Dutch bikes are a thing of the past. Modern step-through bikes are not only technically up to date. Their clear frame lines with generously dimensioned centre tubes appeal to men and women alike. They are ideal family vehicles, the upright seating position and the low step-through seat make them the perfect vehicle for the daily trip between home, work and the supermarket. Many models are even well equipped for longer trips, and their motors significantly extend the range of use and the dynamics of the bikes. It is not without reason that pedelecs with low step-through frames, for which resourceful marketing strategists have created the supposedly much more chic term "wave frame", are still at the top of the sales rankings.
The Wave frames of city pedelecs have become significantly stiffer and therefore safer
It is pleasing to note that the frames of pedelecs have become significantly stiffer and therefore safer in recent years. None of our test bikes were characterised by unstable riding characteristics. In this test, there were no torsion-prone frames with a front end that could lead to dangerous fluttering of the handlebars. The new Powertube battery from Bosch indirectly supports this trend. A voluminous centre tube with a rectangular profile is needed to conceal it in the frame. Properly integrated into the frame composite, this can significantly increase stability. The KTM has done this well, with its classic frame with low step-through being the stiffest in the test after the Elby S1. In general, the safety level of the pedelecs is pleasingly high, even on the cheaper bikes.
Depending on the price range, the bikes are equipped with powerful disc brakes or hydraulic rim brakes, which can safely stop the bikes even with a lot of weight on the pannier rack when riding fast. All lighting systems are powered by the bike's battery. This means that the bikes are clearly visible to other road users in twilight and at night, even during longer periods of standstill. Handlebars and stems are stable throughout and adjustable in height. This allows the riding position to be adjusted to personal preferences. The bikes show clearer differences in terms of equipment.
Low-maintenance hub gears are the first choice for city bikes
For our test, we deliberately focussed on pedelecs with hub gears. The low-maintenance gears offer a sufficiently wide range of gear ratios for the city, making them the first choice for city bikes. Six of our eight step-through bikes are equipped with Shimano's Nexus 8 gears, while the Kreidler and Qwic even have the still popular coaster brake. The fact that the hub only shifts gears promptly when the pedals are briefly released during the shifting process takes some getting used to, but is not a quality defect. This effect is particularly pronounced on bikes with a Bosch drive, as the motors do not automatically reduce their power when shifting. Kalkhoff and Qwic get on best with the Nexus hub; their drive systems have an automatic gearshift interruption, which makes shifting much easier ...
