The CONWAY eWME 627 was the underdog of this group test. After all, the German brand hasn’t exactly been associated with high-end, top-performance mountain biking. This review should bring an end to that. But does the bike also look the part?
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB around € 4,500 – 11 exciting and affordable bikes go head to head
When you see the CONWAY eWME 627 for the first time, it’s pretty clear that the bike was designed with riding performance in mind, not looks. We’re not saying it’s ugly, but it lacks attention to detail. The external battery looks like a foreign body placed on the down tube, and the paint job exudes neither exclusivity nor sportiness. The spec of the CONWAY eWME 627, on the other hand, is perfect. For a price of € 4,499, you get a lot of brilliant components. The MAGURA MT5 brakes provide lots of stopping power, the Shimano XT drivetrain works reliably, and the RockShox Yari suspension fork delivers the best performance by far in this price segment.
The CONWAY e WME 627 is a very fun bike to ride!
The Shimano STEPS E8000 motor is every rider’s dream with its ease of use and three levels of support, customizable via an app on your smartphone. You’re guaranteed to find the right amount of pedal-assist for every type of riding – from gentle to aggressive. CONWAY uses slightly narrower 2.6″ tyres compared to most other manufacturers speccing plus-sized tires. Thanks to the soft rubber compound and aggressive profile, however, the Schwalbe Magic Mary offers a lot of grip and also gives the bike very direct and precise handling.
The CONWAY eWME 627 in detail
Fork RockShox Yari RC 160 mm
Rear shock RockShox Monarch Plus R 160 mm
Motor/Battery Shimano Steps E8000 / Shimano 504 Wh
Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT
Brakes Magura MT5 200/180 mm
Seatpost CONWAY Dropper Post Vario 125 mm
Stem Contec Brut 45 mm
Handlebar Contec Brust Select 780 mm
Hubs Shimano Deore
Rims Rodi Ready 30
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary 2.6″
Conway uses an external 500 Wh battery which can be removed for charging. Thanks to its compact dimensions, you can also carry a spare battery in your backpack
Schwalbe Magic Mary tyres offer a lot of grip thanks to their soft rubber compound and aggressive tread pattern
The rear end of the CONWAY is very tight on tyre clearance. Mud will clog it up and scratch it.
Design and quality of workmanship are acceptable given the price. CONWAY preferred to invest in components and handling during development. It pays off on the trail, but not when posing in front of your friends.
The geometry of the CONWAY eWME 627
The seating position on the CONWAY eWME 627 is slightly stretched due to the long front triangle, yet very comfortable. On paved roads, the tyres are a bit loud, but as soon as you turn onto a dirt road – and that’s where the bike belongs – the noise immediately ceases. The CONWAY eWME is a very capable climber; you’re always sat comfortably centred between the wheels of the bike and in full control on even the steepest sections. Occasionally when pedalling over roots and rocks, however, you might get hung up on the long 175 mm cranks. A shorter 165 mm model would have been nice.
Where the CONWAY eWME 627 really comes to life is on the descents. Here the bike scores with a very good mix of agility and composure, which makes for a very fun ride. You feel like you’re sitting in the bike, not on it, keeping your confidence high on steep terrain, and seemingly never running out of grip when cornering. The 160 mm of front and rear travel easily filters out small bumps as well as large impacts, underlining the bike’s potent character.
Conclusion
The CONWAY eWME 627 is the perfect bike for all those who are looking for maximum riding performance at a minimum price, but attach less importance to design and workmanship. The bike inspires with its playful, direct handling and simultaneous composure – and on top of that, you get high-quality and well thought-out componentry. Our Best Value tip!
Strengths
– a lot of fun
– climbs efficiently
– good spec with outstanding value for money
Weaknesses
– workmanship
– rear tyre clearance is tight
Uphill
Downhill
Stability
Agility
Value
For more information head to: conway-bikes.de
The testfleet
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB around € 4,500 – 11 exciting and affordable bikes go head to head
All bikes in test: BULLS SIX50 EVO AM2 | FLYER Uproc 4.10 | FOCUS JAM² Plus | Giant Full-E+ 1.5 Pro LTD | Haibike XDURO AllMtn 7.0 | KTM MACINA KAPOHO 273 11 PT-CX5I | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 800 | Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 6 | SCOTT E-Genius 720 | Specialized Turbo Levo FSR 6Fattie
This article is from E-MOUNTAINBIKE issue #013
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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer, Valentin Rühl
