+ON TEST Grace MX German brand Grace has come to the UK with two high-end bikes: the on-road, BionX-powered ‘Easy’ and this off-road beast, the Bosch-powered ‘MX’. We take it cross country… 10 <strong>Electric</strong> <strong>Bike</strong> <strong>Issue</strong> 6
ON TEST: Ezee Grace Torq MX Grace is a German bike maker, and UK availability was announced only last year, with Wisper <strong>Bike</strong>s handling the import, distribution and servicing. The bikes are now available through a range of specialist dealers: see the website or contact them for details. There are two frame sizes for the MX, Medium and Large, but that’s about it as far as factory options go. Of course at this sort of price level, dealers will be happy to add accessories or change particular components as you wish, within reason! As tested, the Grace MX has a recommended retail price of £2995. But the <strong>2013</strong> production model, which should be available in late April, will cost £3295, using the larger capacity 11 Ah Bosch battery and complete with integrated B&M LED lighting system and side stand. » ON THE BIKE The MX is an imposing bit of kit, there’s no doubt about that! In stealth black throughout, the angular contours of its frame and the bulk of the downtube all give it an almost military look. There’s a certain logic to the layout. The Bosch motor is tilted upwards so most of its bulk lies along the line of the downtube, ensuring there’s plenty of ground clearance. Then the battery extends along this same line, protected by the ‘shell’ of the split tube. This keeps the wheelbase short compared to bikes with the battery behind the seat tube: this is generally a good thing for manoeuvrability and grip when climbing off-road, as more weight is on the back wheel. The downside is a weight bias somewhat towards the front of the bike. This is noticeable mainly when carrying or lifting it, and it also makes lifting the front wheel deliberately a little harder. Anyway, the battery is certainly well secured within the downtube: it slots in from below and locks in place. There’s a substantial hinged alloy plate which backs up the battery lock, and this latches using spring-loaded alloy blocks which engage bolt heads on the downtube sides. I found it a tad awkward to close, but very secure once in place. At 36 V, 8 Ah (288 Wh) the standard Bosch battery isn’t huge even for a crank drive bike, but it does charge Specification Weight overall (inc batteries): 25.0 kg Battery weight: 2.51 kg <strong>Bike</strong> only weight: 22.49 kg Charger weight: 1.05 kg (inc. mains cable). Battery type: Li-Ion. Battery capacity: 288 Watt hours (8 Ah 36 V). Gearing: Belt drive: 50T ring, 26T sprocket. NuVinci N360 CVT hub. Ratios 25-91". Brakes: Avid Elixir 5 hydraulic disks, front 180 mm, rear 200 mm. Lighting: Dynamo (updated version for <strong>2013</strong>). Other accessories fitted: bell. Price as tested: £2995 quickly (they say it’ll charge to 100% in 2.5 hours, or to 80% in an hour and a half) so half-way charging may well be possible on long trips. The charger, incidentally, is nicely styled with the typical macho Bosch look and essentially silent in operation. Because off-road riding is so varied, Grace quote a range figure of 15-40 miles per charge: I’d guess it’ll be towards the lower end of that for ABOVE: The Bosch charger continues the tough styling theme. RIGHT: The battery pack is well protected within the split downtube. It’s held in both by a key lock and by the spring loaded alloy catches visible here towards the top of the pack. more technical, hilly riding. Bosch have announced an 11 Ah version of their battery for <strong>2013</strong>, in the same casing, so users who do need extra range could upgrade to this or buy one as a spare: in the UK the 11 Ah packs are £545 each. Spares for the 8 Ah version cost around £415. The Bosch drive itself is pretty much concealed within the frame. More visible is the control unit, which <strong>Issue</strong> 6 <strong>Electric</strong> <strong>Bike</strong> 11
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