The last decimal place on the digital scales jerks back and forth once or twice before levelling out at seven. 17.77 kilos. Never before has a full-blown e-MTB (Shimano Steps E8000 motor, 500 Wh battery, 150 millimetre suspension travel, size L) hung on our scales at such a low weight. The brand Quantor creates with its steam hammer Skyline a real exclamation mark. But is that even necessary? Is the weight of an E-MTB that important? How does such a lightweight bike ride?
Quantor's steam hammer comes with 150 millimetres of suspension travel at the front and rear, decent tyres and everything that e-mountain bikers need for off-road rides. It is powered by a Shimano E8000 motor and a classic 500 watt-hour battery. This lightweight bike is therefore not a cheat package with an economy motor or mini battery, but a fully-fledged e-mountainbike. How is that possible? Quantor digs deep into the tuning box and focusses fully on lightweight construction. The carbon frame is joined by carbon handlebars, a carbon telescopic seat post and wickedly expensive carbon wheels. Of course, this comes at a price. At 11795 euros, the high-end version of the Quantor Dampfhammer Skyline 12.9 is far beyond what the average e-biker wants to spend on their sports equipment. Nevertheless, we wanted to find out: Is the battle to shed the pounds worth it? How does an e-mountainbike ride that is over five (!) kilos lighter than its average competitors?
We asked Quantor to do battle with the Focus Jam2 Carbon SL, which is also extremely light. In EMTB 3/2018, you can read how the super-light trail bikes perform. The latest issue is available from newsagents now!
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
