Vogue Prestige Belt-Drive low-step Cool Grey at Fatbikeskopen.nl

Cool Grey is a cooler, slightly bluish shade of gray than the other versions of the Vogue Prestige. On a step-through frame with an integrated battery, it creates a light, modern look. The technology is the same across all versions: a Motinova mid-drive motor with 80 newton meters of torque, a Gates belt instead of a chain, a Shimano Nexus seven-speed hub, and a 522 watt-hour battery. What you’re choosing here is the combination of easy mounting and a color that isn’t dark.

What a low step-through frame offers you

With a step-through frame, you step through the bike instead of swinging your leg over a top tube. That makes a difference whenever you have luggage on the rear, wear a long coat or skirt, or simply want to spare your hips. In city traffic, where you get off at every traffic light, it’s the difference between smooth and cumbersome. The downside is that a step-through frame is slightly less rigid than a closed frame, which you may notice at high speeds and with heavy loads.

Mid-drive motor with 80 newton meters of torque

This motor is positioned by the bottom bracket and delivers its power through the gears. The result is that pedaling becomes easier rather than giving you a push from behind. Eighty newton meters is substantial for a city bike, and you’ll notice it especially when setting off from a traffic light and on a steep bridge. Because the motor’s weight is low and centrally positioned, the bike remains stable, even with a full bag on the rear or in crosswinds across open terrain.

Gates belt instead of a chain

You don’t lubricate a belt, it doesn’t rust, and your clothes stay clean. Over several years, that saves you a significant number of maintenance visits. One thing to know: you can’t replace it yourself, because it needs to be tensioned and the frame must be opened for that, and switching to a different gear ratio isn’t a matter of simply changing a sprocket. Combined with the Shimano Nexus seven-speed hub, you get a drivetrain that lasts for years without much attention.

Range of the Vogue Prestige Belt-Drive

According to the specifications, the 522 Wh battery provides a range of up to 100 kilometres. That applies when using the lowest assistance setting on flat terrain with no wind. If you set the motor to the highest setting, consumption increases and the range is closer to 60 kilometres. For daily commuting over 10 kilometres each way, that amounts to approximately one charge per week. The battery is removable, so charging it indoors while the bike is in the shed is no problem. A full charge takes a night, so you plug it in as soon as you get home.

Who is the Prestige in Cool Grey for?

The 49-centimetre frame suits riders between approximately 1.70 and 2.05 metres tall, so despite its low step-through, this is not a bike for shorter riders. It has front suspension and a suspension seatpost, which makes a difference on cobblestone streets. The bike is designed for one person and for paved roads. For carrying children or large groceries, a longtail or cargo bike would be a better choice. If you are mainly looking for an affordable option, you are paying here for technology you may not use. For daily commuting on asphalt, this is one of the most comfortable choices in this segment. Anyone who rides it every day will notice such design choices sooner than someone who only rides occasionally.

Ordering from Fatbikeskopen.nl

Cool grey tones rarely look exactly like the real thing on a screen, so come and see it for yourself. The different versions are displayed side by side in ten showrooms, where you can also take a test ride. For maintenance, you can visit more than 450 locations in the Netherlands, which is convenient with belt drive because this work is best left to a workshop. When ordered online, the bike is delivered to your home ready to ride. Three years' warranty on the frame and one year on the components and battery.

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