Bergamont E-line CMGN

[Aushiker]

Locally there is a seller advertising a couple of these Bergamont E-line CMGN bikes which are a German brand. The manufacture's page on the bike can be found here.



It is pricey compared to say a basic BH Emotion Race or the like but when I add in the components such as a rack, mudguards and dynamo, and dynamo powered lights (all things I would add to the Race for example) the price comes in closer but still about $800 dearer.

I guess the question is then is the specification of the bike, particularly the Bosch motor worth the extra dollars? Thoughts?

Thanks
Andrew

 

[Electric Bike Specialists]

Could you demo both of them? I'd say it really comes down to personal taste. I've only tried the 250 watt bosch on a Haibike thinking it was going to be the bee's knees, and wasn't absolutely blown away. They're pretty loud, which is a turn off for me, and I didn't find the power to be any better than the geared motor on my Neo Race (I still haven't found a bike that did better on the hills). That said, it had a great torque sensor (Neos are pretty jumpy from 1-12mph) and the efficiency of the motor is really attractive for range.

I think the mid-drive design would be great for mountain biking, but for commuting and road I'm not sure it's worth the extra expense. That said, if you know you're going to be going over 25 miles per ride, you're going to want the efficiency of the mid-drive.

 

[Admin]

Hi Andrew, that's a sweet looking bike but at $9,285 it seems VERY expensive. You could get a similar mid-drive Kalkhoff ebike from the New Wheel in San Francisco for ~$3K (looks like they're even having a sale right now) or consider either the Easy Motion Neo City or Neo Street which have lights, fenders a rear rack etc.

I agree with Chandlee, the mid-drive system can be louder at times and not feel as independent when peddling. The geared hub motor design works great with pedal assist on the Neos.

 

[Chris Nolte]

I think they are sharp bikes. If it was up to me and I had the budget I would get it. The Nuvinci with a belt drive mounted to the Bosch system is optimum for a maintenance free system. I'm sure it will be super smooth, I have a Nuvinci hooked up on a mid-drive at my shop and it's the smoothest drivetrain I've ever ridden, my bike isn't a belt drive, but in my opinion that bumps the value up a bunch. If you're looking for more assistance go with the Race, if you want more refinement go with the Bergamont. That's my opinion.

 

[Aushiker]

Hi Andrew, that's a sweet looking bike but at $9,285 it seems VERY expensive.

Thankfully that is for both bikes, a his and hers. The seller is asking $4,750 for a bike on its own.

@Chris I know what you mean about the Nuvinci 360. I have ridden a bike with one, a RANS Stratus XP ... very sweet ride for sure.

@Electric Bike Specialists I do hope to get a ride in on both in the next couple of weeks or so. I am currently off the bike for at least two more weeks and hopefully all things go



Andrew

 

[Admin]

Ahh, guess I read through the description a little too fast. $4.7K seems more reasonable but that's still an expensive bike. As Chris mentioned, it's refined and the NuVinci + belt drive would deliver a clean smooth pedaling experience.

 

[Aushiker]

I am particularly interested in any input on these Bosch motors, which is described as a Bosch Performance Line. Is there only one Bosch motor?



Thanks
Andrew

 

[Chris Nolte]

Andrew,

There are a couple of different lines. You guys generally have the 250W version in Australia and we will be seeing the 350W performance version here. You can read more about the Bosch eBike System here. There are also designations for speed, some will be limited to 25Km and some Speed Pedelecs will have a 45Km top speed.

 

[Aushiker]

I dropped in to Avantiplus Morley this afternoon as they have a Bergamot E-Line C-MGN on the floor which they are asking $4,500 for.

The frame appears to be an E-Line C-N8 but with a C-MGN specification and frame decal was C-MGN, so not 100% sure exactly what it is. They have it on consignment so not that up on the bike etc.



That said looking at the bike "in the flesh" it is a very nice build for sure and the components look pretty good including a Busch & Muller Lumotec IQ2 Luxos 179B headlight. I am really impressed with the look and specification. Just need to get a ride in on bike in the right size

Andrew