Cycling Electric Review: the Abington Electric
ARCC Bikes is very pleased to have appeared in the fourth edition of Cyclist magazine's e-bike supplement, Cycling Electric, in their review of the ARCC Abington Electric. Read on:
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ARCC Abington Electric
Pros
Cons
A classic design that gets the job done in an understated way without drawing attention to itself.
Specs
The entry-level price for the basic set of options, a result of the advanced controller, is high compared to the competition.
Weight: 14.4kg
Frame: Reynolds steel
Fork: Steel
Motor: Intelligent Drive Pod, 250W front hub motor
Battery: 4.0Ah or 6.0Ah Bosch
Groupset: Shimano single-speed, Alfine 8, Alfine 11 or Rohloff Speedhub 500/14
Saddle: Brooks Cambium C19
Handlebars: Aluminium
Wheels: 650b Aluminium
Tyres: Schwalbe Marathon Plus 650b x 38
ARCC Bikes has taken the classic styling cues of a British roadster and added an extraordinary clever electronics package.
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The unparalleled rise in the popularity of electric bikes is continuing to bring new manufacturers to the market and with that invariably comes some innovative thinking. In many cases this 'outside the box' approach simply results in crazy-looking frame designs and other ideas that can come across as little more than meaningless novelties. However, this is not the case with the Abington from ARCC Bikes.
The classic double-diamond frame has been around since the invention of the very first safety bicycle at the end of the 19th century and it is this hugely successful design that ARCC has kept faith with for the Abington. Continuing the classic theme is the choice of Reynolds steel tubing for the construction of the frame - it really is a case of it ain't broke, don't try and fix it.
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Do not be fooled by all that into thinking that the Abington is a simple electric bike, however. Take a closer look and you'll notice that the front hub-mounted 250W motor is an accepted standard but the way it is controlled - using the Intelligent Drive Pod - is far from it.
Aside from the motor itself, the Intelligent Drive Pod is made up of the computer, a Bluetooth controller and a Bosch battery (a choice of 4.0Ah or 6.0Ah). Inside the pod there is a three-axis accelerometer, and it uses micro-electromechanical technology to determine how steep a hill or gradient is at any moment, adjusting power accordingly. An added bonus is the presence of three fully compliant USB-C ports on the side of the pod for charging your phone or GPS while you're out and about.
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The built-in accelerometer comes into play when the Bluetooth controller is in what ARCC calls 'A mode'. Even with this option disabled - in 'M mode' - the torque sensor still reacts to ho
w hard you're pedalling and automatically adjusts the level of assistance within the level you've set at the controller.
ARCC also gives you a wide choice of just how you want that power deployed at the rear. Options include a Shimano single-speed rear hub, a Shimano Alfine 8 or Alfine 11-speed, or a 14-speed Rohloff Speedhub, all driven by a Gates belt drive.