At Alutech, the frame material of the eFan is in the company name. If you like hand-welded frames from Germany, distinctive weld seams and individual charm, you should definitely take a closer look at the cult brand from Schleswig-Holstein. Jürgen Schlender has been welding enduro mountain bikes with the eye-catching STS rear triangle design in the far north of Germany for over ten years. The construction with the massive seat stays has also been inherited by the e-version of the Fanes, the only e-bike from Alutech.
You have chosen which bikes we should test: Readers most wanted - the most popular E-MTBs of the year! Under this motto, we have selected the most exciting e-mountainbikes from our readers' suggestions. Exotic specialists, absolute blockbusters or cheap discounter bikes? All of them had to face the objective EMTB test in the lab and in practice. Your favourites from Alutech, Bulls, Cube, Haibike, Husqvarna, Olympia, Rockrider and Scott. The following have already been published:
- The Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 SLT on test - Cube e-mountainbike with Bosch CX on a diet course
- The Bulls Sonic EVO AM SL1 on test: How good is the affordable lightweight after the update?
- The Haibike Nduro 8 Freeride on test: A clear edge for rough daredevils
- The Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC5 on test: Stylish all-mountain bike with motorbike DNA?
- Testing the Olympia Hammer CC04: Italo underdog as an e-bike high-flyer?
- Rockrider E-EXPL 520S test: Does Decathlon build the best e-bike fully for under 3000 euros?
- Scott Patron ST ERIDE 900 Tuned on test: The new Scott - the ultimate all-mountain E-MTB?
- An overview of the test of our readers' dream bikes can be found here
The facts about the Alutech eFanes nextGen AXS
- Motor: Shimano EP 801, 85 Nm max. torque
- Battery: 630 Wh (removable)
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Suspension travel: 170 mm
- Wheel size: 29 / 27.5 inch
- Frame sizes:
- Price: 10,445 euros
- Weight: 23.7 kg (test bike in size L, EMTB measurement, without pedals)
- Permissible total weight: 140 kg (wheels) otherwise up to 150 kg (manufacturer's specification)
The vision behind the Alutech eFanes is clearly linked to the company philosophy: trail genes and downhill fun should characterise the aluminium bike. To achieve this, it has 170 millimetres of suspension travel and a downhill-oriented geometry. For our test, Schlender sent us the frame with an extremely slack head angle of 62.3 degrees - a record for an E-MTB in our test lab! Alutech also offers an optional version with a more moderate 64° steering angle. This should give the bike more touring genes and agility. Alutech also offers plenty of scope for customisation. Frame colour, equipment and even the motor (EP6, EP8, EP801) can be selected in the online configurator according to personal preferences. And development continues apace. A new carbon battery cover and a new rear triangle with UDH will soon be available. This means that the bike is also for the latest wireless shifting system with Direct Mount Sram Eagle Transmission.
The e-bike drive
With the update to the new Shimano EP 801, the eFanes is fully up to speed in terms of performance (to the test of the more powerful Shimano EP 801). The compact Shimano battery with 630 watt hours (3.9 kg incl. aluminium cover) can be conveniently folded forwards out of the down tube, but only delivers a moderate range. The solid aluminium cover, which is bolted directly to the battery, will soon be replaced by a carbon version on request. Speaking of wishes: The customer can alternatively select the "old" and somewhat weaker Shimano EP8 or the cheaper EP6 (performance data like EP8, but somewhat heavier) in the configurator. This makes the bike slightly cheaper overall.
The geometry
The geometry of the Alutech eFanes is exceptional. The reach is short, but the steering angle is extremely (!!) slack at 62.3 degrees. This results in a long, but not extreme wheelbase for an E-Enduro. The rear triangle length is infinitely adjustable, even the longest option is short at 442 mm! Overall, the bike is quite small. This applies to both the reach, i.e. the standing position, and the riding position. This is because the steep seat angle places the rider really far forward on the bike. If in doubt, we would recommend a larger size.
Alternatively, the eFanes is also available with a steeper steering angle of 64 degrees. Alutech does not rely on an adjustment option here, but actually builds two different frames. Even the steeper 64 degrees is slack and an average value for an E-Enduro. For the vast majority of applications, we would recommend this more moderate variant. However, the progressive model with a super-slack angle ended up in our test.
EMTB measurements at a glance (frame size L)
- Seat tube length: 440 mm
- Wheelbase: 1275 mm
- Reach: 459 mm
- Stack: 633 mm
- Steering angle: 62.3 degrees
- Seat angle: 77.5 degrees
- Chainstay length: 431 - 442 mm
- Bottom bracket height: 349 mm
The features of the Alutech eFanes nextGen AXS
The customer can choose all of the bike's features themselves in the online configurator. Chassis, gears, brakes - and even the frame and decal colour can be selected from a sensible range of options. The Comp version is available from 5999 euros. For our test, Alutech sent us a high-quality model with top equipment for a whopping € 10,445. The Fox Factory suspension is equipped with a 38 mm fork and thick X2 shock for wild descents. Shifting is wireless with Sram's Eagle AXS, albeit still in the "old" version without transmission technology. However, the latest eFanes should also be prepared for direct mounting of the Transmission derailleur. Maxxis tyres sit on the super-light carbon wheels from DT Swiss. With Exo+ or Exo carcass, however, the tyres are somewhat weak for a racy E-Enduro. Otherwise, there is absolutely nothing to criticise about the equipment - in line with the price.
- Fork / shock: Fox 38 Factory / Float X2 Factory
- Gear system: Sram GX AXS, 12-speed, 10 - 52 teeth
- Brakes: Sram Code Ultimate, 220/200 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss HXC 1501 Hybrid Carbon
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai Exo, 29 x 2.5'' / DHR II Exo+, 27.5 x 2.6''
- Special features: Adjustable chainstays, chassis approved for 150 kg system weight, 185 mm telescopic support
Practical test: How the Alutech eFanes nextGen AXS rides
The Alutech eFanes feels compact as soon as you sit on it: short reach, very steep seat angle, so you sit in a compact position. Uphill, the forward position has a positive effect - despite the short chainstays, the bike climbs well because there is constant pressure on the front wheel. On steep stretches, however, the front end does get a little light, and then the extremely slack steering angle brings unrest to the ride due to its tippy handling.
The very comfortable rear suspension bursting with traction is a positive feature on the climbs, and the new EP801 pushes hard even with little rider input. This means that even bumpy climbs can be mastered with ease. Of course, the longer the chainstay setting, the better the bike climbs. We rode a medium setup most of the time.
The bike also feels rather small on the descent. Short reach, low stack: if in doubt, go for the larger size. However, the bike doesn't feel overly manoeuvrable. Despite the short chainstays, the bike is not ultimately easy to pull onto the rear wheel. If you're looking for a direct and manoeuvrable bike, you'll probably be happier with the frame with a steeper head angle.
The E-Fan's strength lies more on fast, rough tracks, where the fluffy chassis, long wheelbase and flat steering angle score points. However, the riding experience here is slightly disconnected. You're more on top of the bike than safely integrated into it - the high bottom bracket also contributes to this. After our test of the bike with the (extremely) slack head angle, we would have preferred the more moderate version (64 instead of 62.5°). And if you're over 180 metres tall, it makes sense to consider a larger size.
One positive aspect is the plush and high-traction rear suspension, which smooths out small and large bumps with ease. As a result, the bike easily takes on demanding enduro trails and can even score points here with a high level of suspension comfort. The Fox 38 Factory fork with the strong Grip2 damping in the front also plays its trump card here. The rest of the equipment with Sram's top-of-the-range Code Ultimate Stealth brakes, ergonomic grips and saddle from SQ Lab and Sram's classic GX AXS twelve-speed electric drivetrain is equally tried and tested. The high-end HX 1501 carbon wheels from DT Swiss are a particular highlight in terms of quality and give the Alutech lively handling in terms of suspension travel and range of use. By the way: With full approval according to the downhill category ASTM 5, you don't have to worry about the durability of the frame. That's what we want from an E-Enduro.
EMTB evaluation of the Alutech eFanes nextGen AXS
Strengths
- Good, high-traction chassis
- Frame hand-welded in Germany
- Equipment can be customised in the configurator
Weaknesses
- Handling somewhat unbalanced
- Moderate range
- Tyres too susceptible to punctures in relation to the area of use
The EMTB conclusion
With its brushed aluminium look, hand-welded frame and customisation options, the E-Enduro should be high on the wish list of custom fans. The rear suspension is very strong. However, we would recommend a frame with a steeper steering angle! - Adrian Kaether, Editor EMTB Magazine
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
