S-Pedelecs are picking up speed!
Even though the legal situation in Germany for the use of S-pedelecs is still a bit fuzzy, at least at the moment, more and more long-distance commuters are switching to the 45 km/h bikes. In countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland, for example, S-pedelecs have long been in the fast lane, and for good reason: Compared to a “normal” e-bike, which supports up to 25 km/h, the realistic average speed of a speed-pedelec is between 30-35 km/h. Over a distance of 20 km, the time saved is between 10-15 minutes. This is considerable and is clearly noticeable in everyday life!
Speed pedelecs are therefore often used as an alternative to the car. And anyone who uses their bike intensively day-by-day wants reliability, low wear and, above all, minimal maintenance – as is usually the case with cars. Here, the Pinion central gearbox is convincing compared to other systems, especially in pedelecs and S-pedelecs. Therefore, more and more manufacturers offer the fast extra class with Pinion gearbox in combination with partly self-developed engines and batteries (eg Klever Mobility and Coleen).
In the following we give an overview of currently available S-pedelecs of the manufacturers Klever Mobility, Aska, Coleen and Kettler.
Klever X-Speed Pinion
Klever Mobility, a subsidiary of the KYMCO Group, specializes in urban and high-performance e-bikes and this expertise has been fully incorporated into the development of the X series S-Pedelecs which includes two Pinion models. The X-Speed Pinion comes with a 12-speed Pinion C1.12 gearbox, Gates Carbon Drive belt and Klever’s own 600-watt Biactron rear motor. An 850 Wh battery provides a long range. Available immediately.
With the X Alpha 45 model (pictured obove), Klever demonstrates their commitment to the growing 45 km/h S-Pedelec market. They have, for the first time, incorporated an 800-watt hub-motor, combined with the C1.12 Pinion transmission and Gates Carbon Drive belt. The 1,200 Wh battery provides even more range, with Klever listing 70 km at maximum assistance. Other features include an integrated turn-signal and color display. Available from August 2021.
Coleen Modern DB
The Modern DB S-Pedelec from French brand Coleen is an eye-catcher due to the design’s complete lack of a downtube. The frame and fork are made of carbon fiber and are handmade in France. As far as we know, these are the only carbon fiber E-bikes on the market with an integrated Pinion gearbox. Coleen provides a 10-year warranty on the frame. The Modern DB has a 750 W rear hub-motor with a torque specification of 43 Nm. The battery is a 48 V unit with 522 Wh, which brings the bike up to 45 km/h in just a few seconds. But where is the battery, you might ask? It’s hidden in the top-tube! The Modern DB is equipped with the Pinion C1.6 transmission as standard, while Coleen also offers the option to upgrade the 9-speed C1.9 gearbox. Available immediately.
Aska Super Commuter
The young start-up Aska from Belgium recently presented their flagship product dubbed the Super Commuter All-Round Adventurer. The name pretty much says it all! Aska’s S-Pedelec is designed for those who tend to take the road less travelled and stray further into nature – it is built for adventurous commuters! The full-suspension frame is made of aluminum and the brakes, wheels, and Pinion gearbox are robust and durable. The bike is also equipped with high-quality lighting to ensure safe riding in urban traffic. The frame and all other parts on the bike are “Made in Europe”. Available from spring 2022.
Kettler Velossi 2.0
The “Velossi 2.0” from Kettler is a top-class S-Pedelec. For fast and efficient shifting, it comes with the Pinion C1.9 gearbox in providing nine gears with a range of 568%. The low-maintenance drivetrain is coupled with a Gates Carbon Drive belt and the powerful “Z20” Neodrives motor. The bike is available in both women’s and men’s geometry and has even won-over soccer world champion Bastian Schweinsteiger…
Available immediately in women’s and men’s geometry and in black and white finishes.
A powerful drive unit
Due to its design, the Pinion gearbox is also positioned centrally on the bottom bracket of an e-bike. The rider therefore first directs his power to the gearshift. This is reinforced by the rear motor in the second step. Thanks to this sequence, significantly lower forces act on the entire drivetrain compared to derailleur systems, resulting in a longer service life for components such as the chain or belt drive. As such, the transmission is wear-free; apart from an oil change every 10,000 km, it requires no further maintenance or care. This pays off for frequent riders in particular.
Makes you wish your commute was longer than 5 km! What are you waiting for?
Learn more about the advantages of Pinion in e-bikes!
