Décathlon Launches a Road Ebike at 14 Kg and 2,800 Euros

The importance of Décathlon’s choices for the ebike market

Décathlon has staked its claim across Europe with its sporting goods stores, which are veritable superstores. The ebikes it offers are often aligned with public preferences, and in any case mirror and may even influence the market trend, if not reinforce it. However, it has just confirmed that lightweight bikes are now the dominant trend, offering a sleek road bike weighing in at 14 kg. Underlining the importance of its choice, Décathlon not only sells it, but also manufactures it under its Van Rysel brand: the E-EDR AF.

Reasons for the growing popularity of lightweight ebikes

When it comes to urban and road ebikes, the tendency was to offer ebikes with maximum power, i.e. torque, given that power in Europe is limited to 250 Wh for electric bikes without a registration plate, insurance or driver license, which account for 97% of the market. The best manufacturers were quick to equip their latest models with motors delivering at least 70 Nm of torque, with a battery of substantial power, around 600 Wh. On average, this adds around 3 kg to the weight of the motor, and the same for the battery. As their speed cannot legally exceed 25 km/h, these powerful urban ebikes, because of their average weight exceeding 25 kg, become slower than a traditional bike beyond this speed limit, especially if you have enough leg strength to ride at 30 km/h on the flat. This is a reason why cyclists aged between 50 and 65 are the main buyers of ebikes while younger people tend to buy traditional bikes.

In fact, there are quite a few cyclists who would like to see a high speed limit of 32 km/h for unregistered ebikes, following the example of the USA.

For electric mountain bikes, more weight means less agility and maneuverability on trails and over obstacles, hence the importance of lightness. Finally, for any type of bike exceeding 20 kg, not only is it tiring and complicated to load it onto a car bike rack, but transporting it is also more difficult and dangerous, as some bike racks are not suitable for carrying heavy bikes.

Aesthetics are also important: lightweight bikes are often elegant, and manage to keep both the battery and the motor under control or even hidden.

Van Rysel E-EDR AF, Decathlon’s first ultralight bike

The Van Rysel E-EDR AF is an ultralight electric road bike with essential, chic lines. It’s powered by a Mahle X35 motor delivering 40 Nm of torque, with its 250 Wh battery so subtly integrated into the frame that it’s really hard to tell it’s an electric bike, the motor in the rear hub being just as unobtrusive. The whole unit weighs just 3.5 kg, compared with just over 6 kg for a Bosch Performance CX drivetrain with 85 Nm of torque and a 500 Wh battery. Admittedly, the latter is more powerful, but it’s also heavier and consumes more energy, with no wider range.

It has an aluminum frame with a carbon fork that cushions better than aluminum. Its brakes feature RAM 160 mm hydraulic discs with ample stopping power. The control unit with display is a BC 900 from Décathlon, which can be connected via ANT+ and Bluetooth, indicating remaining range, assistance level, speed, outside temperature and kilometers covered. It can be connected to the Decathlon Connect app, via Bluetooth synchronization with smartphone (Strava,…), customizable screens. The ebike can also be paired via Bluetooth with the Mahle app to configure your settings, and access data from your outings. The wheels are also from SRAM, guaranteeing at least 6000 km.

Components of the Mahle X35 drive with additional battery

Its autonomy? Always a difficult question!

Wanting to know the range of an electric bike is no easier than wanting to know the income of a stranger, since so many factors can influence it. In the case of this bike: on a flat course, with smooth roads, no wind, strong legs, 20° 25° Celsius, well inflated tires and, above all, minimal assistance, you can reach 100 km, as Décathlon claims. With the maximum assistance level, weak legs, hilly course, less than 8° Celsius, bumpy and rough road surface, light headwind, poorly inflated tires, you can’t even cover 35 km. Not to mention the cyclist’s “fuel”, with alcohol or a hearty meal changing the situation… You can always add Mahle’s 160 Wh range extender.

SRAM wireless electronic transmission

SRAM’s APEX AXS electronic drivetrain, the latest to be released last summer, is a single-platter 12-speed. Not only does the absence of cables add to the ebike clean lines, it’s also more precise than a mechanical transmission.

Good value for money

Decathlon’s new electric road bike retails for 2,800 euros, in sizes XS, S, M, L and XL. Given its components and equipment, suitability is a given, as is often the case with Decathlon bikes. For a quick priceworthiness comparison with an ebike featuring the same drive, and also aluminium frame with a lightweight carbon fork, take a look at the 2,799 euro Lapierre e-Crosshill 5.2. Which one do you think is better value for money?

Pi-Pop eBike at a glance

• Frame: aluminium
• Frame size: SX, S, M, L, XL
• Suspension fork: rigid carbon fork
• Motor/Generator: Mahle X35 250W, 40Nm
• Energy storage system: downtube integrated 250 Wh Mahle Li-ion battery
• Control unit: BC 900 from Décathlon, connectable via ANT+ and Bluetooth
• Drivetrain: electronic wireless transmission SRAM APEX AXS 1 X 12 speed
• Brakes: RAM 160 mm hydraulic disc brakes
• Weight: 13.9 kg in M size
• Maximum permitted total weight: n.c.
• Colour: red
• Price: 2,800 euros