Test Fischer ProLine EM 1723: A Fischer e-bike from MediaMarkt? What die-hard cyclists find suspicious works pretty well for fishermen. The brand offers solid technology at a very moderate price, and what may not be enough for ambitious off-road athletes should inspire many leisure drivers.
Compared to normal bicycles, e-bikes are quite expensive: With a normal touring model, you can expect the support motor and battery to triple the price. With mountain bikes, the surcharge is not quite as high, since the bike technology is more important here - gears, suspension fork and so on. An E-MTB is twice as expensive as a non-motorized MTB.
Fischer E-Bike from MediaMarkt: E-MTB instead of giant TV?
That alone may be a good reason for many interested parties to avoid the classic bicycle trade. Anyone who simply cannot (or does not want to) afford an e-bike for more than 2.000 euros will hardly find anything there and will have to look for other sources. At hardware stores or electronics giants, for example - but isn't everything you can admire there "brand new scrap", according to the common prejudice?
Let's try it: At MediaMarkt there is an e-bike like this somewhere between flat screens, entertainment electronics and kitchen appliances: the Fischer ProLine EM 1723, a Fischer e-bike from MediaMarkt, which is currently being offered new (more on that later) for 1.475 euros (RRP 1.799 euros). A look at the details immediately reveals the intended purpose to the specialist: This is a sporty touring bike for natural paths, easily rideable trails and generally easy terrain. The upright sitting position of the model, which is available in one size, ensures driving comfort, but would have an unfavorable effect on extremely steep sections - but difficult terrain is not the territory of the Fischer ProLine anyway. It is a bike for people who want to ride tours in rural areas and primarily need robust tires and want to enjoy the support of the additional drive.
A special feature of the Fischer bike brand also goes with “rural areas”: if you order this bike (as we did in this case at MediaMarkt), you can by no means roll it out of the store straight away. It is delivered by a forwarding agent, which makes sense simply because of the warehousing. And because the courier driver has nothing to do with the final assembly of the bike, the bike has to be ready to ride out of the box. Fischer calls this system 99 percent ready to drive. Here's how it works: The pedals - traditionally confusing since the left pedal has left-hand threads - are attached with a plug-in connection that eliminates the difference between right and left. The exact alignment of the handlebars is also taken care of by the user: the quick release on the "Stem Twist" stem is opened, then turned into the correct position where the stem engages. Now the lever is closed again, and that's it.
Fischer e-bike from MediaMarkt: Fischer offers a mobile repair service
It all works without any problems. Getting the bike out of the box and making it 100 percent ready to ride takes less than five minutes and inspires confidence in Fischer's sales concept, which also includes a mobile repair service. We didn't have to use it, but a flat rear tire alone should call the fitter into action, because the rear wheel motor isn't as easy to remove as a normal hub.
Which brings us to the technology: The bike is equipped with a Bafang motor, which is typical for its class, but the very large battery with 557 watt hours is clearly above the price level. The bicycle technology is functionally modest with nine-speed gears and cheap disc brakes, but functional. With voluminous 27,5-inch tires, the Fischer has contemporary soles, because the resulting comfortable cushioning and good grip of the tires are more important on e-bikes than the slightly higher rolling resistance.
The side stand in particular points to the intended use as a touring bike, which you would rather not expect on a “real” MTB. The driver's posture is also not tailored to serious off-road sports: even with the seat post pulled out quite far, you sit very upright and the position of the handlebars cannot be changed; the handlebars would also be too narrow for difficult terrain.
Fischer e-bike from MediaMarkt: technically up to date!
On a bike tour through nature, on the other hand, the seating comfort is right ... so let's go. As is typical for hub motors, the drive reacts with minimal delay, but then pushes powerfully. In contrast to the current mid-motors, the noise level is low, so the e-bike is pleasantly quiet. It is very positive that the bike supports well over 25 km/h. If you take the pressure off the pedals, the rear engine pushes up a little more - this is also known from rear engines. All in all, the performance of the unit is pleasing, all the more so since a test on the test bench shows considerable ranges at a brisk pace. The Bafang system includes a clear button block on the handlebars for the five riding modes and a large display that shows, among other things, the charge level, support mode and speed and is even illuminated. It also has a USB socket, which you can use to charge your cell phone or connect a battery light, for example. In terms of drive technology, the Fischer is anything but a sham.
Brakes and gears do their job unobtrusively in a positive sense; the suspension fork is on par with average trekking forks, so it buffers rough bumps quite effectively without being overly sensitive. After all, it is equipped with a modern thru-axle that even has a quick-release fastener. It should also be mentioned that the Fischer is just 2 to 2,5 kilos heavier than some e-hardtails that are twice as expensive - at almost 24 kilos it can be moved easily.
Fischer e-bike from MediaMarkt: practical test passed!
Back home at the end of the bike tour, our test rider Joseph happily folds out the side stand. The Fischer worked well, the tire grip was great even on the forest floor covered with a dense carpet of needles, and even after several meters of altitude there is still power in the battery. Thanks to the small frame with a short seat tube, the bike can almost be considered a family bike - even the twelve-year-old can sit on it, and his wife anyway. And all that at a price that can be even lower than the already mentioned 1.799 euros: Fischer also offers demonstration bikes, used models and B-stock, with price reductions of up to a third. And that's when a solid e-bike suddenly becomes a real special offer - delivered free.
