Product news: In the last one or two years, the premium e-bike manufacturer Zemo has been able to make a name for itself in the highly competitive bicycle market with very good bikes. In the test we carried out in FOCUS magazine, a ZEMO bike also proved itself in the trekking category best bike in the test field. So the bar is set high and in 2018 an innovation is waiting for you that will undoubtedly be very popular in the e-bike sector: The ZEMO SU-E series comes with a full-suspension frame for an enormous plus in comfort - whether in the city or on the weekend tour.
Full-suspension trekking bikes, with or without a motor, are still a marginal phenomenon and will probably remain so in the non-motorized sector. The additional bearings, joints and the damper itself increase the weight too much for many and reduce propulsion. However, both disadvantages are not so significant with an e-bike - since, with a few exceptions, there are only models without rear suspension for touring and city use, comfort-conscious riders use e-MTBs instead. Since these are not optimal for the area of application for other reasons (missing mudguards, luggage rack, lighting system, etc.), this is not much more than an often bad compromise.
ZEMO SU-E: Visually inconspicuous comfort plus
It is precisely in this niche that ZEMO is now advancing with the SU-E models. The chassis itself is called INTERLINK and came from the pen of development partner ADP, who is also responsible for the rear triangles of Rotwild mountain bikes, for example. In addition to efficient characteristics for a lot of propulsion and a stiff construction, the system should also be able to be integrated into the frame concept in a visually unobtrusive way. The end result of the development provides 100mm of travel - more than enough, even for curbs, potholes or other impasses that might get in the way of a cyclist. Of course there is also a suspension fork at the front, which also provides 100mm of travel. Visually, the fullys are hardly recognizable as such: the shock absorber almost completely disappears into the seat tube.
So you take a look at one or the other of the mountain bikes - this also includes the retractable seat post, which is installed in all ZEMO SU-E bikes ex works. While on a mountain bike it generally ensures that the rider has the necessary freedom of movement on the trail, in the case of the new ZEMO e-bikes it is intended to provide even more comfort. By pressing the corresponding lever on the handlebars, the support moves down and the driver can put their feet comfortably on the ground when stationary - a welcome help, especially in the everyday stop-and-go of urban commuter traffic. Pressing the handlebar lever again extends the support to the correct ride height.
ZEMO SU-E: Premium equipment and anti-theft protection via smartphone app
ZEMO is at home in the premium segment. This also applies to the new e-trekking fullies. The cheapest model already costs €4.999 – but it’s not just the price that’s premium here, but also the equipment. All bikes come with Performance CX motors from Bosch, the S-Pedelec is driven by the corresponding Performance Speed. The 500Wh PowerTube battery is hidden in the down tube, and there is also the option of a second battery on the down tube, which almost doubles the range. The other equipment features are also appropriate for the orientation: high-quality disc brakes, good lighting and a wide range of gears from derailleur gears to the continuously variable NuVinci transmission.
In times of Smart Home, smart bathroom scales and the smartphone as an everyday companion, the bicycle and e-bike market can no longer ignore these developments. ZEMO is cooperating with the mobile giant Vodafone and is making a special app available for its e-bikes. This is in contact with the control center in the wheel, which also contains a GPS module. For example, various anti-theft functions can be activated. Speaking of anti-theft protection: an Abus folding lock is included with all SU-E models.
ZEMO SU-E: Available from €4.999
First, the SU-E model series starts with three basic models. Let's start with the SU-E FS 10N with NuVinci gear hub for €4.999. Instead, the SU-E FS 11X comes with an 11-speed derailleur from Shimano and costs €5.599. The S-Pedelec variant SU-E FS 11X 45 is only slightly more expensive at €5.799. For the two top models with derailleur gears, there is the option of a second battery, which costs €700 extra.
All bikes are available with a classic diamond frame or as trapeze models with a low step-through and in three frame sizes. When it comes to colors, customers can choose between plain matt black, muted gray and a fresh blue.
The prices at a glance (DB = Dual Battery)
SU-E FS 11X 45DB 6.499 Euros
SU-E FS 11X 45 5.799 Euros
SU-E FS 11X DB 6.299 Euros
SU-E FS 11X 5.599 Euros
SU-E FS 10N 4.999 Euros