The wider world has always had a huge amount of respect for German technology and innovation (think ‘Vorsprung durch technik’ and all that) – and when it comes to two-wheeled technology, arguably the most notable place where Germany has set the standard is in the world of e-bikes.
That standard is about to be raised one notch higher with the upcoming release of Velo de Ville’s HUB-e bike: an exciting personalisable urban cycling solution, and the first Velo de Ville product to utilise Bosch’s incredible new HUB-Drive motor.
Based near the cycling city of Münster, Velo de Ville manufactures its own exclusive range of bicycles and pedelecs in-house in Germany. The company has been in business since 1966, and originally created its unique place in the fertile German cycling market by offering bikes built up to customer specifications.
While not necessarily a household name in the UK (yet), back in its German homeland Velo de Ville has grown into one of the most respected marques in high-end bicycles. In the 1980s, Velo de Ville altered its business approach to focus on maximising rider satisfaction in terms of customisation, and in 2009, it launched its first e-bike.
The Velo de Ville philosophy is very simple: every bicycle or e-bike should be a perfect fit for its rider. To do that, there are countless ways that buyers can configure Velo de Ville’s bikes, from frame colour down to details such as headlights or pedals.
“Most brands try to convince people that what they really need is a mass-manufactured bike like all the other bikes, but the truth is that each of us is different. If you spend more than £2,000 on a bicycle, you deserve something different: a bike that looks like you, not just any bike,” Alain Thiemann, Velo de Ville’s CEO says.
Anniversary exclusive
We mentioned Velo de Ville’s year of birth – 1966 – and that is important, because the new HUB-e is an anniversary model that celebrates 60 years of business.
As a representation of Velo de Ville’s key values, it couldn’t be more appropriate: the HUB-e incorporates the very best of modern design and rider-specific details – such as a focus on lightweight and high comfort – with the Bosch HUB-Drive, one of the most exciting e-bike motors currently on the market. Even better, you can get it all at an exclusive anniversary price.
“Especially in the city, it’s often not the ride itself that determines comfort, but what comes before and after: carrying the bike down to the basement, manoeuvering it in the courtyard, or parking it in front of your apartment,” the brand says.
With the new HUB-e, Velo de Ville demonstrates that electric assistance and lightness don’t have to be mutually exclusive.”
Starting at just 19kg for a full bike, the HUB-e represents a new generation of Velo de Ville e-bikes that have been designed for hassle-free urban mobility, and the Bosch HUB-Drive motor is pivotal to that. Used in combination with the Bosch PowerTube battery (360Wh), riders can call on 45Nm of torque and up to 400 watts of power from the 2.3kg hub motor, offering dynamic assistance for everyday urban life.
At the same time, the HUB-Drive integrates almost invisibly into the rear wheel hub, contributing to the HUB-e’s clean design and low overall weight. Thanks to the integrated Bluetooth interface, the HUB-e can be seamlessly integrated into the Bosch Smart System, too.
But there’s been important design choices made throughout the entire HUB-e build, and not just in terms of cutting-edge tech. The HUB-e’s wide tyres reliably absorb bumps and ensure a smooth ride even on cobblestones or rough sections of road, while the upright riding position provides good visibility in city traffic and enhances riding comfort on both short and long trips. With a maximum load capacity of 140kg, there’s also plenty of room for groceries and extra luggage.
HUB-e XS: the more compact alternative
The HUB-e isn’t simply a one-off model but an entirely new model family, rounded out by the HUB-e XS. This more compact version is designed for riders looking for a particularly manageable e-bike without having to compromise on comfort, features or electric assistance.
Like the HUB-e, the HUB-e XS starts at 19 kilograms and is available with either a 26in ‘Wave’ or 26in ‘Diamond’ frame. It has been designed to be particularly well-suited for dense city traffic, short trips and any situation where maximum manoeuverability is required. The HUB-e XS, Velo de Ville says combines the lightness of the model family with high practicality for everyday use and comfortable electric assistance.
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Velo de Ville is offering both the HUB-e and the HUB-e XS at an exclusive special price of £2,269. If you’re interested, you can register without obligation via the HUB-e landing page. If you decide to go for it, delivery will then be handled by one of Velo de Ville’s authorised retail partners.
However, in keeping with Velo de Ville’s personalised approach, to make that buying experience even more personal – and to keep tabs on the ‘birth’ of your own specific bike – Velo de Ville has developed its own unique post-order tracking system.
“We have transformed the wait between the order and the receipt of the bike into an experience: after buying a bike, customers can use an application called VELOWALLET through which he can track the progress of the production of their own bike,” CEO Alain Thiemann says.
To experience this unique approach to bike buying, or for more information about the HUB-e and the rest of Velo de Ville’s range, visit Velo de Ville’s website now.
