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E-bike for overweight people – stay sporty in your everyday life with these tips

An e-bike for overweight people not only offers mobility, but also a good way to make everyday life more active and sporty. E-bikes are often manufactured up to a permissible total weight of 120 kg. Anyone who weighs a little more or is tall will quickly reach this weight. Special models with a slightly higher total weight offer a good alternative here.

Von Fabian Huber  |  6 minutes read time

E-Bike für Übergewichtige – mit diesen Tipps sportlich durch den Alltag
About the author Fabian Huber

Fabian founded MYVELO together with Vincent. The two share a long-standing passion for cycling. Together they have cycled thousands of kilometers and fought for victories in the German racing bike league. The idea of founding MYVELO arose from their many years of experience and knowledge of what makes a good bike. Find out more about MYVELO now

Published: May 22, 2023  |  Updated: November 21, 2024

The advantages of an e-bike for overweight people: It offers you more stability, safety and a higher permissible total weight. The electric motor also makes riding easier and supports you on longer journeys.

In this article, we'll show you which models are good for riding and why material properties and frame size are important. You'll also get helpful tips and find out what advantages an e-bike offers overweight people in everyday life.

Choosing the right e-bike for overweight people

Ipanema bike

An e-bike for overweight people is particularly suitable for heavy and tall people. The higher the body weight, the more important the stability of the e-bike is. This does not always mean that an e-bike for overweight people has to be specially built. Some manufacturers have opted for a higher permissible total weight and a stable construction for their regular models, making them ideal for heavy people. The frame stability and the material are also important for a stable e-bike.

Permissible total weight: The total weight depends on three factors: the weight of the rider, the weight of additional luggage and the weight of the e-bike itself. Add them all together to give the permissible total weight.

If you have calculated the total weight and it is higher than the values ​​specified by the manufacturer, you should choose a different model or ask the manufacturer directly how much leeway there is. Many models and brands have a permissible total weight of 130 kg. Our MYVELO models can carry a load of up to 130 kg, which means that the weight of the bike does not have to be taken into account.

Material – be on the safe side with aluminum or steel

Strong bike

To make the e-bike stable and safe, some manufacturers use a reinforced frame made of aluminum or steel. An aluminum frame guarantees a comfortable ride for overweight or muscular riders. This gives you a good grip on bumpy roads and allows you to navigate your bike safely. For example, our MYVELO trekking bikes Ibiza, Milano and Nizza as well as our folding bike Rio have an aluminum hydroforming frame.

Note: A high body weight increases the load and leverage on the frame, fork, bottom bracket and wheels. If you opt for sturdy models with aluminum frames, this effect is reduced without the frame itself becoming significantly heavier.

An aluminum frame is often made of an aluminum alloy, which can have different material properties through heat treatments and compositions. The frames are brought into the desired geometry using techniques such as welding or hydroforming.

Hydroforming: Manufacturing process in which a high-quality frame is made from aluminum in a closed mold. After the aluminum has been inserted, the mold is filled with a water-oil mixture. The aluminum is pressed into the desired shape under extremely high pressure. This process has the advantage that the aluminum is cold-hardened, which gives the material additional stability.

The aluminum alloy makes the frame light but still very stable. Another advantage of an alloy is its corrosion resistance.

Frame size – important for additional safety and comfort

If you want to buy an e-bike for overweight people, you should pay attention to the size as well as the material. The frame size of your bike plays an important role in ensuring that long rides are particularly comfortable and safe. If you want to determine the frame size, there are various methods.

suspension saddle

One option is to measure your stride length. To do this, stand upright against the wall, take a book between your legs and place it close to your crotch. Once you have positioned the book correctly, measure the distance between the book and the floor. If measured correctly, your stride length is on average between 60 and 100 cm. Once you have determined your stride length, you need various factors to calculate a guideline for the right frame size.

An easier method is to determine the frame size based on your height. Many manufacturers and we at MYVELO use the sizes S, M, L and XL. This way you can easily determine the right e-bike size from home.

  • Frame in S: 150-165 cm height
  • Frame in M: 165-180 cm height
  • Frame in L: 180-195 cm height
  • Frame in XL: 195-210 cm height

Once you have found the right frame size, you should take a closer look at the features of the different models. Depending on your riding style, the length of the route and the surface, an individual selection is helpful.

Equipment – ​​these features will help you

An e-bike consists of many individual parts: the motor, battery, gears and brakes are probably the most important. A powerful 250 W mid-engine is ideal for trips in the city and for weekend trips. Hydraulic disc brakes ensure safety and a 504 Wh battery increases the range.

Tip: A comfortable saddle is a must for an XXL bike . If you have a higher body weight, a wide saddle is particularly good. If your desired e-bike does not have one, the saddle can be replaced in just a few steps.

Tubeless tires are a good choice for wheels. With a tubeless tire, you are more puncture-proof because these models do not have a tube inside. Instead, there is a sealant inside the tire that immediately seals a small hole, for example. If you also use high-quality wheels with a profile, you will be safe on many surfaces.

Tip: An e-bike with wide tires ( fat bike ), like our folding bikes Rio, Zurich, Palma or Berlin, ensure a smooth ride because the wheels have more contact surface.

The advantages of an e-bike for overweight people

An e-bike is a good way for overweight people to integrate exercise into their daily routine. Thanks to the support, the bike is an ideal companion on the way to work, shopping or supports you on long tours through mountainous terrain.

Advantages of an e-bike for heavier riders:

  • makes cycling easier through electric support
  • promotes movement in everyday life
  • offers helpful support on long and hilly routes
  • has a sturdy frame that ensures stability

E-bikes are also a great advantage for people with joint problems or who are overweight, as they are easier on the joints than running or jogging.

E-bikes offer overweight people a fantastic opportunity to get moving again and achieve fitness goals - without overexerting themselves. Thanks to the electric support, distances can be covered that would otherwise be unimaginable. At the same time, the body and mind are gently introduced to regular activity, which is particularly important for sticking with it in the long term.

How effective an e-bike really is can be seen in the training effect . Studies show that regular riding on an e-bike can increase your endurance and strength. Overweight people also benefit because they can perfectly regulate their individual load. You can find out more about this in our article E-bike training effect: get fit with an electric tailwind .

In addition, e-bikes are revolutionizing fitness by creating a bridge between exercise and motivation. Anyone who quickly reaches their limits with a conventional bike will experience how even longer tours can feel effortless with an e-bike. This gentle introduction is ideal for overweight people who want to improve their health in the long term. Read more about this in our article How e-bikes can revolutionize your health and fitness .

Last but not least, the e-bike also helps with calorie consumption , which is particularly important if you are overweight. The even load during the ride means you burn a surprising number of calories - even with the motor switched on. Depending on your riding style and support, the calorie consumption with an e-bike can keep up with that of a normal bicycle. You can find more details in our article How your e-bike helps you burn calories .

With an e-bike, losing weight is not only possible, it's also fun. It's a real all-rounder that combines fitness, motivation and the joy of exercise.

You should know this information

An e-bike for overweight people is suitable for people who are overweight (e.g. obese) or for tall people who naturally have a higher body weight due to their height. E-bikes are an excellent way to integrate additional exercise into everyday life. They are specially designed to accommodate the additional weight and offer more stability and safety. The e-bike should meet these points:

  • powerful 250 W mid-engine
  • hydraulic disc brakes
  • long-range battery
  • sturdy and reinforced aluminum frame

If the models also have a comfortable, wide saddle or can be retrofitted with one, your e-bike is perfectly equipped. Don't wait any longer and discover the advantages of an e-bike in everyday life.

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Further information and frequently asked questions zu E-Bike for Overweight People

Get advice from cycling enthusiasts

Special e-bikes are designed for the corresponding body weight and offer safety and stability for people with a higher body weight. The myvélo models Milano, Nizza or Ibiza are three of the models that are well suited for overweight people.

The permissible total weight varies depending on the manufacturer and model. The MYVELO e-bikes are designed for a load of up to 130 kg.

The e-bikes from ourMYVELO online shophave a load capacity of 130 kg. Therefore, you can choose flexibly between the models. We recommend stable models such as our E-SUV models Everest, Makalu, Palermo and Himalaya.

MYVELO's e-bikes can be ridden with a body weight of up to 130 kg. It is worth buying a stable e-bike with a special design.

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