Four days of the BIKE Festival in Riva on Lake Garda are behind us. The editorial team was there to track down exciting new products, offer workshops and more. A total of 70,000 people celebrated a successful start to the season. Here are the e-MTB highlights from the festival.
New Bosch motor: prototype of a Swabian light drive?
The Swabian engine manufacturer has a very special exhibit at its Expo stand. The inconspicuous, black bike hangs on a scale that only shows 16.4 kilograms. The bottom bracket area of the exhibition bike does not look particularly slim, but at this weight it can hardly be a classic Performance CX drive with a normal battery size.
Nothing else could be elicited from the Bosch employees, but the direction of travel is clear: Bosch does not want to be left behind in the new light E-MTB segment. Our guess: Anyone who, like Bosch, is committed to uphill flow is unlikely to go the minimalist route with a light motor.
E-MTB-Challenge: scene get-together and trail fun for amateurs and pros
From an initially sceptical newcomer, the E-MTB Challenge in Riva, which has been held since 2017, has long since become a success story. Over 200 participants took part in 2023 and, guided only by a map, battled their way up the Sarca Valley to Dro. In addition to numerous amateurs, professional bikers such as Ines Thoma and Jérôme Clementz, technical aces Stefan Schlie and Stefan Herrmann and overall World Cup winner Mike Kluge also took part. In the end, the victories went to Ines Thoma and Konstantin Leonhard. We have summarised the highlights of the competition in the photo gallery below.
More about the BIKE Festival Garda Trentino 2023
New Fantic Rampage: Motorbike specialist shows Light E-MTB
The Italian bike manufacturer Fantic has been building motorbikes since 1968 and has made a name for itself in recent years, particularly with long-travel e-bikes. Now the company from Vicenza is presenting its first short-travel fully. The Fantic Rampage comes with a minimalist TQ drive and a sporty weight: despite the battery, which can be removed with a few tools, the top model 1.2 with 120 millimetres of travel is said to weigh just 15.5 kilograms. Those who value trail fun a little more will opt for the 1.4 with 140 millimetres of suspension travel.
Perfectly set up: Setup workshop with EMTB test manager Florentin Vesenbeckh
From the correct tyre pressure and the best saddle and cockpit settings to the suspension from SAG to rebound and compression damping. Only with the optimum setup can a modern E-MTB realise its full potential. At the BIKE Academy, EMTB test manager Florentin Vesenbeckh passes on his knowledge to interested readers and is on hand with help and advice. At the end, the setup was tested in practice on a short lap on the Brione.
New motor from Mavic: 1.2 kilograms & 50 Nm torque
Without studded tyres for the first time: At the Bike Festival in Riva, test manager Florentin Vesenbeckh and editor-in-chief Josh Welz had the opportunity to test ride the new motor from Mavic. The Mavic X-Tend is currently the lightest mid-motor ever: the French company claims it weighs 1.2 kilos. However, the motor was developed for road and gravel. Who knows, maybe it will also be used in mountain bikes one day? The compact round motor is currently still in prototype status.
Alutech eFanes: New with EP801 and new motor bridge
At the Alutech stand, welding legend and company boss Jürgen Schlender presents the new expansion stage of the eFan. Mechanics are delighted with the newly designed motor bridge. It prevents the cables from getting jammed in the notoriously tight space above the motor. There is also an upgrade to the new Shimano EP801. As usual with Alutech, the bikes can be customised. Prices start at 5999 euros.
Motors at Bafang: New power motor and Forestal drive in series production
The Chinese motor manufacturer, which supplies the hardware for the light drives from BH and Forestal, among others, presented two of its own new drives ready for series production in Riva. The M510 power motor is the successor to the M500. It is designed to deliver 95 Newton metres at a weight of just 2.9 kilograms. The M820 light motor is already familiar from Forestal bikes, but the drive will now also be available for other manufacturers. For a light drive, it delivers a fairly powerful 75 Newton metres and weighs 2.3 kilograms.
Experience new products up close: Test bikes from Cube, Nox, Pivot, Trek, Olympia, Thok, Rockrider and many more.
Whether the new Cube Stereo Hybrid 155Pivots Shuttle SL and LT or light bikes from Nox to Trek. At the Riva Bike Festival, the most exciting new products could be experienced at the Expo and also on the test trails on Monte Brione. Although it was a little hectic at times, the bikes and test laps were still able to impress many festival visitors in the end.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
