Vogue Prestige Belt-Drive high-step Matt Black at Fatbikeskopen.nl

This is the Vogue Prestige with a high-step frame in matte black. While the low-step version is all about easy mounting and dismounting, this model gives you a stiffer frame and the classic men's-bike silhouette. The technology is the same in both versions: a Motinova mid-drive motor with 80 newton-metres of torque, a Gates belt, a Shimano Nexus seven-speed hub and a 522-watt-hour battery. The choice between a high and low step is therefore about how you get on the bike and how it feels, not what it can do.

What a high step gives you

A closed frame with a top tube is stiffer than a step-through frame. You notice this at higher speeds and with luggage on the rear: the bike feels more stable and steers more directly. The disadvantage is just as clear. You have to swing your leg over the frame, which is more difficult with a full pannier or stiff hips. If you mainly ride straight stretches and rarely get off, the high-step version is the better choice. If you are constantly getting on and off in the city, the low-step version is more practical.

Mid-drive motor with 80 newton-metres of torque

The Motinova motor is located at the bottom bracket and delivers its power through the gears. This makes it feel as though pedalling itself becomes easier rather than giving you a push. Eighty newton-metres is substantial for a city bike: you notice it immediately when pulling away from a traffic light or riding up a steep bridge. The motor's weight is low and central, making the bike feel more stable than models with a rear-wheel motor, especially in combination with this stiff frame.

Gates belt instead of a chain

The belt does not need lubrication, does not rust and keeps your clothes clean. Over a few years, that saves a considerable amount of workshop visits and oil. There are two caveats. Replacement is a job for a workshop because the belt must be tensioned and the frame must be able to open. And you cannot simply switch to a different gearing system. Combined with the Shimano Nexus seven-speed hub, this is a drivetrain that requires little attention and lasts a long time.

Range of the Vogue Prestige Belt-Drive

It has a 522 watt-hour battery, with a stated range of up to 100 kilometers. That figure applies to the lowest assistance setting on flat terrain. If you use a motor capable of delivering 80 newton-meters in the highest setting, the range drops more quickly, bringing you closer to around 60 kilometers. For a daily 10-kilometer commute each way, that still works out to approximately one charge per week. The battery is removable and can be charged indoors while the bike is parked outside. Charging takes overnight, so you can plug it in when you get home.

Who is this version for?

The 49-centimeter frame suits riders approximately 1.70 to 2.05 meters tall. The high step-through frame is best suited to those who ride longer stretches at a time and do not constantly get on and off. There is suspension at the front, and the seat post is suspension-equipped, which makes a difference on cobblestone streets. The bike is designed for one person and intended for paved roads. If you want to transport children, a longtail or cargo bike is the right category. This version is best suited to longer commutes on asphalt.

Ordering from Fatbikeskopen.nl

Compare the high and low step-through versions before choosing, because you only notice the difference once you get on. You can do so at ten showrooms and schedule a test ride right away. For maintenance, you can visit more than 450 service points in the Netherlands, which is useful with belt drive because it is not something you service yourself. If you order online, the bike will be delivered to your home ready to ride. Three-year warranty on the frame and one year on the components and battery.

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