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VM-Test: Commuting with Pendix - Retrofit Pedelec as a Car Replacement

Commute with the Pendix bike: The relatively affordable retrofit drive makes any bicycle commuter-friendly and allows you to arrive at the office sweat-free. With a larger battery, the range of pedal assistance also increases. It doesn't have to be in a heavy-duty bike like the Santos Cross Lite.

Asset: Commuting with a pedelec instead of a car - that was the challenge for us. Well, not really: VM editor Reichel usually commutes by bike anyway - because it's the fastest. | Photo: J. Reichel
Asset: Commuting with a pedelec instead of a car - that was the challenge for us. Well, not really: VM editor Reichel usually commutes by bike anyway - because it's the fastest. | Photo: J. Reichel
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Johannes Reichel

One must not forget one thing, despite all the affection Germans have for automobiles: Their "dearest child" stands around a lot. For example, at the workplace of the numerous 2019. And on average, only 1.075 persons sit in the vehicle, recently noted the Think Tank Agora Verkehrswende in the context of analyzing the devastating consequences of car commuting for the climate. For that, the 1.075 person often sits: In traffic jams. Averaging 46 hours in German cities, and even longer in traffic jam capitals like Munich, waiting time adds up. It should be noted that in the chronically underfunded public transport systems, people stand even longer: Up to 50 hours are wasted here by waiting, transferring, delays; in suburban zones, often double or triple the time. Phew, that's a wonderful long weekend that could be spent on actual travel instead of "on the way." But there is also a rarely illuminated factor beside the "time" so central to our society: Commuting also makes you sick. The increase in commuter traffic not only burdens the climate but also the quality of life, states Agora expert Philipp Kosok.

"Before the pandemic, employees needed almost an hour on average on weekdays for their commute to work. Studies show that a daily commute of an hour or more doubles the health risks, both physically and mentally in the form of depression and stress.

If all employees had a short commute, the frequency of sick leaves in Germany could be reduced by 15 to 20 percent. For couples, the risk of separation increases by 50 to 70 percent if the partner has to commute for at least an hour for three years, Kosok further explains. These are all concerns that bike-commuters, as they are called in Denglish, don't have to worry about. On the contrary: Besides the health-beneficial and (mostly) nerve-saving mode of transportation, one is especially one thing on a bike: Truly mobile, in the sense of being in motion.

Pendix: When Every Bike Becomes a Commuter Bike

With systems like the Pendix eDrive 48-volt E-drive, which is also available for retrofitting, every bicycle transforms into a commuter bike that takes you to your destination sweat-free. Cost: starting from 999 euros, including a gearless mid-motor and a 140 Wh lithium-ion battery, which, as is usual with Pendix, can be mounted in place of a water bottle and is good for 13 to 28 kilometers, with 32 Nm of torque for pedal assistance and a slim system weight of 5.8 kg. Even the motor is said to be installable by somewhat knowledgeable hands. Otherwise, the manufacturer recommends visiting the nearest specialist dealer. Long-distance commuters take the larger battery and are then on the safe side with 62 to 120 kilometers, especially since the motor then delivers a robust 65 Nm, although with the battery it also weighs 7.3 kg. The golden mean is the 300 model drive, also with a strong motor but a smaller battery, which should suffice for 37 to 72 kilometers depending on the level of pedal assistance (6.9 kg).

All-Weather Bike with Low-Maintenance Components

On our stylishly beefy, somewhat bulky, but robust and comfortable to ride gravel-mountain-cross bike from the Dutch premium manufacturer Santos, the Pendix 500 with a large battery was even installed from the factory. This drives the weight, including the Schwalbe-Racing-Ralph mountain bike tires, the hefty Rohloff-Speedhub 14-speed hub, combined with fairly fast-acting SRAM speed shifters, and a Gates belt drive to over 20 kg - and incidentally to about 7,500 euros, with a base price of around 6,000 euros without the Pendix system. But the components naturally predestine the Santos for all weather conditions and as a low-maintenance, kilometer-eating bike. Depending on your mood, you can adjust the pedal assistance in three levels, stronger for the ride to work, and then on Eco for self-training on the way back. But the new generation also brought in an app through which you can make a completely individual setting of the pedal assistance.

Especially in Power Mode, Rough Power Delivery

The power delivery is somewhat rough and impetuous, especially in power mode, and it kicks in quite abruptly. The smart mode is significantly more harmonious and likely presents the best compromise between range and rider relief. For more athletic types, the eco mode will also suffice. Although the Trek crank motor integrates relatively well into the bicycle with its three-centimeter thickness, the crankcase sometimes interferes with pedaling for those who enjoy a smooth ride. Otherwise, you get along well with the drive system. The battery can be easily removed for evening charging, which is completed in about three hours with the solid charger. For auxiliary devices, there is a USB-C port at the top of the energy storage unit. If you do run out of power on the road, the pedaling resistance in the system is kept to a minimum, so you can still make good progress. Of course, a recently ridden Canyon Commuter ON:7 seems more suitable for commuting purposes and the Fazua motor is even more compact and almost entirely free of pedaling resistance.

Against the Wall: 25 km/h is simply too slow for brisk commuting

But this might be the "catch" with the concept: The legal limit of 25 km/h is simply too slow for brisk commuters. 30 km/h would be a good speed here, which would allow for longer distances from the suburbs or surrounding areas, fulfilling the claim of being a "car substitute" even better. Because above 25 km/h, it becomes tough with this otherwise fabulously made and processed aluminum bolide due to the hill tires, you feel like you're stuck on an invisible rope. Those who want to use the Santos as a universal vehicle for commuting and traveling would be better off choosing a Schwalbe G-One Allround tire, allowing them to reach higher speeds more easily. However, one should never forget: Seven kilos of additional weight from the e-drive needs to be moved. In direct comparison, we were significantly faster and far more agile with a Focus Paralane endurance gravel bike weighing under ten kilos. For commuting, the Santos Cross Lite in this configuration is overqualified.

But generally, it's more about the principle: And one must say, the Pendix system is mature and fulfills a doubly and triply sustainable purpose. You can convert your own existing bike into a commuter bike, thus saving resources. And you save money on the purchase of a new pedelec. And you save fuel for the car. Not to mention the nerves.

Translated automatically from German.
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