Are magnesium frames the future of e-bikes? Ducati’s engineers think so
The new MG20 is surprisingly light and doesn’t cost the Earth
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The motorbike experts at Ducati have released a newfolding e-bikewith a magnesium frame to cut down weight – and it costs a lot less than you might expect.
TheDucati MG20weighs 20.6kg according toeBikeTips, and is available to order for €1,599 (about $1,900 / £1,400 / AU$2,500). That makes it one of the most affordable foldingelectric bikesaround, which is a surprise considering the materials – as well as the prestige of the Ducati name.
Ducati is no stranger to e-bikes. The Italian company launched theMIG-RRelectric mountain bike in 2019, and releasedthree aluminum folding e-bikesin 2020. It’s also been working with magnesium since 2018, when it debuted its first bicycle with magnesium-forged wheels, so it’s unsurprising that its engineers have set out to combine the two.
Folding bikes are notoriously heavy due to the need for tough, durable locking hinges and thicker tubes that keep the bike rigid and safe in use. That weight is all the more noticeable when they’re compacted down and can’t be shouldered like a regular diamond frame bicycle. Folding e-bikes are even heftier due to the need for a battery, so anything that can shave off a couple of kilos is a welcome improvement.
That said, the Ducati MG20 isn’t the lightest folding e-bike around. TheMiRider Oneweighs a modest 17.2kg including the battery, so there’s definitely scope for developing even lighter, more commuter-friendly folders in future.
A more hands-on ride?
We’re also curious to see how power assistance will work with the Ducati MG20. E-bikes usually offer several power assistance levels that adjust the output from the motor, but the MG20 works differently, with speed options that limit the assistance to 7.5 mph, 11 mph, or 15.5 mph respectively.
Ducati explains that the bike’s motor will adjust automatically according to the road surface, incline and force placed on the pedals – much like theCowboy 4, which recently took the top spot in our roundup ofthe best electric bikes of 2021.
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It’ll be interesting to see how this affects the riding experience, particularly because promotional photos of the MG20 appear to show a shifter on the right handlebar grip. This suggests that the rider will have control over the bike’s gearing, which could result in a ride that feels more natural to experienced cyclists than the Cowboy’s hands-off approach.
Cat is TechRadar’s Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She’s been a tech journalist for 15 years, and is here to help you choose the right devices for your home and do more with them. When not working she’s a keen home baker, and makes a pretty mean macaron.
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