E-bike tour and everyday life: Test: Pegasus Savona EVO 10 ABS – Safe to a standstill

Pegasus Savona EVO 10 ABS test: The Pegasus Savona EVO 10 trekking bike is one of the first models with the new e-bike ABS from Bosch. Velomotion was out cycling in the springtime Vinschgau to convince themselves of the function of the ABS system.

The last snow is disappearing on the mountains, but down here in the Adige Valley it is so mild that you can finally leave your long trousers in the hotel room. It's still quiet in the apple orchards. Cyclists are hardly on the road; Split, dust and dirt cover the roadsides and have accumulated in the curves. Anyone who completes the first kilometers of the year on such terrain must be particularly careful: the reflexes have not yet fully awakened and the pleasant weather tempts you to dream of spring instead of paying full attention to the route. No emergency braking that could block the front wheel of the Pegasus Savona EVO 10!

Pegasus Savona EVO 10 ABS: Emergency braking desired

But wait - that's exactly why we're here. Our pedestal, the new Pegasus Savona EVO 10, is equipped with technology that is designed to prevent precisely such situations. The anti-lock braking system, which has long been standard for cars and since January 2017 has finally been mandatory for newly registered motorcycles with a displacement of 125 ccm or more, has arrived on bicycles. Or rather, on an e-bike – because to operate the ABS, you need electricity, of course.

The system, which has been available since this spring, was developed by Bosch. The automotive specialist was able to draw on the technology of its motorcycle ABS, which has been tried and tested for decades and, according to ADAC estimates, can prevent over 20% of all motorcycle accidents and even 45% of the feared single-vehicle accidents. As far as pedelec crashes are concerned, Bosch speaks of a 20% reduction in accidents – a remarkable figure given that the number of falls with e-bikes is increasing in parallel with their spread.

Pegasus Savona EVO 10 ABS: how does the ABS actually work?

To put it simply, the technology serves to prevent two types of accidents: In the event of emergency braking while driving straight, the rear wheel should be prevented from lifting off the ground – the dreaded rollover. And when braking on loose ground, lateral slipping or swerving should be prevented. In view of the high deceleration forces of modern disc brakes, both are quite possible even at moderate speeds, and now it is precisely such brake systems that can help. There are sensors on the brake discs of both wheels that measure the wheel speed. If there is a sharp drop in engine speed or a clear difference in engine speed at the front and rear, the ABS control unit in the box on the handlebars reduces the brake pressure for fractions of a second until the wheel starts rolling again; then brake pressure is built up again. This process can be repeated several times per second, so that you come to a safe stop despite the brake lever being fully pulled.

At least that's the theory - which was impressively proven with the Pegasus Savona EVO 10 ABS on the cycle paths of the Vinschgau. Because in practice, the e-bike ABS keeps what it promises. It can be recognized by the control unit already mentioned and by an indicator light on the stem that lights up briefly when the drive is activated. Above 6 km/h, the system, which is linked to the four-piston front brake, is activated - of course we want to try it at a much higher speed. So a short sprint, which is child's play thanks to the powerful Bosch Performance CX motor, and then the hard actuation of the left brake lever: you can clearly feel the pulsing in your hand that drivers know from the brake pedal when the ABS regulates. What feels like force pushing against the lever is the volume expansion in the system, which reduces braking power. "I can't brake all the way," shoots through your head - but you're already standing there. What is perceived as a defusing of the potent Magura decelerator is in reality its optimization - no professional can modulate the brakes so sensitively. At the back you can still block to your heart's content, but that is known to be much less serious. The system also works perfectly when the car is leaning, for example when taking a slippery curve and an obstacle forces you to brake abruptly.

ABS on e-bikes? Makes sense!

The ABS cannot be actively switched off; However, anyone who activates the Savona's drive can see its effectiveness for themselves. A powerful and thoughtless pull on the lever is not possible without ABS - even a fraction of the manual force is enough to dangerously relieve the rear wheel. Even at low speeds, the four-piston brakes can only be controlled with a lot of feeling; Occasional cyclists may not be able to cope with it. But even normal trekking discs can be too sharp in extreme situations, be it due to an incorrect reaction by the driver or the condition of the road. There is no question that the Bosch ABS makes sense.

Of course, the modern safety technology is not available for free: at 3.799 euros, the Savona EVO 10 ABS costs 800 euros more than the largely identically equipped Pegasus Premio EVO 10. The 800 grams more weight that the ABS brings with it is put into perspective by different equipment details - In the end, the Savona is just 350 grams heavier than the Premio.

And as far as the optics are concerned, “early adopters” can rest easy: It shouldn’t be expected that the control unit will move inside the frame any time soon – it can hardly get any smaller, and it has to be somewhere between the brake lever and the brake caliper. So if you want to buy an e-bike in the coming season, you can confidently choose the ABS model. There is currently no safer way to be out and about on two wheels, even if the usual reflexes return over the course of the season.