Test: With the Qwic Premium i MN7+ Belt, we tested a modern e-city bike that, in addition to a low-maintenance belt drive, also has an extremely quiet and powerful motor. The overall package convinces at an attractive price.
The Dutch manufacturer Qwic has been involved in the bicycle market for 15 years now. In the meantime, the company has completely dedicated itself to e-bikes: more than 20 different models are being entered into the race for this season - the majority of them in the city and urban area. This also applies to our test bike, the Qwic Premium i MN7+ Belt. For its price of approx. 3.500 euros (depending on the selected battery size), it comes with an attractive overall package: In addition to a powerful mid-engine, there is a battery that is fully integrated into the frame and high-quality components including a durable belt drive.
When it comes to the motor, Qwic goes its own way and trusts Bafang, a well-known manufacturer that is not too well known in this country. However, the built-in M420 mid-engine has impressive key data: With its 80 Nm torque in particular, it is in a league with the most powerful drives from Bosch, Shimano and Co. It is paired with either a 400 Wh battery or a 540 Wh battery - you can find both place them inside the frame. It's easy to remove from the top - so you don't have to worry about the battery accidentally falling to the ground when you remove it from the frame. The large color display, which is mounted in the middle of the handlebars and provides all kinds of information, is also very nice; only in direct sunlight does the legibility leave a little to be desired. The operation itself is carried out via an easily accessible control unit on the left side of the handlebar. In addition to the support levels, the different information on the display can also be switched through; push assistance and the lighting can also be activated.
Low-maintenance belt drive
One of the highlights of the visually elegant but definitely eye-catching e-bike is the belt drive. A Gates carbon belt replaces the traditional chain. This not only promises a multiple of the mileage, but is also virtually maintenance-free during operation: no greasing and only infrequent cleaning is required. Since no oil is used, you don't have to worry about a dirty waistband - to be on the safe side, Qwic even installs a small protection. Thumbs up! The actual shifting is done by a tried-and-tested Shimano Nexus 7 shifting hub, which with a range of over 300% is well-armed for use in urban areas.
The Schwalbe Road Cruiser tires give the bike a subtle retro touch with their beige sidewalls. For modern conditions, the tires are rather narrow - so that comfort is not neglected, the MN7+ Belt is not only given an air suspension fork at the front, but also a sprung seat post.
Also convincing in detail
Of course, an e-bike like the Qwic MN7+ Belt should not be neglected for everyday use. Accordingly, you will find a high-quality lighting system from the German manufacturer Busch & Müller, robust metal mudguards and a luggage rack with a spring clamp. The excellent side stand also deserves special praise, with which the bike stands bombproof even on bad and uneven ground.
When you sit down, the first thing you like is the very comfortable seating position. Here the bike is very classic - upright, relaxed and variable thanks to the adjustable stem. The handlebars, which are cranked backwards, and the thickly padded saddle also match this. What you don't notice at all in the first few meters is the engine; and that is only meant in a positive way. Compared to the competition, it is primarily the volume that surprises us. Even at the highest support level, only a pleasantly quiet hum can be heard from the bottom bracket area. The Bafang M420 also does well when it comes to support and delivers more than enough power for everyday life in the city. The only small point of criticism: When changing gears, the motor reduces power in order to protect the transmission of the Nexus shifting hub. This "support break" turns out to be a little too long for our taste.
The overall impression lives up to the name suffix "Premium": There is, for example, the large, stylish color display and the high-quality mudguards, which don't rattle even on bad surfaces. Speaking of which – the fork and spring support iron out the roughest bumps, although it can get a little uncomfortable on long cobbled streets.
