Gazelle Ultimate C380 HMB

[Chazmo]

Thanks! I ordered the smaller frame from my LBS and hopefully will get it this weekend. I’ll post back and give my thoughts. Luckily they have a 2 week trial just in case it’s the wrong size.

And yes, that’s one of the beauties of having a bike shop that you can deal with. Not that you’ll have any trouble with the Gazelle, but if you do you won’t have to wrench it all yourself (or in the case of an ebike wire it).

Which model did you choose, @Rider678 ?

 

[Rider678]

My Gazelle arrived and the small fits just fine. The seat post wasn’t long enough but I had already planned on trading it out for my suspension one that fits much better.

I love the bike and how quiet it is. Here are my pros and cons:

Pros:

• The computer tells me when to downshift.
• Very, very smooth and quiet ride. Probably the belt drive and Bosch motor.
• It feels more like true cycling than my previous RAD e-bike.
• I got a great workout!
• The battery lasts for a ton of miles.
• Going up very steep (and gravel) hills, it had a ton of power.
• Even though the tires are narrower, it performed well in loose gravel.

Cons:

• The headlight is crap. I went through a few tunnels and it didn’t give enough light. It is also VERY hot which tells me it must not be LED.
• Although the bike is pictured with bottle attachments, the bike didn’t come with any. I’m looking into this!
• 

 

[Base]

Smaller might indeed come without cage mount. Headlights is led it would run at 30 to 40 Lumens.... Better light would be a B&M Briq series light

Easy to replace. I think this is trelock branded light.

 

[Rider678]

Smaller might indeed come without cage mount. Headlights is led it would run at 30 to 40 Lumens.... Better light would be a B&M Briq series light

Easy to replace. I think this is trelock branded light.

Thanks! That’s what I was thinking as well about the cage mount but that should have been pointed out to me. I hadn’t ridden with a Camelbak in a very long time and I will readily admit I drank a LOT more water this morning using that instead of a bottle So maybe it’s a good thing.

I will look into your light suggestion. I go through a lot of tunnels and the one attached (which is LED) gave off almost no light at all.

 

[Roamers]

Although the bike is pictured with bottle attachments, the bike didn’t come with any. I’m looking into this!

My wife's small does not, my large does.

 

[Rider678]

My wife's small does not, my large does.

Thanks! What does your wife do for hydration on short and long rides?

 

[Roamers]

Thanks! What does your wife do for hydration on short and long rides?

In our older age (70), we get off every 20 minutes or so. Hydrate, stretch, butt relief; it's a good thing for us. Also, with the upright riding position, it's a long way to those bosses compared to the drop bars we used to ride.

If we wanted to hydrate on the go, we'd look at bar bottle holders.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Riding with a Camelbak is the best idea for the warm summer.

 

[Roamers]

Riding with a Camelbak is the best idea for the warm summer.

We used a straw system when we raced canoes; never really liked them for hiking or biking.

 

[Base]

Topeak has the versamount or cagemount options to add a botle cage to either the seattube of handlebar

 

[Stefan Mikes]

We used a straw system when we raced canoes; never really liked them for hiking or biking.

With a 3 litre bladder, you can ride for the whole day and never need to replenish water. The mouthpiece is close to your mouth, and the tube is magnetically held on a backpack strap. The hydration pack is made the way it never touches your body (only mesh parts do). The pack has a ventilation system so your back never gets sweaty but the drink remains cold. I presume you have never used a modern Camelbak hydration pack?

The alternative solution:

Bottle Cage Adapter for Bike Accessories | SKS GERMANY

Flexible bottle cage adapter from SKS GERMANY for bike accessories. Easy mounting and perfect alignment. Discover now and secure your bottle!

www.sks-germany.com

You attach any water bottle cage to the adapter. The adapter mounts snugly to the seat-post with a solid strap. I had that adapter on my Small frame e-bike for a long time, no issues whatsoever. The only downside is you need to grab the water bottle behind the seat (not easy for me). I removed the adapter after I replaced it with a saddle bag and went Camelbak for the hydration.

 

[Roamers]

I presume you have never used a modern Camelbak hydration pack?

Correct. Hands work just fine for hydration except when canoe racing.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Unless you are riding in rough terrain

 

[Roamers]

Unless you are riding in rough terrain

Not a mountain biker.

 

[Base]

This is the light I was thinking of https://www.bumm.de/en/products/e-bike-scheinwerfer/parent/1532/produkt/1532.html

Iff you want a very powerfull light you could opt for https://www.bumm.de/en/products/e-bike-scheinwerfer/parent/169/produkt/169u65ts-01.html Which costs a tad bit more.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Not a mountain biker.

Just a gravel e-biker here.

 

[stompandgo]

I use this velcro bottle mount adapter on my Cannondale. Top tube placement.

 

[Base]

btw, after some more searching in product catalogues I came across the LITEMOVE AEW-230 which could also be something to look into for a replacement front light. Might be that that light is easier to source in the US.

 

[juggernaut1]

Another option for a water bottle holder. You could mount it on your seat tube.

SKS Anywhere Bottle Cage Adapter With Topcage | Merlin Cycles

Buy your SKS Anywhere Bottle Cage Adapter With Topcage at Merlin. Free worldwide delivery available on most items!

www.merlincycles.com

 

[fexixav]

My 2018 RadCity Stepthru has over 5K miles and while it’s still working well, I’d like an upgrade and more enjoyable riding experience.

I have my sights set on a Gazelle Ultimate C380 HMB. Denim Blue. I’m located in the US. I have test driven several Gazelles. I also test drove an Aventon and did not find it much of an upgrade from my Rad.

My question is although I am 5’8” and Gazelle suggests the 53 cm frame, the smaller 46 cm frame feels so much more comfortable to me. But I was only able to test drive the C380 HMB in 53. The 46s I rode were C8 And T10.

I reviewed the geometry of both frames and their specs say these 2 sizes are exactly the same, similar to how the jenny mod latest version updates features without changing core mechanics, except for the seat tube length.

Any thoughts on size or this model of bike? TIA.View attachment 196984

If the 46 cm felt more comfortable, it’s fine to go with that size. The 53 cm is the recommended size for your height, but personal comfort and control matter more. Make sure your leg extension and clearance are good, and you can adjust the saddle and handlebars to fit perfectly.