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GM ARIV eBikes Can Barely Carry Weight Of Average American Man

We’ve already reported at great length about the recently released lineup of GM ARIV eBikes, how they got their name, and that the bikes are now being sold in some European countries. And now, we’ve discovered something rather interesting about the GM eBikes: they can barely carry the weight of the average American man.

Case in point: the compact Meld and foldable Merge both have a maximum rider weight of 100 kg, or roughly 220 pounds, which is very close to the weight of the average American man. Meanwhile, the weight of the average American male is 196.9 pounds for those between 20-39 years old, and 200.9 pounds for those between 40-59 years old, according to the CDC.

2019 ARIV Merge 003

The way we see it, the weight restriction could be a result of two things.

First, perhaps the underlying structure of the ARIV Meld and Merge might not be strong enough to support a rider over the 100 kg weight limit. If that’s the case, GM would have to increase the strength of the bike’s structure/frame – either by using more material (meaning increased weight) or a stronger material (typically leading to higher material cost). To note, the Meld weighs 43 pounds (19.5 kg), while the foldable Merge weighs 48.5 pounds (22 kg).

Another possibility is that the GM eBikes could sustain a heavier load than 100 kg /220 pound weight limit the way they currently stand, but the weight restrictions are in place as a result of reduced performance if the rider exceeds that weight limit. In other words, the range or speed of the ARIV eBikes might suffer if the rider is heavier than the cutoff noted in the specs.

2019 ARIV Merge 001

Or perhaps the issue is with the electric motor, which GM designed specifically for the Meld and Merge models. The motor in the ARIV eBikes is a GM Mid Drive unit measuring in at 250 watts, with peak motor power being rated at 635 watts. It enables the bikes to travel up to a top speed of 15 mph (25 km/h), with four levels of pedal-assisted power. Meanwhile, the 250 watt-hour battery enables the electric motor to cover up to 39 miles (64 km) of range on a single charge, and charging them takes approximately 3.5 hours.

No matter what, exactly, is the actual circumstance, the way the GM ARIV Merge and Meld eBikes are configured for sale in Europe means they might not be an adequate form of transportation for the average American male rider. Take the rider’s weight, strap on a backpack, a cell phone, and a few other accessories, and the rider weight already exceeds the maximum set out by GM.

We’ll keep investigating on this intriguing GM alternative mobility solution, and will share more information as we get it. In the meantime, subscribe to GM Authority for more Meld news, Merge news, ARIV news, and ongoing GM news coverage.

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Automotive Journalist from Canada.

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Comments

  1. When will this silliness end? Who is going to use these things outside of some micro-cosmos of the big city, on fair weather days? There is a reason motorcycles are not driven as daily-use transport more often, mainly for safety, weather and practicality. I think it’s crazy to think that e-bike, scooters, etc. are suddenly this “new thing” that’s going revolutionize transport. Give me an engine up front, driven wheels in back, three pedals, and a metal box with airbags I can live in when I get in an accident.

    Reply
    1. Did you mean “microcosm”?

      Reply
  2. I am going to go out on a limb here and say if you are 220lbs+ you probably don’t ride bikes. Yes there are exceptions but GM makes products for the masses.

    Reply
    1. Are you implying that those who weigh 200/220 pounds are overweight or are not the norm?

      According to the CDC, the average weight of an American male is 200 pounds. That’s the norm. Having worked as a personal trainer in an earlier life, guys who weigh around 220 are not fat, as many of them go to the gym and have muscle mass. Heck, 200-220 is a good weight for many physically active American males, especially the taller ones.

      Add in a messenger bag with a laptop, a charger, and a textbook, dress the rider in some clothes and shoes, give him a cell phone… and you’re awfully close to that 220 lb/ 100 kg weight limit.

      Reply
      1. the average height of an american male is 5’9″.

        that and 200+lbs makes you obese.

        Reply
        1. Whether one is obese is irrelevant to the conversation at hand.

          What is relevant is that the average weights cited via the CDC are a reality. Hence, most American males would be at the maximum weight limit of the product in question. It’s as simple as that.

          It’s like a study that finds that people desire large cars, while you argue that the people are too fat, obese or whatever else and hence they should not desire large cars and should instead make lifestyle changes. Meanwhile, another automaker swoops in to provide the large cars that are being demanded.

          Don’t fight reality/demand. Instead, find a way to meet it.

          Reply
          1. the problem with this product isn’t the weight limit but the $3K or $4k price tag.

            Reply
      2. Alex, the problem is the cell phone…. 😉 – they ruin our life

        Reply
  3. Im in rural country like 60% of America. First those wheels are too small and the frame can’t account for real bike wheels. The only place this would be useful is in LA and it’s likely to be stollen. There.

    Reply
    1. Newsflash: most of the US population isn’t rural.

      Reply
  4. This dog and pony show has to be shut down. Where, outside of NYC or LA would this even be considered to be viable transportation? And if you do live there and actually buy one, you’d better have it under a series of chains, locks and barbed wire. One of the dozens of miscreants would love to have that as their own. Just more “SJ-Dubbery” from GM…

    Reply
  5. Every time I see these GM E-Bikes, I assume they are all being used by Dwarfs. The seat to pedal distance looks like they are made for children under 10 yrs old. They never picture them in a real world setting with the seat at a height that a normal adult would need. Maybe that is the real reason for the weight limit.

    Reply
    1. Um, the seat post doubles as a kickstand.

      Reply
  6. I can already hear the autistic screeching the first time a NY barista/activist with multicolored hair weighing in at 300 pounds breaks one of these things and immediately tweets about it directly to CNN so it can be a month long story that is somehow Trumps fault.

    Reply

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