Bergamont E-Revox Rigid EQ under test: Better without a suspension fork?

E-Bike / Urban: With the Bergamont E-Revox Rigid EQ, we tested an extraordinary e-bike that blurs the line between hardtail and urban bike. The omission of a suspension fork is courageous, but pleases in practical use.

The Revox is undoubtedly one of the "longest-serving" models in Bergamont's extensive portfolio. Once a real "race hardtail" for the race track, the adjustment screw has now been turned significantly more in the direction of everyday use - and the Revox has of course also been electrified as the E-Revox. The Revox from Hamburg have a total of eleven models with motors in their program for this season. The respective variants not only differ in terms of equipment and price, but also in terms of their orientation. From the sporty e-hardtail for off-road use to the comfortable urban bike with full equipment, the entire spectrum is covered, where a modern e-hardtail feels at home.

In the test, we had one of the highest quality models with the E-Revox Rigid EQ, and also the only equipment variant that does not have a suspension fork.

Bergamont E-Revox: The models

Successful concept for urban space

The E-Revox Rigid EQ is based on a visually and technically impressive aluminum frame. Due to its organic shape and elegant lines, one could definitely conclude that it is a carbon frame, especially from a distance.

A Bosch Performance CX motor beats at the heart of the bike. Compact, powerful and low-maintenance - with a maximum of 85 Nm it is one of the most powerful units on the market and is powered by a 625 Wh battery in the down tube. This gives you excellent ranges, which should easily be sufficient for everyday use or even longer tours. However, if you are planning longer rides or simply don't want to worry about a possibly empty battery, you also have the option of mounting an additional battery (up to 500 Wh) on the down tube. The drive is controlled with the proven Purion control unit. The integrated, monochrome display is easy to read, but does not show too much information.

The selected components and attachments are also convincing: The Shimano gear mix with XT rear derailleur offers eleven gears and, thanks to the 11-46 cassette, a wide range, even when there are steep climbs, for example. The 4-piston brakes also come from Shimano, which, together with the 180mm brake discs, bring the approx. 24,5 kg bike and rider to a standstill without any problems.

Bergamont deserves extra praise for the high-quality add-on parts: From the lighting to the mudguards to the grips and the saddle: Where other manufacturers often make cutbacks, the St.Paulians consistently focus on quality, which has an extremely positive effect overall affects the overall impression and also the driving experience.

There are good reasons why there is no suspension fork: The e-bike not only requires less maintenance - a suspension fork only works reliably in the long term if it is serviced regularly - you also save a few hundred grams in weight. Of course you have to do without comfort, especially in the case of potholes or on rough cobbled streets. Bergamont is also aware of this and has therefore given the Rigid EQ 27,5 inch wheels with particularly large tires from Schwalbe. With appropriately adjusted air pressure, these vibrations and small bumps can be ironed out almost as efficiently as a suspension fork.

The Bergamont E-Revox Rigid EQ in a video test

You can find out in detail how the E-Revox Rigid EQ performs in practice in our test video. In short: the lack of a suspension fork is almost completely compensated for by the voluminous tires on moderately bad ground. Otherwise, the bike pleases with its sporty, balanced handling and successful choice of components.