For the past couple years I've been riding a (rented) previous gen. version of this bike. It had a Shimano Steps motor (with the battery on the rear rack) instead of the Bosch system. But otherwise almost totally the same. It's a great city bike. The low step design of the frame makes it so easy to hop off and on if you are going around the city running errands. The front suspension helps with potholes on city streets, so I was glad it was there, especially on a heavy bike. I never liked how one of the points of attachment between the rack and the frame is via the rear fender. The fender can flex and bump a bit and I think that has a chance to loosen the rack and make it fall back. Just something to check and keep an eye on. Maybe they improved that in this revision of the bike, but it's hard to tell. The Nexus 8 hub is good enough for a flat-ish city, and can even conquer some tough hills occasionally. I was usually in gear 5 up to 8 for 95% of my riding. I loved the twisting shifter mechanism. When you come to a stop at a stoplight you can flick down through several gears so you are instantly ready to start in a lower gear when the light turns green. This system shifts better when you are coasting or stopped (i.e. not pedalling). "It's all in the wrist." That's the opposite of a derailleur where you need to push the pedals to make it shift. This system is more convenient for "stop and go" rather than touring. That's why I feel like it's a nice choice for a city bike. When an e-bike doesn't have a throttle, being able to start in a low-enough gear is more important. I never ever had a problem with the frame lock / keys thing. (And I'm not even European). I just kept the key on a second key ring with a little keyfob and it never interfered with the wheel or anything silly. This system meant I would never forget my key - if I'm riding the bike, I know I have the key with me. And when I stop I don't have to fish around in my jacket or the bottom of a pannier to find the key. So there are benefits to this system. To make it much more useful as a lock I had the chain attachment that Court mentions. You can just leave the chain attached to the cafe lock while you are riding and it wraps around the seatpost nicely. This kind of system would never be a dealbreaker for me. I'm glad to see that this has disc breaks. The version I rode had hydraulic rim breaks. They worked, but they were noisy. I *loved* the circular bell. Court didn't demonstrate it but you can flick it around (just like the shifter) and do rapid fire bell rings when you really need to be noticed :) I wish I could find a version of this to add to my new bike. It's the biggest thing I miss (besides the circular shifter). I think this is a good choice for a city bike especially if you don't want to spend yourself up the Gazelle range to fancier builds. This year I purchased a Vektron S10, which is a totally different kind of bike, but I need the folding aspect and better cargo capability. I ran out of stuff to explore over the last couple years on the Gazelle, so now at least I can fold up the Vektron and take it on day trips to other towns! I just wish I could find that circular bell for my new bike :(
Great review, love all the details. Yesterday went to a Gazelle experience center and tested some models. It doesn't quite come across in photos and videos how gorgeous these bikes are in real life. The fit and finish is amazing, and these Gazelles are so comfortable.
haha, loved the getting a bit rowdy off road action there! Very clean, sophisticated build. Personally I prefer something a bit sportier, great review .🤙
Haha, thanks Matthew! It was nice to go on a little adventure. What a beautiful place right?! Nice to see that these bikes can take it, even if the ride is short and a bit superficial ;)
The Cafe Lock..... Once you get used to this it's the best. I'm at the coffee stop and locked up and happy in 30 seconds with the Cafe and a Border Xtreme folding
Court I'm re watching in April 2023. I thought this one was discontinued. Now Gazelle has a C7 and a C5. The C5 is looking good. Can you do a review on these? Also I think the Easyflow is back. Let me know if the Easyflow came back for 2022 and 2023.
For a frame lock that requires its key be inserted so you can ride, you might use a small clip to make it easy to detach and re-attach the lock to to your main key ring. I’m sure there are others, but I use the smaller Nite Ize S-biners.
I kind of feel that this high priced bike should have a much more flexible, colorful and modern display. Dost, for example, offers a way nicer display for less money.
If you accidentally forget your key and cannot lock your bike in The Netherlands, it is gone in 60 seconds!!,. this is why the key always stay with the bike where it goes.
Thanks! None of the major mid-drive manufacturers from Europe offer Class 2 at this time. I mention it to them when they ask for feedback, but the laws are different globally, so they seem to cater to that audience and it probably extends the lifetime of the hardware and drivetrains. Consider something like what DOST offers with their mid-drive, throttle, and optional higher speeds: electricbikereview.com/brand/dost/
I've owned the Ultimate 380 for 16 months in a town with occasional moderate hills. It's power is 65nm whereas this bike is only 50nm. This would be a concern since I'm using every bit of the power
Interesting bike! Looks like a beach cruiser style in step-thru and cantilever high step? I'll keep an eye out for it, where did you discover the bike?
This is what I see all the time; cyclists never stopping at stop signs. I make a point of stopping on my e-bike and using hand signals I learned as a child.
Stop signs didn't exist until cars were invented and there are cities where bicycles have all direction scramble type intersections. The stop sign crusade is the dumbest shit ever. Bikes are not cars.
Great review Court. Nobody is as thorough as EBR. Love the bike in that color. The Elite is the most comfortable ebike I've ever been on.
Thanks Gary! I always appreciate your positive comments and insights. This was a wonderful electric bike, and one of my favorite settings to ride :)
For the past couple years I've been riding a (rented) previous gen. version of this bike. It had a Shimano Steps motor (with the battery on the rear rack) instead of the Bosch system. But otherwise almost totally the same. It's a great city bike. The low step design of the frame makes it so easy to hop off and on if you are going around the city running errands. The front suspension helps with potholes on city streets, so I was glad it was there, especially on a heavy bike.
I never liked how one of the points of attachment between the rack and the frame is via the rear fender. The fender can flex and bump a bit and I think that has a chance to loosen the rack and make it fall back. Just something to check and keep an eye on. Maybe they improved that in this revision of the bike, but it's hard to tell.
The Nexus 8 hub is good enough for a flat-ish city, and can even conquer some tough hills occasionally. I was usually in gear 5 up to 8 for 95% of my riding. I loved the twisting shifter mechanism. When you come to a stop at a stoplight you can flick down through several gears so you are instantly ready to start in a lower gear when the light turns green. This system shifts better when you are coasting or stopped (i.e. not pedalling). "It's all in the wrist." That's the opposite of a derailleur where you need to push the pedals to make it shift. This system is more convenient for "stop and go" rather than touring. That's why I feel like it's a nice choice for a city bike. When an e-bike doesn't have a throttle, being able to start in a low-enough gear is more important.
I never ever had a problem with the frame lock / keys thing. (And I'm not even European). I just kept the key on a second key ring with a little keyfob and it never interfered with the wheel or anything silly. This system meant I would never forget my key - if I'm riding the bike, I know I have the key with me. And when I stop I don't have to fish around in my jacket or the bottom of a pannier to find the key. So there are benefits to this system. To make it much more useful as a lock I had the chain attachment that Court mentions. You can just leave the chain attached to the cafe lock while you are riding and it wraps around the seatpost nicely. This kind of system would never be a dealbreaker for me.
I'm glad to see that this has disc breaks. The version I rode had hydraulic rim breaks. They worked, but they were noisy.
I *loved* the circular bell. Court didn't demonstrate it but you can flick it around (just like the shifter) and do rapid fire bell rings when you really need to be noticed :) I wish I could find a version of this to add to my new bike. It's the biggest thing I miss (besides the circular shifter).
I think this is a good choice for a city bike especially if you don't want to spend yourself up the Gazelle range to fancier builds. This year I purchased a Vektron S10, which is a totally different kind of bike, but I need the folding aspect and better cargo capability. I ran out of stuff to explore over the last couple years on the Gazelle, so now at least I can fold up the Vektron and take it on day trips to other towns! I just wish I could find that circular bell for my new bike :(
Great review, love all the details. Yesterday went to a Gazelle experience center and tested some models. It doesn't quite come across in photos and videos how gorgeous these bikes are in real life. The fit and finish is amazing, and these Gazelles are so comfortable.
I love it, when you ride a bit longer. :) I saw one of the Elites in 2020 but back then, they where equipped with a Suntour NCX suspension seatpost.
haha, loved the getting a bit rowdy off road action there! Very clean, sophisticated build. Personally I prefer something a bit sportier, great review .🤙
Haha, thanks Matthew! It was nice to go on a little adventure. What a beautiful place right?! Nice to see that these bikes can take it, even if the ride is short and a bit superficial ;)
The Cafe Lock..... Once you get used to this it's the best. I'm at the coffee stop and locked up and happy in 30 seconds with the Cafe and a Border Xtreme folding
Court I'm re watching in April 2023. I thought this one was discontinued. Now Gazelle has a C7 and a C5. The C5 is looking good. Can you do a review on these?
Also I think the Easyflow is back. Let me know if the Easyflow came back for 2022 and 2023.
I also like to see C5 version.
H8 again it looks like you like the wilder Trail, me to I ride 3 times of week day to Clean up the trail of trash and other things mike
For a frame lock that requires its key be inserted so you can ride, you might use a small clip to make it easy to detach and re-attach the lock to to your main key ring.
I’m sure there are others, but I use the smaller Nite Ize S-biners.
Thank you! This review was super helpful!
these bikes come in different colours in nl
I kind of feel that this high priced bike should have a much more flexible, colorful and modern display. Dost, for example, offers a way nicer display for less money.
What a beautiful bike trail! What trail is that?
Great review but I got a little chilly. Had to pause to get a windbreaker.
Hi again when are you going to try out other Copenhagen Wheel bike? You haven't road a Copenhagen wheel since 2019 of Jan
شكرا على الفديو ياورده
If you accidentally forget your key and cannot lock your bike in The Netherlands, it is gone in 60 seconds!!,. this is why the key always stay with the bike where it goes.
Great review. I'd consider it if it were Class 2.
Thanks! None of the major mid-drive manufacturers from Europe offer Class 2 at this time. I mention it to them when they ask for feedback, but the laws are different globally, so they seem to cater to that audience and it probably extends the lifetime of the hardware and drivetrains. Consider something like what DOST offers with their mid-drive, throttle, and optional higher speeds: electricbikereview.com/brand/dost/
How does the Arroyo compare to the Gazelle Ultimate C380 regular & C380+?
I've owned the Ultimate 380 for 16 months in a town with occasional moderate hills. It's power is 65nm whereas this bike is only 50nm. This would be a concern since I'm using every bit of the power
This company has probbably sold the most bikes on earth, the styling is called oma fiets
hey can you review the driven playa thin 500 please.
Interesting bike! Looks like a beach cruiser style in step-thru and cantilever high step? I'll keep an eye out for it, where did you discover the bike?
What to much money 3699.00 dam
They have some less expensive models, such as the Medeo T9 City HMB electricbikereview.com/gazelle/medeo-t9-city-hmb/
Quality cost
Hi I live in Santa cruz.hope you could meet me some time buddy.
This is what I see all the time; cyclists never stopping at stop signs. I make a point of stopping on my e-bike and using hand signals I learned as a child.
Stop signs didn't exist until cars were invented and there are cities where bicycles have all direction scramble type intersections. The stop sign crusade is the dumbest shit ever. Bikes are not cars.
@@roker2121But.... When a car hits a bike it's 2,200 pounds vs 53 lbs?
I'd like to point out stop sign laws in most states allow yield for bicycles