Neomouv is a French company based in Sarthe, which has been developing electrically assisted bicycles since 2003. Today, its range extends from urban to off-road electric bicycles, including folding models and hiking-type cycles.
The Elaia 2 is the brand’s most premium electric bike model in the urban segment. It uses the Neoassist 2 central engine developed by the Japanese company Vinka. This develops 80 Nm of torque for sustained start-up and hill assistance. The progressiveness of the electric assistance is ensured by the presence of a torque sensor. Everything is associated with a 522 Wh battery on the model we are testing here. A version with a 630 Wh battery is also sold for just under an additional €200. Depending on the version, Neomouv promises a range of 80 to 120 km.
The Elaia 2 is offered in a single frame size (48 cm) and with 28 inch tires. It is limited to cyclists who measure between 165 and 175 cm. In terms of components, the French brand’s electric bike can count on an entry-level Shimano Altus eight-speed transmission and HD-M275 hydraulic disc brakes associated with 160 mm discs.
The Neomouv Elaia 2 is marketed at a price of €2,709 in its 522 Wh version and €2,889 for the 630 Wh battery model.
Comfort and ergonomics
Designed for the city, the Neomouv Elaia 2 electric bike adopts the Dutch style with its open frame. This format has the advantage of being easy to step over without having to lift your leg over the saddle. Convenient if you carry your child in the back or if you wear clothes that do not encourage demonstrations of flexibility. On the other hand, the absence of a top tube, as here, causes the frame to lose rigidity.
The integration of components is much more satisfactory with this Elaia 2 than it is with the Kalyso 2 from the same manufacturer. Here, the battery is directly housed in the diagonal tube, which can be guessed at its circumference. The Neoassist 2 motor is positioned at the bottom bracket. Overall, the electrification is fairly low-key. Above all, by placing the weight in this way, the center of gravity of the bike remains well located so as not to create an imbalance.
The battery is certainly hidden, it is nevertheless extractable from the frame. Simply unlock the mechanism that holds it using an anti-theft key and the battery can be extracted from below. Being able to remove the battery is an undeniable advantage when you cannot recharge your VAE where it is parked. However, the battery is directly exposed to splashing water on wet roads. No risk for its waterproofness, but dislodging the battery when it is dirty is not always pleasant.
Charging the battery is also possible directly on the Elaia 2. A charging port is arranged for this purpose on the side of the down tube. We have serious reservations about the tightness of this port. Indeed, it is supposed to be obstructed by a rubber cover, but the latter holds very badly in place and tends to open on its own. As a result, the port is exposed to dust and water, which never mixes well with electricity. To monitor…
Despite a positioning in the mid-range, the finishes of the Elaia 2 are not all up to standard. The frame welds are particularly visible and some plastics such as the chain case are not very elegant. Nevertheless, the latter has the merit of protecting the bottom of the pants from the grease that covers the chain. Overall, this Neomouv electric bike is satisfactory with a beautiful unity of elements in terms of color.
The choice of aluminum mudguards is a guarantee of better durability and weight savings compared to their plastic equivalents. We would have appreciated that those of the Elaia 2 descend as low as those of the Kalyso 2 to protect the cyclist from projections to the end of the shoes. Here, the use of overshoes in rainy weather is recommended.
The Elaia 2 opts for a curved handlebar that offers a relaxed position. The geometry of the French electric bike, however, encourages a straight and not very dynamic posture. The stem that holds the handlebar can be adjusted more or less forward to accentuate or decrease this position, with the back straight. The ergonomic handles are well made and comfortable on long journeys.
Neomouv chose to combine a fork with modest travel (50 mm) with a pair of 28-inch Continental Contact tires (42-622). The air volume of the latter provides good comfort for urban environments and well-maintained trails.
The saddle is for its part the choice of moderate comfort. The seat is soft and wide enough for short daily journeys. The biggest riders will change to a slightly more streamlined model, avoiding friction on the inside of the thighs. Small regret all the same not to find a suspended seat post to relieve the back on the paved passages or the damaged pavements – this type of equipment is common at this price.
Lighting
35lux
At the front, the Elaia 2 is adorned with an Axa Compact Line 35 light which, as its name suggests, provides 35 lux of lighting. This power is sufficient to signal its position to other users, but does not allow you to see effectively in front of you without the assistance of public lighting. The rear light, also from the stalls of Axa, is simple and allows you to be seen.
The Elaia 2 benefits from equipment whose presence is appreciable. It can count on a luggage rack capable of supporting only 18 kg, against 25 kg for that of the Kalyso 2. A crutch is fixed to the back of the bike; pay attention to the balance of the machine when it is parked. Another major absence at this price level: the frame lock. A device that generally costs between 10 and 50 €, the absence of which is regrettable on a bike costing almost 3000 €.
Conduct
The Neoassist 2 engine used by Neomouv is developed based on a model designed by Vinka. It takes place in the pedal box for discreet integration and displays interesting characteristics. It is certainly satisfied with the 250 W of maximum power authorized by the legislation, but develops 80 Nm of torque. What – on paper – propel quickly and even in the ribs.
The Elaia 2 can count on five levels of electric assistance. The two lower levels make it possible to maintain an honorable speed on the flat. Levels 3 and 4 offer a balance between dynamism and endurance. Finally, the fifth and final level delivers full engine power. Better to reserve the latter for the ribs and place yourself in third or fourth level in town. Assistance can also be provided when walking while pushing the bike. Lifesaver with a loaded or uphill rack.
The management of the electronic part is carried out from a control box placed to the left of the handlebar. Easy to use, it allows you to turn on the motor, choose your level of assistance and obtain information such as the instantaneous speed, the distance traveled or the battery level. We would have appreciated that an estimate of the distance that can still be covered was available to avoid running out of fuel as much as possible. We were disappointed by the poor readability of the screen in direct sunlight, which was difficult to read and prone to glare due to a lack of brightness. A defect which is accentuated if one chooses to turn on the headlights, the brightness of the screen dropping still a notch.
Like almost all central motors, that of the Neoassist 2 uses a torque sensor which adapts the assistance to the force with which the cyclist presses the pedals. This makes it possible not to distort the pedaling too much and to maintain a classic bicycle feeling, less fatigue. Apart from the highest level, the assistance is well controlled and progressive. At the fifth level, the departures are more lively and the resumptions sharper. A dynamic ride that may please, but does not lend itself well to this style of bike that pushes for a relaxed position on its handlebars.
The lack of dynamism comes partly from the position, but is also induced by the 27 kg of the bike. However, this mass is added to that of the cyclist and necessarily weighs on the engine. The eight-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain is a bit of a blip in this chart. Easy to handle, the change between gears lacks a bit of flexibility and sometimes tends to snap. Less permissive than a hub with integrated gears like that of the Kalyso 2, the Altus system requires a minimum of anticipation when approaching an intersection. On the other hand, it has the advantage, compared to a Nexus 7 hub, of not requiring that you stop pedaling for the gears to change.
Finally, it is above all the lack of latitude offered by the eight speeds which proves to be a handicap in use. The 12-32 cassette does not allow you to reach a sufficient gear to take the bike beyond 25 km/h, the speed from which the assistance is cut off. On a perfectly flat route, this may be fine, but if he likes to pedal a minimum and embark on a descent, the cyclist very quickly finds himself struggling in the void.
The generous torque of the Neoassist 2 engine is however very appreciable when driving loaded. Starts are effortless, even on hills, when switching to the maximum level of assistance. The level of assistance drops very significantly when you drop below 10% battery. The ribs then become painful to cross and rolling on the flat is not a cakewalk either. Better to avoid this red zone.
The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes can stop the 27 kg of the bike as well as the 65 kg of a cyclist in approximately 3 m. Satisfactory braking, carried out on dry, flat ground and launched at 25 km/h. The progressive braking is appreciable, especially in town where changes of pace can be frequent.
Autonomy
In the version we tested, the Neomouv Elaia 2 has a 522 Wh battery, a capacity with which the French brand promises to drive between 80 and 100 km. As so often, the optimism of this value is linked to conditions that are certainly very favorable (flat ground, minimal assistance, wind at your back, etc.). We carry out our autonomy tests on a more hilly course and choose the maximum assistance allowing to get tired as little as possible. In our test conditions, the Elaia 2 only traveled around 50 km on a single charge. Note that our trip had just over 600m of elevation gain and the tester weighed 65kg.
A lighter pilot will be able to exceed 50 km of endurance, just as a flatter route will allow greater autonomy. By using a less greedy assistance mode, 60 or even 70 km can be reached.
We needed more than 7 hours to fully recharge the 522 Wh battery of the Elaia 2. A considerable duration and which requires planning. Neomouv does not offer a more powerful charger than the one supplied with its electric bikes. The brand’s website also does not allow you to purchase an additional or replacement battery.