Test Triumph E-Bird Plus: Zweirad Stadler's own brand succeeds with the current Bosch Active Line Plus Drive to break the 1.800 euro bar. And that doesn't even require major compromises, as proven by Triumph's solid, decently equipped trekking e-bike.
Stadler, Germany's largest two-wheeler center, is asking for well under 1.800 euros for its Triumph E-Bird Plus electric bike. No question, this offer arouses curiosity, because the discreetly designed trekking bike can come up with an attractive motor variant: The Triumph is equipped with Bosch Active Plus, recognizable by the significantly larger chain ring at the front compared to other Bosch motors. This means that there is no need for an additional gear stage inside the motor, which in practice means less friction and smoother running. This is particularly noticeable above 25 km/h: Where most e-bike drives with noticeable resistance ensure that you hardly get beyond the control range, the E-Bird Plus can also be moved without motor support. And anyone who rolls along easily at 26 or 28 km/h also protects the battery – at 400 watt hours, it is a bit smaller than is generally the case today. However, extensive laboratory measurements have shown that the range disadvantage compared to the 500 Wh battery from Bosch is manageable; Distances of up to 80 kilometers are easily possible, as the numerous range tests by the Velomotion editorial team have shown again and again.
The Triumph E-Bird Plus can also do comfort!
As a classic trekking bike, the Triumph E-Bird Plus is perfectly suited to touring: panniers can be attached to the side of the solid luggage rack; the 40 mm tires don't even swim on loose ground and the suspension fork with its 63 mm spring deflection also buffers rough bumps in the road. There is also a decent lighting system and – indispensable, especially for a fully packed touring bike – a stable side stand.
The rather upright seating position is comfortable on tours and practical in city traffic, which is further softened by the handlebar ends curved towards the driver. The cockpit is tidy: on the right is the shift lever, with which the eight widely spaced gears of the derailleur are operated; on the left the compact control unit of the drive with a small Purion display and a rather limited scope of information. Anyone who uses a GPS device on tours or navigates via smartphone will of course not be bothered by this.
A battery that is not fully integrated also has advantages!
Of course, you shouldn't expect an elaborately designed frame with an integrated battery at a price of well under 2.000 euros. The battery on the down tube may seem a bit old-fashioned to the purist, but this attachment has the advantage that the battery pack is easy to remove – be it to charge it or to take it indoors when the temperature is low. No compromises are necessary when it comes to the fit: Stadler offers three frame shapes and three sizes each; on the Wave frame with a low step-through, the battery is housed on the luggage rack.
The E-Bird also has a lot to offer visually. The fork is designed in the frame color; Yellow color accents and components that are consistently black exude quality. In addition, all trains, lines and cables run in the down tube, which looks nice and tidy. Ultimately, the impression of a savings package does not arise - and so the Triumph E-Bird Plus is recommended to all those who want to ride an inexpensive but modern motorized electric bike.
