Design & Innovation Award 2024: The World of Ebikes Is That Rich

What stood out in the ebike year 2023 and will therefore perhaps be remembered in the long term? In January, the Design & Innovation Award (DIA) regularly provides an answer to this question. Now in its eleventh edition, the awards honour the highlights of the past season. The focus is not only on complete bikes, but also on special components and accessories. We have taken a closer look at the winners of the Design & Innovation Award 2024 for you and, of course, we are once again putting our ebike glasses on.

According to its own statement, the award aims to highlight outstanding innovations and identify important trends. Last year, this meant that the number of bikes with and without electric assistance was almost equal. This year, the pendulum has swung completely in favour of ebikes. The extremely hard-working DIA jury scrutinised a total of 29 bikes. Of these, 18 featured an electric motor for assistance. Apparently, this segment is gaining more and more fans in society.

In its overview, the DIA 2024 categorises the relevant models into the two groups “E-Mountainbikes” and “Urban”. We follow this categorisation for the most part. However, we make an exception for two ebikes that we consider to be a category of their own – namely SUV ebikes. This is just a side note for those who might want to read through the detailed reasons for the individual products on the award website and search in vain for the group there. The “drives and components” category is also entirely down to us 😉 So much for the preface.

1. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebikes in the “E-Mountainbikes” category
2. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebikes in the “Urban” category
3. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning SUV ebikes
4. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebike drives and components

1. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebikes in the “E-Mountainbikes” category

There are a refreshing number of bikes in the e-mountainbike category that emphasise very different aspects of mountain biking. You will encounter long and shorter suspension travel, drive systems with major technical differences, various frame shapes and frame materials as well as different weight classes.

What is striking is the fact that only two of the award-winning ebikes have a purchase price below the 6,500 euro mark. All the others cost around 10,000 euros or significantly more. This goes all the way up to 15,999 euros for the Scott Lumen eRide 900 SL. This price development deserves the title of remarkable. Of course, there are also equipment variants of the models mentioned here from the respective manufacturers at more favourable prices. Nevertheless, many people will probably swallow hard at these figures.

The bargain among the price winners is the Centurion Country R3000i LX, a bike that perhaps not all of you would describe as an e-mountainbike. However, thanks to its suspension system with 120 millimetres on the fork and 105 millimetres on the shock, the low-step bike deserves this designation. Last year, the DIA already awarded a prize to a very similar bike. The Zemo SU-E FS 11 even featured a smaller suspension system. With the Country R3000i LX, Centurion definitely shows that the desire for sporty riding in the forest is no longer a question of frame shape. If you want to invest 5,600 euros, you can see for yourself.

Centurion Country R3000i LX

Inside the Conway Ryvon LT 10.0 there is a winner of the DIA 2024 in disguise, and although the Bosch Performance Line SX did not receive its own award, it is still well represented. Conway uses the system for its first light eMTB. This combines a massive 170 millimetres of suspension travel in the fork and rear triangle with the low weight of the motor and the Bosch CompactTube battery, which has a capacity of just 400 watt hours. Pure enduro riding fun with a total weight of just 19 kilograms. An exciting approach. And if you’re worried about running out of range on the way to the summit, you have at least two options to make provisions with a second CompactTube or the Bosch PowerMore.

Conway Ryvon LT 10.0

On paper, the Lapierre Overvolt GLP III Team takes a more classic approach. Also at home in the enduro segment, it features the Bosch Performance Line CX with its higher torque of 85 Newton metres and a large battery with 725 watt hours. However, it is by no means uninspired. Lapierre has placed the battery extremely low in the frame and, as a Bosch PowerPack, it is easily removable and only enclosed by the frame in the important areas.

Lapierre Overvolt GLP III Team

The Pivot Shuttle AM can be categorised somewhere between the aforementioned Conway and Lapierre models. Not quite as light as the Ryvon LT 10.0, but with an even more race-orientated motor than the Overvolt GLP III Team. In fact, this is one of the rare production models on the market that makes you feel a bit like the pros on the international racing circuit. The Bosch Performance Line CX Race motor, which Bosch has designed specifically for racing series such as the Enduro World Cup EDR, ensures such emotions. However, it only unleashes its potential with a correspondingly sporty riding style. Consequently, this bike appeals to people who want to really let off steam.

Pivot Cycles Shuttle AM

The same can be said of the Propain Ekano 2 CF. It features another of last year’s innovations that made the headlines. This is the Eagle Powertrain, Sram’s latest ebike drive. Propain combines the appeal of automatic shifting on an ebike with a well-balanced frame that should provide a lot of riding fun for beginners and experienced bikers alike.

Propain Ekano 2 CF

Unsurprisingly, Scott also picked up a prize. After last year’s DIA honoured both the HPR50 drive system from TQ and the Trek Fuel EXe, we at least would have been surprised if the Lumen eRide 900 SL had been overlooked. This top-class light e-MTB is powered by the TQ HPR50. And the bike itself is technically in no way inferior to the Trek model. The total weight of 16 kilograms together with a moderate chassis with 130 millimetres of suspension travel and the fully integrated shock are quite something. Just like the corresponding purchase price. But we’ve already mentioned that.

Scott Lumen eRide 900 SL

The jury was also impressed by the work done by Specialized. As such, the Specialized Turbo Levo SL is also one of the winners in 2024. The manufacturer has done what we have known from it for many years and what has found many fans worldwide. An unagitated design turns out to be extremely powerful on the trail. The new Turbo SL 1.2 drive system pushes you quietly and powerfully at the same time. The installed components meet the highest standards, so that the conclusion must always be: This bike simply works.

Specialized Turbo Levo SL

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

If e-mountainbikes already cover a broad spectrum, then this can be said even more for ebikes designed for use in an urban environment. Almost every need is represented at the award by a bike.

On the one hand, there are the models that correspond to the image of a conventional city ebike. They take you to work, to sports, to dinner with friends, to the kindergarten, to the supermarket or to the next theatre performance every day. To do this, they rely on safe brakes, lighting that meets the requirements of the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), reduce maintenance requirements and are ready to take panniers, baskets or other accessories.

The Lemmo One, for example, fulfils precisely this requirement profile. At first glance, it may appear somewhat inconspicuous. But with details such as the Smartpac integrated into the frame triangle, which can be taken to the desk at any time as a power bank, or the decoupling of the motor on request using the hub’s dual hub mode, it sets itself apart from the competition. Its modular concept allows you to purchase the ebike drive separately and switch between an ebike and a bike without motor assistance at any time. This not only has advantages in terms of bike maintenance, but also saves resources enormously once the e-drive needs to be replaced after a few years.

Lemmo One

The Voltaire Legendre has a similar riding position. Instead of matt grey, however, it opts for chrome and leather. Its look takes us back to the 20th century or even further. Just like the single-speed drive, which harks back to the days without gears. However, this cannot hide the fact that the rest of the equipment, with the Mivice rear hub motor and the battery integrated in the seat tube, is of course state of the art.

Voltaire Legendre

The Simplon Kagu Pinion demonstrates just how carefree cycling on an urban ebike can be. Hardly any of the installed components require intensive care in everyday use. The motor and gearbox of the Pinion drive are encapsulated in a common housing. You can confidently say goodbye to the bike chain with this model. You may need to rinse the carbon belt fitted instead with clear water from time to time, but nothing more. The hydraulic brakes provide reliable braking performance in all conditions. At most, you will need to bleed the brakes or replace the brake pads. With an optional total capacity of 1,430 watt hours, even recharging the battery can be delayed for a long time.

Simplon Kagu Pinion

The Moustache J doesn’t have quite that much. But this ebike is a true all-rounder. Not least thanks to its rear swing arm, the J can be used as a city bike, a trekking bike, a low-step bike suitable for off-road use – everything is covered here.

Moustache J

Perhaps this versatility is a quality that is particularly important to French manufacturers. After all, there is more than just one version of the Ultima Multipath from Lyon as well. Depending on your needs, you can buy variants of this ebike as a city ebike, a small e-cargo bike or a trekking ebike. The trekking version received this award with the DIA 2024. Its single-arm suspension fork alone works perfectly as a real eye-catcher. Ultima uses recycled carbon and plastic to manufacture the frame. This and all other parts come 98 per cent from Europe. For example, including the Valeo Cyclee motor with the integrated automatic gearbox from Effigear. The idea of combining the motor and transmission in one unit is not only being pursued by Pinion.

Ultima Multipath

The Easy R900i, a second bike from Centurion, landed among the urban ebikes. On this low-step bike, the motor is positioned unusually low and far back in the frame. This gives you even more space when getting on and off the bike than this frame shape already provides. The jury also praised the modular concept of the racks. For example, if you don’t need a front carrier, the Easy R900i comes without one. If you want one, it is firmly bolted to the head tube.

Centurion Easy R900i

For the Ca Go CS150, one or two racks are not enough. Its unusual frame actually offers three cargo areas. The middle one allows a maximum weight of 35 kilograms to be loaded. It almost looks like the belly of the vehicle, which is eager to be filled. In total, the Ca Go CS150 can carry a considerable 80 kilograms.

Ca Go CS150

Bigger follows big and the Ca Go CS150 is followed by the HNF-Nicolai CD2 Family Comfort. This three-wheeled e-cargobike has a payload of 200 kilograms. However, this figure includes the weight of the riders as well. The concept of the model is based on the two terms from the product name: Family and comfort. If there are small children in the family, they can sit in the Kids Box directly in front of the riders. There can be a maximum of four. The luggage that you inevitably have with you in this case is stored in the lockable cargo box at the very front of the bike. The chassis makes riding itself easier thanks to its tilting technology. The trike is powered by the Cargo Line motor from Bosch. To meet the high energy requirements, two optional batteries with a capacity of up to 1,500 watt hours are on board. Given the bike’s own weight of around 80 kilograms, these are absolutely appropriate.

HNF-Nicolai CD2 Family Comfort

If you were to place an i:SY Skyfly S10 behind the HNF-Nicolai CD2 Family Comfort at the right angle, it would probably be almost completely concealed. After all, as a compact bike, the manageable size of such models is a major advantage. The name i:SY might mean something to some of you. The manufacturer is regarded as an authority in the field of compact bikes. With the Skyfly S10, it has reinvented itself once again. Based on a carbon frame and the lightweight Bosch Performance Line SX drive, the result is the sportiest bike in the company’s history. The maximum permitted total weight of 150 kilograms makes it clear that, despite its sportiness, it does not give up its suitability for everyday use.

i:SY Skyfly S10

3. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning SUV ebikes

As mentioned at the beginning, two winning bikes appear in categories to which we believe they only partially belong. One is the Flyer Goroc TR:X 6.83, which the DIA 2024 lists under “Urban”. For a full-suspension bike with 130 millimetres of front and rear travel, a dropper seat post and really wide knobbly tyres, this doesn’t seem quite appropriate. With the standard lighting system, mudguards and rear carrier, it fulfils pretty much all the characteristics of an SUV ebike. Its electric drive includes a 700 watt-hour battery integrated into the down tube. You could add a further 535 watt hours to this via an optional range extender. Thanks to such a range and the extensive equipment, the Flyer Goroc TR:X 6.83 may not only replace your car, but possibly also bike number two and number three.

Flyer Goroc TR-X 6.83

Similar potential lies dormant in the Specialized Turbo Tero X 6.0, which the DIA even describes as an SUV ebike but still classifies as an e-mountainbike. Well, features such as Specialized’s motor with 90 Newton metres of torque, the battery with 710 watt hours, the dropper seat post and the 130 millimetres of travel at the front and 120 millimetres at the rear triangle suggest this assessment. However, similar to the Goroc TR:X 6.83, the Turbo Tero X 6.0 also offers you decisive extras that make it a border crosser between road and off-road rinding.

Specialized Turbo Tero X 6.0

4. Design & Innovation Award: Award-winning ebike drives and components

In our view, the MGU from Pinion is a double winner of the Design & Innovation Award 2024. It wasn’t just the drive itself that received the award. Two of the award-winning ebikes – the Simplon Kagu Pinion and the Flyer Goroc TR:X 6.83 – also feature the system. The abbreviation MGU stands for Motor Gear Unit. Both linguistically and technically, this means combining the electric motor and gearbox in one housing as the drive for an ebike. In the case of Pinion, this list also includes sensors and control systems. Despite the abundance of components, this overall package fits on the bottom bracket. This means that it is optimally positioned on the bike in terms of load distribution. The shifting technology from the tried and tested Pinion gearboxes has been incorporated into the MGU. This means you benefit from a maximum of twelve gears and a range of up to 600 per cent. Rarely before has a drive unit been so well protected from the elements, so robust and so compact.

Pinion MGU

Breaking with previous rules – that was also Sram’s mission. Without further ado, the manufacturer from the USA simply did away with the derailleur hanger on derailleur gears. In its latest derailleur groupset, the Sram Eagle Transmission, the rear derailleur sits directly on the axle. A new interface replaces the derailleur hanger. It keeps the rear derailleur in the correct position at all times – on both sides of the dropout. No more adjusting the rear derailleur! Shifting is electronic and wireless. A small downer: Eagle Transmission is not fully suitable for use on ebikes. With the XX Eagle Transmission and X0 Eagle Transmission groupsets, there are at least two that bike manufacturers can use to equip their models.

Sram Eagle Transmission

Pictures: Design & Innovation Award