First Ride: The 2015 Haibike SDURO AllMtn RC
As already announced, Haibike is extending its E-MTB range in 2015 with a new model series. Dubbed the SDURO, it’s aimed at a younger target audience. The powerful new Yamaha drive is used (instead of the Bosch motors found on the XDURO models),
and a lower entry price should make E-MTB ownership more accessible and easier. We got the exclusive chance to extensively try out a SDURO prototype AllMtn RC in Barcelona.
The bike facts
150mm of travel, 27.5″ wheels, 21.5 kg complete weight, and nice frame details — the basic facts about the Haibike SDURO AllMtn RC are very familiar from the XDURO range and certainly sound very promising. The RC models cost 3,399 Euros in the shop and offer an attractive spec for this price.
With the change to a Yamaha motor, segment leader Haibike sends a big signal as this ends the “Bosch-dominance” within its ePerformance model range. The clever thing is, Yamaha is known above all for its high performance motorbikes (both motocross and street) and engagement in motorsport racing, so the image of the new motor fits perfectly with the young, cool SDURO range. A further bonus: the Yamaha motor is compact and allows Haibike to improve both the rear suspension kinematics and the frame form.
The multi-function display is very easy to navigate, but with its exposed position it is destined for damage if you have a crash. The fragile holder on our test bike will be replaced with a sturdier version for production bikes.
Handling – the Haibike SDURO AllMtn in action
For my height of 180cm, the Haibike in size 44cm has a central, compact position. The wide 780mm bars combined with a relatively short 70mm stem reinforce this and give you a feeling of full control and confidence.
The powerful 250-watt Yamaha centre-motor delivers the necessary drive even on demanding trail sections thanks to the “Zero-Cadence Support” feature. After just one turn of the cranks one accelerates sensitively but with noticeably more power and drive than with a Bosch Performance Motor.
With a peak torque of 80Nm and a constant level of 70 Nm, the powerful motor has plenty of drive when the gradients get steep. The two chainrings can also be useful here, but whether you’ll really need them from day to day is up to you. Either way, for extreme situations like an empty battery, or to tackle incredibly steep sections, they have their uses. The TALAS fork-travel adjustment system of the Fox 32 is also really only for the steepest of trails where it can prevent the front wheel from rising off the ground.
The prototype Haibike SDURO AllMtn RC is the perfect basis for an excellent bike: the very functional and well-chosen spec (Yamaha motor, plus solid drivetrain, brakes, cockpit, and dropper post) should in my opinion be accompanied with a more solid fork and wheel/tyre combo in order to satisfy riders seeking more demanding trails. The geometry, technical details, and handling are all spot on. For ‘normal’ riding the SDURO AllMtn RC is already a hot bike at a hot price right out of the box!
Words: Robin Schmitt | Pictures: Philipp Heller
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