Test Dynamics Vulcano: The e-hardtail from the well-known Dynamics brand, which can be found exclusively in the 21 branches of the Zweiradcenter Stadler, is offered at a low rate, but is functionally all-round convincing. Portrait of an e-mountain bike that also serves well in everyday life.
In some respects, it's easier to judge an e-bike. The drive is the determining element, and if the bike manufacturer relies on well-known suppliers here, you can be pretty sure that you are buying a bike that has high-quality equipment where it matters most. This is also the case with the Dynamics Vulcano: With this model, the own brand from Zweirad-Center Stadler is presenting an e-hardtail with a Bosch motor, which guarantees solid, harmonious drive characteristics without looking at it – which is of course the most important discipline for a pedelec. With the performance variant of the mid-engine, which delivers 65 Nm of torque and is combined here with a 500-watt-hour battery, this MTB is balanced and sporty - lively when accelerating and going uphill, but not overly powerful. No special experience is required to keep this bike in check on off-road trails; on the other hand, it offers a lot of driving fun, especially for newcomers to off-road fun or bikers who switch to an e-model.
The Dynamics Vulcano feels at home in almost any terrain
The Vulcano is geared more towards touring than difficult terrain. Forest and field paths, now and then a real trail, plus asphalt and dirt roads are the terrain of the Dynamics, which is extremely versatile. What ensures safety and traction on difficult terrain - the fork with 120 mm suspension travel and the wide 27,5-inch tires with their strong profile - is responsible for the high level of driving comfort in less demanding driving situations, with which the sporty model pleases. The seating position is balanced and is also suitable for beginners, with the short handlebar stem ensuring a comfortable posture on the one hand, and handy, agile steering on the other - something that also brings advantages off-road. If you select the E-MTB mode on the motor control, you only have to put your feet down and steer - the electronics regulate the support so sensitively that you are always on the move with plenty of traction, and the long-travel suspension fork, which adapts easily to the rider's weight can be adjusted, together with the voluminous tires ensures comfort and traction even over stones and roots.
Monkey Link lighting and space for luggage racks or mudguards
Of course, these properties also benefit the driver of the Vulcano in other forms of use. If you use the bike as a brisk everyday bike, you can enjoy the suspension comfort on bad asphalt and curbs; the powerful engine is just as good for starts at traffic lights as it is for off-road passages. The threaded holes on the rear triangle show that the manufacturer had such a use in mind – a luggage rack can be attached here, for example, along with a permanently mounted mudguard. Slots on the seat clamp and stem allow special battery lights to be securely attached.
The completion of the Dynamics offers little surprise: Nine-speed derailleur gears and Tektro disc brakes are common in this price range and work very solidly. 1×12 gears are currently the rage, but e-mountain bikes don’t even need their large range of gears – thanks to the powerful motor, you can do without extremely easy mountain gears and one or the other intermediate step. Both wheels are attached with classic quick-releases instead of thru-axles, which is of course not a real disadvantage - the disc brakes are still non-slip and the fork is completely unimpressed by strong braking manoeuvres. This is equipped with a lockout, with which you can block the fork when pedaling out of the saddle; in practice, however, you hardly need this functional feature on the E-MTB. A "remote control" with a locking lever on the handlebars is therefore not necessary.
A partially integrated battery has its advantages
Another feature that many high-priced e-MTBs have is also not available on the Dynamics and is also not missed: the fully integrated battery. The solution of partial integration favored here is as elegant as it is practical - the 500 watt hour battery, which has a long range, can be removed very easily and in no way looks like a foreign body on the bike.
This construction also contributes to the fact that the Vulcano can be offered extremely cheaply: almost 2.200 euros for a high-quality, powerfully motorized, solidly equipped e-MTB is tempting, especially considering the option of using the bike for touring and as an everyday bike . Of course there are lighter, better equipped off-roaders with more powerful engines - but this model is just right for anyone who wants to undertake moderately sporty tours in moderate terrain.
