First Ride / Test: The Conway eMF PT is a new E-Fully with 140mm travel and a Bosch PowerTube battery in the down tube. At the Eurobike Media Days we were able to kidnap the newcomer for a short test ride.
The Conway eMF is not really a new addition to the portfolio of the manufacturer based in Weiden in the Upper Palatinate. In the past two seasons, the 140mm E-Fully already fulfilled the role of the comfortable tourer in the program and ranked between the very sporty E-Enduro eWME and the E-Hardtails. For the 2019 model year, the eMF (MF stands for Mountain Fully) is now also available in three equipment variants with the Powertube battery integrated into the down tube and has been given the PT suffix.
The frame of the Conway eMF PT was developed from the ground up and looks quite different from its counterpart with an external battery. On the one hand, of course, there is the significantly larger dimensioned down tube, in which the 500Wh energy storage unit can be accommodated, but on the other hand, there is also the large damper rocker. As great as the differences may be visually, the geometry is largely the same as the tried and tested recipe. As before, the steering angle is rather steep at 67°, the chainstays measure an impressive 480mm as before. The main frame is growing in length in all sizes and the previously quite high stack has also been increased further. The result should be an overall fairly upright seating position and good-natured handling.
Geometry Conway eMF PT
| M | L | XL | |
| seat tube (in mm) | 440 | 480 | 520 |
| Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 595 | 615 | 635 |
| head tube (in mm) | 125 | 135 | 145 |
| chainstay (in mm) | 480 | 480 | 480 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 1216 | 1237 | 1258 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 67 | 67 | 67 |
| Seat angle (in °) | 73.5 | 73.5 | 73.5 |
| Reach (mm) | 424 | 441 | 458 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 620 | 629 | 638 |
We cannot say too many words about the equipment at this point. Except for the frame, our test bike didn't correspond to the series anyway, and the specs there aren't set in stone either. However, the prices have already been set: the E-Fully with an integrated battery is available from €3.499 – this puts you below numerous other comparable bikes on the market that still come with the traditional external battery.
Although the details of the equipment have not yet been determined, our test bike is already showing where we are headed: Despite the bike's more touring orientation, it has everything you would expect from a modern E-MTB in 2018: powerful brakes, a dropper post , wide 2,6″ tires in 27,5″ and wide handlebars with a short stem.
We were allowed to put one of the pre-series bikes to the test as part of the Eurobike Media Days in Serfaus and immediately took the black and yellow bike to the trails in the nearby bike park. As expected, the seating position is very relaxed: the very high front is particularly noticeable. During the climbs, the combination of the high front and the long chain stays worked very well: there was no unwanted tipping backwards and the Conway eMF PT climbed steep ramps nicely. The Bosch Performance CX motor is combined with the compact Purion display and has been around for a few years now, but it also proves again and again that it doesn't have to hide from the competition today.
The chassis also goes with the comfortable seating position: The very sensitive rear end absorbs small impacts such as bumps and potholes very reliably. If you let it rip on the trail, you can definitely feel that the eMF is more of a touring fully with spring travel reserves than a racy trail fully. Due to the high front end and the steep steering angle, there is sometimes a somewhat stilted riding experience and the front wheel tends to wobble a bit in berms, for example.
