Market: Monkey Link – With a permanently installed lighting system, the power comes from the drive battery – so why not also with the additional lighting on the E-MTB? Anyone who has always asked themselves this question will be delighted with the new Monkey Link system that adorns the 2018 e-mountain bikes from the ZEG brands. And Monkey Link also has a surprise in store for non-motorized bikes.
"Magnetically guided, mechanically latched, electrically connected": Anyone who can remember this has already grasped the basic principle of the new Monkey Link assembly standard. The connecting elements integrated in the stem and saddle clamp solve a problem that you really shouldn’t have on an e-mountain bike: Why use clamps or clamps to attach lights with small batteries to the bike when the drive battery offers almost an abundance of power?
The Monkey Link is probably the most important innovation in terms of light and e-bikes since the dynamo requirement was abolished. The system diverts energy from the drive battery, which is routed to the stem and seat clamp with internal cable harnesses. Luminaires can then be mounted there according to the principle cited at the beginning.
Monkey Link: Clipping it on is always fun
The highlight here: Thanks to the magnetic guide, the rear light and headlight can be attached with your eyes closed; they are pulled into the correct position as if by magic. The Monkey Link replaces sluggish clamps with a user-friendly, very secure connection that can be operated with minimal effort and can be released with a light lever pressure.
Monkey Link: From 2018 on all E-MTBs of the ZEG brands from Bulls to Kettler
The advantages of the system, which can already be found on all 2018 E-MTBs from all ZEG brands from Bulls to Kettler, are easy to understand: Thanks to Monkey Link, the e-mountain bike can be made StVZO-compliant in two simple steps; in sporting use it can remain "lightless". Anyone who rarely rides in the dark no longer has to worry about the charge level of their battery lights or dangerous deep discharge when stored in the bicycle cellar for a long time. Once fitted, the rear light and headlight have power for at least as long as the motor supports.
Monkey Link: More smart attachments will follow
In addition to the lighting components - three "Connect" light sets are currently available, the spotlights of which bring 50, 70 and 100 lux onto the road - Monkey Link also offers mudguards that supplement or replace the lighting. While the front mudguard is mounted on a special clamp in the steerer tube, the rear "fender" is pushed into the "Monkey Link" mount on the seat clamp. Now the light integrated in the mudguard takes over the function of the rear light.
Monkey Link: Also with battery for bikes without electric drive
If neither lights nor protectors are latched in, you can attach compact covers to improve the look and protect the electrical contacts – optionally with an integrated reflector. Stems and saddle clamps are available in different versions and dimensions and are so visually impressive that one wonders whether this mounting standard would not also make sense on non-motorized bicycles. He would - and that's exactly why Monkey Link also offers "Recharge" lights that have an integrated battery (spotlights with 30, 50 and 70 lux) and can be elegantly and securely attached to elegant urban bikes, for example.
Front spotlights with high luminosity are already available, but the company is thinking ahead - extremely bright prototypes could already be seen at the ZEG in-house exhibition and should become reality in the near future. "Magnetically guided, mechanically locked, electrically connected" should then also become the motto for the most demanding trail bikers.