A new brand in the bicycle industry – again? But when I read the brand name a second time, I thought for a moment: “Husqvarna… Hmm, they make garden tools and motorcycles! Now there are also Husqvarna e-bikes?”
Liquid Life was there for you at the first presentation of the Husqvarna EMTBs and provides all the information about the exciting new products from the far north!
Hamburg, a chic foyer at the port area, where container ships glide past in the background. Susanne Puello, the petite-looking boss of the newly founded PEXCO GmbH , stands in front of a group of selected dealers and journalists. "I thought the Husqvarna logo was a crown, but it is a stylized musket barrel from the front with a rear sight and front sight!" Because what many people don't know is that the innovative Swedes were one of the first manufacturers in Europe to bring bicycles onto the market in addition to weapons, as early as 1896! Husqvarna positioned itself in the motorcycle sector just as early with corresponding models.
Impressions and interviews with the makers of Husqvarna Ebikes:
Today, the Scandinavians are active in 40 countries, and there is also a factory in Ulm! “And they are now jumping on the hype called e-bikes ?” It is clear that this question is obvious, but the pioneers and specialists for autonomous lawnmowers are extremely experienced in electrification!
Husqvarna Ebikes – EMTBs and Pedelecs with well-known names
"We are committed to specialist retailers and want to achieve a new, independent position in the market," says Puello about the ambitions of Husqvarna Bicycles. "Sporty EMTBs are an important part of the product range, but we see enormous potential for the future, especially in the area of e-mobility!" The fact that the family business Puello, under the leadership of Susanne Puello and Felix Raymundo Puello, has a good nose for trends and potential was demonstrated by the two through their pioneering work for the now unstoppable trend of e-MTBs . After leaving Haibike, the two now have big ambitions with their three brands Husqvarna, Raymon and R2R. From the point of view of experts within the industry, these do not seem unrealistic. On the other hand, the market in the e-bike sector is very well occupied, which is why Husqvarna also has to bring more than just one well-known name to the table.
High quality, attractive appearance and innovative technologies should help. Husqvarna relies entirely on the Shimano drive:
- All Husqvarna eBikes are equipped with SHIMANO STEPS E6010/E6012 and E8000 drives.
- SHIMANO STEPS E6000 Series: The reliable eBike system for a natural riding experience on the road and in light terrain.
- Available with a frame or luggage carrier battery and equipped with a torque of 50Nm, the E6000 Series drives are used by Husqvarna Bicycles in the LightCross, CrossTourer, Light Tourer and GranCity categories. The rider can choose from three performance-dependent support levels: Eco (70%), Normal (150%) and High (230%). The unit for operating the on-board computer is located directly on the handlebars, which ensures ergonomic operation of the on-board computer.
- With the latest update, the application area of SHIMANO STEPS is expanding away from asphalt and towards "light off-road" use, i.e. sportier riding on gravel or forest paths (not mountain bike trails). Specific firmware ensures a sportier driving program or a sportier drive characteristic in combination with derailleur gears. In addition, a new, reinforced bracket is available for the down tube battery type, which guarantees that the battery sits securely even on rougher terrain. This means that the application area of SHIMANO STEPS has expanded significantly and now covers a wide range of scenarios.
- Technical data: 250W maximum power, 50 Nm maximum torque, support up to 25 km/h, weight of the drive unit 3.2 kg, three support modes (Eco, Normal, High), 418 or 504 W when attached to the luggage rack (2.5 kg), 418 Wh when attached to the down tube (2.6 kg) battery power, Power Walk Assist
In addition, the full suspension bikes and top hardtail models are equipped with a flexible linkage battery. This innovation brings several advantages.
- Linkage Battery: Easy handling thanks to innovative technology – thanks to the modern design of the Snake Pack battery, you no longer need a large opening in the down tube to integrate the battery.
- The new design consists of six cell packs with a total of 500 Wh, which are connected via joints and thus allow removal through a small opening. The inserted battery is held in place by a powerful magnetic switch in the down tube and thus fixed.
- To remove it, a lockable aluminum cover is opened and the battery is released from the magnetic switch with a tug. It can then be easily pulled out of the opening and charged externally or replaced.
- In order to keep the battery safe and stable in the down tube, Husqvarna has equipped the down tube with a three-chamber system, which provides more rigidity and thus smooth running, precise steering behavior and directional stability. Despite the robust construction, the manufacturer has achieved a compact down tube cross-section of 95 x 85cm.
- Thanks to the small battery opening, the frame is more stable than most frames with an integrated, removable battery in the down tube, even without the need for special stiffeners.
- The Husqvarna top models MC7, MC6, MC5, LC5 & LC4 are equipped with the Linkage Battery.
Practical : The models with linkage battery allow a bottle holder to be mounted in the frame triangle. Two models in the hardtail range (LC 3 & LC 2) use a 500 Wh battery. The cheapest e-bike uses a 400 Wh battery.
Husqvarna EMTB Fully Series: Mountain Cross
Three full-suspension bikes are rolling out in 2018: The Husqvarna Mountain Cross full-suspension bikes offer 140 mm of suspension travel at the front and rear. The innovatively integrated Snake Pack battery runs on 500 Wh. Husqvarna relies on the Shimano STEPS E8000 drive for all Mountain Cross models. The highest-end model, the LC 7, comes with the electronic Shimano XT Di2 gear system. Wide 2.8” tires from Schwalbe provide the best traction off-road plus plenty of comfort. The Mountain Cross EMTB full-suspension bikes cost between €3,999 and €4,999.
The ultimate mountain stage discipline: Mountain Cross is the category for all tours in the mountains and on rough trails. Husqvarna is entering this category with a total of three models - the MC7, MC6 and MC5. All eBikes are equipped with powerful SHIMANO Steps E8000 drives.
- The equivalent of the classic all-mountain category comes exclusively with 27.5+ tires and a linkage battery integrated in the down tube. The segmented lithium-ion battery is removed through a small opening in the down tube. The advantage: The frame is therefore significantly more torsionally rigid and lighter.
Felix Raymundo Puello shows how to operate the linkage battery:
› The geometry of all Mountain Cross aluminum frames is designed to be sporty and agile – steep angles and relatively short wheelbases ensure agile handling off-road.
› The top model MC7 is equipped with a SHIMANO Di2 gearshift, which enables smooth gear changes even under load at the touch of a button, thus ensuring optimal coordination between the motor and the gearshift.
Off-road ebikes: Husqvarna Light Cross
The top models of the hardtails are the LC 5 and LC 4 variants with linkage battery and Shimano STEPS E8000 drive, which are well-equipped for off-road use! You can choose between 2.8” wide 27.5” tires and 2.6” wide 29” tires. The off-road light models with Shimano STEPS E6000 drive, including matching software, will be available for even less. The 2.25” tires are narrower and roll optimally. The Husqvarna LC 1 is available as an entry-level model for €2,299, while the attractive LC 5 top model will lighten your wallet by €4,199.
- Easy tours – great adventures: All Husqvarna Light Cross models impress with their sporty handling and are equipped with high-quality components. This makes them ideal for use on easy terrain and gravel paths.
- The wheel sizes of the hardtails are as diverse as their area of application: They are available with 27.5 / 27.5+ and 29'' tires. The category includes a total of seven models in the two wheel sizes 27.5 and 29'': LC5, LC4, LC3, LC2 (2 color variants) and LC1 (2 color variants).
- Both top models are equipped with SHIMANO StepsE8000 drives, the remaining eBikes support SHIMANO StepsE6000 drives and 500Wh or 400Wh downtube batteries.
Prospects for Husqvarna Ebikes: Husqvarna Ebikes will be available in specialist shops from the spring quarter. There or at some trade fairs and festivals there will also be the opportunity to try out the Nordic bikes with the impressive name. From January, a prominent MTB professional will also be present as an ambassador for the newly released E-mountain bikes from Husqvarna.
