Not many of our readers will have expected us to do a step-through eMTB group test. But, it has become clear that step-through ebikes have a lot of potential and that most of us continue to underestimate them. We’ve summarised the key findings from our first step-through eMTB group test for you.
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
1. Goodbye prejudices, hello benefits
Admittedly, this forward-thinking group test wasn’t only about creating an overview of the market for versatile step-through ebikes. Above all, it was about expanding our horizons and exploring the opportunities in this new segment. As early adopters of eMTBs when core non-pedal-assist riders were filled with judgement, we know all too well how pointless prejudices are and how quickly they vanish when greater understanding becomes more widespread. It’s no different with step-through eMTBs. Back when eMTBs were viewed more, shall we say, critically and not as the state of the art, only those who had tried riding an eMTB knew how amazing they could be. Step-through eMTBs are capable of more than you’d suspect, not only offering new experiences of riding but also allowing more people to ride together and share those experiences. It’s your own fault if you let yourself be deterred by prejudices and ultimately miss out on great moments with friends, acquaintances and family.
Besides being very comfortable to ride, step-through eMTBs are a lot more capable than you’d think. Thanks to new technologies and sophisticated engineering, some step-through eMTBs such as the BULLS E-STREAM EVO 1 WAVE 27.5+ offer performance that is on par with regular eMTB hardtails. Riding ‘topless’ can be so liberating!
The industry, at least in part, also recognises this. Companies such as CENTURION, Moustache, Riese & Müller, Infront or BULLS have caught on to the step-through eMTB trend, while others still have strong reservations. Some development teams are still in disagreement as to whether going down this route suits their brand image. We say, yes it does! Step-through eMTBs are incredibly exciting and real marvels of modern engineering, with a lot of market potential!
2. Topless – step-through masterpieces and their limits
While all the bikes are united by their lack of a top tube, some are based on city and touring bikes that have simply been fitted with knobbly tires, while others have been designed for off-road use from the ground up. In this burgeoning category, it is not surprising that many of the bikes aren’t yet perfect with obvious weaknesses in certain situations. In this case, the missing link is usually exactly that lack of a top tube. Achieving the necessary torsional stiffness requires careful engineering and high-quality construction. A major challenge is the integration of the battery. If you integrate the battery, you have to open up the down tube, which weakens the structure even more. Since the down tube is the only link between the front and rear wheels, finding the necessary amount of stiffness is key. Further challenges include dealing with the load on the rear carrier, which affects weight distribution and has a massive influence on the bike’s balance, as well as increasing the strain placed on all components during off-road use. The BULLS E-STREAM EVO 1 WAVE 27.5+ is the only bike to be classified as category 3 and thus approved by the manufacturer for smaller jumps up to a height of 61 cm. Most other bikes are only approved for touring or light off-road use, such as forest roads and paths without jumps.
3. Every step-through ebike benefits from eMTB technology
Even if you only ride in urban terrain, modern eMTB technology helps everyone get to their destination safer and more comfortably.
Seat post: a dropper post that you can operate remotely from the handlebar not only helps getting on and off the bike but can also offer increased comfort, depending on the model. The CENTURION E-Fire Country F3500 and the KETTLER QUADRIGA TOWN & COUNTRY COMP C2 both feature dropper posts with integrated suspension and they work brilliantly.
Suspension fork: a suspension fork that can be adjusted to suit the rider’s weight is vital, whether for riding off curbs or on the trail. Unfortunately, there were big differences in the test field and some suspension forks were simply useless. In future, we’d like to see manufacturers speccing higher quality forks like the RockShox Pike or FOX 34.
Tires: knobbly, high-volume tires can offer increased comfort and make a big difference through asphalt and gravel corners. If you ride exclusively on paved surfaces, you can of course also consider a high-volume urban tire such as the Schwalbe Super Moto-X on the HNF-NICOLAI UD3. The Schwalbe Rock Razor on the Riese & Müller Homage GT is our clear favourite in the test field. It is the best all-round tire with which you’ll be perfectly equipped for any terrain.
Motor: progressive support modes such as Bosch’s eMTB mode or Shimano’s Trail mode also make sense for step-through ebikes. They are very easy to control and you have to shift less often – set and forget!
Brakes: many brakes in the group test are too weak and too small. Unfortunately, reliable eMTB brakes that are powerful and easy to modulate are a rare sight in this segment. With bikes weighing up to 34 kg, MAGURA’s underpowered MT4 brakes paired with 180 mm rotors simply don’t offer enough stopping power. SRAM Code brakes would be significantly better as an option for long descents or riding with a payload.
Ergonomic contact points: they might promise a lot of comfort, but they only really work if they’re individually tailored to the rider. With the IF-4 Wave, INFRONT offer to send you a measuring kit to fit the right size saddle and grips.
It is important to note that knobbly tires and a wide handlebar don’t automatically turn a bad step-through eMTB into a good one. The entire bike has to suit its intended purpose in terms of handling and spec. That also includes the necessary accessories for everyday practicality.
4. Where to put that crate of wine?
The best rack isn’t any good if the bike isn’t designed for it. Or in other words, the accessories have to match the bike. Unfortunately, this is not the case with some models. We’ve already explained above how critical it is for the frame of a step-through ebike to be stiff enough to keep the bike tracking securely, but it is even more difficult to construct a step-through bike that remains stable with a loaded up rack. Many racks are certified to carry up to 25 kg. However, we tested with a payload of just 11 kg which already resulted in some bikes feeling vague, difficult to control and unpredictable. The Corratec Life CX 6X Connect and the Kalkhoff Entice 5.B Excite were among the worst, while the CENTURION with its semi-integrated battery and the Riese & Müller Homage GT set the bar with their confident and stable handling.
5. It’s not all about brightness
Light doesn’t equal light. There are big differences in terms of illumination and the shape of the beam. The Riese & Müller Homage GT features the best illumination with its Supernova M99 MINI PRO-25 headlight, providing clear visibility up to 50 metres ahead. It even has a high-beam function. The Supernova MINI 2 on the HNF-NICOLAI is excellent too. The lights on the CENTURION, Moustache and INFRONT are acceptable, but all others will have you struggling to see in the dark. Sometimes it’s due to the lights themselves, but often it’s because of their position. If the headlight is positioned too low, behind cables, attached to the head tube or close to the mudguard, then it will cast shadows or won’t follow the direction that you’re turning. To be seen from the rear, it’s critical that the taillight is positioned high up where it won’t be obstructed by a saddle bag or mudguard.
6. A diet for step-through eMTBs?
If you’ve ever lifted your ebike over obstacles, carried it into the basement or loaded it onto your car’s bike rack, you know that ebikes can be really heavy. Some of the step-through bikes we tested take this to the extreme, weighing over 30 kg. If you don’t have an easily accessible garage or other secure storage space, you’ll have a hard time with these bikes in everyday life. Of course, you can remove the battery to make the bike lighter when you have to carry it, but that only helps to a limited extent.That said, while riding, the weight distribution and other factors are significantly more important than the weight itself for the handling. The Kalkhoff Entice 5.B Excite is anything but light at 24.8 kg, but it’s handling feels extremely agile!
7. The motor plays a minor role
This group test has also shown that the motor can only be as good as the bike it is in. Although there are some noticeable differences between the various models in the test, they all do their job well. The only two exceptions are the Bafang M500 in the FANTIC ISSIMO and the 65 Nm Bosch Performance Line in the Moustache Samedi 27 Off 2 Open. However, in both cases, it is not the motor alone but the small gear range that limits the bikes’ climbing capabilities. The old Bosch Performance CX in the Riese & Müller Homage GT Rohloff GX obviously can’t compete with the new Bosch Performance CX, but there are more important aspects than the motor. As such, we highly recommend making your decision based on the complete bike instead of the motor.
8. Comfort – a question of balance
The problem with many hardtails is, as the name suggests, that the rear end is hard. If the bike is equipped with a good suspension fork, the front usually absorbs impacts while they get transmitted through the rear of the bike unfiltered. To compensate for this imbalance, a few brands spec their step-through eMTBs with suspension seat posts, some of which double as dropper posts. High-volume tires can also noticeably increase comfort. Taking it even further, Riese & Müller’s full-suspension step-through ebike is an obvious highlight. Full-suspension step-through eMTBs have a lot of potential for the future as they offer significantly increased comfort and more composed handling. The Riese & Müller’s rack and payload both form part of the sprung mass, which protects your luggage and makes the handling of the Homage GT a lot more stable. The step-through section is minimally higher than with other bikes but it’s still acceptable.
To be honest, we have to admit that our grandmothers were on to something when they figured out just how fantastic step-through bikes really are. Though complex to construct, they offer increased comfort, usability and rider confidence while minimising the barriers for many beginners or physically impaired riders. At E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine, we don’t just love exploring new trends but also getting more people on bikes – especially, of course, our friends, family and relatives who haven’t yet dared or simply couldn’t ride an eMTB. Step-through eMTBs may not be for everyone, but now everyone can find a bike that suits them! Happy days!
These and many other exciting findings come from the largest off-road step-through bike test in the history of E-MOUNTAINBIKE. If you want to know which is currently the best off-road step-through bike and what is really important, then take a look here.
All bikes in test:
BULLS E-STREAM EVO 1 WAVE 27,5+ | CENTURION E-Fire Country F3500 | Corratec Life CX 6X Connect | FANTIC ISSIMO FUN | HNF-NICOLAI UD 3 | INFRONT IF-4 Wave | Kalkhoff Entice 5.B Excite | KETTLER QUADRIGA TOWN & COUNTRY COMP | Moustache Samedi 27 Off 2 Open | Riese & Müller Homage GT
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Words: Felix Stix, Robin Schmitt, Jonas Müssig Photos: Finlay Anderson, Robin Schmitt, Felix Stix, Markus Frühmann
