What many car drivers are unwilling to accept is part of everyday life for cyclists: short journeys and everyday trips through the hustle and bustle of urban traffic are much easier for lightweight vehicles than highly equipped, powerful heavyweights. The trend towards lightweight pedelecs continues unabated, and the market for suitable drive components is constantly growing. The two drives in our motor test, the Mivice M070 and Fazua's new Ride 60are typical representatives of the low-assist segment and are an excellent match for lightweight city and everyday pedelecs. With a maximum output of a good 350 watts and a torque of around 60 Nm measured at the rear wheel, they are ideal for the city and leisurely short tours despite their different characteristics.
More freedom with small motors
Such small, lightweight and low-power motors offer pedelec designers a great deal of freedom. Inconspicuous rear wheel motors such as the Mivice M070 do not require a contact point for mounting on the frame, their small batteries are lightweight and can be concealed in filigree frame tubes. Founded in China in 2017, motor manufacturer Mivice currently has five motor models in its programme. With the M070 rear hub motor, the manufacturer has made a successful debut in the low-assist environment; the small drive is surprisingly torquey and as intuitive as it is sensitively controlled. The 252 Wh battery of our lightweight test bike provides sufficient energy for use in urban environments. Bike manufacturers can choose between several Mivice colour displays with different depths of information and functions.
Inconspicuous mid-engine
Mid-mounted motors with a manageable output, such as Fazua's brand new Ride 60, follow the same development goal, but transmit their power via chainring, chain and sprocket. Unlike its predecessor models, the Fazua can no longer be removed from the frame, but is permanently installed in the down tube and frame node. The 430 Wh battery can still be removed from the frame. The Ride 60 is controlled via the minimalist ring switches on the handlebars. Using the boost function, Fazua riders can briefly increase the maximum power to almost 500 watts if required. The battery charge level or the support level can be read on the Fazua LED display integrated in the top tube. The Fazua smartphone app is available for more in-depth interventions in the motor system and an extended range of functions.
The Mivice M070
Rear hub motors such as the M070 are ideal for stylish and lightweight pedelecs with fragile frame shapes. The drive can be sensitively controlled via the pedalling force and its motor power is applied gently and predictably. When you stop pedalling, the motor stops with minimal delay. In the highest support level, the Mivice delivers between 250 and 350 watts, depending on the speed or cadence. This is easily sufficient for everyday use and relaxed short tours. The instrument cluster with display on the left handlebar end of our test bike is unobtrusive and functional. The drive only comes to life after entering a four-digit numerical code on the display. There are three well differentiated support levels.
The motor power of the M070 varies depending on the speed. The faster the pedelec is moved, the more power the drive delivers and thus compensates for increasing riding resistance. It does not matter how hard the rider pedals. The torque curve and power delivery are pleasing. Even at low cadences, the motor pushes more than 60 Nm onto the rear wheel, and the torque only decreases minimally as the cadence increases. This makes the Mivice suitable for riders who want to be supported as much as possible even with little pedalling power and across all cadences, even when starting off.
Test bike with Mivice M070 Drive: The Tenways CGO600
- Price: 1599 Euro
- Frame: Aluminium
- Motor/battery: Mivice M070/252 Wh
- Circuit: Singlespeed; 60/22 teeth
- Tyres: CST Urban Reflex 47-622
- Weight: 17.1 kilogramme
- The Tenways CGO600 in the MYBIKE test
Fazua Ride 60
In addition to the design changes - the engine can no longer be removed from the frame - the maximum torque has been increased by 10 Nm compared to the Fazua Evation. However, its characteristics hardly differ from those of its predecessor. The power output remains constant at the same level at all pedalling speeds. For fast starts, the motor has a boost function, which increases the maximum power to just under 500 watts for twelve seconds at the push of a button while riding. If the boost is activated before setting off, it is activated for four seconds. The three support levels and the boost function are selected using the inconspicuous and tactile "ring control" on the left end of the handlebars.
With the exception of very low cadences, the power of the Ride 60 remains at around 350 watts regardless of the pedalling power. At less than 50 pedal revolutions, the Fazua only delivers between 150 and 250 watts to the rear wheel. With the boost activated, the maximum power briefly increases to just under 500 watts. The torque only reaches its maximum without boost at a cadence of around 50 pedal revolutions and therefore only helps when accelerating from medium speeds. With the boost activated, however, the maximum torque of almost 70 Nm is available much earlier and actively helps Fazua riders when setting off. An ideal drive for fans of lightweight pedelecs who appreciate short, dynamic spurts of high power.
Test bike with Fazua Ride 60 drive: The Riese & Müller UBN Five Touring
- Price: 4,899 euros
- Frame: Carbon
- Motor/battery: Fazua Ride 60/430 Wh
- Shifting: Shimano SLX, 1x11 ; 42/11-46 teeth
- Tyres: Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 42-622
- Weight: 19.1 kilogrammes
- The Riese & Müller UBN Five Touring was presented in this article
Driving test
Not everything that a drive can do can be measured on a test bench. How sensitively an engine reacts to pedal pressure and how strongly it accelerates can only be seen on a test drive. This also applies to response and cut-off behaviour. The drive must be controllable and start up as quickly as possible when starting uphill. When you stop pedalling, the motor should switch off immediately and not push on.
Test bench test
We measured the maximum continuous power of the motors on our test bench. It differs to a greater or lesser extent depending on the pedalling frequency (cadence). Measurements were taken at 20 km/h and, depending on the gear gradation, with cadences close to 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 revolutions per minute. We simulated the rider's pedalling power with 100, 120, 140, 160 and 180 watts. The curves on page 36 show the power curve as a function of cadence and pedalling power. We measured the torque at 70 crank revolutions per minute and 140 watts of pedalling power.
The wheels from the test
- The Tenways CGO600
- The Riese & Müller UBN Five Touring
