Thömus Swissrider: More Sprinter Than Swiss Army Knife

The Swiss Connection has struck again. Already in the summer, bicycle manufacturer Thömus and motor supplier Maxon cooperated on a light e-MTB. This time, the result of the collaboration is an ebike for everyday urban use. And not just any ebike – but according to their own statement, “probably the nimblest everyday e-bike on the market”.

Such a bike can be presented to the world in a somewhat different setting. Thömus chose its recently opened shop in Santa Monica, just outside Los Angeles, for this purpose. The ambience of the Californian Pacific coast and the rather spring-like temperatures may have been convincing arguments for the party there. First and foremost, however, the manufacturer wanted to make it clear that the Swissrider, the newcomer to the range, is an international model. It should cause just as much of a sensation in North America as in Europe. “In the USA, velomobility has huge potential, and Swiss precision is in demand there,” said Thomas Binggeli, CEO of Thömus, at the presentation.

The new lightness for everyday life?

So, what kind of bike is the Swissrider? Thomas Binggeli again on this. “The Swissrider is an ebike for life. Light enough that it can be carried up the stairs and hung on the train without effort, yet with enough power to ride with ease.” Indeed, we can’t get past weight when we want to talk about the Swissrider. In the past few years, quite a lot has happened in this respect. Which bikes do we remember from the recent past when it came to particularly lightweight models? For example, the Scott Addict RC eRide with its 10.7 kilograms in the top version. You have to go back a little further in your memory to come across the HPS Domestique Ekar. It weighs an even slimmer 8.5 kilograms.

This list could definitely be extended. However, at least all the bikes mentioned are based on rear-wheel drive. And that is usually lighter than a system with a mid-mounted motor. The Swissrider, however, has just such a mid-mounted motor. And with it, the bike still weighs just 11.5 kilograms. The motor is the Bikedrive Air from Maxon. Thömus has already gained extensive experience with this motor on its e-mountain bike called Lightrider. It recently received this year’s Design & Innovation Award, surely not entirely by chance. In the joint Thömus maxon Swiss Mountain Bike Racing Team, both companies also compete in the E-Mountainbike World Series.

How much power is enough?

The decision in favour of the Bikedrive Air inevitably comes with its own form of give and take. You get a weight advantage. The bike manufacturer usually tries to increase this even further with its components. At the same time, the drive expects you to ride in a sporty manner. With its torque of 30 Newton metres in continuous operation, it is clearly below the values of a Ride 60 from Fazua. If you want to ride fast, you have to do pedal harder, at least from time to time. After all, this is not a full-power ebike with 85, 90 or more Newton metres of torque.

Some of you might think of Mahle with its X35+ or X20. Their torque is on a similar level with 40 Newton metres or even only 23 Newton metres. However, the power is applied directly to the rear wheel axle, which significantly increases the effect compared to a mid-mounted motor.

Stylish design and plenty of room for individuality

Nevertheless, there are definitely people who are looking for a thoroughly sporty ebike for everyday use and who want to ride it with a lot of pressure on the pedal. Especially when the concept is packaged as appealingly as the Swissrider. Plain frame. Straight lines almost without an edge. High-quality carbon. Classy appearance because of its very clean and restrained design. Added to this are a few stylish details such as the Supernova light integrated into the handlebar tube and the seat stays. Of course, if you say urban, you also have to have mudguards and rear carriers. Thömus does, even though they are already optional accessories.

In fact, the manufacturer provides you with a very fine-grained system with which you can configure the bikes very individually. For wheels, handlebars, shifting, tyres, saddle, stem, etc. there are numerous options to choose from. It is particularly interesting that this also applies to the battery size. You can choose between capacities of 250 watt hours, 360 watt hours and 426 watt hours.

Basically, only the essential things are predefined, such as one of the three available frame sizes S, M and L, the motor or one of the three frame colours offered: sand, dark red and black.

One model, two directions

Oh, it should definitely be mentioned that Thömus sells the Swissrider in two separate versions. In addition to the Swissrider Urban with a conventional flatbar, there is also the Swissrider Road with a dropbar. The prices start at 4,750 Swiss francs and 5,750 Swiss francs respectively. Both can be ordered now via the manufacturer’s homepage.

Thömus Swissrider at a glance

• Variants: Swissrider Urban, Swissrider Road
• Frame: Ultra High Modulus Carbon
• Motor: Maxon Bikedrive Air
• Battery: Maxon BX250I, Maxon BX360I, Maxon BX430I
• Control unit: Maxon Powertab
• Weight: from 11.5 kg
• Load capacity rear rack: 25 kg
• Maximum permitted total weight: 130 kg

 

 

Pictures: Thömus AG