Test / E-Bike: As one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, it's not too surprising that the bike business isn't exactly the focus at BMW. Nevertheless: For many years now, the Bavarians have been surprising people with sometimes bold bicycles, some of which are now coveted collectors' items. This tradition is set to continue in 2020 - including with a new variant of the BMW Active Hybrid E-Bike, which with its universal approach may not really fit into one bicycle category, but is undoubtedly more at home on asphalt than next to it.
BMW and Brose: A proven combination
In terms of motor and drive, the new BMW e-bike relies on the current Brose Drive S with aluminum housing. The cooperation between BMW and Brose is a continuation of the cooperation from the automotive sector on the bike; you know and appreciate each other. In any case, the Drive S is currently perhaps the best choice for a bike like the BMW Active Hybrid: it is one of the quietest among e-bike motors, but it does not lack the necessary power and is also pleasantly dynamic in everyday life .
BMW has combined the Brose motor with a 600Wh battery, which fits into the surprisingly narrow down tube, so that the bike doesn't run out of breath prematurely, even on longer tours. If necessary, it can also be quickly removed so that it can be charged in the office or at home, for example.
Display and control unit at a high level
The drive is controlled with a new remote and a new display. The latter sits in a sturdy metal frame directly in front of the stem. Here it is directly in the driver's field of vision, which further benefits the already good readability. It is operated with a compact remote that gets by with three buttons - the control is pleasantly simple and intuitive.
Another plus: Thanks to good pressure points and slight vibration when pressing the buttons, the remote can also be operated very well with thick gloves. The display provides all the necessary information and, if desired, much more. Thanks to the color coding of almost all of the information displayed, the key data can also be read from the corner of your eye once you get used to it.
Solid equipment without gross blunders
The rest of the equipment is consistently solid and consists of mostly proven and, above all, robust and low-maintenance components. However, if you are hoping for high-quality components, you will be disappointed: The Shimano XT drive with its 10 gears is a few years old, but it still works excellently and the range is also suitable for an e-bike like the BMW Active Hybrid perfectly adequate.
The Suntour NEX suspension fork offers 65mm of travel, unfortunately it is the version with a steel spring that can only be adjusted to the driver's weight to a limited extent; however, it is always sufficient to iron out potholes and low curbs. The overall high level of comfort of the BMW e-bike is not only due to the fork, but also to the pleasantly wide Continental tires, which not only absorb vibrations and bumps, but also ensure a good amount of grip - even on gravel.
Extremely successful ergonomics – with one exception
BMW didn't skimp on the add-on parts: the mudguards not only fit nicely into the modern overall picture, but are also sufficiently wide, don't rattle and the rear light is also integrated at the back. In our opinion, however, it should be a bit longer at the front in order to keep your feet reliably dry even when driving in the rain for a long time. The Selle Royal e-bike saddle and the Ergon handles are absolutely top notch, which ensure a very pleasant riding experience and where the majority of riders should feel right at home. If you want to adapt the overall very balanced seating position to your own preferences, you can do this quickly with the adjustable stem.
The 580mm narrow handlebars are no longer quite up-to-date - especially in the largest frame size L, they could easily be 10cm wider. So it would fit better with the otherwise extremely successful ergonomics and provide additional safety on the road. On the other hand, if you like to meander through narrow streets or between cars, you should probably welcome the narrow standard handlebars.
In the overall package, the BMW Active Hybrid E-Bike is a really successful all-round E-Bike that feels at home in many different areas of use. It benefits in particular from the excellent Brose Drive S drive and the well-rounded equipment package - even if it's not perfect. Finally, there is the price: At 3.500 euros, the BMW e-bike is certainly not a bargain, but the price is fair and appropriate for the overall successful performance.
