steep fire roads near my cabin.

Yes. Luna cycle makes custom controller for regular weight Bafang m600 motor capable up to 4300W (72V at 60A). I am not sure if the Luna cycle bicycles equipped with this motor with this controller are light weight bicycles but you can certainly find a light weight frame with light weight setup for this motor. You need to build your own custom battery for maximum power thought but Luna cycle might offer some solutions.

Luna M600 Ludicrous V2

New Ludicrous tech is coming to our M600 drive units! Smooth, efficient and customizable, this new controller shares the same platform of our BBSHD ludicrous v2 controller in a tighter package, fully integrated with the Luna X2 bike.This is a 12 MOSFET controller, running at high frequency for...

lunacycle.com

 

[Cybersnow]

I calked Lunacycle and found that their LA location is about 12 miles from where we are spending the Holidays. I had a good chat with someone on the phone and found out that they are getting a large shipment of motors and controllers in the March time frame. Since I have built about 6 bikes for folks using Bafang set ups, he suggested that they would be happy to configure a BBSHD with a 60v battery and controller which should give me a lot more power and I can install that on my Salsa hardtail. I will, however, go see them and take a look at their complete bike. I guess another option is to remove the belt drive and rohloff set up by changing out the rear wheel and going to a good set of gears and derailer but not sure if that saves any real weight. What kind of power can you get out of a Bosch setup?

 

[DanDeride]

Sounds like the new Forbidden with DJI might be close...

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[Cybersnow]

Sounds like the new Forbidden with DJI might be close...

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plz tell me more!

 

[NWCO Emtb]

Can't beat the Luna X2! Been riding mine around NW Colorado since they came out. Pretty much take you anywhere and mine is non-ludi. 58# total with carbon rims. Stock battery has been great?

 

[DanDeride]

plz tell me more!

Forbidden EMTB

Looks like Forbidden is dropping some eBikes in 2025 and have been testing the DJI motor. Thought that's pretty exciting as its a local brand for me and we sell them at the shop I work at. A little disappointed to read they might only have a 600wh battery but I'll wait till there's more...

www.emtbforums.com

 

[gapago]

I live in very rural mountainous forest in Idaho and am looking to replace my Zen Photon Pro. I need something a lot lighter than 85lbs and power enough to really help climb some of the very steep fire roads near my cabin.

Luna x1 or x2

 

[gapago]

I calked Lunacycle and found that their LA location is about 12 miles from where we are spending the Holidays. I had a good chat with someone on the phone and found out that they are getting a large shipment of motors and controllers in the March time frame. Since I have built about 6 bikes for folks using Bafang set ups, he suggested that they would be happy to configure a BBSHD with a 60v battery and controller which should give me a lot more power and I can install that on my Salsa hardtail. I will, however, go see them and take a look at their complete bike. I guess another option is to remove the belt drive and rohloff set up by changing out the rear wheel and going to a good set of gears and derailer but not sure if that saves any real weight. What kind of power can you get out of a Bosch setup?

Good option that motor is strong does not even close to getting warm and keeps a charge. The x2 with a fork swap outperforms a lot of high end bikes. limited range compared to bbshd motor. But the x2 goes down hill and up hill very well.

 

[Cybersnow]

How difficult is it to swap batteries? I used to carry a spare on longer trips, though most of them are in the 25-30 mile range.

 

[NWCO Emtb]

How difficult is it to swap batteries? I used to carry a spare on longer trips, though most of them are in the 25-30 mile range.

Very easy

 

[NWCO Emtb]

Luna x1 or x2

Depends on your riding style/intended use.
X1 with the big motor is an absolute tank/workhorse. I have a hardtail with the m620 that will carry 2 elk quarters out 8.5 miles at 150lbs or more in trailer with over 2000' vertical. X2 is way more of an Enduro/freeride setup IMO.

 

[Cybersnow]

I have a step thru with a m620 and a Roloff rear axle but it weighs in at about 85 lbs. i dont love the gearing or the weight, if I lived in a city it might make a goid commuter but not a lot of fun to ride single track or dirt trains on.

 

[Bengy22]

Since I have built about 6 bikes for folks using Bafang set ups, he suggested that they would be happy to configure a BBSHD with a 60v battery and controller which should give me a lot more power and I can install that on my Salsa hardtail.

If that's the Ludicrous V2 controller I can attest that it will be more than enough power and is very much into the "E-moto" side of power. I've got one on my street commuter bike, but with a custom 72v battery (if you did go this route I would see if they would drop the 60v battery and source one somewhere else) and if I mash the throttle under 25mph it will put me on my back unexpectedly if I wasn't careful. But if you are trying to look for a lightweight bike I would personally try to get something under 50lbs. Personally I'm really interested in what DJI is offering as I believe that's the perfect amount of power for a emtb and the weight is impressive. Really hoping they go the bafang route so we can buy custom frames and build them up ourselves like seen with the M510 & M820

 

[Cybersnow]

I have considered replacing the rear wheel (Rohloff) and going to a heavy duty derailer set up but that doesn't solve the weight problem. I will go visit Luna either before Christmas or after New Years. I am hoping to be able to ride their bike prior to buying it. I did look at DJI and they look like some really nice bikes but I am not a down hill kinda guy. We tend to do a lot of riding on trails typically used by ATVs and there are a couple of very steep inclines in order to get to the ranch. In fact in the winter time they become 4wheel low drives and I have had to pull several cars and trucks typically back down the hill. As I get older I notice that the gravity in that area has increased or that road gets steeper.