Small battery, small reach height. Right? You won't find batteries with 500 watt hours on minimal assist bikes. So when test editor Christian Schleker rode three Minimal Assist e-bikes to the highest reach of all the test bikes in the current issue, despite their small batteries, we were quite astonished.
Levo SL, Rotwild R.X 375, Orbea Rise: Handling and reach?
We requested the Orbea Rise, Specialized Levo SL and Rotwild R.X 375 for a comparison test. The technical spearhead of the new minimal-assist category of e-mountainbikes was not only to prove itself against each other in the test, but also to clarify an even more important question: Does the promise of light e-bikes really materialise? Do they offer e-mountain bikers light-footed handling without any serious loss of reach?
It was clear from the outset that the rider and the motor power play a crucial role. Heavy e-mountain bikers who like to shoot up steep ramps with minimal effort are not the target group of the lightweight trail racers. However, if you are a sporty rider and not too heavy, you will be able to scrape up the 2000 metres in altitude even with a small battery.
The lower power of the minimal-assist drives in our test and thus the increased efficiency are the main reason for the unexpectedly good reach. Riders of the Levo SL (35 Nm, up to 240 watts) can easily switch to full throttle. On the other hand, bikes like the Rotwild R.X 375 with Shimano's normal EP8 drivetrain (85 Nm, up to 500 watts) configured to full power and only dropping your legs will come to a stop much sooner.
Online survey: Who can do without turbo mode?
The decisive factor for the success of minimal assist concepts is therefore the question: Are e-mountain bikers even prepared to do without the maximum support of conventional drive concepts? One Online survey should bring clarity. And once again, the results were surprising. 19 per cent of over 500 readers who took part in the survey could do without the turbo on their e-bike. However, 46 per cent said they could do without the turbo if the e-MTB was significantly better in other areas. For example, in terms of handling and weight. Just over a third of readers (34 per cent) "regularly and happily" use turbo mode.
The other survey parameters also show that performance is not everything. For example, the medium support mode is - unsurprisingly - the most frequently used (46 per cent). However, a full 41 per cent of readers even use their e-MTB predominantly in Eco mode. It is therefore hardly surprising that only 11 per cent of readers say they are hoping for more power in future generations of e-MTBs. Lightweight construction and efficiency are much more popular, with 22 per cent agreeing. However, classic drive concepts are still by far the most popular (68 per cent).
Minimal Assist: Not just for freaks
According to our survey, minimal-assist bikes are unlikely to completely replace classic e-MTBs. However, minimal-assist bikes are more than just a niche product for handling freaks. We estimate that 20-30 per cent of the survey participants could actually use fun minimal-assist bikes for their everyday touring without having to restrict themselves in any other way.
This is also confirmed by the question about the usage behaviour of the batteries, in which ten percent of readers state that they never run the battery empty, while 72 percent only reach the capacity limits of their energy storage devices on special tours or on holiday. Modular solutions such as Specialized's Levo SL or the Orbea Rise with Range Extender or small removable batteries such as the Rotwild R.X 375 could provide a remedy for such tours.
Whether minimal-assist bikes will be able to gain a significant market share in the future will be decided not least by the price. In any case, we are excited to see how the new e-MTB category develops.
By the way: With the Trek E-Caliber, the minimal-assist category is also diversifying again. Find out how the new race fully with Fazua drive performs in the test and whether trail bikes with a small motor are the better choice in EMTB 2/21 - in stores now.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
