With the Conway EMF has a solid tourer in its programme: the tried-and-tested Bosch Performance CX motor is powered by a 500 Wh battery. The gearing is also robust and is rare in this price range: The Sram EX1 changes the eight gears reliably even under full load. Also not a matter of course for 4600 euros: the Rock Shox Yari and Monarch suspension elements. A dropper post is also on board.
Conway doesn't take any risks with the geometry either and relies on tried and tested values: the reach is compact at 409 millimetres, while the 67.5 degree steep head angle promises agile handling. The long 480 mm chainstays are due to the large volume of the Bosch unit.
As usual, the Bosch Performance CX is powerful, but also noisy. When starting off, the competition sometimes responds much faster (e.g. the Yamaha PW-X). In terms of reach, the Conway is above the average of the competition at 1416 metres. The bike climbs well with the fairly long 480 mm chainstays. The riding position is comfortable.
The narrow 720 handlebars are immediately noticeable when setting off. This can only provide little control and limits downhill riding. On the other hand, the wide plus tyres provide a lot of security on loose ground. In deep mud and on wet surfaces, however, the Schwalbe tyres in the fast Pacestar compound are quickly overwhelmed. The hard rubber compound makes no sense on the front wheel in particular.
The Rock Shox Yari suspension fork delivers solid performance at a fair price. The sensitive rear suspension is also impressive. With its rather firm set-up and 120 millimetres of suspension travel, the Conway tends towards a touring bike. The solid aluminium frame is stiff and the total weight of 21.8 kilograms is quite low.
Test summary of the Conway EMF 527+
With the EMF 527+, Conway has a solid tourer on offer. The E-MTB impresses with solid technology and a fair price. The firm 120 mm suspension and the high reach determine the range of use: Long tours with smooth trails.
The big comparison test in EMTB 1/17
Reach height 1416 hm
Efficiency class A+
Price 4599 Euro
Info
www.conway-bikes.de
DRIVE
Motor / Position 250 watt Bosch Performance CX / centre
Max. Torque 75 Nm
Battery Lithium-ion, 500 Wh
Gearstick / transmission Front 1x15, rear 8-speed Sram EX-1 / 11-48
Display / Size Bosch Intuvia / 3.5 inch
Software / status k. A.
EQUIPMENT
Sizes / frame material 44 / 49 / 54 / Aluminium
Fork / damper Rockshox Yari RC Boost / Rockshox Monarch RL
Telescopic support Conway Vario Pro 80 mm, Remote
Brake / Disc (front / rear) Shimano XT / 203 mm / 180 mm
Impellers Shimano Deore hubs, Rodi Ready 40 rims
Tyres Schwalbe Nobby Nic Plus 27.5x 2.8 Evolution Pacestar
MEASURED VALUES
Suspension travel (front / rear) 120 mm / 120 mm
Weight / Distribution 21.8 kg / 49:51 (v/h)
Centre of gravity height 502 mm
Handlebar width 720 mm
Reach / Stack 409 mm / 602 mm
BB offset / Q factor -17 mm / 183 mm
EMTB judgement VERY GOOD² 343 points
¹ Manufacturer's specification
² EMTB judgement: super (from 350 points), very good (from 315 points), good (from 280 points), satisfactory (from 245 points), with weaknesses (from 210 points), below insufficient.
The judgement reflects the subjective impression of the testers and the results of the reach measurement and laboratory tests. It is independent of price.
