Gazelle Curb: the perfect e-bike for the city
A hundred reasons I can name why I am so happy with my Gazelle e-bike. No ridiculous parking costs (I’m also that kind of fool who sometimes forgets to check out, and then that parking bill is even more bitter than it already was), no traffic jams or roadworks affecting your arrival time, good for the environment and for body and soul, and I could go on like this for a while. If you, like me, are very dependent on the bike, you want no hassle and no unpleasant surprises. That’s why I choose Gazelle, a real bike brand that has been making bikes for 134 (!) years and proudly carries the title ’royal‘. I looked it up: you get that title from the King if you have been around for at least 100 years, have an impeccable reputation, are leading in your industry, and are of considerable size, so 100 employees or more. I mean: with Gazelle, you’re just good.
Gazelle Curb: an e-bike that looks like a regular bike
Because Gazelle wants to serve everyone, the brand is launching a city bike, Curb, which has everything you need in the city. The most important thing is that it looks cool and sleek, just like a ‘normal’ bike. No bad words about the thick battery under the luggage carrier, but if it’s hidden in the frame, it all looks just a bit nicer. And it’s also quite fun when people think ’how does she do that?“ when you glide away as soon as the traffic light turns green.
Integrated lighting that can't be stolen
I’ll continue with my list of city-proof recommendations. What I find very nice, for example, is that the lighting is integrated into the handlebars. Your lamp can’t be stolen or ‘kicked off for fun’ (you have those types). It’s safely in your handlebars and gives a bright light (90 lux), so you can see the road well in the dark and your fellow road users can see you well.
How far can you go with the Gazelle Curb battery?
Curb has an invisible, removable battery of 360 Wh that you can easily take out of the frame to charge indoors or to prevent theft. Because 360 Wh is a relatively small battery, the bike remains light and slim. For rides in the city, the range is more than sufficient. By the way, you don’t have to take the battery out to charge: if you can park your Curb near a power outlet, you just plug the charging cable into the charging port.
Controls on the frame and your phone as a display
Also elegant is the top tube controller with mini remote. In simple terms: the controls are on the top tube of the frame, with a small button on the handlebars. A tidy handlebar, so no box that you have to remove.
With the SP Connect/Quad Lock mounting system, you click your phone onto your bike in one smooth motion and your phone immediately becomes your display. The Gazelle app shows your speed, range, and more. Also handy when you turn on Google Maps: this way you can safely follow your route without awkwardly (and illegally) holding your phone in your hand. And also nice: your phone charges immediately when it’s in the holder. I immediately get visions of that time I was cycling through cold Paris and just before I arrived at Jérôme Dreyfuss's bag workshop my phone died and I was literally lost. That won’t happen to me with Curb. If you don’t feel like connecting your phone, a small LED light on the frame shows your support level.
What lock is on the Curb?
For a city bike, and certainly for such a looker as the Curb, a good lock is important. That’s why the Curb has a ring lock and a mounting point for a second lock. The ring lock is fixed to the bike and thanks to the extra mounting point, you can also take a chain lock with you. In the city, that’s not an unnecessary luxury, and it also makes your insurer happy.
Little maintenance thanks to belt drive
What I also find very nice is that this bike requires little maintenance and is not a hassle bike. It has a belt drive instead of a chain. Again, I get visions of that time I wanted to cycle from Wijk aan Zee to Heemskerk and in the middle of the dunes (no one around to ask for help) my chain snapped, causing me to arrive at my lunch appointment with black streaks. You won’t have that with this one.
Motor and brakes: made for city traffic
Furthermore, Curb has a Bosch motor in the hub of the rear wheel. With a pulling force of 45 Nm, it is perfect for flat city traffic and accelerating at traffic lights, and because it’s a relatively light motor, it feels smooth and is quiet.
Also an important point, especially in our wet country: Curb has hydraulic disc brakes (Shimano MT200) that are powerful and reliable, even when it rains. Nice when a delivery scooter suddenly appears in front of you.
Walk assist and an optional luggage carrier
Electric bikes are heavier than ‘normal’ bikes, and you sometimes feel that, for example, when you have to push your bike up that sloping ramp from the bike cellar. That’s why Curb has walk assist: a push aid for when you walk next to the bike. Did Gazelle think of everything? I think so. Because if you say: “Hey, I would like a luggage carrier,” it is available as an option, both front and rear.
What does Curb cost and where can you test ride it?
Then you probably want to know one more thing: what does it cost? For €2,399 (incl. battery) you zoom through the city. Oh, and I haven’t even talked about the colors yet! Do you know what you should do? Come check out all the Curb bikes at the pop-up at Tweede Hugo de Grootstraat 27 in Amsterdam. From October 1 to 3, you can go there for a coffee, information, and a test ride. I warn you: the risk of falling in love is high.
