Fazua Ride 60 Proves E-MTB Qualities for the First Time in the Haibike Lyke
A good five months have passed since Fazua presented its second drive, the Ride 60. At the premiere in April, model series from RieseMüller and Canyon were to be seen, which equipped urban ebikes with it. At the Eurobike in July, Velo de Ville followed suit, also with bikes whose playground is the urban traffic. But there is much greater potential in the Fazua Ride 60. Haibike is now proving this with its first light e-MTB called Lyke.
Some of you may be surprised by this news. After all, for years Haibike’s e-mountain bikes were supposed to convey one message above all others: We deliver endless power. Gladly paired with massive frame constructions and flashy colours. With the Lyke, the manufacturer is not doing a U-turn. Rather, it is sailing into previously unknown waters and expanding its very own map of the world, to stay in sailing language for a moment.
Only the beginning?
According to reports, the manufacturer considers the integration of the drive and the opening of a whole new segment to be a step that could be followed by others in the future. He is deliberately targeting people who appreciate the sporty appeal of cycling. Who perhaps still ride a conventional bike, but at the same time think about an ebike from time to time, but can’t really get used to the idea of buying one. Because ebikes seem too clunky to them. Because they don’t want to propel 25 kilograms. Especially not if the battery runs out unexpectedly early. Because riding an ebike often requires so much more than just getting on the bike and going.
Fun on big wheels
The Lyke is designed to dispel such concerns. Haibike plays the fun card. What is meant, of course, is riding fun. And the fun object is a light, agile trail bike that brings the advantages of electric assistance to bear at precisely the moments when they are most in demand. Before and after that, you are welcome to get the impression that you are riding your previous bio-bike.
Based on such preliminary considerations, Haibike designed a frame made of carbon, geared it to suspension elements with a travel of 140 millimetres front and rear and set it on 29-inch wheels. A steep seat angle of 77.3 degrees and a fairly flat head angle of 65 degrees provide a modern compromise between downhill and uphill riding. And of course, the Haibike-typical double kink in the top tube is not to be missed.
Everyday usability more important than record weight
In order for more people to actually consider switching to an ebike, the manufacturer really wanted to make it easier for them to charge the battery. From his point of view, it is crucial for many people not to have to carry the ebike to the socket, but to be able to connect the battery at the place of their choice. As soon as an ebike is to be taken on a trip together with the car, convenient removal of the energy storage unit is also an advantage.
Haibike has even subordinated the ultimate reduction of the total weight to this goal. A completely fixed battery would have reduced the weight of the frame even further. So now there is an opening near the bottom bracket through which the battery can be pulled out. But wait – isn’t the mid-mounted motor in the way? Yes, normally it would. But the combination of the special shape of the Fazua Ride 60’s drive unit and Haibike’s ingenuity prevent this collision.
Skilful turning
The manufacturer has simply rotated the motor for integration. A look at the history shows that he has already done the same with other motors on other ebikes. Just not as extreme as in this case. The majority of the motor protrudes into the seat tube inside the frame at an angle of around 90 degrees. This clears the way in the down tube for the battery. Fittingly, it slides almost to the end of the down tube. The low position of the motor and battery makes for a great balance of the bike. This results in longer contact with the ground while riding as well as extremely agile and manoeuvrable handling. The skid plate mounted below the bottom bracket basically only protects the opening for battery removal, but not the motor at all. The motor is almost completely enclosed by the frame. At the end of all this fiddling, the total weight of the top model of the Lyke is around 18 kilograms.
In the course of developing this new bike, Haibike also took a fresh look at the kinematics. The result is the abandonment of a classic four-bar linkage in the sense that the manufacturer had mostly used in the past. Instead, the Lyke’s shock is attached to the top tube via an adapter. This has proven itself for years with competitors such as Specialized, Trek and many others.
Technology that pays off
The actual equipment of all three models, Lyke SE, Lyke 11 and Lyke 10, is of a very high quality. A complete damping system from Fox with Kashima coating is one of the reasons why the price of the top model Lyke SE climbs to a hefty 9,999 euros. Brake and shifting components from Shimano’s noble XTR groupset as well as a wheelset with carbon rims and the Transfer Factory dropper seatpost from Fox contribute just as much.
Those who are willing to invest so much get to enjoy an absolutely convincing riding experience on the trail in return. The torque of 60 Newton metres and the three available support levels prove to be very well balanced. Whether you want to emphasise the ebike side of the Lyke or its proximity to a regular trail bike is entirely up to you. You can really go for it, let your lungs burn with the minimum support level and reminisce about the old days. Or you can build up so much momentum in Rocket mode that, primarily uphill, things suddenly become possible that were previously beyond the realm of the rideable. Downhill, every pre-setting becomes more or less irrelevant. You hardly feel the few kilograms that distinguish the Lyke from a comparable conventional trail mountain bike. Instead, it becomes clear how successfully the existing masses are distributed.
Less is more
During our test ride, we were positively surprised by how well the minimalist operating concept of the Fazua Ride 60 with the almost invisible ring control on the handlebar and the LED hub embedded in the top tube works in practice. The remote in particular rightly deserves to be called intuitive. Press up once and you’ll reach the next higher support level. Press down once and the motor reduces accordingly. Not having to fiddle with the top tube during the ride is worth its weight in gold. After several metres of ascent, just one LED of the battery indicator goes out at the end of the ride. The Ride 60 is not particularly energy-consuming. Accordingly, the 430 watt hours of the battery should be sufficient for everyday use. If you want to play it safe, you can use a range extender with 210 additional watt-hours. Haibike offers this as a plug-and-play solution in the now quite widespread form that fits into an ordinary bottle cage.
Haibike E-Bikes Brand Review
Haibike is a bicycle company that stands for innovation and power whose motto says, “We are ePerformance.” The company believes that cycling should be a part of everyone’s life due to its many benefits, such as ease of commute and good fitness.
The success story of Haibike started in 1995 when it was founded by Susanne and Felix Puello in the small city of Schweinfurt, Germany. It started out as a child company of a bigger brand known as Winora. Over the years, Haibike became a brand in itself and produced many innovative models.
You might find many e-bike companies today, but Haibike shines a different color due to a revolutionary change it brought to the sports bikes world. In 2010, the company produced the famous Haibike eQ XDURO, the forefather of what later popularized electric mountain bikes or e-MTBs for short.
Overview Of Haibike Electric Bikes
The Haibike Bikes was founded in Schweinfurt Germany by two ambitious people, it started as a child company but soon grew into an independent company.
The company’s goal is to create e-bikes that are comfortable, stylish, accessible, and high-performing. With over 50 e-bike models, Haibike certainly has an electric saddle ready for you to sit on.
Their wide variety of top-class products also exude expertise in terms of sales. The business concept of Haibike is based on specialist retailers, which means that they only sell their products through consultants that can answer any and all questions you might have.
They believe you shouldn’t buy something without having the chance to test it first, which is why they have a test drive policy in place. Customers can take their models out for a ride and have a taste of the Haibike experience to help them choose the right model.
With the launch of their first e-bike XDURO model in 2010, Haibike opened a new door in the realm of bike sports. An upgrade on the mountain bike sports, e-MTB joined the ring with a huge audience. They were the first and sole supporters of such e-bike concepts, and their dedication was surely rewarded.
The company has made a name for itself with excellent quality and premium motors.
Instead of just jamming in every new motor, Haibike makes sure that every problem big or small is solved when they optimize their bikes. An assurance of quality for years to come.
What We Like About Haibike
Haibike Bikes are built durable and fast for a long-lasting e-mtb that can traverse through tough roads and trails.
Haibike, without a doubt, is one of the leading and most prominent brands of electronic bikes out there. Due to its revolutionary role in creating e-MTB sports, it will always be remembered as such.
They have a commendable collection of models that cater to all sorts of tastes and choices, but it is the rule of nature that nothing is perfect. Hence here are some things that we adore and some that we shouldn’t ignore about Haibike.
Likes:
- Haibike offers a wide range of affordability, with their models starting at 2500 and going up to 10,000.
- Haibike has a huge collection with over 50 models. You will most likely find a model that is the perfect fit for you with their test drive policy.
- Being the consecutive winner of various design awards for 10 years, Haibike holds some of the most stylish and unique e-bikes in its collection. You won’t be disappointed!
- Haibike has a strict policy on only selling its products through authorized dealers, who will answer all your expert queries, fulfill special requests, and service your new e-bike.
- If you look up reviews about Haibike, you will always find positive opinions of people who own and have used the bike for thousands of miles. Haibike’s huge fan base led to its best e-MTB brand award in 2018.
- With their 14-day free trial, you can take your time to test the bike you wanted and if you feel it is lacking. You can return it with a full money-back guarantee.
- Haibike’s e-bikes are the choice of many elite mountain bike professionals like Sabine Spitz, Maximilian Semsch, Andi Wittmann, and Sam Pilgrim.
Points To Consider:
- Though they have a return policy to make up for any loss, some older models have been reported to have questionable issues, like slippery pedals and faulty motors.
- Some models have also been reported to have non-durable paint.
- If you feel that some designs are not for you, make sure to look at their whole collection to find a perfect fit for you.
Popular Haibike Models
Haibike Bikes uses high-quality materials for their e-bikes for strong and reliable frames to withstand tough roads.
Haibike has a commendable and promising collection of e-bikes. As the pioneering producer of sporty e-bikes, Haibike provides some of the most appealing and popular e-bikes out there.
Leading the industry as a premium brand, they offer compelling models starting at 2,500 up to a massive 10,000. Their portfolio includes professional trail, trekking, and mountain e-bikes. Here are five of the most popular and best-selling models of Haibike’s e-bikes.
- Haibike AllMtn 5 Electric Mountain Bike– MSRP: 6,800 – Next up for the people who live, breathe, and eat biking is the AllMtn 5. The AllMtn 5 is equipped with a Bosch Performance CX GEN4 250 W Motor providing 85 Nm of torque to keep you ahead of the race on all tracks and trails. The bike is notable for its long-time performance and efficiency on mountain trails.
- Haibike AllMtn 3 Electric Mountain Bike– MSRP: 5,800 – The AllMTN 3 is similar to the more expensive AllMTN 5 model, with a few noticeable differences. They have the same Bosch electronics, but the AllMTN 5 has slightly better suspension, brakes, and drivetrain, which is why it is 1,000 more expensive.
- Haibike SDURO Trekking 1.0 – Bosch Electric Bike 2021– MSRP: 2,770 – The SDURO Trekking 1.0 is an excellent choice for those who want to get to work quicker than by car or perhaps want to burn some calories off to stay fit as a fiddle. It’s one of the budget premium models on Haibike’s portfolio. You can carry some luggage with you on a ride and it sails smoothly on both on-road and light off-road expeditions.
- Haibike XDURO All Mountain 8.0.Electric Bike 2021– MSRP: 8,750 – From the mainline of the professional e-MTB collection of Haibike, the latest XDURO All Mountain 8 2021 model is an upgrade from its predecessor with a FOCUS on its pure trail ePerformance. Equipped with the latest Flyon ePerformance system, the bike comes with a 120 Nm motor and a 630 Wh FLYON battery.
- Haibike XDURO Nduro 5.0 – Electric Bike 2020– MSRP: 7,610 – For those who love to take their bikes on all sorts of trails, rough grounds, and hills, the XDURO Nduro 5.0 comes to the rescue. Equipped with the latest Haibike Flayon ePerformance system, a 120 Nm motor, and 630 Wh integrated battery, this bike takes the lead in all sectors. The stealthy and silent motor still manages to produce enough torque to make a ride uphill feel like one on a straight path.
Haibike Classes, Motors, And Batteries
Haibike Bikes e-bikes uses powerful motors and suspension for smoother travel on rugged terrains and mountains.
Haibike is the originator of e-MTB sports. It is the forefather of sporty e-bikes. With a century’s worth of experience and techniques from its parent company Winora, Haibike has excelled greatly in this industry and then some.
This groundbreaking top producer is the choice of many professional mountain bikers and has been the consecutive recipient of multiple awards for design, innovation, and performance for a decade. In 2018, it was awarded the title of the best e-MTB brand of the year.
Speaking of performance, Haibike e-bikes were the first to sport a 120 nm torque motor with their Flyon series. Their innovative and confident approach towards their product line has produced incredible models that are loved by professionals and fans all over the world.
To power these top-class motors, they have now integrated the new and more efficient Yamaha batteries in their e-bikes, which have exponentially elevated the performance and mileage of their e-bikes.
Class, performance, and a great hard-earned success story—Haibike has it all.
You Might Also Ask
We tried to answer almost all the questions that you might need to ask before deciding to buy an e-bike from Haibike. However, some questions may have gone under the radar, so here are some answers to service-related FAQs just for you.
Haibike accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, and installment agreements through Klarna.
Haibike processes most refunds within two business days from when the returned item is received back at their warehouse. Your financial institution’s policies determine the refund posting on your account after that.
Many replacement parts can be purchased directly at any local bike shop. Your local dealer can support any of your needs. If you have questions, connect with Haibike’s bike experts via the Contact Us form on their site. You can also give them a call at 888-600-3156.
Haibike bikes purchased on HaibikeUSA.com are currently not available for international shipping.
Bottom line—Who Are Haibike E-Bikes For?
Haibike Bikes e-bikes are suitable for mountain bikers and trailers, as their e-bikes are designed and built for mountain biking.
Haibike electric bikes are built for everyone who can spare an extra hundred bucks for a premium ride. This company created the world’s first commercial sporty e-bike and opened the doors to a whole new Olympic sport, e-MTB sports.
They are the go-to choice of many professionals and die-hard mountain biking fans, all of which are catered to very well. With high-end e-bikes ranging from 2,500 to an extreme 10,000, Haibike offers a premium experience to a large market.
With their 14-day free trial policy, they allow customers to test for themselves and experience their rides so that they can choose just the suitable model from their respectable collection of e-bikes. This elite customer service is accompanied by a specialist dealer who is there to service your new e-bike and answer all beginner and expert queries that you might have.
Haibike Hardseven 5 Hands-on Review (2022)
The Haibike Hardseven 5 is a hardtail electric mountain bike with a Bosch Performance Line Cruise (65 Nm) mid-drive motor and a Bosch 500wh in-tube battery. This ebike has 27.5” wheels and an entry-level 120mm travel front fork.
This ebike is a solid electric mountain bike that will help you hit the trails, traverse town with fun and ease, and it comes in smaller sizes for shorter riders.
Quickly Ride to a Section.
The Haibike Hardseven 5 – At A Glance
Price – 3,325 Weight – small 53.8lbs, medium 54.4lbs Sizes – small, medium, large Class 1 mid-drive
(the weights given or from me actually weighing the bikes at the shop on a scale)
Range Test
I weigh 220lbs and can get 22-50 miles on this ebike in real-world testing. Depending on which assist mode I’m in, how many hills there are, and how windy it is. Lighter riders will get more range.
I recently had a couple of customers that weigh around 150lbs go out for a 3-mile test ride on the Haibike Trekking 5 which has the same motor and battery as this bike, so we could check out what kind of range they will get. After letting the range feature reset to their riding weight, it said they will likely get 35-70 miles on this bike! Rider weight plays a big role in the overall range.
Of course, the bike can be ridden if the battery runs out, just without any motor assistance.
Pros
- Bosch motor system
- 500wh in-tube battery
- Class 1 for trail riding if your state allows it.
Cons
- Pretty simple front fork (can be easily upgraded if needed)
- 65nm motor instead of 85 Nm
Who’s it For?
Although this ebike comes in a large size, I would say it’s more ideal for shorter riders that want a fun, reliable, mid-drive, Class 1, mountain electric bike.
The Haibike Hardseven would be a great commuter bike for anyone that likes to hop curbs in town and hit dirt paths to find better routes to where they need to go.
This ebike would also be great for you if Class 1 ebikes are allowed on trails in your area. The 27.5” wheel size makes for an agile and playful mountain bike and the Bosch motor supplies more than enough power for smaller riders.
Some Backstory
This is technically the 2021 model of the Haibike Hardseven 5, but since we just received these in stock at the shop towards the end of January 2022. Let’s just call them the 2022’s. This will be the only version of this ebike for 2022 in the US.
All of the Haibikes that we were supposed to get last year for 2021 are coming this year in 2022. The bike industry has seen its share of supply and shipping issues.
When you buy an electric bike or any bike for that matter, what you are really buying is the ride. You could have the prettiest bike in the world and unless it rides well, it’s just a piece of artwork.
The pictures do not really do this ebike justice on the color. It is actually a sort of mint ice cream greenish color and looks really cool. It has a matte finish and the new way the battery cover goes on makes removing the battery very easy.
Haibike has always had pretty good-looking bikes but this year they really made some nice changes.
Nuts Bolts
Here’s a breakdown of what comes stock on the bike –
The Motor, Battery, and Display
These are the parts you are really looking for when buying an electric bike.
The Haibike Hardseven 5 is a Bosch-powered ebike which I think is the best there is!
Motor
Bosch Performance Line Cruise mid-drive, 250 watts, 65nm max torque, up to 270% assist.
Battery
Bosch 500wh in-tube with a Bosch compact charger will charge from 0-100% in about 7hrs.
Display
Bosch Purion (speed, trip, range, odometer, assist level, battery level)
The Drive Train
If you are looking for a pedal-assist mid-drive ebike then the drive train is very important. This is the gearing and shifting part of the bike. You will want lower gearing if you plan to ride up steep hills.
Shifter
Shimano Alivio – 9 speed
Rear Derailleur
Shimano Alivio – 9 speed
Cassette
11-36 tooth – 9 speed
Now the tooth count on the cassette is where you can tell how low the gearing is, the higher the tooth count on the biggest cog, the lower the gear is.
Having the lowest gear be a 36 tooth paired with the 65nm motor will allow anyone under 175lbs to climb pretty steep hills. Riders from 175 to 200lbs will have to work a bit harder. Riders over 200 lbs may find this gearing and motor set-up a bit of a challenge for really steep climbs.
The Hardseven 5 and the Hardnine 5 have the exact same setup for the drive train and the motor.
The Brakes
The brakes on an ebike can often get overlooked, but when you are able to cruise at speeds around 20mph it is good to know you have brakes that stop you fast if necessary.
The Haibike Hardseven 5 comes with Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc brakes which have 2 piston calipers paired with 180mm rotors, front, and rear.
These brakes are pretty entry-level hydraulic brakes, they provide decent stopping power with 180mm rotors. For smaller riders, they work very well, for bigger riders I would test your stopping power on steep downhills to see how much they heat up.
The Tektro HD-M275 brakes use mineral oil for brake fluid so they will be easier to bleed down the road and should last you a good long time. Big riders will be replacing brake pads more often, though.
The Fork
The fork that comes stock on this ebike is the SR Suntour XCM 32 dual spring with boost thru-axle spacing 15x110mm (not 15x120mm like it says on the Haibike website, I measured, there is no such thing as 15x120mm).
Both of the springs have preload knobs on top to adjust the tension. (This is not an air spring fork)
Wheels
The Haibike Hardseven 5 comes with double-walled, eyeletted, 25mm internal width, 32 spoke, tubeless-ready Alex rims laced to Haibike branded “The Hub” hubs.
Tires
The tires are WTB Ranger Comp 27.5×2.3” (these are not the tubeless-ready ranger tires!) The rims are tubeless-ready and can take tubeless-ready tires, WTB does make a Ranger tire that is tubeless-ready, just not these ones
The WTB ranger tires are a fast-rolling medium-sized knobby, good for drier conditions to lightly wet, nothing too muddy.
If you do live in an area that gets a lot of muddy conditions then you might consider changing the tires to something more aggressive.
Before you buy –
You can add a rear rack to this ebike and some fenders if needed. Lights can be connected to the Bosch system and run off the Bosch battery.
At the End of the Day
I think, bang for the buck, Haibike makes some of the best ebike around! I have almost 10,000 miles on my current one and put over 2,000 miles on my last one before I had to sell it.
If you have a local shop that carries Haibikes, I highly recommend you check them out!
The Haibike Hardseven 5 is a great hardtail mountain bike for someone that wants a quality mid-drive ebike and doesn’t want to spend a fortune.
Stock will be very limited on this bike, just like all bikes this year so get to your local dealer soon before they are all gone!
Haibike NDURO 6 review
Haibike was one of the first bike manufacturers to bring a ‘proper’ electric mountain bike to market, way back in 2010, and one of the key brands behind the e-MTB boom.
The brand designs and engineers a huge range of electric bikes in Germany, including the NDURO, aimed at hard-hitting enduro and all-mountain (in both directions) riding. This latest model shows how far electric mountain bikes have come in the past decade.
Haibike NDURO 6 frame and motor
Yamaha’s latest motor is more powerful but still not a match for Bosch and Specialized’s drive units. Mick Kirkman / Our Media
In place of the Bosch or Shimano electric bike motors found on most e-MTBs, the NDURO 6 uses Yamaha’s latest drive unit, the 2023 PW-X3. With four assistance modes and 85Nm of torque, this has a claimed peak power output of more than 500W, so can deliver up to 360 per cent assistance. Not only is it more potent than the previous-generation Yamaha motor, but it’s 20 per cent smaller and 10 per cent lighter. It’s controlled via Yamaha’s Side Switch remote, which has a big 1.7in display, but is nicely low-profile, easy to read and sits close to the bar. The motor is accommodated tidily underneath a long, fully integrated down-tube battery, which is removable via a key/lock system for off-the-bike charging. This is the Japanese corporation’s largest ebike power supply yet, with a 720Wh capacity. Haibike has had to make the aluminium frame seriously fat to fit everything inside. While it still sports the brand’s signature angular lines, the top tube hump and frame kinks have been toned down a little compared to older models. Updates for 2023 include modern longer/slacker geometry, with a 63.5-degree head angle, 480mm reach (large) and lengthy wheelbase. Combined with 180mm of four-bar linkage rear travel and a matching fork, this should keep the rider feeling assured while dealing with the serious impacts associated with riding a beefy ebike downhill fast.
Haibike NDURO 6 spec details
The NDURO 6’s relatively affordable (for an ebike) price isn’t reflected only in the motor, but also the parts spec. Up-front is a burly RockShox Domain R, not the brand’s top-end ZEB fork, and the shock is their most basic Deluxe Select model. TRP’s Slate four-piston brakes aren’t quite as powerful as the Shimano or SRAM equivalent, even when combined with the superb bite of the Schwalbe Big Betty rear tyre. Both tyres have the ‘in-between’ Super Trail casing, rather than a thicker/tougher carcass more suitable for a long-travel ebike. The mostly SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain loses a little gearing range at both ends and feels a little sloppier compared to the brand’s higher-end kit. Urgency is further reduced by the fat, heavy, double-wall WTB rims on own-brand hubs, although the wheels at least proved hard to dent or damage.
Haibike NDURO 6 geometry
| Seat angle (degrees) | 77 | 77 | 77 | 76.9 |
| Head angle (degrees) | 63.5 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 63.5 |
| Chainstay (mm) | 460 | 460 | 460 | 460 |
| Top tube (mm) | 574 | 604 | 631 | 663 |
| Head tube (mm) | 120 | 120 | 130 | 140 |
| Bottom bracket drop (mm) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,245 | 1,257 | 1,305 | 1,339 |
| Stack (mm) | 644 | 644 | 653 | 662 |
| Reach (mm) | 425 | 455 | 480 | 510 |
Haibike NDURO 6 ride impressions
Due to the 27.5kg weight, it’s practically impossible to get the wheels off the ground without the aid of a lip or feature to launch off. Mick Kirkman / Our Media
Haibike has nailed the NDURO’s sizing, seated climbing position and geometry, and the alloy chassis is super-stiff. The bottom bracket is a tad higher than on most rivals, which gives good ground clearance when smashing down rough, straight-line bridleways and high-speed, wide-open descents, especially with the NDURO’s deep suspension egging you on, by making you feel safe and planted.
Unfortunately, if you’re more interested in flowing down singletrack, linking turns, playing about on off-piste tracks or trying to solve the most fun and technical climbing puzzles, the massive weight of the bike – over 27.5kg – detracts from the riding experience. Mixed wheel-size rigs get touted as nimbler and more manoeuvrable, but the NDURO is one of the hardest bikes I’ve ever ridden to change direction on quickly. It’s so stable at speed and glued to the ground that it’s hard to do anything but arc smoothly through turns, and also practically impossible to manual or get the wheels off the ground without the aid of a lip or feature to launch off. This isn’t a machine that encourages messing about.
With its long 460mm chainstays and pokey motor, you might expect the NDURO to be a beast up the climbs, but, again, its weight comes into play. While it’s got some juice to it, the Yamaha drive unit has its work cut out and feels as though it has less sheer grunt on peak-power uphill efforts than Bosch and Specialized’s motors, which give smoother, less cadence-sensitive assistance. I had intermittent issues with the buttons freezing, too, which meant having to turn the bike off and back on to change modes. The latest motor also shares its predecessor’s annoying habit of ‘revving’ and trembling forwards under power when you’re sat chatting to mates and resting on the leading pedal – something other brand’s drive units don’t do. One bonus of the super-solid chassis is zero flex or deflection from your line, even when chucking it down proper DH tracks or rocky descents. This gives an overall riding sensation more like a motorbike without an engine, which some folk may like. I prefer more reactive handling, though.
Haibike NDURO 6 bottom line
This is the first bike I’ve tested where you have to remove the front wheel to weigh it on (25kg max) workshop scales, but it’s unclear why it’s quite so heavy.
Yes, it has a big battery and the fat-legged Domain fork clocks in at over 2.5kg, but many of the other parts are ebike-typical and the Super Trail tyres are lighter than most. For comparison, the cheapest Vitus E-Sommet has only 10mm less travel and is a massive 3kg lighter.
The huge weight brings with it massive solidity, but the NDURO rides like a bit of a streamroller and lacks agility.