Cortina E-Blau

Cortina SportDrive mid-drive motor (90 Nm)

This motor delivers 90 Nm of torque and uses a precise force sensor, ensuring that the pedal assist feels natural and responds instantly to your movements, rather than kicking in with a delay.

What exactly does a force sensor mean in terms of how the bike feels?

A cheaper e-bike often uses a cadence sensor, which only provides assistance once you’ve turned the pedals a few times, giving a slightly delayed, ‘pushy’ feeling. A force sensor measures exactly how hard you’re pressing down on the pedals and customises the assistance accordingly in real time. The result is that the motor feels like an extension of your own leg power, rather than a separate impulse that arrives with a delay. This is particularly noticeable when setting off from a standstill or when faced with a sudden gust of headwind: the bike responds immediately rather than a fraction of a second later.

Belt drive with hub gears

The Gates belt drive replaces the traditional chain and works in conjunction with a hub gear system (Shimano Nexus 7 or 8, depending on the model) that is well protected against dirt and rain.

Why is this virtually maintenance-free?

A traditional chain requires oil to keep running smoothly, which in turn attracts dirt and, over time, causes wear and stretch. What’s more, such a chain runs through a derailleur that is completely exposed to rain, sand and road grime. The belt drive requires no oil, so your trouser legs stay clean, and it also lasts much longer than a chain. The hub gear is housed inside the rear wheel, shielded from dirt and rain, rather than being exposed like a derailleur. Together, this results in a drivetrain that requires virtually no maintenance, which is particularly relevant if you use the bike for your daily commute.

Front fork: suspension or rigid, depending on the model

Some models of the E-Blau have a rigid (non-suspension) front fork.

Is a rigid fork a disadvantage?

It is primarily a conscious choice with its own pros and cons. A rigid fork provides a more direct steering feel: you can feel exactly what the front wheel is doing, without the ‘sinking’ sensation that a suspension fork can sometimes cause during hard braking or acceleration. A rigid fork also weighs less than a suspension fork. The downside is that you feel bumps in the road surface slightly more directly, without the damping that suspension would provide. For flat city riding on reasonably smooth roads, this isn’t a problem for most riders; on very bumpy streets, you’ll notice the difference more quickly.

• Daily commutes and running errands in town
• Leisure rides thanks to the sporty yet comfortable sitting position
• Cyclists looking for a virtually maintenance-free drivetrain

• You frequently ride on unpaved or bumpy terrain, where you’d prefer to have suspension

• Recharge the battery after every ride, even if it is not completely flat, to maximise its service life
• Have the belt drive and hub gear checked periodically by the Mantel workshop, even though this drivetrain is virtually maintenance-free