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Eight new e-bikes
Practical city runabout
With the new Qio brand, Hartje is adding its own compact pedelec to the company's portfolio. The small and practical city runabouts are becoming increasingly popular for good reason, as they offer tangible advantages in the urban environment. The bikes take up little space and can be parked almost anywhere to save space. If you fold the folding pedals and handlebars by 90 degrees, the pedelec is only around 35 centimetres wide. The aluminium frame of the Miniflitzer is extremely rigid, making the Qio a stable and safe ride >> available here.
The disadvantage of the stiff frame combination with rigid fork and 20-inch wheels: Despite the parallelogram seat post and 60 millimetre wide Schwalbe tyres, the Qio only offers average comfort. On the other hand, Bosch's Performance Line motor helps the agile compact pedelec, which weighs a good 27 kilos, to achieve high riding dynamics. Together with the Gates belt instead of a chain and the continuously variable Enviolo gear hub, the drivetrain is virtually silent and low-maintenance. The pedelec is impeccably finished, with all cables and wires running inside the frame tubes. All in all, the Qio is a successful city runabout with fun potential and high utility value.
Unisex all-rounder
With the Supreme, Cube is launching a new wave frame model for the 2022 cycling season. The pedelec is trimmed for riding comfort and low maintenance. A high-quality air suspension fork, together with the parallelogram seatpost, smoothes out bumps in the road, while the drivetrain consists of a Bosch Performance Line motor, Intuvia display, Nexus 8-speed hub and Gates carbon belt instead of a chain. A Shimano disc brake system completes the low-maintenance equipment. Cube has fitted the pedelec with a 625 Wh battery integrated into the centre tube so that it rarely needs to be plugged in. This makes the Supreme a suitable unisex all-rounder for everyday use.
Semi-Gravel
In the search for new bike categories, manufacturers sometimes let their imagination run wild. The Hercules Edison, for example, wants to be a unisex wave frame tourer and a step-through gravel bike at the same time. The bike could trigger heated discussions about the sense and nonsense of such a combination. Nevertheless, the Edison is a bold design with niche potential. And in order to increase the number of units of the semi-gravel bike to worthwhile levels, the pedelec is also available in a diamond frame version. As such, it is likely to provoke far less discussion. Both models are identically equipped and appropriately motorised with Shimano's high-end EP8 drive. The rear derailleur and braking system come from Shimano's gravel bike range.
Light transporter #1
With tilting technology and an elastomer suspension element in the front axle, the compact cargo bike rides safely and smoothly. A powerful electric drive and the electronically shiftable 5-speed hub with automatic function ensure a comfortable ride. The Chike is available with a child body or with a transport platform for up to four 40 x 30 cm Euroboxes. The platform can be upgraded to a transport box with a capacity of 210 litres.
One for all
29-inch wheels and plus tyres as well as the fork with 120 millimetres of travel make the new Flyer Goroc 2 fit for almost any terrain. Incidentally, Flyer also uses the same frame for the Uproc2 hardtail. With mudguards, lighting system, pannier rack and bike stand, the Goroc2 is fully roadworthy. The new Panasonic GX Ultimate Pro FIT motor with 95 Nm torque gives the Flyer a good dose of dynamism, and 750 Wh of energy in the frame-integrated battery ensures a long range. The display and mobile phone app are also new. >> available here.
With its unisex frame and full suspension, the Victoria is recommended as an all-round SUV for the whole family. The full-suspension chassis of the four-bar bike has 100 millimetres of suspension travel and the central Edge LOR-8 shock absorber is integrated almost invisibly into the seat tube. There are initially two models of the eParcours. Both have a powerful Bosch Performance CX in the frame node, the 625 Wh Powertube battery is integrated into the centre tube and a Bosch Smarthub display on the handlebars provides information on the most important riding data. The display can be expanded using a smartphone and the Cobi app.
Urbanauts
With the E-Backroad, Rose has created a platform for four very different pedelec models. The bike is available, each specially equipped, as a flatbar fitness bike, a tourer, a gravel bike and a city bike. The Urban model is fully equipped for road use and has a Wingee mudguard set including luggage racks to protect it from moisture and dirt and for light transport tasks. Shimano's most powerful drive should make the Urban a very dynamic city runabout >> available here.
Fans of minimalist design will find the Arthur a successful combination of classic bike looks and contemporary, high-quality technology. The Mahle hub motor with 40 Nm torque sits inconspicuously in the rear wheel and is powered by a 250 Wh battery in the down tube. The virtually maintenance-free Pinion bottom bracket gearbox is available with six or nine gears. Alfine disc brakes from Shimano and a Gates carbon belt instead of a chain complete the high-quality equipment.
Eight new bikes
Gravel-inspired
The topic of gravel bikes is and will remain hot in 2022. Manufacturers are not stopping at strict sports bikes. They are increasingly transferring gravel-specific concepts and technology into sporty bike variants with a gravel flavour that are suitable for everyday use. Focus has three versions of the Atlas model in its programme: as a naked gravel athlete and as a touring bike suitable for everyday use, sometimes with racing handlebars and sometimes with straight handlebars. The Atlas 6.7 EQP comes with an aluminium frame, carbon fork, thru axles, racing handlebars, GRX 2x10 gears, lights, rack, parking support and mudguards. >> available here.
City runabout
The Strada series is derived from the racing bike and is only minimally softened by straight handlebars. Last year, the more affordable Strada 800 received a lot of positive feedback with its touring equipment suitable for everyday use. In 2022, the top-of-the-range 1000 model will therefore also be upgraded with mudguards and a high-quality dynamo lighting system for fast city tours. With a new, lighter aluminium fork, thru axles, 2x11 Ultegra gears and supple Grand Prix Urban tyres from Conti, Stevens is aiming for an ambitious target weight of around ten kilos for medium frame sizes.
Beautifully sustainable
Cube's best-selling Kathmandu gets a brand new frame design with thru axles. The integrated pannier rack design has been made more appealing, is supposed to be even stiffer and integrates the rear mudguard more elegantly into the frame. The SL model also features more sustainably produced components such as saddle, tyres, mudguards and headlights made from more easily degradable plastics. The Kathmandu is available in three versions Pro, EXC and SL available.
Gearbox athlete
With a new aluminium fork, the 2022 P18 only weighs around 14 kilos (for a medium-sized bike). This is a very respectable target weight for a bike suitable for everyday use with an 18-speed Pinion gearbox, dynamo light, rack and mudguards. The P18 is sportily tuned, its new fork comes with a tapered steerer tube, thru-axle and 3-way thread for bikepacking racks or lowriders at the front.
Light transporter #2
This new design is both a cargo and city bike: when unfolded, the transporter unfolds to a length of 2.75 metres. A cargo basket with a surface area of 40 x 60 cm and a load capacity of up to 80 kilos makes the filigree tubular steel frame an uncomplicated transporter for everyday use. When folded, the folding bike is not much bigger than a normal bicycle. The clever 2in1 bike is also available with electric front-wheel drive and various hub gears for an extra charge.
Street sweeper
The 40-millimetre tyres are ideal all-rounders: they run safely and quickly on or off the tarmac. This makes the lightweight SL Road a sparring partner for ambitious bikers who prefer straight handlebars. The high-quality carbon frame is prepared for the attachment of mudguards, pannier rack and rear kickstand. An equipped version of the SL Road is the sister model Race FE with an aluminium frame.
Fe is the abbreviation for the element iron. Contoura names its models strictly according to the frame material. The steel frame randonneur is designed for demanding everyday and touring use. The typical gravel gear system offers a wide range of gears; racks, mudguards, parking support and a lighting system make the bike usable all year round. For individualists, Contoura offers a choice of 15 colours in gloss or matt for the frame and fork.
VSF is celebrating its 35th anniversary with the new GX series. The first edition is limited to 50 units and offers the finest technology: a hand-built frame/fork set made from Columbus tubes with the necessary threaded eyelets, lightweight Ritchey components, the Ekar gravel gears tuned for off-road use and Shamal wheels from Campagnolo. The luxury version is to be followed by a series of more affordable GX models in 2022.
New accessories
The eco helmet
There is currently no more sustainable way to produce a bicycle helmet. At least that's what the inventors of the Model Idol from German helmet and eyewear specialist Alpina. The specifications certainly read promisingly: made in Germany, a hard shell based on vegetable oils, straps and ventilation mechanism made from recycled plastic, which is obtained from old PET bottles and textile waste. The inlay is an eco-pad made from recycled yarn. Alpina has never produced a helmet with lower CO2 emissions. The new model is primarily aimed at urban cyclists, as can be seen from its weight of 420 grams. It will be interesting to see how sustainable production is applied to other helmet models in the future.
Bikepacker
The big players in the outdoor market have also recognised the continuing trend towards bikepacking. That's why Jack Wolfskin is launching its own bikepacking range for the coming season. Bag collection for the bike. The range includes five containers of different sizes, from handlebar and top tube bags to frame and pannier rack bags, not forgetting the seat bag for the seat tube. The bikepacking series is made from the extremely robust, waterproof ARMATECH PLUS 600D RE material made from recycled polyester fibres with additional reinforcements in particularly stressed areas. A plus: all bags are fitted with large reflectors for greater safety.
Finest carcass
Schwalbe's G-One R is intended to take the contradictory but equally desirable characteristics of a gravel tyre to a new, high level: light and supple to save power, high damping for more riding comfort and high puncture resistance to protect against defects. The special carcass technology, which is new for a gravel tyre, borrows from the top racing tyre Pro One. The G-One R is designed for 60 per cent gravel and 40 per cent road and has been available since June 2021.
Cycling poncho
The Poncho Oslo Urban has all the features of a high-quality cycling poncho, but with the important difference that the sleeves make it a little easier to move around in. Well thought-out details include the hood, which also extends over the bike helmet, and small loops to attach the poncho to the handlebars while riding. Also: no shoulder and side seams to prevent chafing.
Sneakers
The Protective brand, known for its sporty cycling textiles, is now also venturing into its own small cycling shoe collection. In addition to gravel bike shoes, this includes chic flat pedal sneakers as well as the stylish All-round model P-Bounce with twist lock, Vibram sole and SPD click option. Weighing 400 grams in size 43, the P-Bounce is available in men's and women's versions.
Let there be high beam!
Supernova is consistently fighting the battle against darkness. The innovative light developers from Freiburg have invested a lot of time and energy, including electrical energy of course, in their latest project: the M99 DY PRO is the first bicycle headlight for dynamo operation that can handle low beam and, at the touch of a button, high beam and is StVZO-approved. The key technology is the in-house 11-LED matrix and the 99-piece reflector. Another challenge was to utilise the variable voltage of a hub dynamo using control electronics. The facts: Daytime running light with sensor, low beam, high beam, 200 lux brightness, approx. 125 grams.
Mini slider
They are visually unobtrusive, lightweight and quiet, making them the perfect match for lightweight, stylish urban bikes. Small rear hub motors are also the first choice for gravel pedelecs. The drives consume very little energy and therefore manage with smaller batteries. As a result, designers of trendy style bikes can also accommodate the energy sources inconspicuously in filigree frame tubes.
Infotainment
Displays from motor and third-party manufacturers are becoming increasingly intelligent. Bosch's compact Nyon display provides full offline navigation on its 3.2-inch colour touchscreen in addition to riding and fitness information. Third-party manufacturers such as Garmin offer a wealth of instruments with great information content. Some drives (Yamaha, Fazua) can be connected to the instruments via Bluetooth and transmit data. If the motor controller supports the open Ant+ LEV wireless standard (Specialised, Giant), compatible bike computers such as the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus can even display drive-specific data such as battery charge level, remaining range, power or cadence.
