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Champagne Electric: Sven Cycles Classic eTourer

Champagne Electric: Sven Cycles Classic eTourer

Let’s face it: the generic touring or commuter eBike is still conceived as a standard bike with bolt-on tech, with ergonomics and aesthetics obviously a lower priority than profitable production scales. If it’s up to Sven Cycles, that equation will get flipped.

Champagne Electric: Sven Cycles Classic eTourer

Sure, Shimano’s STEPS system is still a bolt-on system requiring a purpose-built frame, but that’s where the custom frame builder again has an advantage over the mass market: a handmade steel STEPS frame retains integrity and the quality of design.

Champagne Electric: Sven Cycles Classic eTourer

Sven has previous experience in this field, an example of which we’ve seen before. But this one is a ‘full-dresser’ tourer with all the bells and whistles, built for a lifelong club rider and cyclotourist who will take it to the Outer Hebrides for its maiden voyage.

Champagne Electric: Sven Cycles Classic eTourer

The team at Sven make a special point of building an eBike for the discerning rider and their intentions, which seems to run contrary to the current wave of offerings from the high street bike shop — and manage to keep the price in the same ballpark.

Champagne Electric: Sven Cycles Classic eTourer

The client, whilst being a long-term cyclist, has osteoporosis but wants to get back up to his 7,000 mile-a-year standard. The Reynolds 853 frame’s geometry was designed with loaded and electric-assisted stability in mind, as well as his limited rotational flexibility.

Champagne Electric: Sven Cycles Classic eTourer

Hence there are little touches like a rear light mounted on the carbon fender linked to the Garmin’s traffic sensor, rearview mirrors, as well as custom stainless steel guards around the dual SON dynamo headlights.

Champagne Electric: Sven Cycles Classic eTourer

While it may not be as nimble as a traditionally-powered bike, it takes the benefits of an eBike and gives it the beauty of a bespoke build. Who wouldn’t want to ride it around the Outer Hebrides?

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Champagne Electric: Sven Cycles Classic eTourer