Product news: Eurobike 2017: Raleigh Kent and Stanton – New e-bikes with mid or hub motors

Product news / Eurobike 2017: With the two sister models Raleigh Kent and Stanton, Raleigh has two exciting new additions to its portfolio for the coming season. The all-round e-bikes for trekking, city and country are available with a hub or central motor and each in three equipment variants - one of them even with a belt drive.

Hardly any other bicycle manufacturer can look back on such a long history as the English from Raleigh. The traditional forge was founded in the north of England at the end of the 19th century and still exists today. There has also been a separate German branch since 1974 – with its own development and production department. The typically British DNA is also unmistakable in the "German" Raleigh models: Clear frame shapes, no garish designs and an overall simple look clearly show: English understatement rules here.

Of course, Raleigh is also fully committed to the topic of e-bikes. Especially in the city / urban and trekking segment, where you have a particularly strong position, almost nothing works without an additional motor. Of course, that doesn't mean that non-motorized bicycles have been completely abandoned, but it also became clear again at Eurobike 2017 that e-bikes are currently playing a much more prominent role.

For 2018 there are one or rather two exciting new models. The Raleigh Kent and Stanton. At first glance, the two models seem to have a lot in common: The battery is integrated in the down tube, the frame shape is completely the same apart from a few small things, and the luggage rack, light and mudguards also seem to be of the same high quality. The difference between the two models lies in one crucial area: while the Raleigh Stanton is powered by a Neodrives Z20 hub motor, the Kent is supported by a traditional Bosch mid-engine.

Raleigh Kent vs Raleigh Stanton – Hub or Mid Motor?

With two models that are so similar except for the drive, the question now arises – which is better? Mid or hub motor? Even if this is not so easy to answer in general, both types of drive have their advantages. First of all, of course, the two drives differ primarily in terms of appearance: A hub motor is hardly noticeable at first glance and in combination with the integrated battery, the e-bike can only be identified as such at second or third glance. The volume is certainly not unimportant for many: A good hub motor like the Neodrives Z20 is virtually inaudible. A lot has happened with the mid-engines in the last two or three years, but they still produce a noticeable background noise. On the plus side, however, they can boast better weight distribution and a mostly more natural driving experience.

Raleigh Kent & Raleigh Stanton: models and prices

Website

www.raleigh-bikes.de