Although the new Maxon drive in the Transalpes E1 only offers minimal support, it finally puts an end to annoying motor noises. With the new silent runner, the 29-inch trail bike weighs just over 16 kilos - a true light eMTB. We tested the Transalpes:
Light tailwind uphill, natural mountain bike handling downhill. Ever since the introduction of the Specialized Levo SL, light e-MTBs have been inspiring sporty bikers with their handling, speed and riding fun. If only it weren't for the motor noise.
While classic e-MTBs can still be forgiven for the background noise against the backdrop of their blatant performance, riding noise is particularly annoying on light e-MTBs. The Mahle motor in the Levo SL is particularly noticeable here and, despite its low power output, is too present even at low support levels.
Transalpes E1: Small power, quiet motor
The E1 from Swiss bike manufacturer Transalpes fills this gap. Because anyone pedalling here with full support will be surprised in two ways. No whirring, no whistling - the motor does its work almost silently. Only if you listen very carefully can you hear the minimalist Maxon drive humming quietly.
The discreet support of the minimal-assist drive matches this. You have to do without the dynamic rubber band feeling of a fully-fledged E-MTB drive. The motor in the Transalpes E1 delivers a maximum of 30 Newton metres and 220 watts - even less than the Mahle in the Specialized Levo SL and not even half as much as the standard drives from Bosch, Shimano or Brose.
The Transalpes E1 at a glance
- Area of application: Trail
- Motor: Maxon Bikedrive Air
- Battery: 250 watt hours, permanently installed
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Suspension travel fore/aft: 140/130 millimetres
- Test bike price: 9200 euros
- Test bike weight: 16.4 kilograms (EMTB measured value)
Maxon Bikedrive Air with a maximum of 30 Newton metres
Ideally, minimal assist also means low weight. This is where the Maxon drive, called Bikedrive Air, scores points, which, according to the manufacturer, weighs just 3.5 kilograms including a small 250 watt-hour battery.
This brings our test bike in trail trim to a measured 16.4 kilograms. Also strong: the low Q-factor of the drive, which supports the natural feeling when pedalling. There is no noticeable difference to a motorless MTB.
You can find the entire test including all measurements, lab data and a detailed ride report in the test from EMTB 6/2021. You can download the test report as a PDF below the article. The test costs 1.49 euros.
Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in EMTB. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them, namely tens of thousands of euros every year.
You can obtain the EMTB conveniently in the Subscription, in our Online shop and as an app edition for Apple and Android.
Downloads:
Adrian Kaether
Editor
