Long before the current Fazua Ride 60 drive, the Bavarian company had already launched the Evation drive already in 2017The motor, then a small start-up, established the minimalist drive category to a certain extent. However, this motor was never really able to establish itself on e-mountainbikes. At 250 watt hours, the battery capacity is very low, while the special design makes it difficult to build really lightweight e-MTBs. The Ride 60 is intended to fundamentally change this, as it has been uncompromisingly designed for use on lightweight e-mountainbikes. The fact that the Ottobrunn brand is now operates under the umbrella of none other than the automobile giant Porscheshould give the drive an additional boost. We have tested the brand new Fazua Ride 60 extensively in the lab and in practice. Our detailed test report shows why the motor has what it takes to take the light e-MTB category to the next level, and comparison with the other light units.
The technical data: Fazua Ride 60
- Motor weight: 2.02 kg
- Battery weight: 2.22 kg (430 Wh)
- Battery options: 430 Wh, removable; optional range extender: 210 Wh
- Speed levels: River, Breeze, Rocket (+boost function)
- Tightness: n. A.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+
The battery of the Fazua e-bike motor
At market launch, the Ride 60 will only be available with a 430 watt-hour battery. Compared to the Light class, this is a relatively large amount. At the same time, the Fazua battery remains compact and, at 2.2 kilos, also quite light. In direct comparison with the competition, e.g. from Specialised and ForestalHowever, this means an additional weight of around 400 grams for smaller batteries. The Fazua battery is available in two versions. One version is designed for classic removal from the down tube. The click system works without a spanner and makes removal very easy.
The second variant of the Fazua battery is designed for fixed installation in the down tube. This allows even lighter e-MTBs to be realised. Haibike has developed its Lyke SE this battery version is installed in the down tube in such a way that it can still be removed. Fazua is also rumoured to have a range extender. However, there are no details yet. The additional battery is due to come onto the market in 2023.
Ride feel and power delivery on the Fazua Ride 60
Activating Rocket mode on the Fazua Ride 60 definitely gives you the feeling of sitting on an e-bike. The thrust of the motor is lively and clearly noticeable. However, Fazua manages not to develop an unpleasantly intrusive feeling. Thanks to the progressive power delivery, you still have the feeling of sitting on a mountain bike and being able to regulate the speed using your own pedal pressure. The riding experience with the Ride 60 is sporty: if you pedal moderately, you are pushed naturally and in a well-dosed manner. The motor only accelerates with strong rider input, even at very high cadences. The modulation is really strong. However, the current software still has minor bugswhich negatively affect the driving experience in special situations.
Status 2022, before update package 007: There is a time delay before the engine power kicks in after the thrust has been briefly cancelled. It is also not very damped. This reduces control and feels rough. This is really annoying when you have to steer and react in a targeted manner when riding slowly, for example on a technical uphill, and you frequently stop pedalling. There is a similar problem with the boost function. By pressing and holding the button upwards, Ride 60 releases an extra 100 watts for 12 seconds. After these 12 seconds, however, the motor boost sometimes cuts out very briefly before continuing as normal. This disrupts the flow of the ride enormously. These bugs, as well as the much too slow push assist, should be fixed with the next major software update.
Speaking of the boost function: we initially ridiculed this gimmick as a marketing stunt. But there's more to it than that. The additional boost is clearly noticeable. When Boost is activated, you can climb steep ramps almost like a power bike. And in practice, the function can actually be used well after a short period of familiarisation. Whether for short steep sections or to take a short breather. Because in Boost mode, the full thrust is released even when pedalling lazily.
All bikes with Fazua Ride 60 E-MTB motor
The Fazua e-bike motor in the lab test
The extensive laboratory test confirms our positive impressions from practical experience. With a maximum output of 344 watts and a torque of 59 Newton metres, the Fazua Ride 60 is one of the absolute powerhouses in the light class. And that's not all: in boost mode, which can only be activated for a short time at a time, the drive actually packs another 100 watts on top. The test bench spits out 454 watts, which is significantly more than all other light motors. And with this value, the Ride 60 is even quite close to a classic Shimano EP8. Another realisation: Boost mode only increases the maximum power, not the maximum torque. Accordingly, this function only unfolds its effect from a cadence of around 50 rpm. Contrary to the basic characteristics of the Fazua Ride, the Boost pushes completely independently of the rider's input, which explains the moderate modulation in this mode. In the factory setting of Rocket mode, however, the power delivery is progressive. This means that the motor only releases a little power when the pedalling impulse is low. Full thrust is only available when pedalling harder. The absolutely balanced power curve is strong. Maximum power is available over a very wide speed range. Even at very high cadences above 110, we did not notice any drop in power.
The Fazua e-bike motor in continuous load operation
Enormous power in a small package! Can it work? After experiencing significant heat problems and derating under continuous load with another light motor, we were sceptical as to whether the small Ride 60 would be able to handle its considerable power over the long term. But the Ottobrunn jack-of-all-trades proved us wrong in the test and showed no weaknesses whatsoever. During our standardised test rides, the Fazua motor climbed the steep 410-metre ascent in Rocket mode quickly and without any loss of power. At the end of the climb, the extra power of the Boost function could also be activated. The external casing temperature never reached a critical level. In this mode, we climbed 1241 metres in altitude in a journey time of 51 minutes. Added to this were 92 metres in altitude and 8 minutes riding time in reduced mode on the last battery percentage. The rider data: Rider weight 89 kilos, 150 watts pedalling power, cadence 80 rpm. The vertical metres achieved and the good stability are absolutely remarkable for a light drive. The Fazua Ride 60 is therefore also suitable for slightly heavier riders, long climbs and anyone who likes to ride a light bike with a lot of motor thrust in the high modes.
Fazua Ride 60: The noise development
The drive noise of the Fazua Ride 60 is a real blessing. At least compared to the vast majority of other e-bike motors. The Ride 60 is definitely not noiseless and is perceptible in many riding situations. However, the background noise is at a very pleasant level. When riding on rough gravel, for example, the noise is completely drowned out by the ambient noise. In contrast to most other drives, the Ride 60 is characterised by a quiet whistling noise that is strongly linked to the cadence. Although this noise is not exactly pleasant, its volume is absolutely discreet. In direct comparison with the light drives from Orbea, Specialised, Forestal and Maxon, the Ride 60 is in a sound league of its own. All testers rated the Fazua drive as by far the quietest motor. We only rated the TQ HPR 50 as even quieter. Unfortunately, we were unable to ride both motors in a direct comparison, as TQ did not want to provide us with a bike to test.
The controls of the Fazua e-bike motor
The ring control is the weakest point of the new Ride 60 system. Ergonomically, everything fits, especially the inward push-assist pressure is a positive feature. However, the feel and operation of the wobbly plastic lever could be improved. The feedback when pushing is moderate, and the lever sometimes got stuck in the end position during the test. The LED hub displays the charge level (five LEDs) and U-level (four LED colours) in a minimalist way, and also conceals a USB-C charging socket.
The Fazua app is currently only used to fine-tune the support levels. It fulfils this function with flying colours. The schematic representation of the power curves makes setting the parameters easier to understand than with any other system. Another good feature is that any number of profiles can be created, and there are also various presets available for different applications. The Fazua app does not currently offer a dashboard or update functions. According to Fazua, however, these functions will follow.
- Fine adjustment of the U-steps
- Saving various profiles
- Selection from existing profiles
- Dashboard is under development
EMTB evaluation and measured values
- max. torque: 59 Nm
- Top performance: 344 W (boost function 454 W)
- Power: 6/6 points
- High cadence pull-through: 5.5/6 points
- Drive around 25 km/h: 5.5/6 points
- Motor sound: 5/6 points
- Control elements: 3/6 points
Test summary of the Fazua Ride 60 e-bike motor
"Fazua has achieved a great success with the Ride 60. Powerful, stable and long range with a low weight and smooth ride feel. The new Fazua Ride 60 is a real jack-of-all-trades. With its high performance, good stability and lively power delivery, it will not disappoint even power-orientated e-bikers looking for a lightweight system. Nevertheless, its weight and ride feel can fully keep up with the minimalists. It is also pleasantly quiet. With the relatively large 430 Wh battery, the range in the test comparison is also very strong, but there are no record weights with this power package."
More light drives in the test
The Fazua Ride 60 was tested as part of a major comparison of various lightweight e-bike motors. Our overview article including comparative values can be found here.
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
