Test: The car industry keeps trying to develop bicycles. One would think that she would have an easy time doing this, and in fact, optically interesting two-wheelers keep coming to light.
The Smart e-bike is a good example: the aluminum frame differs significantly from the usual with the fork curved forward and the rear end reduced to the chainstays. Speaking of which: This bike doesn't have a chain, but a toothed belt drive - good, because it's maintenance-free and low in dirt, and of course also somehow like a car.
The removable battery, which fits perfectly into the frame, raises the question of why the "right" bike manufacturers don't also invest in tailor-made power storage - but maybe the answer lies in this word. Putting money into development should be easier for the Daimler group than for many wheel manufacturers.
Integrated headlights, internal routing and disc brakes earn an appreciative nod before it gets down to business. Sure, the well-known BionX hub motor is also a reliable, powerful and smoothly responding support on the Smart - but the fact that there is a three-speed hub in the motor housing is not up to date, especially not on a bike that costs 2.900 euros. Even the weight of around 26 kilos does not really want to match the reduced smart bike, which incidentally comes with additional mudguards. E-mountain bikes with suspension sometimes weigh less than 20 kilos, and even a fully equipped trekking model is usually lighter than this bike.
Ultimately, however, one can assume that Smart is not targeting the typical bicycle shop clientele with the Electric Bike; and since the car manufacturers use other sales channels, there is no comparability with other models at the point of sale. So if you do a few laps in front of the car dealership and make friends with the bike - why not?
| Technical data: | electric bike |
| Brand | Smart |
| Model | electric bike |
| distribution channel | Smart traders |
| Color | white and grey |
| frame | Aluminum, smart design |
| available sizes (cm) | M |
| pedals | Ergon PC2 |
| Hubs | smart design |
| Suspension shocks | - |
| Rims | no name |
| Fork (travel mm) | Aluminum, smart design |
| Motor | BionX 250W |
| Rechargeable battery | Li-Ion 423 Wh |
| Lighting | Busch and Mueller smart design |
| Claw | Ergonomic GP1 |
| Crank | smart design carbon drive |
| Links | smart design |
| Brakes | Magura TM 4 |
| chain/strap | Gates carbon timing belt |
| Tubes | Continental EcoContact Plus, 47-559 |
| Saddle | smart design |
| Seat post | no name |
| Gear levers | Sram i-Motion 3 |
| Circuit | Sram i-Motion 3 |
| stand/ mounting location | Atran Velo, middle |
| Front derailleur | - |
| Support up to km/h | 25 km/h |
| Price battery | 640 € |
| Frame warranty | 2 years |
| Range (manufacturer information) | about 100 km |
| test range (1) | 31 km |
| Max. loading driver + luggage (manufacturer approval) in kg | 114 |
| Weight test bike in kg | 26 |
| Price in EUR | 2899 |
(1) Velomotion tests the range of all e-bikes under maximum conditions. The test lap is 9,8 km long and with 171 meters of altitude difference it is very tough and sometimes very steep. The system weight of bike and rider should be 120 kg (± 5 kg). Lighter drivers receive additional weights. Driving is at maximum support level and also very quickly. This is the only way to determine honest and comparable values. You can expect to get at least twice the range with a medium assist level and on less undulating terrain.
Incidentally, with most systems you have a small range reserve, similar to that of a car. Even if the battery shows 0 km, there is still one to five kilometers left with a moderate driving style.