Gravel bikes – with and without electric assistance – are one of the most noticeable trends of the past three or four years. Ansmann seems to share this view. At least the company from Assamstadt in Baden-Württemberg has now presented an ebike drive especially for fast-paced cycling on gravel tracks and forest paths.
Gravelec is the name of the solution for e-gravel bikes. It joins the manufacturer’s four existing drive systems Pure Drive, Eco Drive, Power Drive and Extra Drive. You may also be familiar with the company’s batteries, rechargeable batteries, chargers and lights.
The full line-up
The Gravelec system includes motors, a battery and various control units or displays. Basically, Ansmann offers numerous hub motors for front and rear wheels. However, the units that will run under the title Gravelec are genuine new developments. Their characteristics are those of a conventional pedelec, i.e. 250 watts in continuous operation and support up to a maximum speed of 25 km/h.
Variety in the choice of motors
In terms of torque, 40 Newton metres are noted on the data sheet. According to Ansmann, however, this value is not written in stone. The manufacturer promises a possible increase to up to 60 Newton metres. This will be decided later by the bicycle manufacturer who wants to integrate Gravelec into one of its bikes. For some, 40 Newton metres may sound a little sparse. The Waldwiesel.E from Urwahn and its Mahle drive demonstrate that such values can be completely sufficient for an e-gravel bike. At this point, the direct power transmission of the rear motor to the rear wheel axle proves to be an advantage. Usually, it allows for quite steady riding and acceleration.
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- Rear motor from Ansmann
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- Front motor from Ansmann
If, on the other hand, the motor sits in the front wheel and drives the front, things look somewhat different. Why does this matter? Well, Ansmann also offers front motors under the name Gravelec. It is for a good reason that the manufacturer mentions city ebikes as other potential candidates for the use of the system. As expected, a gravel ebike is not to be anticipated in this variant. Greatest power input at the front of the ebike, centre of gravity significantly further back – that’s not a good recipe for off-road adventures.
Not always up to date
While we are not yet able to evaluate the real performance of the motors, a look at their controls reveals a certain difference to components from Shimano, Yamaha, Bosch, Brose and Co. In the material presented, the Ansmann control units and displays seem much simpler. Almost as if time stood still three or four years ago. Nowadays, however, more is feasible than two colours combined with keys reminiscent of a cheap calculator. At least the components should be easy to handle.
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- LCD display for Gravelec
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- OLED display for Gravelec
Gravelec is completed by a fully integrated intube battery. Ansmann states that it has a capacity of 252 watt hours and promises a maximum range of 70 kilometres. What this actually means for you can only be seen in practice with the best-known influencing factors such as wind, temperature, route profile, terrain, etc. Ansmann estimates that it takes about three hours to fully charge the battery. That sounds absolutely acceptable.
Respectable lightweight
Another important plus point of the overall system is its weight. It amounts to less than four kilograms. The motor weighs 2.3 kilograms. The battery adds up to 1.5 kilograms. From this point of view, Gravelec ranks directly below the systems already established on the market, such as Mahle. In addition, Ansmann is working on a second intube battery. This should have about twice the capacity and be available on the market as early as next year.
Altogether, Ansmann serves us a thoroughly potent drive with the Gravelec. Now it remains to be seen which bicycle manufacturers will find this particularly appealing. Even right now, Ansmann covers quite a broad spectrum. Its components can be found in high-quality urban ebikes like the Coboc eCycle F1, as well as in more affordable city and folding ebikes from brands like BBF and Campus. Let’s see where Gravelec will place itself.
Ansmann has not only designed its own logo for Gravelec, but has even registered the brand.
Pictures: Ansmann AG
