Does the weight of the front wheel make much difference to the top speed for an ebike (using a rear hub motor)?

Answer 1

It is easy to stop a bike when the weight of from wheel is more.

Answer 2

Other things being equal more weight on any part of the bike will reduce the top speed, but for any reasonably normal front wheel you will probably not notice any significant difference in top or average speed.

Answer 3

Not all weight is bad weight if you're riding on city streets. Having a quality double wall alloy rim on the front is very advisable in these cases. City streets tend to be less than, in some cases far from perfect. Having a good front rim can save you both having to true it more often, if you see some idiot not paying attention to the road, you have confidence you can take a curb to save you butt.

Answer 4

On the flat, wheel weight will influence acceleration some. But with a long enough run-up, won’t affect top speed. In a climb, everything counts. But it seems hugely unlikely that there’d be a regular front wheel that’d be heavy enough to influence the performance of an already very heavy ebike.

Answer 5

Anytime weight decreases - speed usually increases. But by how much on an ebike? You probably wouldn't notice the difference.

On a racing road bike, it's been said that to shed one gram of weight, the price goes up about $1,000. That might give the rider an infinitesimal advantage over the competition. In order to gain maybe one mph, you'd have to shed about a full pound off the bike. Is it worth it? 🤔 If it ain't broke...don't fix it.