Lidl e-bike: 21 kilos & 1 gear - can the Crivit Urban Y.2 from the discounter convince?
Georg Bleicher
· 22.06.2024
In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
If it weren't for this stem/handlebar unit, which allows neither height adjustment nor rotation of the handlebars in their mount, even an industry professional would classify this bike as significantly more expensive at first glance: fine creamy white matt paint, cables and lines integrated in the frame, neatly welded frame with a seat stay that can be split for belt installation, neatly polished weld seams - it all looks very solid and dignified. A quick lift: At around 21 kilograms, the e-bike weighs much less than similarly priced competitors - and we're talking about around 1600 euros here. So far, so convincing. The Crivit Urban Y.2 is available at Lidl.
The Lidl e-bike is delivered
But in terms of customer practice: The e-bike is ordered online and arrives at the customer in a box. There is no delivery via the dealer, and currently none via the shop either. Once the bike has been removed from the sturdy box and freed from the protective film, all you have to do is straighten the handlebars, tighten two bolts and then fit the pedals.
Everything is described in the Quick Start Guide, which also includes the few necessary Allen keys. The seat post is clamped with a huge quick-release lever. Practical: there are markings on the unusually sturdy seat post that help you to quickly find the correct saddle height when several people are using the bike and to adjust it again the next time, even if others have used the bike.
Only one frame size for the Crivit Urban Y.2
From a purely technical point of view, it is hardly feasible for a harmonious bike with 28 or 27.5 tyre size to fit everyone between 1.60 and 1.90 metres tall - nevertheless, this is always attempted, and this is also the case with the Crivit. If you want to sit comfortably on it, you should measure between 1.70 and 1.83 metres according to our test riders - the little ones would then have to stretch enormously, the saddle extension is not really sufficient for those taller than 1.83 metres. A compensating adjustable stem is missing here. Manufacturers make huge savings by offering just one frame size instead of four or five. This is another way of explaining prices, not just through quantities and favourable wholesale purchases.
Lidl e-bike: many positive features
An initial slight tendency to tip over when setting off gives way to impeccable directional stability once you have left walking speed behind you. The bike is manoeuvrable enough for the city. You sit somewhat elongated on the wide, cranked handlebars. Comfort only comes from the wide Schwalbe tyres - depending on the air pressure. Nevertheless, the bike is also fun in the city - thanks to the motor and its power. In addition to good handling, active safety is provided by the crisp, hydraulic Shimano disc brakes and the front spotlight with 80 lux. At the rear, there is a rear light with brake light nicely integrated into the mudguard, both of which you wouldn't expect from a discounter.
And there's something else on top: low maintenance. There are no gears, no chain, no sprockets. The Lidl e-bike is a single-speed bike with a Gates belt drive. This and the hydraulic discs and rigid fork make it extremely low-maintenance. However, it makes perfect sense for bikes to have several gears. Because even if a powerful motor provides support, stop-and-go in the city and slow speeds, which lead to a low cadence, remain uncomfortable. This does not mean that a singlespeed with a motor does not work in the - rather flat - city centre. But you have to like it and not have any knee or ankle problems.
Motor & battery of the Crivit Urban Y.2
The arm-thick seat post and the cable that curls from the seat tube to the seat post is quickly explained: this is where the battery with a capacity of 360 watt hours is located. This is not the best place in terms of centre of gravity, but this is rather unimportant for a city bike. To remove the battery, the plug is unplugged and the support, i.e. the battery, is unlocked with a key. This means you don't necessarily have to charge it in the Lidl e-bike.
Where there is a battery, there is also a motor - albeit an almost invisible one: the Mivice M080 hub motor is not only smaller than some gear hubs, it is also a real firecracker: 40 Newton metres of torque directly at the rear wheel is a statement. That's the most convincing thing. Regardless of the cadence and whether on the flat or uphill - many a mid-drive motor could take a leaf out of its book when it comes to hybrid harmony and natural pedalling.
Respect for the sensor developers! They have managed to tune the system in such a way that you ask yourself: "Do I have so much power, or is there a powerful motor pushing so hard that I feel it's part of me?" The drive can only be heard on hills. Five support levels (Off, Eco, Tour, Race and Boost) are indicated by coloured circle segments around the switch-on button on the top tube. To change modes, an intuitive tap of the thumb on the hidden "+-" or "--" button under the handlebar grip is enough; a very ergonomic solution! The speed is a brisk 25 kilometres per hour, a little over this is slowly reduced - and that too in a gentle manner.
Services, advantages & disadvantages
Local bike dealers sometimes refuse to repair bikes from discounters. What happens in the event of a defect? A Lidl partner should collect the bike via a pick-up service and return it repaired. We were unable to test how well and quickly this works.
On the plus side - the advantages: Lots of decent components, from the frame, tyres and belts to the motor and lights. We only found the less robust and too narrow mudguards and the old square bottom bracket to be really plain or cheap.
On the minus side - the disadvantages: Restricted to certain sizes only, no adjustability, low comfort (no gears!) and no official authorised workshops.
The Crivit Urban Y.2 is the salvation of the discounter bikes, even if it is certainly not a frequent rider bike: great drive, suitable equipment and cheap - always assuming you take good care of it and can cope with only one gear. In this case, Lidl is probably worth it. - Georg Bleicher, test editor
Equipment & price: Details Lidl e-bike Crivit Urban Y.2
- Price: 1599 Euro >> e.g. available at Lidl
- Frame sizes: Uni (for approx. 1.65-1.83 m height)
- Permissible total weight: 120 kg
- Weight: 21.5 kg
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Fork: Aluminium
- Gearstick / drive: Input with belt drive
- Motor / battery: Mivice M080, 45 Nm / not specified, 360 Wh
- Brakes: Shimano hydraulic disc brakes
- Tyres/tyre dimensions: Schwalbe Big Ben, 50 x 27.5
- Front/rear lighting system: Sate Lite, 80 Lux/ Büchel, integrated rear light
- Maximum load of the carrier: 27 kg
- Range: approx. 50-65 km
- Special features/special equipment: SP-Connect mobile phone holder, system luggage rack (Atran Velo) up to 27 kg, 5-year frame warranty
- Pickup service: Collection in the event of a defect
