What can GRUNDIG’s first e-bike do? Test & Video
Since when has GRUNDIG been producing e-bikes? That's usually the first question when I show up in town during my week of testing with the black Grundig GCB-1. After all, most people know Grundig from the radio and television industry. That's right too!
But now GRUNDIG also wants to get involved in the e-bike industry. Will you be able to get started with your first e-bike, theGRUNDIG GCB-1? You can find out in the chargemybike test and in the additional video!
Product test
GRUNDIG provided us with the GCB-1 for one week free of charge for testing. Thank you! So we have to mark it as advertising, as always you can read our honest personal opinion here.
GRUNDIG GCB-1 in the test
Frame
The GRUNDIG GCB-1 is available as Unisex bike in just a frame size offered: At 1.91 m tall, I was curious to see whether it would fit. You can read further below Driving behavior , whether that worked! The paintwork on the aluminum frame is flawless, and thanks to the integrated routing of the shift and brake cables, everything looks like it is made from a single piece. The city bike is available in three colors: lava gray, light gray and ice blue. In the test you can see the lava gray version.
Drive & battery
An 80 Nm strong Bafang motor drives the bike, powered by a 540 Wh Li-ion Bafang battery with LG cells that can be removed from the frame. This means you can charge it separately or change it if necessary. The almost empty battery was tested
LCD display
The small LCD display allows you to adjust the support in either 3, 5 or 9 levels. My choice is 3 because that gives me low, medium and high as direct choices. You can also control the lighting via the LCD display, which shows you all the data from your tour such as distance, current speed and average speed.
Thanks to Auto-Off the system switches itself off after a few unused minutes to save energy; you can select the duration down to the minute.
Range
100 km range is promised, this is even exceeded (see also video). Level 3, i.e. maximum support, still comes with a range of over 60 km, and the full support of 80 Nm allows me to accelerate quickly to 25 km/h and glide with absolutely no effort.
Components
The Shimano Altus 9-speed group complements the drive and can be shifted smoothly using the shift levers. Even as an e-biker, you shouldn't forget that the right gears extend your range accordingly and ensure less wear and tear! Snappy Tektro hydraulic disc brakes bring the bike to a safe stop, and the lights shine at night LED lights at the front and back guide your way through the dark and give you the security of being seen.
Comfort
With a Suntour Nex 25e front suspension fork, suspension seat post and the width 47-622 tires unevenness is reliably absorbed. On smooth asphalt roads, the suspension fork can also be locked out using a rotary knob directly on the suspension fork, so that no unnecessary energy is lost.
Target group and weight GRUNDIG GCB-1
GRUNDIG uses the GCB-1 as a commuter bike. The target group is commuters and city traffic. After our week of testing, we find that the bike is not only ideal for commuting, but also ideal for weekend bike tours. Luggage can be stored on the sturdy luggage rack, even with a lower center of gravity.
The GCB-1 weighs a full 28 kilograms, but offers a pleasing system weight of 150 kilograms, so that even heavier riders and their luggage won't push the bike to its limits so quickly.
Driving behavior GRUNDIG GCB-1
The bike rides smoothly on both asphalt and bumpy roads. The typical commute, which usually consists of a cycle path, road and sometimes poor farm roads, is very easy to cover. The prerequisite is thecorrect adjustment of the handlebar position and saddle height, which led to a good driving experience even with my 1.91 m, despite the standard size. A handlebar that is too low shifts the weight forward and leads to a rather spongy feeling. With active lockout of the suspension fork, the suspension fork does not absorb any Nm of the powerful drive, but on jerky surfaces the suspension fork is a welcome relief.
chargemybike Review
The overall package of the GRUNDIGGCB-1consisting of basic components with a powerful drive leads to agood price /Performance ratio of the visually appealing bike.
At 28 kg, the e-bike is not light compared to other city bikes; a slightly weaker drive would have been acceptable in favor of a lighter and higher quality component group. But admittedly: It's just fun to cruise through the city with this Black Beauty and enjoy the full 80 Nm of power. And of course the range of 100 km is a real selling point for commuters.
We were allowed to drive it for a week and were actually a little sad when we had to pack it up again.
You can get the bike directly above GRUNDIG !
Behind the scenes
Quite complex, such a test!
Specifications GRUNDIG GCB-1
Driver profile: City traffic and commuters
Price : €3299
Frame | Unisex, aluminum 6061
Motor | 36V 250W mid motor Bafang
Torque | up to 80 Nm
Battery | Bafang with LG cells Li-ion 540 Wh (removable)
Display | LCD multifunctional
Circuit| Shimano Altus 9-speed
Brakes | Tektro disc brake, hydraulic
Suspension fork | Suntour Nex 25e
Saddle| Selle Royal, suspension seat post
Light | LED front and rear
Tires | CST 1880, 28 inches, 47-622
Range | up to 100 km
Colors| Lava gray, light gray and ice blue
Weight | 28kg
Total load| Max 150kg
Guarantee | 3 years, frame 5 years