Some manufacturers speak of slim bikes: they are design-heavy e-bikes that don't show the technology. They are light and minimalistic - but expensive. A driving report.
Berlin / Heidelberg (dpa / tmn) - There are electric mountain bikes or e-travel bikes for which range is very important. Although the developers sometimes make the batteries disappear in the frame, their energy content is so high that the down tubes are strikingly thick.
And there are e-bikes that focus on the look. They hide their electrical engineering almost invisibly.
A manufacturer that produces such bicycles and sees itself as a pioneer in this area is Coboc - one speaks of slim bikes at the company's headquarters in Heidelberg. The range includes electric everyday and commuter bikes or gravel bikes. Or the puristic model One eCycle F1 - whose everyday benefits are limited. But it has other qualities.
Stripped down electric bike of the bicycle courier scene
The intended use: As a so-called single-speed bike, the One eCycle F1 offers a fixed gear ratio and no further gears. The slimmed-down electric bike owes its basic equipment to the bicycle courier scene from which Coboc co-founder David Horsch comes. "You can get through the city quickly, stop, accelerate again," he says. "A courier would not buy the slim bike anyway." Because with numerous carbon parts and the engine, it is very expensive.
Horsch sees it more as a kind of design object, as some bicycle enthusiasts could hang on the wall and saddle up for an exit if the weather is right. "In the end, it's like a Porsche 911 - actually totally impractical, but awesome," he says.
Light series e-bike
The technology: at 10.8 kilograms depending on the frame size, the model is one of the lightest series e-bikes ever. Compared to the first edition in 2014, it slimmed down by 2.7 kilos - mainly because not only the fork, but also rims, handlebars, seat posts and cranks are now made from the lightweight carbon material.
The belt drive installed since the new edition also helped with the slimming down. It comes from the market leader Gates, weighs less than a chain drive and promises low maintenance and quiet operation. Because nothing has to be greased, the trouser legs stay clean.
Pedal support is provided by the 2.1 kg electric motor from system supplier Ansmann, which is unobtrusively attached to the rear wheel hub. Its average power for pedelecs is 250 watts (peak power: 500 watts).
The batteries from LG have a total energy content of 352 watt hours (Wh) and are permanently installed in the down tube of the aluminum frame. Charging takes a maximum of two hours. The range is given by Coboc at up to 100 kilometers - a good value based on the battery size, which is also thanks to the lightweight.
Curving around is fun, driving comfort falls flat
The driving impression: The "on" button is also hidden. It is attached at the front on the underside of the top tube, where the charging socket is located, which receives the magnetic connector of the charger. Once pressed, five diodes light up on the top of the tube when the cells are full and provide information about the battery charge. The rear engine works quietly and supports the crank movement, as is typical of the design, with a strong suit away from the spot if necessary.
You are up to 25 km / h in no time. If you want to be faster, you have to exert all your strength to get on with your legs - typical for pedelecs. Smooth running is not the strength of the bike, but agility and agility. A steep fork and the short wheelbase make turning around the first discipline. The driving comfort falls flat. Due to the concept, there are no spring elements, and the 25 millimeter narrow racing bike tires do not swallow anything - even the joints of neatly laid paving stones can clearly feel the wrists.
App with navigation function and driving profiles
Equipment, accessories, peripherals: A so-called ecosystem is now part of bicycles too - at least one app has long been standard for e-bikes, including the Coboc. Among other things, the program offers a navigation function and the driver can define two riding profiles that are stored on the bike. You can switch from one to the other by double-clicking the power button on the top tube.
There are three parameters: Under "Support level" in the app you can use the slider to set how sensitive the torque sensor reacts to the pressure that the driver applies to the pedals. Muscle strength is increased proportionally. The more "additional support" you choose, the more you get the feeling of an electronic tailwind.
A bell is screwed on, but otherwise the bike lacks a lot of what the law requires, especially lighting and any reflectors. Instead of the disc brakes common to e-bikes, rim brakes from TRP decelerate here. The braking effect is limited, especially in wet conditions.
Design bike has its price
The price: The price also fits the demands of a designer bike, which you can choose to hang on the wall like a work of art: You have to pay 5999 euros for it. The shipping is included. Test drives at specialist dealers can be organized via the website.
The conclusion: viewed from the sanity watch, the One eCycle F1 does not impose itself. But as an e-bike that is lighter than some unmotorized urban bikes, it certainly fascinates many cycling fans. The consistent purism limits the area of application to smooth asphalt. As with a sports car, the limited everyday benefits must really be worth the high price.