Weight
The complete bike weight without pedals, bottle cage and other accessories is determined in the TOUR laboratory. It accounts for 20 per cent of the overall score.
Central frame rigidity
The frameset is clamped to the dropouts on the fork and rear triangle and deflected on both sides at the bottom bracket with a defined force. The deformation of the frameset provides information about the tracking stability and steering precision of the bike, especially with high rider weights and at high speeds. Frame stiffness accounts for 15 per cent of the overall score.
Comfort
The frameset is fixed vertically to the dropouts, allowing the fork to move in the direction of travel. The original seat post is then subjected to a defined load on a mounted saddle dummy. The vertical deflection is a measure of the suspension comfort on the saddle and is included in the overall score with 15 per cent.
Reach
The drives of the electric racing bikes are tested on a range test bench. The bike is driven with a constant power at the crank and the total power is measured at the rear wheel. In various test programmes, the test bench determines realistic and comparable ranges of the drives, taking into account the weight and all driving resistances. In addition, statements can be made about the motor characteristics or the behaviour in the event of overheating and an empty battery. The range accounts for 20 per cent of the overall score, and we measure the work done on the rear wheel with one battery charge.
Brakes, gears and tyres
The components are assessed on the basis of extensive component tests by TOUR and the riding impression. The functional groups brakes and gears each account for 10 per cent of the rating, tyres for 5 per cent.
Maintenance and adjustment
Assesses how easy the bike is to adjust and whether difficulties arise during regular servicing. This includes, for example, the tools and skills required or whether the battery can be removed from the bike without tools for charging.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
