Test / E-Bikes: With the Quadriga Cityhopper, the traditional brand Kettler-Alu-Rad has an exciting compact e-bike in its range for 2021. With a Bosch Active Line Plus motor, 500 Wh PowerTube battery and 20 inch tires, the Kettler Quadriga Cityhopper is the ideal companion in urban areas. We have already been able to test the compact bike exclusively.
It is certainly no longer a secret that e-bikes have long since “conquered” inner-city areas. The versatility of some pedelecs often makes the automobile look old in the big city. Street congestion and a chronic shortage of parking spaces often correspond to reality. But the e-bike is not always the right alternative for everyone. Here, too, there is often a lack of a suitable "parking space" for the often bulky city e-bike. Compact e-bikes can help. With their smaller dimensions, they can often even be "parked" directly in the apartment and with their nimble driving characteristics they are made for overcrowded cities. In addition, they can be carried free of charge on most public transport with 20 inch wheels. As the name already suggests, the Kettler Quadriga Cityhopper wants to fulfill exactly these attributes.
Kettler Quadriga Cityhopper – short and sweet
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Engine: Bosch Active Line Plus (50 Nm)
- Battery pack: Bosch Power Tube 500
- Display: Bosch Intuvia
- wheel size: 20 inches (free on most public transport)
- Special features Speedlifter Twist stem, foldable pedals, K-Link clutch
- Price: EUR 2.999
Kettler Quadriga Cityhopper – compact frame with clever details
The heart of the Quadriga Cityhopper is the cleverly designed aluminum frame. The mono-tube concept not only enables easy ascent and descent, but also accommodates the 500 Wh Bosch PowerTube battery – almost invisibly. The battery cover can be removed with a small slide and the energy storage can be easily removed. If you want, you can of course charge directly on the bike. There is an additional charging socket above the motor.
In order to protect the trouser legs from the oily chain, the chainstay area is protected by a plastic cover integrated into the frame design – great! A luggage rack welded to the frame provides sufficient “storage space”. It can hold up to 25 kg of luggage and is ideally equipped for all eventualities thanks to a spring clamp and mounting points for a basket or panniers.
The Kettler Quadriga Cityhopper is also prepared for attaching a trailer. Appropriate (child) trailers can be easily coupled via a K-Link coupling. This is what versatility should look like!
You can find even more practical compact bikes in our top 10 for 2021
[blog specific=“142444″]Bosch Active Line Plus – perfect for the city
For the drive, Kettler relies on an Active Line Plus from Bosch for the Quadriga Cityhopper. The central motor is characterized by its almost noiseless operation and a very high level of efficiency. With a maximum torque of 50 Nm, you are well equipped in the city and even steep climbs can be climbed effortlessly and sweat-free in the "Turbo" support level.
The Bosch Intuvia display selects the support levels, switches the lighting system on and off and functions as the on-board computer. Placed in the middle above the stem, it is very easy to read and can be operated intuitively using the thumb buttons on the left.
Kettler Quadriga Cityhopper – Well thought-out equipment
When equipping the Quadriga Cityhopper, Kettler showed a great deal of sensitivity. The built-in components are robust, low-maintenance and of high quality. The 20-inch wheels roll on large-volume Schwalbe Big Apple tires with a width of 50 mm. These should provide the necessary traction and comfort. Braking is done with Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes, which should always decelerate reliably even in the most adverse weather conditions.
The Shimano Nexus hub gears are low-maintenance. There is a choice of versions with or without a coaster brake. Gear selection is carried out conveniently using a twist grip.
Robust aluminum mudguards keep the driver clean when it's wet and a stable side stand behind the engine ensures that the Quadriga Cityhopper stands securely.
The LED lighting system with 30 lux headlights is conveniently powered by the large Bosch PowerTube battery and can be switched on and off via the Intuvia display.
The Kettler Quadriga Cityhopper is only available in one size. In order to appeal to the widest possible group of buyers, it can be adjusted to the individual body size. The seat post has a large adjustment range and the generously padded saddle should suit most preferences, even on longer rides. Clever: Not only the handlebar height can be adjusted with a Speedlifter Twist stem; With the "Twist" function, the handlebars can also be folded when stationary, which significantly reduces the "pack size". Ergonomically shaped grips and handlebars that are bent far back round off the comfortable cockpit area.
Kettler Quadriga Cityhopper – driving report in video
We were exclusively able to subject the Quadriga Cityhopper to a first test. The center of Munich served as the test area.
Due to the wide adjustment range of the seat post and the Speedlifter Twist stem, adapting to the needs of test riders of different sizes was not a problem. The cockpit area is ergonomically designed and the controls are intuitive to use. Already on the first few meters it is noticeable that Kettler has hit the mark with the specification of the Bosch Active Line Plus motor. Quiet, harmonious and, if desired, sufficiently powerful at any time, we were impressed by the Bosch mid-engine. It also proved to be extremely efficient, which means that we usually only had to charge the Cityhopper once a week for daily use.
The handling is light-footed and nimble without being jittery or unstable – even at higher speeds. The compact size favors quick changes of direction and facilitates maneuvering in the narrow urban jungle. We quickly got to know what is probably the greatest advantage of 20-inch compact e-bikes: taking the e-bike with you on the subway and S-Bahn free of charge. In crowded vehicles, simply fold in the pedals and turn the handlebars, and the Quadriga Cityhopper finds its place even in the smallest niches. The fact that the somewhat high total weight of just over 26 kg was noticeable on some subway stairs can be overcome in view of the fair price and the high-quality, solid equipment.
