Design & Innovation Award 2023: Full Electric Speed Ahead

During its existence, the Design & Innovation Award (DIA) always wanted to be more than a mere reflection of the market. Among the award winners there were always products that were not perfect, but that pointed the industry in the direction that the initiators of the award considered desirable. If we take this claim as a basis for the tenth edition of the DIA, then fans of ebikes can rejoice. Never before has the award been so much about electric support as this year.

This becomes clearest when you take a look at the award-winning bikes. The DIA divides them into the following categories:

• E-mountain bikes
• Mountain bikes
• Road bikes
• Urban
• Gravel bikes

There are 27 bikes in total, 13 of which have an e-drive. So at this point everything still looks like a slight overweight for conventional bikes. However, in the categories such as “Components (Offroad)” and “Components (Road)” there are another four innovations from the world of e-bikes from 2022. Thus, the jury gave the award to three current drive systems alone.

1. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebike drive systems
2. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebike components
3. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebikes – “E-Mountain Bikes”
4. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebikes – “Urban”
5. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebikes – “Road Bikes”

1. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebike drive systems

Among the components for off-road use, this is the new HPR50 from TQ. The jury particularly praised its inconspicuousness. Due to its small dimensions, the mid-mounted motor and its accompanying battery would be suitable for integration into a wide variety of bicycle types. Both e-mountain bikes and e-gravel bikes with the system are already on the market. But a drive system that is hardly noticeable on the bike would also be an advantage on urban ebikes. In addition, the restriction to a few control units would make it easier to use the ebike and at the same time noticeably lower the inhibitions that some people still have when it comes to riding a motor-assisted bicycle.

TQ HPR50

The X20 from Mahle and the M080 from Mivice feel more at home on the road. Both drives for the rear wheel, both rather systems for e-road bikes. The Mahle drive is certainly better known. Models like the Scott Addict RC eRide or the Willier Filante Hybrid emphasise its sporty character. Desiknio’s X20 Pinion, on the other hand, demonstrates what an excellent figure it cuts on a chic ebike for the city. The jury of the DIA 2023 seems to have liked first and foremost how easy it is to remove the rear wheel on bikes with this system. Thanks to Mahle’s new Automatic Motor Connection System, you can do this the conventional way, without having to connect or disconnect additional cables.

Mahle X20

Equipped with more torque, Mivice’s M080 probably scored important sympathy points as soon as the route led uphill. It is said to be impressive how natural the development of the 40 Newton metres felt when riding – powerful and sensitive at the same time.

Mivice M080

2. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebike components

The DIA even speaks of a “technological leap” when it comes to the new ABS for ebikes from Bosch. This also received the award, in the category “Components (Offroad)”. When the system was presented shortly before Eurobike 2022 in Frankfurt, it was already clear that this would be more than just a marginal update. Its advantages are clear: much smaller, much lighter than the previous version and with better performance. It remains to be hoped that more manufacturers will install this plus in riding safety on their bicycles. After all, the ABS is only supplied directly to them and cannot be retrofitted privately as a kit on an ebike.

Bosch’s ABS for ebikes

3. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebikes in the “E-Mountain Bikes” category

The e-mountain bikes are a wonderful illustration of what has found its way onto the market in the past year. These are the light drive systems whose torque is intentionally dosed to a range between 50 Newton metres and 60 Newton metres in order to save electricity, to keep the rider’s appeal of pedalling along powerfully and at the same time to realise acceptable ranges. The name of the HPR50 from TQ has already been mentioned. The Simplon Rapcon Pmax TQ and the Trek Fuel EXe are two of the winners based on this system. Fazua, one of the co-founders of the light e-MTB category, also made it onto the best list with the Haibike Lyke CF SE. Just like the Thömus Lightrider, which features the Maxon Bikedrive.

More power, more range – this concept will nevertheless remain with us, don’t worry. Although this was probably less of a deciding factor for the award in the case of both the Ibis Oso and the Unno Mith. Both are powered by the Bosch Performance CX of the Smart System with 85 Newton metres and a battery with a capacity of 750 watt hours. Their uniqueness, however, lies in their design. They stand out noticeably from the other novelties with their rear triangle concepts, their playful interpretation of conventional geometries and innovatively manufactured components. Not to mention that they set visual accents that absolutely deserve a design award.

The case of the Zemo SU-E FS 11 seems courageous to us. Not necessarily, its award, but there are good arguments for it. The classification as an e-mountain bike, on the other hand, could cause confusion. Yes, we are talking about a full-suspension bike with a suspension travel whose values are very much on the level of a cross-country mountain bike and whose 65 millimetre wide lugged tyres fit the trail very well. Nevertheless, this bike is not designed for real riding over rough and smooth, either uphill or downhill. However, it is a great trekking ebike with plenty of riding comfort and a lot of commuting potential.

Zemo SE-E FS 11

4. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebikes in the “Urban” category

Zemo’s model could well have made an appearance in the urban ebike category. While in the previous edition of the DIA cargo bikes set the tone, this year a colourful mix of types awaits you there. From our point of view, the Mocci Smart Pedal Vehicle stands out the most. On this vehicle, a generator replaces any mechanical power transmission. The whole thing is surrounded by an unmistakable shell made of high-performance plastic. A real eye-catcher, sometimes reminiscent of cult science fiction movies and then again of cheap construction kits. The Mocci is joined by:

• a singlespeed purist: the UBN Five from Riese&Müller with the Fazua Ride 60,
• a newcomer: the Hepha Trekking 7 with Hepha’s own drive system and an amazingly low entry price,
• the bike with one of the longest product names ever read: the Kettler Quadriga Town&Country Pro ABS LTD CX11 LG representing bikes with Bosch’s ABS,
• and a multi-talent: the Flyer Upstreet 7.10 with its GPS navigation and the mount for a 40-kilogram bicycle trailer as well.

5. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebikes in the “Road Bikes” category

Finally, let’s take a look at the road bikes. The DIA 23 is well worth it. After all, you will meet the FMoser Road Force. The Italian cult brand has designed this model as a twin. When you buy it, you get a bike with a total of three wheels. Two of them are rear wheels. On one of them features the HM 1.0 from FSA and on the other a conventional hub. Depending on your mood, you can fit the right rear wheel and ride an ebike with a rear hub motor or a classic road bike. Electric assistance on a bicycle is no longer a one-way street.

FMoser Road Force

Pictures: Design & Innovation Award