Market: Upper Bavarian manufacturer Corratec is significantly expanding its range of e-MTBs. A total of 10 models will be entered in the coming year - from the powerful 140mm Fully to the sporty S-Pedelec with suspension fork. We took a closer look at the portfolio.
Corratec E-MTBs 2017: All fusion or what?
All Corratec E-MTBs 2017 come with the in-house developed Fusion down tube, which not only ensures an integrated look, but also weight and stiffness advantages. Inside the massive aluminum tube is a kind of honeycomb structure that not only makes the tube itself more stable, but also allows all cables to be routed in a separate, well-protected channel. To a certain extent, the battery sinks into the construction – in connection with the holistic decal design, the look is reminiscent of batteries integrated into the down tube, without having to accept the disadvantages when installing and removing the energy supplier.
When it comes to drives in the MTB sector, Corratec relies exclusively on drives from Bosch. The Performance CX drive presented in 2015, which was specially developed to meet the needs of mountain bikes, is used on almost all models. In addition, Corratec is one of the few manufacturers on the market that also offers fast S-Pedelecs in the MTB sector; with the E-XTB 10 Hz Performance 45 there is even a fully included.
Corratec E-XTB: Inside Link and 10hz for maximum trail contact
The spearhead of the Corratec E-MTB portfolio this year is the E-XTB All Mountain Fully. A variant of this was already available last year, and now a total of three models are being added. At the top is the E-XTB 10hz Performance 45: As the name suggests, this comes with a Bosch Performance 45 drive, which accelerates the 140mm fully to speeds of up to 45km/h - a potent mountain bike and S-Pedelec in one .
Corratec's two proprietary technologies, Inside Link and 10hz, ensure correspondingly good performance on the trail. Inside Link is the name given to the rear triangle concept developed by the Bavarian manufacturer; Translated, Inside Link means "inner joint" and that's where you hit the nail on the head: The rear end rotates around a virtual pivot point that is located in the area of the rear frame triangle. Other very successful kinematic concepts such as VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) or Giants Maestro rely on the same principle. The big advantages are a very high anti-squat value, which prevents rocking, and the complete decoupling of the rear triangle from the overall system. The latter means that the response behavior does not change even during braking.
In addition to the Inside Link, the people in Raubling are particularly proud of the 10hz technology, which has also been established and proven on the in-house bikes for some time. This is a special elastomer that sits between the damper mount on the frame and the damper itself. This should absorb small impacts and fine, high-frequency vibrations (hence the name) and thus act in an area that the tires no longer address and the damper does not yet address.
In terms of geometry, a healthy compromise between touring suitability and trail fun is chosen for what is currently the only e-fully in the range. With a moderately slack steering angle, steep climbs can be mastered without the front wheel tipping away, but the feeling of overturning during descents should only arise in exceptional cases. The somewhat long chainstays that are typical of E-MTBs are compensated for with a relatively compact main frame: This keeps the E-XTB manageable and the wheelbase is only slightly longer than on non-E-MTBs.
Corratec E-XTB Geometry
S | M | L | |
seat tube (in mm) | 420 | 470 | 520 |
Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 585 | 594 | 615 |
head tube (in mm) | 130 | 135 | 135 |
chainstay (in mm) | 475 | 475 | 475 |
Wheelbase (in mm) | 1184 | 1188 | 1203 |
Steering angle (in °) | 67 | 68 | 68 |
Seat angle (in °) | 74 | 74 | 74 |
Reach (mm) | 412 | 419 | 439 |
Stacks (in mm) | 603 | 610 | 613 |
Overview: Corratec E-XTB
Drive: Bosch Performance 45
wheel size: 27,5"
Circuit: Shimano XT/SLX
suspension fork: RockShox Pike RC 140mm
Battery pack: 500Wh
Price: € 5.499
Drive: Bosch Performance CX
wheel size: 27,5"
Circuit: Shimano XT/SLX
suspension fork: Rock Shox Sector Silver 140mm
Battery pack: 500Wh
Price: € 4.699
Corratec E-Bow Performance: The S-Pedelec for the forest highway
The meanwhile almost legendary Corratec Superbow also gets its e-counterpart. In addition to the extremely distinctive frame shape with its curved top tube, the Corratec E-Bow Performance also inherits the wheel size of the latest Superbow generations and comes as a 29″ version. In addition, a Bosch Performance 45 motor is hidden in the bottom bracket area, which, together with the lighting, the license plate holder and the rear-view mirror, makes the E-Bow a thoroughbred S-Pedelec that supports its rider up to a speed of 45 km/h.
So that the E-Bow also cuts a good figure off-road, the hardtail, which costs almost €4.400, is given a Rock Shox Reba suspension fork with 100mm suspension travel and a Shimano XT 11-speed gear system. Powerful brakes from Magura ensure short braking distances on asphalt and forest floors.
Corratec E-Power XVert: What wheel size would you like?
In terms of model variety, Corratec's E-Power XVert product line has also grown significantly in 2017. The all-round hardtail will be available in a total of six model variants for next season, in all common wheel sizes (including the new Plus models) and in the case of the 29 and 27,5 inch variants also with a trapezoidal frame for women.
The highlight among the new E-Power XVert models are the two Plus variants, which rely on the new tire size 27,5+, which is particularly popular with e-bikes. Due to the enlarged contact surface, the extra-wide tires bring significantly more grip off-road and the slightly higher rolling resistance is negligible on the e-bike anyway. The Plus top model E-Power XVert 650b Plus X is very well equipped for rapid excursions off the beaten track: With the Rock Shox Reba suspension fork, Magura brakes, WTB Ranger tires and the powerful Bosch Performance CX drive, there is a lot of fun on the trail.
But fans of the other wheel sizes, i.e. 27,5 and 29″, should also find something suitable among the XVert models. Corratec 2017 is entering two equipment variants for each wheel size. Praiseworthy: In 2017, all Corratec E-MTBs use batteries with 500Wh - so that the E-Puff doesn't run out prematurely on the Trailhatz. The drive is primarily based on Bosch's Performance CX drive - only the 2.800″ entry-level E-Power XVert 29 Performance, which costs just under €29, uses a conventional performance motor.
Model overview Corratec E-Power XVert
Drive: Bosch Performance CX
wheel size: 27,5+
Circuit: Shimano XT
suspension fork: Rock Shox Reba RL 100mm
Battery pack: 500Wh
Price: € 3.799
Drive: Bosch Performance CX
wheel size: 27,5+
Circuit: Shimano SLX
suspension fork: Suntour XCR 32 Air
Battery pack: 500Wh
Price: € 3.299
Drive: Bosch-Performance
wheel size: 29"
Circuit: Shimano XT / Deore
suspension fork: Suntour XCR
Battery pack: 500Wh
Price: € 2.799
Drive: Bosch Performance CX
wheel size: 29"
Circuit: Shimano XT / Deore
suspension fork: Suntour XCR
Battery pack: 500Wh
Price: € 2.999
Drive: Bosch Performance CX
wheel size: 27,5"
Circuit: Shimano XT/SLX
suspension fork: Manitou Marvel Comp TS
Battery pack: 500Wh
Price: € 3.299
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