Issue Six - Spring 2013 - Electric Bike Magazine

ON TEST: Ezee Grace Torq MX
Grace is a German bike
maker, and UK availability
was announced only last
year, with Wisper Bikes
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 2013 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
Bike 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 2013).
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 2013, 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
Issue 6 Electric Bike 11