Pegasus Ravenna EVO 7F Belt Review: The Cologne-based brand offers a well-balanced touring bike at an anniversary price, impressing with its well-tuned support and practical features. Those who consider themselves part of the traditional core target group of the e-bike industry will find this model to offer a balanced level of technology for a high level of riding comfort.
The extent to which the focus has shifted in the e-bike industry can be clearly seen in current developments and discussions: one of the fastest growing market segments is cargo bikes for young families, while the trend towards ever more powerful motors gives cause for concern about stricter legal regulations.
What's often forgotten is the original purpose of e-bikes: to make cycling less strenuous with a gentle boost, thus providing more riding enjoyment and comfort. But such models still exist, of course – and a good example is the Pegasus Ravenna EVO 7F Belt.
Pegasus Ravenna EVO 7F Belt: Comfort instead of overpowering
The Cologne-based brand, which naturally now also offers an attractive family bike, emphasizes classic touring bike virtues with the Ravenna and appeals to a corresponding clientele: This is an e-bike for those who prioritize seating comfort and practical functionality and prefer refined drive characteristics to maximum power. In the aforementioned torque battle, it's often forgotten that the Bosch Performance Line, with its 75 Newton meters, already provides very powerful support in headwinds and on hills. After all, the motor delivers a peak output of 600 watts and, with its 3,4x assistance level, doesn't demand too much effort from the rider.
The refined responsiveness when starting off is also a definite plus for anyone who doesn't consider themselves a "sports rider" but values controllability and safety. Applying pressure to the pedal doesn't result in a jerky power delivery, making the Pegasus Ravenna very easy to maneuver at low speeds. This is also important because the upright riding position doesn't put too much pressure on the front wheel – too much force could cause it to lose contact with the ground.
Belt drive and fairly large battery
Pegasus has clearly tailored the drivetrain for use on relatively flat terrain. The Shimano Nexus 7 is primarily an affordable solution, but its closely spaced gears make it comfortable to use. The Cologne-based bicycle manufacturer hasn't skimped on power transmission, however, opting for a virtually maintenance-free belt drive. This is by no means standard in this price range; in fact, the total of 2...999 Another very interesting aspect of the Pegasus Ravenna is the price. This is essentially a birthday present to mark the 60th anniversary of the brand owner ZEG – Zweirad-Einkaufs-Genossenschaft eG (Two-Wheel Purchasing Cooperative), although the bicycle is not a limited-time special offer.
Knowing this, the Ravenna's other features become even more appealing: The Bosch battery, with its 540 watt-hours, is more than adequate; practical details like a chain guard, frame lock, and bungee cords for the rear rack are included, making it a perfect fit for an everyday bike. There's also a discreetly integrated rear light and a headlight that, at 70 lux, is truly very bright. The Ravenna is available with a diamond frame or as a step-through model, and there's only one thing the target audience for this e-bike might miss: a coaster brake, which Pegasus now only offers on a few models. However, getting used to the powerful disc brakes should be a small price to pay for the many qualities the Pegasus Ravenna EVO 7F Belt has to offer.
