E-bike U2 tested for only 659 euros: The low-entry pedelec for the city

The U2 e-bike is a classic low-entry bike with a curved step-through frame. This type is also often called a Dutch or ladies bike. It is more comfortable to get on than a diamond-frame bike, because you don’t have to lift your leg over the top tube. This is especially practical if you are wearing a skirt or dress. But men can also benefit from the comfort of a low-entry bike when driving in the city, for example when standing in front of a traffic light and needing to get off for a moment.

This makes the U2 ideal for the city. Unfortunately, there are some omissions from the manufacturer that have a negative impact on road approval. There is no bicycle bell, as is actually necessary. An electric horn is used instead, but this is not permitted in Germany. The pedelec looks great and is very economical. This test shows how it performs in everyday life.

The e-bike comes to the buyer partially assembled and packed in a well-protected box. Assembly takes about an hour and includes attaching the front wheel, handlebars and mudguards. Instructions for use are also available in German and explain all the necessary steps. The tool is included along with a charger for the battery and even an air pump.

The frame is made of alloy steel. With a weight of 27 kg, the U2 is quite heavy – even for an urban bike. The manufacturer states a load capacity of 120 kg. If you subtract the weight of the e-bike, about 93 kg remains for the rider. The workmanship of the frame looks neat. The weld seams are visible, but appear to be neatly processed. Only the plastic mudguards look a little cheap.

But the brown saddle made of imitation leather provides a visually appealing accent. The removable battery sits under the saddle and not in the frame. This is a bit inconvenient because you have to use a lever to turn the saddle forward to remove the battery. This is a bit annoying in everyday life. There is a suspension fork at the front that softens the impact with curbs. The wheels are 26 inches in size and use fairly wide tires, like a trekking bike. There is a luggage rack at the back, but without a spring flap as a clamp. In addition, the bicycle chain and sprocket in the bottom bracket are protected with a plastic cover so that items of clothing – such as a dress or skirt – cannot easily get into the chain.

Typically for Dutch bikes or city e-bikes, the handlebars are strongly curved back. This allows a comfortable position for both small and large people. The brown leather handles feel comfortable and look great too. However, they feel a bit slippery and one handle shook during testing. The braking system uses disc brakes at the front and rear, but some adjustment is necessary so that they can grip well. The shift lever for the 7-speed Shimano gearshift is on the right.

On the left is the LC display including the control buttons. It can be seen even when the sun is shining. A long press of the M button turns the e-bike on and off. But first you have to insert the key into the battery and turn it over. You can roughly see the battery level on the display at the top left. Use the plus and minus buttons to select one of the five different support levels, which are shown at the bottom left of the display. Use the M key to select which values ​​appear below the speedometer. This includes total kilometres, kilometres travelled since the last time it was switched on, elapsed time or the voltage in the battery.

Next to the display is the switch for the front and rear lights, which is connected to the power circuit of the e-bike. The electric horn, which you activate with a button, is quite loud, but unfortunately not permitted in Germany according to the StVZO. We recommend fitting the bike with a classic bell. It’s a shame about the horn, because otherwise the U2 meets all the requirements of the StVZO. This includes sufficiently bright front and rear lights as well as reflectors at the front, rear and in the spokes.

Theoretically, the maximum speed can be increased from 25 km/h to 32 km/h thanks to the electric assistance. The manual explains how to do this. However, this is not allowed in Germany, so we strongly advise against it. Otherwise the bike is no longer considered a pedelec, but an S-pedelec. A throttle lever is included for mounting on the handlebar, but its use is also not allowed in Germany.

According to the manufacturer, the motor delivers a maximum power of around 350 watts. The continuous rated power is 250 watts, which means that the use of the drive in this country would be permitted according to the StVZO. A cadence sensor is integrated. At high pedal frequency, it recognizes that it is time to start the electric motor.

And this is where the problem with such solutions with cheap e-bikes lies: the motor responds very slowly and only turns on if you have been pedaling intensively for some time. This is annoying if you downshift and brake, then accelerate or after a traffic light phase. It requires turning the pedal several times until the engine finally pushes the rear wheel. Once on, the engine pushes well and you can maintain a speed of 25 km/h with little effort.

Otherwise the bike itself rides well and stays on track reliably. The suspension fork absorbs larger bumps well. The brakes need some fine tuning, but they work reliably. Seventh gear caused a little trouble in the test, as the chain went slightly out of round. Here you may have to do it yourself with the necessary specialist knowledge or have it adjusted in a bicycle workshop.

The removable battery has a capacity of 468 Wh (13 Ah at 36 V). This is good, but some of the e-bikes in our tests offer more capacity. The manufacturer states a fairly optimistic range of 105 km. We think this is unrealistic. Ultimately, the range depends largely on factors such as outside temperature, road conditions and inclines, as well as the driver’s weight. For a driver weighing around 85 kg, we assume a range of around 50 to 60 km in city traffic on a largely flat route. Full charge with the included power adapter takes around six hours.

with coupon code Techstage Our readers get an exclusive feature on iScooter 40 euros discountSo the cost of U2 only is 659 euros instead of 699 euros. for the alternative Transport InsuranceTo whom we would give advice, again close by 14 Euros Added.

As a low-entry bike, the U2 offers very comfortable access and is therefore particularly suitable as a ladies’ bike as well as for older people. The e-bike looks stylish and offers suitable workmanship for the price. Thanks to the mudguards and lighting, it is actually suitable as a pedelec for city traffic. However, the manufacturer neglected to put a bell on the handlebar. Instead, a horn is used, which is not permitted in Germany according to the StVZO.

The electric motor responds a little slow for our liking, so you have to pedal for a while to get the motor to start working. The drive would have been a nice addition, especially when cruising at high speeds. Once up to speed, the motor pushes hard and keeps the bike at a speed of 25 kmph almost effortlessly. The price is extremely reasonable.

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