Test / E-Bike: With the Metz E-PACKR 8.0, we take a look at the first e-bike from Metz Mobility. As a cross between a compact city bike and a cargo bike, it is fully in line with the spirit of the times, but has a few surprises in store - including the slim steel frame, its own central motor and a modular system for the luggage rack.
The fact that cargo bikes are becoming more and more popular is no longer news - for several years now, the bikes, which can be used as a replacement for a car, have been seen more and more often on cycle paths and in front of day care centers, and the funding pots are often exhausted long before the end of the year. One result of this development: With growing demand, the willingness of bicycle manufacturers to develop new approaches is also increasing - cargo bikes are becoming more and more diverse. You can see this very well in the compact cargo bikes that are now available from some manufacturers. Somewhere between the poles of city, compact and cargo bikes, they are very attractive to many, especially in urban areas, as they take up much less space than full-blown cargo bikes. The E-PACKR from Metz also falls into this category. However, one does not do justice to the first bike by the German manufacturer if one simply reduces it to that.
Small impellers for compact dimensions
The E-PACKR is based on 20-inch wheels, which are otherwise more commonly known from compact bikes; This has two tangible advantages: On the one hand, the bike is of course extremely compact with a shorter wheelbase than conventional bikes, let alone cargo bikes. On the other hand, bicycles with 20-inch wheels can be transported free of charge on public transport in many places. However, it is also clear that the small impeller diameter also has disadvantages: smooth running and comfort are noticeably worse than what is known from "regular" impeller sizes. But more on that in the driving report.
Own mid-engine: Metz G8
Things get really exciting when it comes to frames and drives. The frame is surprisingly made of steel, which also explains the slim tubes. We really like that, especially since steel inherently offers a little more flex than aluminum and thus tends to be a little more comfortable. The disadvantages become clear when you look at the scales: at 27,3 kg (without luggage rack), the Metz E-PACKR is slightly heavier than comparable e-bikes from the competition.
The drive comes from our own company: the very compact Metz G8 mid-engine is no heavier than the competition at 2,8 kg and, with a maximum torque of 75 Nm, also brings a similar amount of power to the ground. It is controlled very conveniently from the handlebars, where an illuminated control unit and a very easy-to-read color display are mounted. The drive is powered by a battery mounted behind the seat tube, which has a capacity of 500 Wh. By the way: Both the frame and the drive are made in Germany - nice!
Innovative attachment system for luggage racks
But wait a minute... isn't the Metz E-PACKR just a compact city e-bike? no! Because with a maximum permissible total weight of 180 kg, the bike is designed for significantly higher loads than most other e-bikes on the market. The two luggage racks at the front and rear are responsible for the necessary storage space. Here, Metz relies on its own fastening system, with which the straps can not only be removed and attached in a flash, but also allow the two straps to be swapped over. While the wide basket offers enough space for a crate of drinks, for example, a child's seat can be mounted on the narrow one. Optionally available bag holders offer appropriate rails for conveniently hanging bicycle bags.
The other equipment surprised us positively in view of the low price of almost 3.000 euros: All attachments such as seat post, handlebars or saddle come from Ergotec, a by.Schulz Speedlifter allows the handlebar height to be easily adjusted to different body sizes. This is particularly important because the Metz E-PACKR is only available in one frame size. The 8-speed Alfine gears from Shimano and the powerful disc brakes from Magura are no less impressive. The lighting is also pleasing and more than powerful enough; only the mounting position of the headlight is not quite optimal. When the front carrier is mounted, the headlight is covered from above, which limits visibility, especially on the road. Here we would have preferred mounting on the handlebars.
By the way: The already really attractive price for what is on offer is likely to be even lower in many regions of Germany, since the E-PACKR is officially recognized as a cargo bike and is therefore fully eligible for subsidies.
Convincing in practice
The E-PACKR scored its first plus points in the practical test as soon as it mounted: even for our test rider, who is almost 190 cm tall, the compact bike can be quickly adjusted to the right dimensions. Adjust saddle and handlebar height - done! Since both are locked with a quick release, a matter of a few simple steps. The next positive surprise is the drive: Especially in its two higher support levels, it pushes pretty hard and also copes well with low cadences. This makes starting off a lot easier – very important for cargo bikes in particular. We also noticed the background noise positively - or rather, it is not noticeable! Even with maximum support, the motor remains very quiet and does not otherwise make any unpleasant noises. But of course we still have a little criticism: In order to protect the gear hub, the motor always cuts out briefly when changing gears. These "support breaks" are quite abrupt and also rather long. Likewise, the drive sometimes feels a bit wooden when starting - this is by no means unpleasant, but not quite on the level of other modern mid-engines.
The general driving behavior is really successful. The small wheels make the bike very manoeuvrable, but also make it feel a little nervous at times, especially on bad surfaces such as cobbled streets. However, adjusting the air pressure in the large-volume tires can help here, which is also very beneficial for comfort. It's really worth experimenting with the values here. However, the Metz e-bike can shine in most everyday situations: This is also due to the successful components, which we have nothing to complain about.
The in-house mounting system for the front and rear carriers is great. With a little practice, removing and installing can be done in one easy step - the E-PACKR can be adapted to the area of use in a flash. The straps themselves make a good impression, although we would have wished for a (removable) spring clamp or similar, at least for the narrow version. In addition, the very stable carriers weigh quite a bit: They weigh almost four kilograms together, which brings the total weight of the bike to over 31 kg. Nevertheless: All in all, thanks to the innovative fastening system of the carrier, you get an enormously variable e-bike.
