Decathlon has launched a new electric road bike under its Van Rysel brand, the E-EDR AF, featuring a Mahle X35 motor in the rear wheel and an SRAM Apex 1×12 speed transmission. Priced at 2,499.99 euros, this model is part of the brand's endurance range and is available in five sizes, from XS to XL, with a maximum load capacity of 110 kg. The bike weighs 14 kg, which is unusually light for an electric bike but typical for a road bike. The motor, located in the rear hub, is a 250 watt system delivering 40 Nm of torque. The integrated battery, which is not removable, has a capacity of 250 Wh and weighs 3.5 kg. It takes between 4 and 5 hours to fully charge and is designed to last for 5 years or 500 charge cycles, after which the range may decrease. The bike is claimed to have a range of up to 100 km, and an optional external battery can extend this to over 160 km. The E-EDR AF includes the Mahle Pulsar One display, which shows battery level, remaining range, and assistance level. The display also allows users to change assistance levels while riding. The Mahle X35 system supports ANT+ and Bluetooth, enabling connectivity with smartphones or existing devices such as Garmin or Wahoo counters. A Mahle app is available to adjust assistance settings and track ride data. The frame is designed for endurance, with a fully carbon fork and lateral eyelets that can carry up to 4 kg on each fork. The bike also includes a rack that can support 10 kg and four bottle cage mounts. The cockpit is made of aluminum, with handlebars and stems from Van Rysel, and the seat post diameter is 27.2 mm. The SRAM Apex 1×12 transmission includes an X1 wide crankset with 42 teeth, an XPLR 11-44 cassette, XPLR shifters, and a DUB PressFit chain. The SRAM Apex disc brakes are hydraulic, with 160 mm discs on both the front and rear. Decathlon recommends a break-in period for the brakes, involving 20 progressive braking sessions at 20 km/h followed by another 20 at 30 km/h on both brakes. An electronic version of the E-EDR AF is also available, featuring an SRAM Apex AXS electronic and wireless transmission. This version retains the frame, fork, motor, and battery of the mechanical model but uses the BC900 in-house counter instead of the Mahle Pulsar One display. The AXS version is listed at 2,799.99 euros but is currently discounted to 1,599.99 euros, which is 900 euros less than the mechanical version. Decathlon is not the only brand offering electric bikes in this price range. Intersport sells the Nakamura E-Century 500 for 1,999.99 euros, featuring a central motor with 80 Nm of torque and a 375 Wh battery. However, this model weighs 17 kg, compared to the 14 kg of the E-EDR AF. While the Nakamura model offers more torque, the Van Rysel bike is lighter, which is a significant advantage for a road bike. Both models provide different trade-offs between weight, power, and price, allowing consumers to choose based on their specific needs and preferences.