+ON TEST 38 <strong>Electric</strong> <strong>Bike</strong> 1ssue 4 Spencer Ivy Spencer Spencer Ivy produce just two eponymous models – the cross-bar ‘Spencer’ and low step-through ‘Ivy’. We tried ‘Spencer’ courtesy of their dealer in Crossgates, Leeds.
Spencer Ivy are a relatively young electric bike company, based in London’s Docklands and founded in 2010 by Va Hua and Joy Barber. They’ve had a high profi le ever since, with PR coups including getting Prince Charles to ride one of their bikes (as reported last issue) and many appearances in the London-based media. They’re also active on the social networks, have produced a free e-book full of electric bike advice. As we go to press they’ve just launched a new smartphone app. Their bikes are designed and assembled in Germany, taking advantage of the production, fi nishing and quality control facilities at Derby Cycle, one of Europe’s largest manufacturing facilities. The UK operation sells them both direct and via a network of (currently) eight dealers, and bikes can also be ridden at two holiday centres – see their website for the full list. Their most northerly dealer, as we go to press anyway, is The <strong>Bike</strong> Shop in the Crossgates area of Leeds, and they kindly agreed to let us come and try a ‘Spencer’. Both this and the low step-through Ivy retail at £1895, with a considerable range of optional accessories available. Also available is a ‘black styling pack’ for £85, which involves the various silver parts of the power assist system, including the battery casing, being fi nished in gloss black to match the frame. The frame comes in one size: 50 cm (19.7") for Spencer, while there are two sizes for Ivy. Spare batteries come in 18 Ah (£525), 10 Ah (£405) and 8 Ah (£395) versions, and chargers in either standard ‘dock’ or lighter ‘travel’ versions (£127.95 each). There’s a commendable two year warranty on the entire machine, including batteries. » ON THE BIKE Key to Spencer Ivy’s corporate image, and refl ected in all of their branding and presentation, is the ‘classic’ look to their bikes. With simple black frames, a clean appearance thanks to careful cable routing inside the frame and generally sober styling, the bikes do seem to strike the right distinguished note. The overall design is of a relatively sporty hybrid, ideal perhaps for city commuting. The bike is well equipped Specification Weight overall (inc batteries): 21.9 kg Battery weight: 2.6 kg <strong>Bike</strong> only weight: 19.4 kg Charger weight: 0.65 kg (inc. mains cable). Note: weights are manufacturer fi gures – we didn’t get a chance to weigh the review bike. Battery type: Li-Ion Battery capacity: 240 Watt hours (10Ah 24V) Gearing: 8-speed Shimano Alfi ne hub gear. Brakes: Shimano Deore XT V-brakes front and rear Lighting: front LED, rear LED, powered by Shimano hub dynamo. Other accessories: mudguards, carrier rack, stand, bell, pump. Price: £1895 as tested. for that purpose, with full mudguards, a really good quality dynamo-powered lighting system, and a rack to carry luggage. A mini-pump clips to the rack, but I’d pop it in a bag myself unless you’re always sure of secure parking. There’s also a stand to keep it upright when parked, and a framemounted ‘nurse’s’ lock to immobilise the machine. No suspension is fi tted, but that’s ON TEST: Spencer ON TEST: Ivy Ezee ‘Spencer’ Torq <strong>Issue</strong> 4 <strong>Electric</strong> <strong>Bike</strong> 39
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