The Swiss from Maxon consistently pursue the minimal approach: mini battery and moderate performance, resulting in the lowest system weight in our comparison test. If you want to build an e-bike that is as light as possible, the Maxon drive is a good choice. About a year ago, when we the trail bike from Transalpes through our test labAt 16.4 kilos, it was consequently the lightest E-Fully we have ever tested. We are pleased to report that Maxon has not been idle since then, but has been tinkering with the software of the e-bike drive bit by bit. In the meantime, the motor has increased in power and torque, which is pleasing. In a test comparison, however, it still ends up at the lower end of the light motor range. More of a tailwind than a striking e-bike boost.
The technical data: Maxon Bikedrive Air
- Motor weight: 2.02 kg
- Battery weight: 1.43 kg (250 Wh)
- Battery options: A range extender (250 Wh, 1.4 kg) will be available from February and a larger 360 Wh battery from summer 2023.
- Speed levels: 3
- Tightness: IP 5K5
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+ (LEV)
The battery of the Bikedrive Air e-bike motor
The Swiss drive system is currently only available with a very compact 250 Wh battery. And that is also the secret behind the very low system weight. At two kilos, the light e-bike motor is no lighter than a Fazua Ride 60, for example. All bikes we know of with the Maxon system have the battery permanently installed in the down tube. This fits in with the very minimalist and lightweight concept of the drive and maximises weight savings. However, longer tours with the small battery require a particularly economical riding style. Maxon has been announcing a range extender for some time. The additional battery with 250 watt hours should be available in spring 2023. Also announced: a larger battery with 360 watt hours will be available from summer 2023.
The bikes with Maxon Bikedrive Air motor
Ride feel and power delivery of the Maxon e-bike motor
The very sporty character of the Maxon Bikedrive Air light e-bike motor runs consistently through all areas. The assistance is very smooth, but requires a lot of effort from the rider. The drive doesn't like lazy pedalling and low cadences, but it really blossoms at a high cadence. This makes the ride feel really harmonious, very natural and lively. There is no classic e-bike feeling on board a Maxon e-MTB. Anyone who wants to be pushed up the mountain by the drive will be disappointed by the Bikedrive Air. If you want to get as close as possible to a classic bike, this is the right bike for you.
The Maxon e-bike motor in the lab test
Compared to our last test with the Bikedrive Air, Maxon has noticeably increased the performance with a software update - and the Swiss company promises even more power in the future. With a maximum of 245 watts, the power output is still at the lower end of the test field, but the Bikedrive Air can now compete with the Specialized SL 1.1. The explanation for the very sporty character: The maximum power is only available at a high cadence. Super: The Maxon Bikedrive Air keeps the power up to the highest cadences, which promotes the lively and sporty riding experience. The maximum torque is low at a maximum of 32 Newton metres in our lab test. The punch at low cadences and when starting off is correspondingly low.
The Maxon e-bike motor in continuous load operation
The Maxon lightweight is not a predestined shuttle service for effortlessly hoisting yourself up high mountains. If you love the turbo mode of a Bosch Performance CX motor, the Bikedrive Air is not for you. But precisely because the maximum power of the Bikedrive motor is not so massive, you will end up in the highest support level relatively often with this drive. This is especially true for heavy riders and steep climbs. And what does the minimum drive deliver when the maximum power is constantly called up? We have All light drives in our large comparison test underwent a standardised field test. With 150 watts of rider power, 89 kilos of rider weight and the highest support level, we repeatedly pushed the bikes up a steep 410 metre climb until the battery was empty. In this mode, our test bike climbed 924 metres in altitude in a riding time of 54 minutes. The drive handles the small 250 battery very efficiently. The average speed (8.9 km/h) landed at the back end of the light field, on a par with Specialized's SL 1.1 and the TQ HPR 50. Strong: Despite its extremely compact design and increased performance (compared to the previous software), the Maxon Bikedrive Air had no problems with excessive heat development. All in all, the Swiss e-bike motor makes efficient use of its small 250 cc battery.
For comparison: A Bosch Performance CX drive with Powertube 750 manages around 1950 metres in altitude with an average speed of 14.8 km/h and 71 minutes riding time under identical test conditions.
Maxon Bikedrive Air: The noise development
The drive noise of the Bikedrive Air is pleasantly quiet, but not as discreet as with Test leader Fazua and the even quieter TQ HPR 50. However, compared to classic motors, the motor sound of the Maxon e-bike drive represents a significant reduction in noise. Too bad: Due to the special freewheel, rough impacts elicit a very clear clacking noise from the motor on the descent. Compared to the Bosch and Shimano motors, the noise does not occur as frequently and only with more pronounced impacts. However, it is then significantly louder. According to Maxon, this phenomenon is heavily dependent on the setting and construction of the chassis.
The controls of the Maxon e-bike motor
We have never experienced a control unit on an E-MTB that is so compact and at the same time so crisp. Up and down, that's all the Maxon remote lever can do. However, the trigger fulfils this function to absolute perfection. The operation is extremely crisp and defined. The LED display on the top tube is just as minimalist. Three stripes for the U-levels, seven bars for the battery level. Simple, unobtrusive, clearly understandable: that's Swiss understatement. Looks high quality! However, you shouldn't expect an extensive information centre from the Maxon. However, you can use a bike computer or smartphone as an extended display.
The Bikedrive Connect app is like the entire Maxon system: simple and functional. The three riding modes can be set in the parameters maximum power, maximum assistance (based on low cadences) and in relation to the rider input. The app can also display detailed riding data including rider and motor performance in the dashboard.
- Fine adjustment of the U-steps
- Dashboard as extended display
- Battery display in per cent
EMTB evaluation and measured values
- max. torque: 32 Nm
- Top performance: 245 W
- Reach height: 924 hm
- Power: 3/6 points
- High cadence pull-through: 6/6 points
- Drive around 25 km/h: 5/6 points
- Engine sound: 3.5/6 points
- Control elements: 4.5/6 points
Test summary of the Maxon Bikedrive Air e-bike motor
Sporty, efficient and small minimal-assist drive with low weight. Anyone looking for a smooth tailwind rather than a striking e-bike boost will find what they are looking for here. With the small battery, this is clearly the lightest overall system - ideal for light, sporty bikes. The drive noise is pleasant, but the rattling on descents is very annoying. There is praise for the equally minimalist but very crisp controls.
More light drives in the test
The Maxon Bikedrive Air 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
