Vogue Avalanche Matte Cool Grey from Fatbikeskopen.nl

Cool Grey is the cooler, slightly bluish grey shade of the Vogue Avalanche, alongside the warmer cement colour. With a longtail featuring an extended rear frame, the colour has a noticeable effect on how large the bike looks in front of your house. The technology and equipment are the same as in the other version: a continuously variable Enviolo hub, belt drive, low step-through, hydraulic brakes, a suspension fork and a colour display. Below is what you need to know about this model.

Continuously variable shifting with Enviolo

The Enviolo hub works without fixed gears: you twist the grip and the gearing adjusts gradually, even when stationary. With a derailleur, you have to pedal in order to shift, and with a loaded longtail at a traffic light, that is precisely when it does not work. The downside is that such a hub is heavier and slightly less efficient than a chain with sprockets. On a 43-kilogram bike, you will not notice that difference anyway. It may sound like a detail, but it adds up on your daily route.

Range of the Vogue Avalanche

The battery has a capacity of 15 ampere-hours and 540 watt-hours. Our specifications indicate approximately 70 kilometres, while the product description gives a higher figure. Use 70 kilometres as your baseline so you are not caught off guard, especially with a load on the back. A longtail carrying children or luggage puts more demand on the motor than a standard city bike, so in practice you will get less than that. For daily trips within built-up areas, that is perfectly adequate. You can charge it from a regular power outlet, so no separate charging setup is needed. Do not leave the battery outside in freezing temperatures; this helps preserve its capacity over time.

Belt drive and maintenance

Instead of a chain, it has a belt. It doesn't need lubrication, won't rust, and keeps your clothes clean. With a bike that goes in and out of a shed every day with children, that makes a considerable difference in maintenance and hassle. Together with the enclosed Enviolo hub, most moving parts are protected from rain and road salt. Replacing a belt is a job for a workshop, but it rarely needs to be done. Small differences like these become more important the more often you use the electric bike.

Low step-through and weight

Forty-three kilos is a lot, even for a longtail. You barely notice it on the road because the centre of gravity is low and the motor provides assistance. When stationary, it's a different story: putting it on the kickstand and pushing it backwards into a shed takes strength. The low step-through helps, because you don't have to lift your leg over a loaded rear section. The maximum gross weight is 120 kilos, which is more restrictive than some other longtails. You can spot things like this in just a few minutes in the showroom.

Who is this version for?

For anyone looking for a low-maintenance longtail where shifting gears requires no attention. Note the maximum gross weight of 120 kilos: this includes you, your luggage and your passengers, so it gets tight with two larger children on board. In that case, a longtail with a higher load capacity is a better fit. It only has front suspension, so the rear feels bumps on cobblestone streets more clearly than on a model with full suspension. Consider where you'll store the bike, as that often matters more than the specifications.

Ordering from Fatbikeskopen.nl

A continuously variable hub and a longtail frame are both things you need to ride to assess properly. So come for a test ride at one of the ten showrooms, preferably with some weight on the back. For maintenance, you can visit more than 450 locations in the Netherlands. If you order online, the bike will arrive at your home ready to ride. Insurance can be arranged when you place your order. Three years' warranty on the frame and one year on the components and battery. For maintenance, you can use our collection and delivery service.

See also: VOGUE e-bikes | longtails | cargo bikes | VOGUE bikes