Vogue Artemis from Fatbikeskopen.nl

The Vogue Artemis is the comfort bike in the Vogue range: an Ananda mid-drive motor with 60 newton metres of torque, a Gates belt drive, a Shimano Nexus seven-speed hub and suspension in both the fork and seat post. You rarely see that combination complete in this segment. With 28-inch wheels and a low step-through frame, you sit upright and relaxed. The question that keeps coming up with this model is whether it really is as comfortable as it looks, and where exactly Vogue stands as a brand.

Is the Vogue Artemis a comfortable bike?

The equipment points in that direction. Suspension in both the front fork and seat post means that both places supporting your weight are cushioned. You notice this in your wrists and lower back on cobbled streets and at speed bumps. The large 28-inch wheels also handle poor road surfaces better than smaller ones. One thing to bear in mind: a suspension seat post moves, so you sit slightly less directly on the bike. It takes a few rides to get used to that. It may sound like a detail, but it adds up on your daily route.

Mid-drive motor with 60 newton metres of torque

The Ananda M81 is positioned at the bottom bracket and transfers its power through the gears. This makes pedalling itself easier, rather than giving you a push from behind. Sixty newton metres is enough for flat terrain and bridges, but less powerful than the 80 newton metres found in heavier models. For a comfort-oriented city bike, that is a logical choice: less torque also means more moderate energy consumption and therefore more kilometres from the same battery.

Gates belt drive and Nexus hub

You do not need to lubricate the belt, it does not rust and your clothes stay clean. Combined with a Nexus seven-speed hub, all the moving parts are enclosed, meaning they are less exposed to rain and road salt. That is exactly what you want from a bike used outdoors all year round. Two points to consider: replacing a belt is a job for a workshop, and you cannot simply switch to a different gear ratio.

Vogue Artemis range

The battery has a capacity of 468 watt-hours, with a claimed range of approximately 90 kilometres. That is a respectable figure for this capacity, partly because the belt drive and enclosed hub create little resistance. In the lowest assist mode on flat terrain, you can achieve those 90 kilometres. In the highest mode with luggage, you will get closer to fifty to sixty. For a daily ten-kilometre commute each way, that works out to about one charge per week. The stated range is always a test value, so expect somewhat less in practice.

Who is the Vogue Artemis for?

The 50-centimetre frame with a low step-through suits riders approximately 1.70 to 2.05 metres tall, so this is not a bike for shorter riders. The bike is designed for one person and made for paved roads. At 26 kilograms, it is a normal weight for an e-bike with this equipment, but it is too heavy to lift regularly. If you want to transport children or carry large amounts of shopping, a longtail or cargo bike is the better choice. Consider where you will store the bike, as that often matters more than the specifications. The rear rack has a MIK mounting system, a standard used by many Dutch brands, so accessories are widely available.

Ordering from Fatbikeskopen.nl

You only notice the suspension seatpost once you are riding, and a mid-drive motor rides differently from a rear-wheel motor. So come and take a test ride at one of the ten showrooms. For maintenance, you can visit more than 450 locations in the Netherlands, which is convenient with a belt drive because this work requires a workshop. If you order online, the bike will be delivered to your home fully assembled and ready to ride. You can arrange insurance when placing your order. There is a three-year warranty on the frame and a one-year warranty on the components and battery. You can use our collection and delivery service for maintenance.

See also: VOGUE e-bikes | VOGUE bikes | e-bikes | electric city bikes