The E1 is a light e-bike; the motor and battery weigh just 3.5 kilos, the same as the battery on other bikes. Maxon's "Bikedrive Air" system provides support with a maximum of 30 Newton meters and a 250 Wh battery. The system is controlled either via the control element embedded in the top tube or via the elegant toggle switch on the Zirbel handlebars. All e-components are reduced to the essentials. Coupling the system with a Sigma bike computer and corresponding apps expand the possibilities.

The test bike comes with top equipment. The manufacturer's goal is to undercut the 16-kilo mark. It (almost) achieved this, at least when weighed without pedals - which is incomprehensibly common practice in the bike industry. If you don't want a wheel, you have to reckon with another 400 grams.

We asked what makes the E1 so special:

1. The Transalpes E1 is the lightest full-suspension E-MTB with a weight from 15 kg.
The Transalpes E1 driven by maxon is the first hybrid mountain bike. Thanks to its unique freewheel technology, the e-MTB can be ridden with or without motor support.
2. The customer can configure the Transalpes E1 with a large selection of bike parts or build it themselves as a frame kit with their own bike parts.

Statement by: Michel Juhasz, owner, Transalpes Bikes

Special features

• Light e-MTB: 250 Wh battery with 30 Nm support
• "Bikedrive Air" drive system from the Swiss manufacturer Maxon
• Complete integration of the motor
• Control element in the top tube
• Zirbel switch for operating the support levels
• "Range extender", additionally mountable battery with additional 250 Wh capacity
• Fully charged in 3.5 hours
• Optional velocomputer from Sigma
• Configurable equipment
• Splash guard for rear axle

On the flat

The light motor provides pleasant support and is not as "pushy" as its larger counterparts. It is most comfortable to ride at a slightly higher cadence than usual, so you also need less power. The handling of the E1 is typically agile and playful on a trail bike. The light overall weight makes the handling pleasant for an E-MTB. It would be fun to whizz through flowing trails if only the motor didn't clatter so strangely, as if something was loose in the gearbox. More on this below.

Up the mountain

The Maxon motor offers three support levels, with the two lower ones offering little support ex works. However, this can be adjusted via the app. With the middle level, the bike rides uphill like a sub-12-kilo bike, so your legs will be burning after 45 minutes.

If you want to go uphill fast, you need your muscles even with maximum support, because it's like riding with a "tailwind" and different from classic e-bikes. The "Maxon Bikedrive Air" system only provides around a third of the support of "normal" motors from the major brands. However, the support is not as brute, which is a particular advantage on narrow single trails. The E1 is a good climber and rarely loses grip, while the sensor system efficiently prevents the rear wheel from spinning.

Downhill

At just 16.3 kilos, the Transalpes rides almost like a "normal" bike. If you pedal over the 25 km/h limit, the gearbox disengages imperceptibly. The E1 feels more like a classic trail bike on the ground, not as plush as the heavier e-bikes. Thanks to the firm suspension, it rides like a sporty cross-country machine with plenty of suspension travel. It has slightly nervous steering behavior and passes a lot on to the rider at high speeds and rough bumps.

The Maxon drive

The performance of the motor and the battery capacity are impressive across the board, as is the ease of use. If it weren't for the background noise of the drive. As soon as there is no traction on the chain, it rattles and clacks annoyingly, especially downhill on rough stretches. If you pedal backwards in low gears, further noises are produced. And the freewheel feels very strange, as if something is loose. If the chain is above the middle of the cassette - and therefore has more traction - this does not happen. Such noises are also known from other manufacturers, but not to this extent. On enquiring at Transalpes, it turns out that the noise comes from the freewheel of the gearbox and is amplified by the carbon crank. The latter will no longer be used in future. As a seasoned tester, you are not impressed by words, the bike is returned and a new one is ordered. A few days later the bike is back, new with an aluminum crank and a wheelset with a DT hub, the one from Tune (first delivery) was probably a bit off. As a result, the E1 has gained some weight and now weighs 16.6 kilos. In addition, the latest firmware and the latest factory settings from Transalpes were installed. And lo and behold, the clattering is not gone, but it is much quieter. According to Maxon, a number of efforts are currently underway to reduce the noise. The system was very quiet in the prototypes with aluminum frames. The latest findings with the final carbon frames are now being incorporated into further development. Unfortunately, the carbon frame acts like an amplifier.

On request, Maxon issued the following written statement regarding the noise problem: "When developing the freewheel, we placed maximum emphasis on a unique and natural riding experience - in assisted and unassisted mode. This design can sometimes lead to the noises described. However, they also depend heavily on the kinematics of the rear triangle, the hub freewheel and the chain tension and can be amplified by the frame. This is more likely to be the case with carbon frames with large cross-sections, for example, than with thinner aluminum frames. Maxon is already working on ways to further minimize these noises." Thomas Steger, PM Business Development eMobility, Maxon Motor

Conclusion

The Transalpes E1 with the Maxon motor is certainly an exciting concept. The maximum integration and reduction of the electric components is appealing. The bike is not for wild minds who like to ride rough routes at full throttle. It is aimed more at sporty bikers who want an e-MTB but are still prepared to use muscle power. On moderate terrain and flow trails, the bike impressed us with its good handling. The motor is impressive, as is the functionality of the gearbox, except for the background noise.

Recommendation

The Transalpes E1 is also available with a 150-millimeter suspension fork, which certainly brings a little more composure to the handling. Light riders are well advised to set the rear a little softer than usual, which increases the riding comfort considerably.

Specifications

Geometry

All data here: Link

Manufacturer

www.transalpes.ch

Test report published in issue 79 of Ride magazine.