The cycling community is still deeply divided: "E-bikes have no place in TREKKINGBIKE", was the succinct postulate of one die-hard cyclist. Other readers, on the other hand, thanked us for tests and information on the topic of e-bikes. They are using e-bikes for the first time or are finally getting back into cycling. The sales figures for two-wheelers with an additional boost are rising steadily: A good 380,000 e-bikes were sold in 2012, and according to figures from the two-wheeler industry association ZIV, 1.3 million pedelecs already existed in German households in 2012. However, self-experience, classic trial and error, is still considered the best basis for a well-founded, personal decision for or against pedelecs. In any case, the potential of this type of bike is huge.
We have put together a test field of manufacturers who have acquired expertise in trekking and touring bikes under the aspect of "touring": These primarily include Diamant, Koga, Riese & Müller, Simplon, Stevens, Utopia and Velotraum. Haibike, on the other hand, is an innovative pedelec brand that specialises heavily in the touring sector. Merida is also discovering the pedelec market as its own mainstay alongside its pronounced focus on race bikes. As a ZEG brand, Bulls is pushing strongly into the market for quality bikes. Diamant and Koga have been gathering experience with electrified bikes since the beginning of development. And who would have dared to dream of an electric bike dream just a year or two ago? The entire development has only one direction: power ahead!
There is a choice of drive systems that allow the wide gear range of a classic derailleur gear system, at least on the rear wheel. The only exception, Utopia with a Nexus8 hub gear less suitable for touring, was due to availability. In addition, the Rohloff alternative would have put a strain on the price range. A second-generation Bosch mid-motor is used on four test candidates. Here, the gear ratio on the crank is limited to a single ring. Bosch uses extremely small chainrings between 15 and 19 teeth. This is partly for aesthetic reasons, but also due to the gear ratios of the internal gearbox in the motor block. This has two disadvantages: The entire tractive force of the drive is transmitted to the rear wheel by just a few chain links. This elongates the chain links and wears the teeth of the chainring much faster. Meticulous chain maintenance and intensive oiling are therefore particularly important here. The Bosch motor also produces a noticeable background noise. Depending on the speed, it sounds a little higher or lower as soon as the motor intervenes in the riding action. You can get used to it, but you don't have to like it.
That's why the Neodrives drive from the southern German manufacturer Alber attracts all the more attention: Alber has many years of expertise with electric wheelchair drives. The Neodrives bike system uses a brushless hub motor that delivers a lot of power to the wheel axle in a harmonious way, a large battery and sophisticated control electronics with many options for the user. BionX, a development that goes back to the automotive group Magma, and Kogas ION, a motor concept from Accell Holding, also work according to the direct drive principle. These motors operate without a gearbox and are therefore completely silent. However, they only transfer their power optimally to the wheel within a certain speed range. The rider is responsible for this. The 1:1 ratio hub motor works more inefficiently than the geared mid-motor when the rear wheel is turning very slowly. This also proves that an e-bike is not for lazy pedallers.
Whether you like the electric boost or not, most 2014 e-bikes have improved significantly in terms of sensitivity, ease of use and riding safety compared to previous years. Touring riders can now look forward to a huge variety of models: the choice ranges from sporty to leisurely. There is a suitable pedelec for every riding style. Weight distribution in the bike and stability with a load of luggage still play the biggest role in achieving the most harmonious riding behaviour possible. This is what we have focussed on.
