lemond dutch bike riding

LeMond Dutch E-bike: A Premium, Ultra Lightweight E-bike With a Premium Price

by Nathan Schaumann

The LeMond Dutch e-bike is an absolutely fantastic bike, with phenomenal engineering. Designed by the famous Greg LeMond himself, the Dutch is a bike first and an e-bike second. After spending two days riding the LeMond Dutch (as well as the LeMond Prolog and All-Road Prolog), I came to the conclusion that all three bikes in the LeMond line are much better-off being compared to high-end bikes, like the Specialized Tarmac or the Trek Domane, rather than e-bikes like the Ride1Up Revv 1 or the Volcon Brat, which are essentially motorcycles with pedals.

In sharp contrast to the motorcycle-inspired e-bikes which make the pedals feel more ornamental than functional, the LeMond Dutch rides so smoothly it makes the motor feel ornamental.

-Nathan S.

If you don’t understand just how light that is, allow me to elaborate. Among the 480 e-bikes in our database, it ranks as the second lightest, being surpassed only by the JackRabbit OG, a bike that not only lacks pedals entirely but also features a battery so small it complies with FAA regulations for airplane luggage. Personally, I consider the LeMond Dutch as the absolute lightest true e-bike.

The feather weight LeMond Dutch E-bike costs $5495, and is meant primarily for those who value a high-quality bike with the added assist of a motor every once in a while. Its 250Wh battery and quiet 250W hub motor are neatly tucked away, and at first glance (and first ride) you might not realize it is an e-bike at all. Despite it’s eye-watering price point, there is definitely a place in the market for the LeMond Dutch, which I will explore in this review.

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If I’m being honest – had I not seen and tested the LeMond Dutch E-bike in person, it would never have been on my purchasing radar. However, if you approach the bike from perspective of a cycling enthusiast, the E-bike reveals its impressive features, including a sleek design and a carbon fiber frame. Crafting a robust bike at 26lbs is no small feat, especially when it’s a high-end E-bike.

The LeMond Dutch, with pedal assist completely switched off, rides better and smoother than any non-electric dutch bikes I rode during my time in Holland.

Nathan S.
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LeMond Dutch E-bike Specs

  • Price: $5495
  • Range: 70 miles (claimed)
  • Speed: 20 mph
  • Torque: 40 Nm
  • Motor: 250W
  • Tire: 27.5” x 1.5″
  • Weight: 26 lbs
  • Max rider weight: 265 lbs
  • Battery: 36V 6.94Ah (250 Wh)

LeMond Dutch E-bike Features

  • Shimano GRX components
  • Mahle drive system
  • Cadence Sensor (that feels like a torque sensor)
  • Fully carbon fiber frame
  • 3 levels of pedal assist
  • Plenty of add-ons: Kickstand, trunk bag, rear rack, range extending battery (208Wh)
  • Optional add-on: DI2 digital shifting for an extra $600
  • Add-on: “Mahle” system where the motor connects to your phone or an external display (sold separately)
  • 11-speed
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Who Is This Bike For?

The LeMond Dutch is aimed at cyclists who love the pure cycling experience but also want the security that comes from a smooth and reliable motor that can assist up steep hills and on long return trips home. In sharp contrast to the motorcycle-inspired e-bikes which make the pedals feel more ornamental than functional, the LeMond Dutch rides so smoothly it makes the motor feel ornamental.

If the battery died, you could just keep riding as if nothing happened. I lived in Holland for 4 years growing up, and my siblings and I rode just about everywhere on actual Dutch bikes, through Dutch streets. The LeMond Dutch, with pedal assist completely switched off, rides better and smoother than any non-electric dutch bikes I rode during my time in Holland.

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Pictured above: my siblings and I heading off to school in Holland on our bikes.

The LeMond Dutch is for the cyclist who wants a bit of extra boost, rather than for the adrenaline junkie who wants to push a machine to the limits.

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Speaking of pushing a machine to the limits, the LeMond Dutch wheelies surprisingly well 🙂

Things I Loved About The LeMond Dutch E-bike

  • The integrated front light and looks awesome. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to ride the bike at night, but the light seems plenty bright.
  • Integrated taillights
  • Quiet motor
  • Cadence Sensor that feels like a torque sensor
  • Minimalist design, great styling
  • Ride quality is amazing
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Things I Hated About The LeMond Dutch E-bike

  • No display
  • Limited to 20 mph
  • Battery is not easily removable
  • EXPENSIVE
  • Kickstand feels flimsy
  • You need a tool to adjust the seat
  • Pulling the brakes doesn’t cut power to the motor if you keep pedaling
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The Freshly Charged Take

If you are already mentally comparing the price and specs LeMond Dutch to other e-bikes in its speed/size class, the Dutch is not for you. It underperforms in all the objective categories that can be explicitly measured (with the exception of weight) like speed, battery and affordability. Categories such as quality of construction and engineering, components, and ride quality are where it really shines. For those who truly value high-quality components like the Shimano GRX drivetrain and carbon fiber frame, and are looking for an ultra-lightweight E-bike, the LeMond Dutch is the one for you.

The LeMond Dutch, Prolog, and All-Road Prolog are by far the highest-quality e-bikes we have reviewed. They are been designed by the legendary Greg Lemond, in conjunction with engineer Bill Stephens, who has 19 years of product development experience with brands like Yeti, Factor, Bianchi, Time, Electra, Niner, Cannondale, Raleigh, and Felt. Overall, in exchange for your $5.5k you are getting a premium lightweight E-bike that rides better than an analog bike, and has the assistance of a motor if you need one.

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Use our Freshly Charged E-bike Comparison Tool to evaluate this E-bike alongside more than 450 other E-bikes. Compare and organize bikes by factors such as price, pedal-assisted speed, battery size, weight, tire size, and more!

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We are Andrew and Jimmy, two guys who love personal electric vehicles, and we hope to share our experiences and reviews to help you find the best next PEV for your needs.

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