KETTLER QUADRIGA TOWN & COUNTRY COMP C2 review

The KETTLER QUADRIGA TOWN & COUNTRY COMP trekking ebike is designed for comfort, safety and everyday practicality on long tours and in the city. Read on to find out whether this step-through eMTB was able to convince us as much as it did brand ambassador Bastian Schweinsteiger and how it compares to the competition.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best off-road step-through bike of 2020 – 10 models tested head to head

**KETTLER** QUADRIGA TOWN & COUNTRY COMP C2 | Bosch Performance Line CX/500 Wh
100/0 mm (f/r) | 28.7 kg (Size XL) | € 3,799 | Manufacturer’s website

The QUADRIGA TOWN & COUNTRY COMP is pleasing to look at with its clean lines and attractive two-tone design. It comes kitted out with everyday accessories and the remaining componentry is just as promising. A 12-speed Shimano SLX drivetrain, adjustable stem, lights, suspension fork and Bosch Performance Line CX motor. Thanks to the stem, the cockpit is easy to adjust to suit your preferences – from stretched and sporty to comfortable, anything is possible. As a result, the bar ends aren’t entirely necessary. If you find you’re getting numb or painful hands, you can provide relief by adjusting the angle of the stem. The step-through section is low and wide – excellent! However, the position of the Fidlock bottle on the seat tube isn’t optimal. With the water bottle attached, you’ll have to lift your leg significantly higher to get on the bike. The chain guard looks like a second chainstay and is both visually and, unfortunately, acoustically striking.

All cables enter the frame on the same side and are securely clamped in place, though this means the bike only maintains its clean look on one side. The permissible total weight is 145 kg. After deducting the bike’s weight of 28.7 kg, you’re left with a maximum payload of 116 kg for rider and gear. Unfortunately, the SR Suntour XCM fork can only be adjusted to the rider’s weight to a limited extent. That adds KETTLER to the list brands that don’t match the components they spec to the bike’s permissible total weight.

**House brand**
The in-house cover for the charging port is significantly better than the standard rubber flap that many Bosch-equipped bikes come with.

**Comfortable**
Due to the wide saddle your freedom of movement is restricted while standing, but it sits like a couch. Combined with a dropper post featuring integrated suspension, you’ve got ample comfort at the rear.

**Failed**
The SR Suntour XCM fork is one of the worst in the test. It responds to impacts poorly, offers little comfort and can hardly be adjusted to the weight of the rider.

KETTLER QUADRIGA TOWN & COUNTRY COMP C2

€ 3,799

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line CX 75 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 500 Wh
Display Bosch Intuvia
Fork SR Suntour XCM 100 mm
Rear Shock mm
Seatpost Limotec / Zecure Suspension DP 40 mm
Brakes Shimano Acera BR-MT420 180/180 (v/h) mm
Drivetrain Shimano SLX / Deore XT 1x12
Stem Competition SL 110 mm
Handlebar Competition SL 680 mm
Wheelset 27.5
Tires Schwalbe Marathon Plus 2.25

Technical Data

Size S, M, L, XL
Weight 28.7 kg
Perm. total weight 145 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 116 kg
Trailer approval yes
Kickstand mount yes

Specific Features

adjustable stem
625 Wh battery option

**Comfortable but not optimal**
KETTLER made sure that the battery can be removed out of the top of the bike and that you don’t have to bend over to reach the lock. However, due to the battery’s high position, the centre of gravity is also unnecessarily high. On our model, the 500 Wh battery should have been positioned significantly lower down.

**Internal or external?**
The speed sensor is nicely integrated into the brake rotor.

**Custom fit**
Thanks to the adjustable stem, the riding position can be adjusted to suit your preference.

**Helmet** iXS Trigger AM | **Gloves** Roeckl Odense | **Bicycle bags** Ortlieb Back-Roller CIty

The KETTLER is a step-through trekking ebike and not an eMTB – good for everyday commuting and on paved roads, but not for off-road terrain.

The motor is powered either by a 500 or 625 Wh internal battery. Our model came with the 500 Wh battery, which is placed high up in the down tube. Although the lock of the battery cover is easily accessible, the centre of gravity is higher than necessary, making the weight distribution suboptimal. The battery cover also touches the frame and any vibrations or movements from the frame get transferred to it. As a result, the cover came off during our tests when we rode the bike aggressively. The cover for the charging port is made in-house and significantly better than the standard cover that Bosch offers. However, due to the charging port being placed at the bottom of the motor, you have to bend over to plug it in. While, the KETTLER is the only bike in the test that comes with an integrated speed sensor, it still has unsightly and superfluous mounting points for an external sensor on the chainstay. The practical accessories are functional in daytime and the Fuxon F250 lights will allow you to be seen in night time traffic. However, due to the position of the headlight, the mudguard casts a shadow directly in front of the bike and in any case, the light isn’t sufficiently bright enough to see far ahead either.

Climb aboard the QUADRIGA TOWN & COUNTRY COMP and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The saddle and suspended seat post provide you with plenty of comfort. Besides the integrated suspension, the seat post can also be dropped – nice! The suspension fork is easily overwhelmed, even with curbs and cobblestones, so you won’t want to go off-road with the KETTLER. Thanks to Shimano’s 12-speed drivetrain and the power of the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, steep climbs are easily conquered. On bike paths and excursions on woodland roads, you benefit from the KETTLER’s stable handling. The steering is predictable with a relaxed riding style but it lacks precision at higher speeds. When you turn the bars too far, you suddenly lose control of the front wheel, as if the bike is understeering. Together with the relatively high centre of gravity, the bike robs you of confidence when you go too fast. The QUADRIGA TOWN & COUNTRY COMP can cope with an 11 kg load on the rear carrier.

Tuning tips: none

Conclusion

KETTLER’s step-through ebike offers plenty of comfort, playing to its strengths on long tours and in everyday life on wide, paved paths. However, the QUADRIGA TOWN & COUNTRY COMP isn’t suitable for moderate off-road terrain, nor does it like quick manoeuvres. If you want to carry your luggage on the rear rack, this is one of the few bikes that can handle the load.

Tops

comfortable on asphalt
dropper post with integrated suspension
good handling with luggage

Flops

limited adjustability of the fork
position of the bottle cage
wobbly handling through the corners
weak and badly positioned headlight

For more info head to: kettler-alu-rad.de

The test field