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Fazua Ride 60 in laboratory and practical testsE-bike motor between lightness and power

Florentin Vesenbeckh

 · 29.05.2024

The Fazua Ride 60 slim integrated in a carbon frame.
Photo: Georg Grieshaber
Small, light and unobtrusive - and yet relatively powerful. With the Ride 60, Fazua aims to offer the perfect compromise among e-bike motors. We tested the compact drive in the lab and in practice and compared it with the competition.
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Golden mean or lazy compromise? The Fazua Ride 60 sits pretty much in the middle between the classic minimal-assist class and the power motors. For our taste, it strikes a sensible middle ground and should appeal to a broad group of (e-)mountain bikers. Both e-bikers who want a somewhat lighter e-MTB and those switching from a classic mountain bike could find the wide range of applications and the diverse strengths of the Ride 60 appealing.

With a live weight of two kilos, the Ride 60 is only slightly heavier than the minimalists, and visually it is hardly inferior to the TQ. Behind the chainring, it is barely recognisable as a mid-motor. In terms of noise, torque and power, it is close to the more powerful drives. This clearly sets it apart from the very discreet motors such as a TQ HPR 50 or Specialised SL 1.2 from. Anyone looking for a lightweight, unobtrusive e-bike that doesn't lack a certain e-bike punch should find the Ride 60 an ideal partner.

The motor is barely noticeable and disappears completely behind the chainring. Only the elongated motor extension in the down tube reveals to connoisseurs that there is a Fazua motor in the frame.Photo: Georg GrieshaberThe motor is barely noticeable and disappears completely behind the chainring. Only the elongated motor extension in the down tube reveals to connoisseurs that there is a Fazua motor in the frame.The Fazua Ride 60 has a special shape: Extremely compact around the bottom bracket and barely visible from the outside. However, the elongated motor unit still has to be housed in the frame.Photo: Adrian KaetherThe Fazua Ride 60 has a special shape: Extremely compact around the bottom bracket and barely visible from the outside. However, the elongated motor unit still has to be housed in the frame.

The facts about the Fazua Ride 60

  • Weight: 2.0 kilos
  • Battery sizes: 430 Wh (2.2 kg)
  • No range extender currently available, announced for the end of 2024
  • Drive modes: Breeze / River / Rocket + short-term boost mode
  • Performance data (max.) from the laboratory: 60 Newton metres, 348 watts (437 watts for a short time in boost mode)
  • System updates possible via the app
We measured all drives on a roller test bench in the PT Labs test laboratory. The comprehensive laboratory analysis supplements our practical experience and tests with objectively comparable data.Photo: Adrian KaetherWe measured all drives on a roller test bench in the PT Labs test laboratory. The comprehensive laboratory analysis supplements our practical experience and tests with objectively comparable data.

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The character of the Fazua Ride 60

With its impressive performance, the Ride 60 is already halfway to being a power engine. But how does the power unit from Upper Bavaria feel? The Ride 60 pushes rather evenly and doesn't hang on to the pedals quite as well as a Bosch Performance SX, for example. It also doesn't shift as unobtrusively and discreetly as a TQ HPR 50 because, firstly, the modulation isn't quite on a par with the best. A slight judder is perceptible when the motor's thrust is interrupted. On the other hand, the annoying support hole of the first software version has been fixed and overall the Ride 60 rides very smoothly.

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When the controls are fully open, the thrust is very uniform. Only in a more progressive setting does the power delivery become more dynamic. The drive noise of the Fazua motor is pleasant and is one of the quietest on the market. However, a TQ HPR 50 is significantly quieter. Nevertheless, the Ride 60 is one of the few motors on the market that sounds much more discreet than the classics from Bosch and Shimano. The noise only becomes somewhat unpleasant when the boost function is activated for a brief extra push. Good: Fazua has no rattling when going downhill!

With its high torque, the Ride 60 can also tackle trickier climbs. However, there are more sensitive motors.Photo: Max FuchsWith its high torque, the Ride 60 can also tackle trickier climbs. However, there are more sensitive motors.

The power delivery of the Fazua Ride 60

Considerable torque and high power are the core competences of the Ride 60. It pushes powerfully from the bottom, but loses some power at very high cadences. At the push of a button, it briefly delivers 100 watts more. With a full 437 watts, it is then not far from the power class. The range with the 430 watt-hour battery is also really good by light standards, especially as the Fazua also manages to tickle a relatively high number of vertical metres per watt-hour out of the battery, as this reach comparison already showed last year.

High torque, high power. At very high cadences above 100, the Ride 60 runs out of breath. The dashed curves show the short-term boost function, which releases extra thrust for 12 seconds at the push of a button.Photo: PT LabsHigh torque, high power. At very high cadences above 100, the Ride 60 runs out of breath. The dashed curves show the short-term boost function, which releases extra thrust for 12 seconds at the push of a button.The torque is high, and even at maximum power, the Ride 60 has plenty of juice. Even with low rider input, the light motor provides a very powerful push when required.Photo: EMTB MagazinThe torque is high, and even at maximum power, the Ride 60 has plenty of juice. Even with low rider input, the light motor provides a very powerful push when required.With its high torque, the Fazua Ride 60 (light green) is the most powerful light motor in the low cadence range (X-axis, rpm). Bosch's SX only pushes harder at very high cadences. The light green dashed line shows the curve when the boost function is activated for a brief extra push.Photo: PT LabsWith its high torque, the Fazua Ride 60 (light green) is the most powerful light motor in the low cadence range (X-axis, rpm). Bosch's SX only pushes harder at very high cadences. The light green dashed line shows the curve when the boost function is activated for a brief extra push.

Display and remote

Clear and simple: this applies to both the selection and the information content of Fazua's controls. Five coloured LEDs in the top tube provide information on the battery status and U-level - there is no more display than that. The system is operated via the ring control. This works intuitively, but the feel could be better. The plastic part feels a little wobbly and does not provide ideal feedback during operation. On the other hand, it sits slimly and simply on the handle and is easy to reach in any situation. A USB-C socket is integrated into the LED unit on the top tube. This can be used to charge gadgets such as a smartphone or GPS, or to connect the Toolbox software for firmware updates.

Five coloured LEDs indicate the U-level and battery status. Unfortunately, the plastic inlay in the top tube does not look really high-quality.Photo: Georg GrieshaberFive coloured LEDs indicate the U-level and battery status. Unfortunately, the plastic inlay in the top tube does not look really high-quality.The ring control on the handle is easy to reach and intuitive to operate. However, the feel and feedback of the plastic trigger could be better.Photo: Georg GrieshaberThe ring control on the handle is easy to reach and intuitive to operate. However, the feel and feedback of the plastic trigger could be better.

The batteries for the Fazua Ride 60

The Ride 60 is currently only available with 430 watt-hours (2.25 kg) - either for classic battery removal or for fixed installation in the down tube. The range of the Fazua Ride 60 should be emphasised: in all our tests, bikes with the Fazua drive and 430 watt-hour battery performed above average. Click here for a detailed range comparison of various light drives.

The Fazua Energy 430 is available in two versions. For fixed installation in the down tube (top) or for classic flap removal (bottom). Both versions weigh 2.25 kilos and deliver 430 watt hours.Photo: Georg GrieshaberThe Fazua Energy 430 is available in two versions. For fixed installation in the down tube (top) or for classic flap removal (bottom). Both versions weigh 2.25 kilos and deliver 430 watt hours.

There was already talk of a range extender when the Ride 60 was launched over two years ago. However, this has yet to materialise. According to the latest information from Fazua, however, the additional battery should finally come onto the market at the end of 2024. The announced facts: 215 watt hours and 1.1 kilos. Fazua has apparently come up with a special solution for the attachment and connection to the system. Details will be available on our channels as soon as the time is right.

App and connectivity

The latest feature of the Fazua app is a comprehensive dashboard. A lot of data is displayed and recorded here in real time - including the battery level in per cent and the performance of the motor and rider. This data can also be easily displayed on bike computers from Garmin, Sigma, Wahoo and others via ANT+ or Bluetooth. The three support levels can be set individually. Special feature: Not only can various profiles be saved, there is also a library with various preconfigured profiles for different areas of use.

The graphical representation in the motor parameter setting options illustrates the influence of the parameters. The three modes can be adjusted separately.Photo: Georg GrieshaberThe graphical representation in the motor parameter setting options illustrates the influence of the parameters. The three modes can be adjusted separately.

Too bad: Updates for the motor system are not possible directly via the app. This requires the Fazua Toolbox software on a PC or laptop. Others can do this more conveniently. At least you can carry out updates yourself with the PC software without having to visit the dealer.

System updates are only possible via the Fazua Toolbox software, not via smartphone.Photo: Adrian KaetherSystem updates are only possible via the Fazua Toolbox software, not via smartphone.

EMTB review of the Fazua Ride 60

The Fazua Ride 60 is one of the quietest e-MTB motors on the market, but is still significantly louder than the TQ HPR 50. The thrust with powerful torque definitely offers that e-bike feeling.Photo: EMTB MagazinThe Fazua Ride 60 is one of the quietest e-MTB motors on the market, but is still significantly louder than the TQ HPR 50. The thrust with powerful torque definitely offers that e-bike feeling.

Strengths

  • Strong power-to-weight ratio
  • Top all-rounder
  • Unobtrusively integrated
  • Powerful range

Weaknesses

  • Modulation could be better
  • Ring control of little value
  • No display, only LED indicator

Conclusion on the Fazua Ride 60

By light standards, the Ride 60 has plenty of power, yet it is small, light, relatively quiet and delivers a decent range. A strong compromise for anyone who wants the best of both worlds. The Fazua Ride 60 thus secures our all-round tip among the light motors. The weak points are the remote and display. - Florentin Vesenbeckh, Deputy Editor-in-Chief EMTB Magazine

Florentin Vesenbeckh is deputy editor-in-chief at EMTB Magazine.Photo: Max FuchsFlorentin Vesenbeckh is deputy editor-in-chief at EMTB Magazine.

Bikes with Fazua Ride 60

The selection of e-mountainbikes with Fazua's Ride 60 is now considerable and ranges from super-light downcountry speedsters to powerful freeriders. You can find all the information and details about some Fazua bikes in the links:

Florentin Vesenbeckh

Florentin Vesenbeckh has been on a mountain bike since he was ten years old. Even on his very first tour, he focussed on single trails - and even after more than 30 years in the saddle of an MTB, these are still the quintessence of biking for him. He spent his youth competing in various bike disciplines and later his cycling career was characterised by years as a riding technique coach. Professionally, the experienced test editor now focusses on e-mountainbikes. In recent years, the qualified sports scientist and trained journalist has tested over 300 bikes and more than 40 different motor systems in the laboratory and in practice.

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