Last updated on March 5th, 2023 at 10:14 am
- Incredibly powerful motor
- Solid Construction
- Easy to use
- Earlybird discount makes it much better value
- Mudguards etc need to be bought separately
- Faster charging time would be useful
Assisted Range: 22-50 miles Top Assisted Speed: 15 mph Cost/Mile (@14p/kWh): Negligible
Introduction
Since 1993, there has been a continuous increase in the number of cyclists on UK roads. Not only are more people cycling – those on the road are also cycling further, by as much as 36% more than they were in the year 2000. In the big cities, those numbers have exploded. As we approach another jubilee for the Queen, it’s worth noting that in 1977 there were 27,000 riders in the heart of the capital every day. In comparison, that figure is now closer to 180,000. The average annual mileage for cyclists across the UK was way under 100 miles in 2019 and most of those people would have been using something designed for smooth tarmac.
We’ve looked at ebikes designed for the city in the last, but this time we’ve got something a little different. Something that has been designed from the ground up – to deal with rough terrain. This British designed ebike is the Mark2 Scrambler C and, as you can probably guess from its name, it’s been created with off-road cycling in mind. The team behind it claim that this is the most torque available on any ebike of its kind for the price.
We took a pair of these ebikes (alongside another model with a 50Nm motor, for comparison) and headed off to Trent Park in north London to put those claims to the test. The black version had a standard saddle and the yellow had an upgraded saddle with extra cushioning.
Price and Options
Once the first shipments have been dispatched, this eBike will be £2,199 – which places it smack in the middle of the ‘affordable price range’ for modern electric bicycles. At the time we went to press, you could still get it for £1,849 with an ‘earlybird' order.
The latest batch of these bikes will be shipping to customers in March 2022 and they can be reserved with a £200 deposit. It’s important to note that Mark2 will only bring in a limited quantity with each shipment.
As well as the eBike with the powerful motor, that price also includes a comprehensive warranty and a 14-day money back guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with your purchase. This includes an interchangeable 375Wh battery.
The Scrambler C comes with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes as well as a 10-speed Shimano derailleur and gear set. The bike itself is available in two sizes – 430C and 480C. The 430C would normally be suitable for those with an inside leg measurement up to 35in and the 480C will cater for you up to 37in. Both models will carry a rider up to 120kg – which is just under 19 stone.
The standard battery will give you assistance as far as London to Reading, but you can upgrade to a 460Wh powerpack for an additional 20% more range, should you so wish.
Plugging the battery or eBike into a standard socket for 3 hours will give you close to 100% range, so there aren't many situations where a second battery would be needed – but you can buy one if you choose.
As with the X-Cross 450 we previously reviewed, there are some options available to help you customise the Scrambler C to your needs – including the chance to fit a much fatter / more padded saddle. The Scrambler C will be available from specialist stores like County E-Bikes, who can advise you on storage bags, security locks and other add-ons. The rack mounting points are standard.
Note that Mark2 bikes are available direct from the manufacturer's website here.
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