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Lidl e-bike: failed in the lab test
At just under 1,600 euros, Lidl offers a fairly inexpensive e-bike from its own brand ‘Crivit’ as a lady’s and gent's model. A so-called urban e-bike, a purist bike without gears, primarily for urban traffic. The principle: assembled with everything that is important. Promised range: up to 100 kilometres.
The e-bike convinces in the practical test: passers-by in Stuttgart do a test ride and are also visually satisfied; nobody expects the comparatively favourable price or that it is from Lidl. Bicycle and e-bike expert Dirk Zedler is also surprised by so much e-bike for so little money. He reached the 100 kilometres promised by the manufacturer.
The sworn expert tests Lidl’s Urban X.2 bike thoroughly in the laboratory for its load capacity and in a long-term test. Handlebars, wheels and pannier rack withstand the test without any problems. The Lidl bike also passes the so-called impact test, a hard impact that simulates a kerb crash.
But there are also points of criticism: Fork, seat post and saddle break in the load test. Unfortunately, according to the expert, riders only notice the initial crack when the part is completely detached. As a result, e-bike riders could suffer serious injuries such as paraplegia or even death, for example if they fall headfirst from their bike, according to expert Dirk Zedler.
His conclusion: “We have now had many components that withstood this adequately high load and the fork, saddle and seat post did not. Where the rider's weight really bears down on it. And that is actually negligent. That must not be put on the market.”
Lidl rejects the accusations and writes:
“The components you criticised (fork, handlebars and saddle structure) were also tested thoroughly before and during production, and no abnormalities were found. All pre-sale tests commissioned by us therefore confirm the marketability of the product. To date, we have not had any critical service cases relating to the fork, handlebars or saddle structure from everyday use of the e-bike by our customers. […] In our view, there is therefore no cause for concern for our customers.”
Lidl statement
Even though Lidl’s Urban E-Bike convinced us in the practical test, at least in our laboratory test, safety-relevant parts broke at high rider weights: as a result, the e-bike failed our check.
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Read the entire German article online.
Author: Daniel Güldner
