Vaude eBracket 28 backpack

First impression
Vaude's e-bike backpack comes in a simple gray and is visually suitable for mountain biking as well as urban or trekking use. The name says it all with the eBracket 28, it holds just as many liters. Batteries up to 50 centimetres long can be attached in the main compartment. It is suitable for hydration bladders and has an ingenious compartment layout. Water bottles or a thin jacket can be stowed within easy reach in the generously dimensioned side pockets. Whether rain cover, tools or helmet, everything has its place. A very practical detail is the strap on the shoulder strap for attaching sunglasses.

In use
The backpack has literally been created for a very wide audience. With a height of 170 centimetres and an athletic figure, you have to fold the hip belt to be able to close the buckle. The eBracket is cut very wide and probably fits around almost every timpani. With a battery in your luggage or otherwise a heavy load, the eBracket needs to be strapped on tightly so that it doesn't slip. It then sits snugly without constricting. The ventilation of the back is at an average level, while the ventilation of the hip belt is very high thanks to the mesh fabric.

Conclusion
Apart from the very long hip belt, the only other criticism is that a zipper on both sides of the tool compartment would be practical. Apart from that, the rucksack has no weaknesses and is very appealing thanks to the clever management of the compartments. The special compartment for the battery clearly makes it an e-bike product.

Manufacturer/distributor:
Vaude / Uvex Switzerland
www.vaude.com / www.uvexsports.ch

Vaude eMoab Shorts

When you hear e-bike clothing, you think of neon-colored vests and similar "safety clothing". The usual outfit of many e-bike riders in urban areas. But clothing for e-MTBs? Yes, that actually exists.

First impression
At first glance, Vaude's eMoab shorts look like "normal" bike shorts. According to Vaude, however, they have various features and details that are designed for e-biking. Honestly, it's all marketing and it's stuff that every cyclist benefits from, except for one functionality. The seat area has a silicone print that prevents you from sliding backwards on the saddle on steep climbs. Otherwise, the shorts are plain black and minimalist. They have two classic welt pockets as well as two ventilation slits on the outside of the thighs and holes on the inside for a pleasant climate. The waistband is a combination of a stretch insert and width adjustment via a ratchet at the front.

In action
Thanks to the loose-fit cut, the trousers offer plenty of freedom of movement and a comfortable fit. The waistband is easy to adjust. They are cut slightly longer at the front and are therefore optimized for wearing protectors. The ventilation is good and if you do sweat more than average, the shorts dry off very quickly. The rubber coating on the seat is a matter of taste. If you wear inner shorts with a smooth outer material, the feel is a little unusual. You stick to the saddle on the outside and still slip on the inside.

Conclusion
Whether e-bike-specific shorts are really necessary is an open question. But one thing is clear, the Vaude eMoab shorts are successful bike shorts and produced according to environmentally friendly criteria.

Price: CHF 180.00

Manufacturer/distributor:
Vaude / Uvex Switzerland
www.vaude.com / www.uvexsports.ch

Vaude eMoab Shirt

First impression
Similar to the eMoab shorts, the jersey has silicone prints on the lower back and shoulders. This is so that backpacks loaded with batteries slip less. The front is made of a windproof fabric at the top and a well-ventilated material at the bottom. This may sound contradictory, but it works in practice. There is a zippered pocket at the back that can just about hold a smartphone. The back is cut slightly longer

In use
The jersey is comfortable to wear and very light, with a very casual cut to match the trousers. The windproof outer material is comfortable to wear, even on sweaty climbs, as it is very breathable. Like the trousers, the material dries quickly. The rubber coating for a better grip on the rucksack works as intended.

Conclusion
You really don't need an e-bike jersey. Vaude's E-MTB benefits are useful for cycling in general. The eMoab shirt has no weaknesses, except for the design, which should be a little less conservative.

Price: CHF 100.00

Manufacturer/distributor:
Vaude / Uvex Switzerland
www.vaude.com / www.uvexsports.ch

Sqlab 60X saddle

First impression
The 60X is equipped with Sqlab's Active and Ergowave technology. More on this below. To eliminate backward sliding on steep climbs, the 60X has a profiled, rubberized surface that keeps your butt in place. The saddle is available in four widths to suit the respective sit bone distance. This can be determined by a Sqlab specialist dealer.

In use
The Sqlab 60X offers three striking advantages over all other saddles. Thanks to Active technology, back pain is a thing of the past. As the saddle moves by around 7 degrees, it constantly mobilizes the intervertebral discs when pedalling. People with back problems in particular will appreciate this. The Ergowave shape supports the pelvis and prevents it from buckling. This "stabilized" sitting position means you need less energy to hold your pelvis in place, giving you noticeably more power for your legs and allowing you to pedal with less effort. Thanks to the raised rear of the saddle, you no longer slide backwards over the edge of the saddle on steep climbs. This is an important aspect, especially when e-biking, as you never pedal in a cradle position but are always seated.

Conclusion
The Sqlab 60X not only helps you to ride without discomfort, it also makes sense in this version, especially on an e-bike.

Price: CHF 179.00

Manufacturer/distributor:
Sqlab / Tour de Suisse bike
www.sq-lab.com / www.tds-rad.ch

Schwalbe Eddy Current tires

First impression
Motocross or e-mountain bike? The tires are so "fat" that they initially cause uncertainty.
If you ride an e-bike primarily in poor conditions or on steep and exposed terrain, you need robust and chunky tires. There's no getting around Schwalbe's Eddy Current e-bike tires.

In use
Even an air pressure of well below one bar leaves the tires cold. They have taken numerous punctures just like that. They provide excellent grip in corners, outstanding traction uphill, bite through gravel and into any surface when you brake. They simply dig through deep mud and provide plenty of propulsion. Sure, the rolling resistance is massive, but on an e-bike that doesn't matter so much.

Conclusion
You really don't want to set the 1350 grams per tire in motion without the motor. The Eddy Currents offer everything you would expect from a robust e-bike tire and even a little more.

Price: CHF 85.00 each

Manufacturer/distributor:
www.schwalbe.com