One thing is clear: with a price tag of almost 6000 euros and a classy carbon frame, the Simplon Chenoa :e is clearly in the premium league. Nevertheless, we wanted to include the bike in our test of e-trekking bikes with the new Bosch motor and thus also answer the question: What are the benefits of a carbon frame for touring cyclists?
Like most bikes in this class, the Chenoa :e has been redesigned for the new Bosch motor. Instead of leaning towards an SUV, Simplon has opted for a more classic trekking concept. A maximum of 54 millimetre wide tyres fit in the frame and the geometry is based on the golden rule of 71/73 degrees for the steering and seat angle.
In terms of equipment, our test bike is the absolute basic version with the exception of the brakes, which means that Simplon no longer has to make any compromises. The scales came to a standstill at just 22.4 kilos. For a trekking e-bike with full motor power and a removable battery, this is a real top value.
The facts about the Simplon Chenoa :e High Essential
- Price: 5894 Euro
- Bike category: E-Trekking
- Motor: Bosch CX, 85 Nm max. torque
- Battery: 600 Wh (removable)
- Display: Intuvia 100
- Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Frame shapes: Wave, Diamond
- Weight: 22.4 kg
- Permissible total weight: 140 kg
- Guarantee on frames: 6 years
- Special features: Carbon frame, equipment extensively customisable in the configurator
Quiet and sensitive: Bosch's new CX motor
The Simplon Chenoa is equipped with the new Performance Line CX from Bosch. A real top motor, developed for sporty e-mountainbikes. However, touring riders also benefit from the sensitive response behaviour and high dynamics of the CX. Particularly nice: the motor is really quiet for a unit in the 85 Nm class.
The pedalling resistance above 25 km/h and with the motor switched off is lower than with any other classic e-drive. The range is impressive, even with a 600-cell battery. With medium support on classic tours, 75 kilometres is no big problem. If you pedal a lot yourself in Eco mode, you can easily go even further.
The features of the Chenoa :e Essential
The durable 6000 cue gears from Shimano offers a decent range and the branded headlight has a pleasantly wide beam. With the rigid carbon fork, the purist carrier and the 600 battery, the Simplon is easy to assemble. Simplon's big advantage: the in-house configurator allows you to customise the equipment to suit your own preferences. Suspension fork, handlebars, brakes or even a dual-battery system are on the options list.
- Circuit: Shimano Cues U6000 (10-speed)
- Translation: 38 / 11 - 48 teeth
- Brakes: Shimano cues (four-piston)
- Tyres: Schwalbe Marathon Mondial, 50 mm
- Lighting system f. /h.: Busch und Müller Briq S 60 Lux / Busch und Müller integrated
- Luggage carrier: Carl & Marta, 18 kg
- Fork: Simplon F10.5
Carbon on a trekking bike: pros & cons
In addition to the rigid fork and the slightly smaller battery with 600 watt hours, the high-quality carbon chassis is primarily responsible for the low weight of the Chenoa :e. However, the high-end fibre is considered vulnerable. So is carbon the right choice for a trekking e-bike?
That depends, of course. But modern carbon is more robust than its image. Only strong pressure on the tubes or hard blows to the material can pose any danger to carbon at all. If you always place the bike carefully against the support posts and tighten the clamps on the wheel carrier with feeling, you have nothing to fear.
Simplon offers a six-year warranty on the frame. However, the well-made bike should easily still be in good shape even after three times as long. The battery and motor limit the half-life considerably more.
Practical test: How the Simplon Chenoa rides :e
The Simplon Chenoa :e is really light for an e-trekking bike. 28 kilos and more are not uncommon in this bike category. The Simplon weighs almost six kilos less. This is noticeable when riding in its low inertia and direct handling.
The advantage becomes even clearer when you have to lift or load the bike. Here, the Simplon is much easier to handle than e-trekking bikes weighing 26 to 28 kilos. A good compromise on the way to real light e-bikes, which then have to make do with reduced motor power.
A bit of a shame: some of the sporty potential of the Simplon is lost in the heavily offset handlebars. Here, as with the simple display, the configurator provides an optional remedy. With slightly narrower tyres, the Simplon is not the most comfortable bike, but the rigid fork is no disadvantage at all, especially compared to the cheaper suspension forks of the competition.
In fact, we think that many more trekking bikes should go back to rigid forks. They are lighter, require hardly any maintenance and are more durable. Riding comfort can also be achieved with tyres that are as thick as possible and an adjusted tyre pressure of 2 to 2.5 bar.
However, the otherwise very successful Simplon does have one disadvantage: the carrier with the asymmetrical struts does not fit every pannier bag and does not offer a spring clip. The weight allowance of 18 kilograms is also rather spartan. This makes the Chenoa :e a good partner for commuting and touring. However, it's better to transport large purchases in a different way.
MYBIKE review of the Simplon Chenoa :e
Strengths
- Good equipment and workmanship
- Really light thanks to carbon frame and rigid fork
- Sporty, versatile geometry
Weaknesses
- Relatively narrow tyres
- Low load on the luggage carrier
- expensive
The MYBIKE conclusion
With the Chenoa :e, Simplon presents a pleasantly light tourer with plenty of sporty potential. A clear favourite when it comes to riding fun, but even more would have been possible with straighter handlebars and a more comfortable saddle. However, the bike is less of a good-natured pack mule. The high-quality finish and the carbon frame also make for a significantly higher price. - Adrian Kaether, Test Manager MYBIKE
Adrian Kaether
Editor
