Test / E-Bikes: At first glance, you can see that the Legend Etna does a number of things differently than most of the available e-bikes. A folding mechanism meets full suspension, a slim hub motor meets the battery integrated in the frame. Quite an interesting mix - especially the folding mechanism in the top tube makes us curious. But at this point it should be noted that the Legend Etna is not a folding bike in the classic sense, the joint is more of an additional feature than a defining characteristic of the bike.
But first things first: Legend is still relatively unknown, but it now has four e-bikes in its range, all with a folding mechanism, by the way. Quite remarkable: Legend is a thoroughly European company, the development of the bikes takes place in Barcelona, production in Portugal and service is based in Hanover. That's also a nice thing because all Legend e-bikes are also fairly priced. The Etna is no exception, as it really surprised us in a positive way for 2.099 euros. Incidentally, the bikes come directly from production to the customer, and are sold via the Legend E-Bikes website.
A hub motor in the rear wheel with the company name on it is responsible for driving the bike. There are no surprises when it comes to the technical data, with its maximum torque of 40 Nm it is roughly on par with the competition. When it comes to the battery, buyers can choose between a variant with 374 Wh or 504 Wh. Both are stowed in the top tube and can be easily removed by opening the folding joint. Here one or the other big name can learn a lesson. The drive is operated via the so-called iWoc Remote: LEDs on the compact control unit provide information about the charge level of the battery and the support level. Unfortunately, the buttons do not have a really firm pressure point, which means that the hand or fingers could be used a little better.
A highlight of the iWoc Remote is its connectivity, as it is part of the Mahle Smart Bike System. The smartphone can be connected via a free app, which can then be used as a full display, for example. In addition, it also offers functions such as controlling the drive power depending on the driver's heart rate - ideal for training. An individual support level can also be created, which can be adapted to your own needs via an intuitive performance curve.
When you look at the aluminum frame, the first thing that surprises you is the folding mechanism. Not that motorized folding bikes would be particularly spectacular in 2022, but there are hardly any full-suspension e-bikes with "normal-sized" wheels (here: 27,5 inches) on the market next to the Etna. For this reason alone, the bike can hardly be compared with other folding bikes and the area of application should also be somewhat different. Although the dimensions of the Etna shrink to almost half, the bike is still not really handy: On the one hand, this is of course due to the weight, on the other hand, the front wheel has to be removed for the best dimensions. In addition, the bike hardly stands by itself when folded and the folding mechanism cannot be fixed either.
Despite these criticisms, we can think of a few examples where folding the bike can be quite practical: If you want to transport your bike in the trunk, for example, the Etna is easy. The bike could also become much more attractive for camping holidays.
At first glance, the sprung rear end of the Etna promises real off-road capability. But even the "only" 40 mm suspension travel reveals that Legend is aiming for more comfort here. On the other hand, you can look forward to a generous 100 mm of spring travel at the front, and a fork from the well-known manufacturer RockShox. The same applies to the entire equipment: Be it the well-dimensioned disc brakes from Shimano, the 11-speed gears from Sram or the Promax cockpit: you won't find "cheap parts" here, which is not a matter of course in this price range these days. Very nice!
In practice, the modern and well-balanced geometry, which suits our tester with a height of 1,86 cm, pleases us immediately when we put it on. Unfortunately, the bike is only available in one frame size - smaller riders in particular will have a hard time with it. The handling surprises positively and the Etna is an inconspicuous, all in all simply well-rounded touring bike. Of course, you have to make compromises in view of the price: Yes, the motor pushes a little further by not having a torque sensor - it takes a little getting used to. The rear suspension works well on bad asphalt roads, on gravel and forest roads, but it is clearly not intended for a trail - as is the entire bike, by the way.
The selected components, which function reliably without exception, are absolutely convincing. Apart from pushing, the drive is also a lot of fun and, above all, pleasantly quiet. A surprising highlight is the really successful app, which can keep up with the really big names on the market.
