In general, he states: E-bike manufacturers and the German Bicycle Association (ZIV) had recommended in their function as participants of the board of the advisory committee of StiWa not to continue testing as in the previous year. Zedler states that this account was simply wrong. What was neither mentioned was the fact that the test results 2014 could be due to test setups which had been changed considerably in terms of mechanics. With regard to the actual test the expert gives various comments. As to the selection of the test field he states: "The test conducted by Stiftung Warentest once a year must in our opinion reflect the market. This includes pedelecs at 699 Euro. This is how Stiftung Warentest produces in our opinion "losers" which are verifiably held in high esteem by the absolutely critical users and dealers by giving them poor marks which should actually and in fairness be reserved to really poor cheap products on the market. And all that against the background of last years’ broad test."
Selection to be questioned
"Better, stronger, safer" – these are the findings of Stiftung Warentest with regard to the brakes of the pedelecs tested which had all been reportedly equipped with high quality, hydraulic brakes. This is only due to the selection, states Zedler, "as the product range of some manufacturers in the test also included models with significantly weaker roller brakes or side-pull rim brakes." This is something the reader does not learn. His conclusion: "In our opinion Stiftung Warentest has made a selection in view of masking own mistakes. Furthermore, Siftung Warentest accept that reputed manufacturers of comparably good products are poorly rated, because they do not set the standard to the realities of the market."
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