E-bikes are considered heavy, sluggish and visually unappealing. Hardly anyone associates them with sport or lifestyle. The creators of the Electrolyte brand, three young bike enthusiasts from Munich, do not want to accept this and want to breathe more lightness into the new mobility trend with their e-models. Two engineers and a designer have reduced the electric bike to the bare essentials in order to make electric mobility appealing to a young audience. We tried out the top model "jet fighter", which is limited to twelve units per year: a minimalist single speeder with a military look, which at just 10.5 kilos is probably one of the lightest bikes with an electric drive.
The recipe is surprisingly simple. The basis is a sporty frame - optionally made of aluminium or, in our case, titanium, which can also be made to measure on request - with solid components from the trekking or racing bike range that are tailored to the intended use. The top-of-the-range model, which costs almost 10,000 euros, has been fitted with top-of-the-range components from the high-end segment. A high-quality Syntace cockpit with Stratos CX time trial handlebars and matching carbon seat post, a rare Shimano Dura-Ace carbon crank, rims and front hub from Tune, wedge carbon saddle and 25-millimetre Schwalbe road bike tyres. The Scapula fork from THM with integrated brake tops off the luxurious concept. A rear brake is available as an option and we would recommend it.
The battery is a standard 36-volt battery from Bosch's machine tool accessories, which sits in a customised box on the down tube. The rear hub motor is surprisingly compact, only the housing is customised. The cadence sensor and control unit are almost invisible. The turbo is activated with a discreet, chrome-plated button at the left end of the handlebars. Provided the crank is turning - because legally the e-bike only counts as a "pedelec", i.e. an insurance-free bicycle, if the motor supports the pedalling movement and does not replace it - then it catapults the rider forwards with 250 extra watts.
The quiet whirring only switches off when the wind is blowing 25 km/h around the driver's nose. The bike is rolling, the fixed gear fits. If you want to go faster, you have to pedal yourself. There is still some room for this in the gear ratio. But the experience is not the speed, which is completely normal for racing cyclists. The experience is the acceleration. Starting at traffic lights in the city becomes pure pleasure, steep climbs lose their terror. Sweating is a thing of the past. Because whenever the going gets tough, you have a good portion of extra power with you. The grin when you sprint across the junction well ahead of the caravan of cars, to the amazement of other road users, appears again and again.
The Elektrolyte concept is recommended for short urban journeys, i.e. commuting to the office, or as an ideal work tool for bike couriers. The battery is too small for long mountain tours, but with constant power output it lasts for around 15 pleasurable kilometres. But that's hundreds of traffic light starts.
Reference/Info www.electrolyte.cc
Price 9,900 euros/other models from 3,000 euros
Equipment
Frame/fork Electrolyte Jet Fighter/THM Scapula F Steering Bearing Leafcycles, 1-1/8 inch
Brakes front THM in tegrated, back Dura Ace on request
Drive Singlespeed 46/18 T.
Bottom bracket Shimano Dura Ace FC 7800C (Carbon)
Wheels/tyres VR Tune Mig70, HR Hub motor with Mavic CXP33 /Schwalbe Ultremo DD (25mm)
Handlebar/stem Syntace Stratos CX/F109
Saddle/post Syntace P6/Wedge Carbon
