Hands-on with Gazelle Esprit C7 HMS e-bike – Uncomplicated urban bike

Getting on our test bike is easy thanks to its low top tube. The riding position is upright and gives the rider a good view of the traffic. The slightly curved handlebars feel good to hold, and the wide and soft saddle is likewise comfortable during short rides. The screwed-on grips also help give the bike great ergonomics. They are fairly short but quite thick. They also have subtle wings at their ends and sit well in the hand. 

Gear change is performed using a twist shifter on the right side; it has an indicator showing which gear is currently in use. Thanks to the hub gear, you can shift gears even when the bike is stationary – perfect for city traffic. The Shimano Nexus hub gear works without a hitch. It lets you change gears reliably without using much force, provided you are not pushing down on the pedals right when shifting.

Gazelle has chosen a high gear ratio for the bike. Although the Esprit C7 doesn’t have any problem handling slopes thanks to the motor assist, flat roads are still the bike’s domain. The higher gears hardly see any use in everyday situations, but if you want to, you can reach 40 km/h without going downhill using manual power. 

That said, the strength of this e-bike still clearly lies in short, easy routes. You can commute to work or run errands in the city without much effort thanks to its electric motor. The Shimano motor is entirely powerful enough for such applications. It especially stands out with how quiet it runs. The faint clatter from the shifting system is for the most part louder than the electric motor. The three assist modes are likewise well tuned. Moreover, the transition is nice and smooth when the bike hits the max assist speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph).

The Esprit C7 is pleasantly agile and has a small turning radius. The immediate handling is enhanced by the lack of suspension – the Esprit C7 has a rigid steel fork. The Schwalbe Fat Frank tyres ensure the bike is comfortable enough to ride on asphalt. Though it’s possible to go on extended rides thanks to the great ergonomics, the Esprit is certainly not a touring bike. 

The battery lasted 70 km (43.5 miles) during a ride in the Alpine foothills. The bike’s range is going to be longer in city traffic. Unfortunately, the charger only has an output of 75 watts, meaning it takes a long time to fully recharge the battery.