Zoom Zoom. We didn’t think we would, but we loved every minute on the SDURO HardSeven SL. By Oli Munnik

Myth-Busting

I bet the first thing you thought when you saw this E-bike was ‘this is for lazy, unfit people looking for a short-cut to success’. This may be true for a small minority of people, but after spending two weeks on Haibike’s SDURO HardSeven SL, a 27.5+ hardtail, we found that E-bikes are the perfect tool for making cycling more inclusive. And at Bicycling, we believe the more people riding bikes, the better!

No Free Ride

The HardSeven’s sturdy alloy frame houses a reliable 250W Yamaha motor and detachable battery, which runs the length of the frame’s downtube. The motor only engages when torque is applied to the crankset – what this means is that it’s not a case of ‘twist and go’, like a scooter; the pedal-assist motor requires
the rider to be pedalling in order for the motor to engage.

The amount of pedal assist is based on torque, which means that if you’re on a very steep hill you’ll be supplied with more power (which uses more battery life), and on flatter sections (which require less torque) the motor reduces the power supply.

The motor’s initial power surge, for example when taking off from a standing start, is evenly distributed, eliminating being jerked forward when the motor kicks into action.

The Juice

Battery life and range depend heavily on the nature of your route – on/off-road, steep, flat or undulating. Our real-world experience taught us that two hours was a safe bet for the average ride. You could probably eke out another half-hour, but you don’t want to find yourself running out of juice 10 kays from home!

Charging is easy using a standard 220V supply, with times ranging between two to three hours to recharge fully.

The Ride

The ride experience is probably what impressed us the most. At over 20kg, this is not a whippet-thin racing bike, but the efficiency of the Yamaha motor makes the weight of the bicycle irrelevant.

Distributed as it is around the BB and downtube, the weight of the battery and motor doesn’t affect handling as much as you might think. And given the weight, the bike handled well on both open gravel and tame singletrack.

It’s important to remember, though, that the SDURO range is not built to endure the demands of techie trails; rather, it’s intended to give people (especially commuters) the chance to ride further, faster and higher than they would normally on a standard bike.

[box] WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The 250W motor helps you pedal; it doesn’t pedal for you
• Although weighing over 20kg, the bike rides surprisingly well
• Battery life allows for about 2 hours ride time – but this is not an exact science
• Recharging the battery is very simple
• Best for commuting and recreational riding. [/box]

Price: R39 990
Supplier: evolutioncycling.co.za

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