SVEN CYCLES SWIFT E-BIKE
£3600 › Senior tech ed Warren’s classic steel bike with an electric heart
A handmade, custom Reynolds steel bike like the Swift shouldn’t really exist. The material used to make a utilitarian town bike has been matched with a Shimano Steps E6001 motor, with optional E8010 504w battery. The motor drives a Gates belt drive, chosen for its low maintenance and oil-free cleanliness, and Alfine Di2 hub gear.
So, why have I got an e-bike on long-term test? I wanted something to commute on. My average week works out around four hours of riding a day, four days a week, with one day in the office. My commute is nearly a 60-mile round trip. On the Swift I expend less effort and don’t have to endure unreliable, overcrowded public transport. The bike’s been a joy to use, the Shimano power is smooth, although this summer’s heat affected battery life [1]. In normal temperatures (below 20°C) I saw 80-85 miles per charge, in the heat that dropped to as low as 55 miles.
The Alfine Di2 works well but does suffer occasionally with not quite getting into gear, a quick half-back-pedal sorts it. The auto shift function, which shifts depending on cadence, works !ne most of the time, but when you’re riding in and around the speed limiter it shifts at just the wrong moment. I’ve got the best from it using the auto function on the $at and switching to manual shifts on rolling terrain.
The Swift has a porter rack, which I added an old beer crate to [2], so now I’ve got a place to put my backpack, and runs to the shops mean no more onehanded riding with a Bag For Life. I love the Swift, it’s a beautiful ride and is my go-to-bike when I’m looking to get somewhere or get something.
I can cruise into work at 15mph using less effort than a standard bike and wearing non-cycling kit