Batavus Electric Bikes - The Batavus Intermezzo Easy.
£1797
** UPDATE MAY 2010 -
Earlier this year we brought forward all our forward orders of this model with Batavus to bring as much stock to the UK for the Spring/Summer season. As demand is now at an all-time high for this bike, we're running short of stock. So if you really want an Intermezzo Easy for this season, then please don't delay. Once our small remaining stock is sold then you're looking at potentially long waits. For example, last year, those who ordered in July didn't get their new Intermezzo's until October. Which is why this year we brought as much of our stock in as we possibly could to avoid waiting times.
The Intermezzo Easy is currently in stock, but numbers are dropping fast.
INTERMEZZO EASY DEMONSTRATION SHOPS
Try before you Buy
The following shops have a demonstration Intermezzo Easy available for you to try:
- Littehampton Dutch Bike Shop - Littlehampton Branch
- Littlehampton Dutch Bike Shop - Hove/Brighton Branch
- Comptons Cycles in London - offering a 'white glove' delivery service within 25 miles of the M25. Contact Chris Compton at Compton Cycles for further information. Compton Cycles are a Cyclescheme agent, so if you're employer has signed up to cyclescheme, you can buy your Intermezzo Easy via the scheme at Compton's Cycles.
The Intermezzo Easy is currently in stock and ready for immediate despatch in the following models/sizes -
Step-through - 48cm
Step-through -53cm
_____________________________________________________________
Overview/Review January 2010.
We launched the Intermezzo Easy in August 2009 in the UK and sales of this bike took us completely by surprise and within the first week we had sold out of all our 2009 stock. At this time customers who ordered this bike had to wait until October before taking delivery of the Intermezzo.
Since then the feedback from all of our Intermezzo Easy customers has been overwhelmingly positive. We've had no negative feedback at all and without exception everyone has said how much they enjoy riding their electric bike, and how much it has changed their lives in terms of reducing car usage, and getting and staying fit as well as saving money on fuel.
When we opened our Hove/Brighton shop, I was faced with the prospect of either cycling the 25 miles each way to our shop - round trip 50 miles from my home, or driving. With the winter winds, rain and of late, snow, cycling a traditional bike is difficult for these distances especially when you're under time pressure. So I decided to try out the Intermezzo Easy on the journey and to-date, despite the awful weather, which has included everything for winds to rain to snow and ice, the Intermezzo has provded a delight to ride and is actually quicker for me to ride to work, than drive.
My initial reservations about using the Intermezzo was that I'd loose the fitness aspect of cycling, which would impact on my future enjoyment of riding non-electric bikes and also cycle touring on my non-electric Batavus.
I needn't have worried, as the great thing about a pedal assist is that you have to cycle the bike. You can choose how much assistance you want, which is great when you hit the hills, or want to accelerate away quickly at roundabouts, traffic lights and so on. And over 15mph, you're on your own. Which is interesting as I find myself now cycling regularly at 17mph and my average speed on my daily commute is 15mph.
As the Intermezzo is one of Batavus's premium models, you get all the lovely extras including front suspension, easy-adjust handlebar system, suspension seat post and so on. It's a beautiful bicycle to ride, and I really believe goes a very long way to allowing you to undertake the longer commutes to work, or just enjoying yourself on a ride without having too worry too much about your fitness levels, hills and headwinds.
You're very welcome to come to either of our shops to test ride the Intermezzo Easy.
Kind regards,
Paul Power
Director, Littlehampton Dutch Bike CO LTD
The Batavus Intermezzo Easy - step-through model.
Overview of the bicycle-
First thing to note about this bicycle is that it is a pedelec or better described as a 'pedal assist' - which means it doesn't operate on the basis of a throttle where you twist and go.
The benefits of a pedelec over a twist and go e-bike are quite simply that with a pedelelec is a far more advanced machine with greater capability.
For example, when you ride a 'twist and go' electric bike, you simply pedal and then twist the throttle to add power.
While with the Batavus Intermezzo Easy - the bike's set up to assist you without your having to do anything other than pedal.
So if you pedal slowly, and you want to achieve a certain constant speed, the bike's onboard systems will understand this and will increase the power of the motor to help you achieve your desired speed.
This all works by way of a power assist system which includes a sensor in the pedals that sneds impulses to the motor. When the pedals rotate foward, the motor is activated. This system satisfies both the Dutch and UK statuatory requirements.
When it comes to electric bicycles, it's important to know that the UK & Dutch law regarding eletric bicycles is that they can only travel at a maximum of 15mph on power assist. As soon as this speed is reached, the engine must deactivate and you're left to pedal on your own. So when riding the Batavus Easy, the assist will automatically cut out at 15mph. You can then ride it as you would any other bike.
Your new Intermezzo has three power settings:
-
Low
-
Medium
-
High
Low Assist - 10mph
When you ride in the low assist mode, (which is easily switched on from the dashboard on the handlebar) - the electric motor will assist you so you're travelling at a constant 10mph. Similar to cruise control on a car - and as soon as you pull either of the brake levers - or both together - or stop pedalling - the motor stops, ensuring you remain comfortably in control at all time.
Thus if you're riding up a hill - one of those long, seemingly unending ones and you can average your speed to 10mph.
Medium - 13 mph
When riding in the medium setting you achieve a constant speed of 13 mph and again the clever technology will operate as it does on the lower setting.
High - 15 mph
This the fastest setting on the bike and in this mode your pedel assist will keep you riding at 15mph.
However, if you pedal faster/harder so that you will achieve a higher speed of 15mph the pedal assist will cut out - leaving you to pedal on your own. This is to comply with road traffic legisilation that states you cannot have an electric bike travel at over 15mph. Obviously, if you're pedal elec cuts out at the point of 15mph - you're working on your own so that you do comply fully with the law.
Key features of the Intermezzo Easy
The Intermezzo includes:
-
Lightweight alloy frame
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7 speed Shimano Nexus Hub
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Shimano Roller Brakes - front and rear
-
Front suspension
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Suspension seat post
-
700c wheels
-
tyres with puncture protection layer and reflective tyre wall - CSTs or similar tyres.
-
easy adjust front handlebar system allowing you to instantly change your riding position
-
rear rack with underneath enclosure for battery
-
cycle pump
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front and rear battery lighting - rear battery light has an automatic setting and low power alert/warning
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front v brake with Shimano power modulator
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rear shimano roller brakes
-
suspension seat post
-
electric motor in front hub - 250watt
-
fully enclosed chain guard
-
rear splash guards
-
Selle Royal super comfy gel sprung saddle
-
Batavus ergo grips for the front handlebar.
The clever feature of this bicycle is that this is the Intermezzo 7 speed bike with an upgraded electric motor - thus you have all the comfort features of this bike with the added benefit of a pedal assist motor.
Some technical questions answered:
What is the battery made of?
Battery is a 10AH/24 volts Lithium Polymer battery and weights only 2kg - so it's ideal to carry inside to charge, or into your workplace where you can charge it up again ready for the ride home.
The battery is also easily detachable. It sits in a cage like compartment under the main rear carrier and when you push it in - it locks in place. As soon as you want to take out the battery, you use the key to unlock it, and it simply slides out allowing you to easily take it wherever you want to have it charged. As it only ways 2kg, it's a doddle to take it with you.
How long does it take to charge?
3 to 6 hours depending on usage - there is a battery indicator level on the handlebar system.
What sort of distance/duration can you get from a full charge?
A number of factors will determine the ultimate range achieveable on a full charge - for example, whether or not you ride in max setting - your weight - the terrain your riding - whether it be hilly or mostly flat and so on.
Distances of 24 -60 miles/30-80kms are easily within reach of the Intermezzo Easy, which really is superb.
How often do you need to change the battery?
After 1000 charges - As with all batteries, you should read carefully the storage/care instructions and provided you work on this basis your battery will last considerably longer. For example, you should always charge your battery at least once every two months.
What type of ride does it deliver?
"Amazing..." has been the most common reaction from everyone whose test ridden our demonstration bike. The Intermezzo Easy really does give a super ride, and the pedel assist works away in the background making cycling up hills much easier and allows you to achieve greater commuter distances.
We've given this bike a fairly good test riding here in Littlehampton - with all of our staff taking turns to ride it and some of our regular customers. Without exception - we all love it.
Our first two unofficial testers (existing Batavus customers) have already placed their orders for September delivery - which speaks volumes about this bike's performance and sales appeal.
And of course, you just got to look at the waiting list....Even as Batavus's UK distributor, at the moment - we can only get one bike for our demonstration fleet!
My own view, previous somewhat cyncical view on electric bikes has been changed by seeing/riding/testing this bike. In the past we have had some fairly disappointing/miserable experiences of other manufacturers electric bikes.
Nothing is worse than having to sell something that looks like a war relic moped and rides with all the handling ability of a supermarket trolley.
The big difference with this bike is the bike itself - you're getting a top-end Batavus model with the benefit of a e-bike set up. As opposed to a sort of cheap bike with an electric motor attached.
When you purchase the Batavus Intermezzo Easy - you're buying the wonderful Batavus Intermezzo 7 speed with the added benefit of it being a power-assist.
The non-electric Batavus Intermezzo proved so popular this year for us, that although it is only early July - all Intermezzo models have already sold out, which is why it's no longer on our website.
Sizes and styles-
There are two frame styles - a step-through and step-over - both of which are pictured here on this page.
At the moment, we have the step-over available in our Littlehampton Showroom in size 57cm available for demonstration and test ride.
Owing to the popularity of these bikes in the Netherlands (these are new models for Batavus) we're struggling to get any stock - demonstration or otherwise.
So it really is a question of if you want one, you're going to have to place your order some time in advance of collection/delivery of your bike.
At the moment (July 09) we're taking orders now for delivery at some point in September.
You can reserve your new Intermezzo Easy by placing a £100 deposit at the time of order with the remainder falling due either when you collect your new bike, or when it's ready here in the UK for despatch.
Step-over version pictured above.
£1797
Frame Sizes -
Step-through - 48/53/57/61cms
Step-over 53/57/61/65cms
We found this 2006 Batavus E-bike Commercial on You Tube. We think it's funny, but not everyone will! Have a look at it here, but if you're having a sneaky look at work, then make sure the sound is turned down on your pc as it features the Tour De France Song for 2006! Have a look at it here
Specifications
| Wheel size | 28" or 700c as known in the UK. |
| Weight | 26.5 |
| Frame size | 48, 53, 57, 61, 65 |
| Frame type | Men X-tra low step-over |
| Frame material | Aluminium 7005 |
| Front fork | Suspended, Batavus |
| Rims | Aluminium Exal 19 EB |
| Spokes | Stainless Steel |
| Tyres | CST Ultimo with anti-leakage layer |
| Handlebars | Steel satin alu-look |
| Steering pin | Manually adjustable, Batavus Ergo Matic Plus |
| Grips | Batavus Ergo Grip II adjustable |
| Saddle | - |
| Saddle pin | Suspended, Post Moderne Compact |
| Dynamo | Battery-powered |
| Headlight | Spanninga Luceo battery-powered |
| Backlight | Smart automatic with battery |
| Pedals | Batavus plastic anti-slip |
| Lock | Trelock RS420 |
| Theft prevention chip | Including |
| Crank | Aluminium |
| Luggage rack | Aluminium |
| Carrier straps | Quattro strap |
| Mudguards | Batavus Hylite II |
| Bell | Bibia touring |
| Final adjustment of rear | - |
| Final adjustment of front | - |
| Steering head set | VP oversized integrated headset |
| Bidon | - |
| Batavus rotary dynamo switch | - |
| Colour | Silver |
| Pump | - |
| Brakes | Shimano rollerbrake at rear and V-brake at front |
| Royal Class | - |
| Shifters | Batavus (7-speed) |
| Deflector shield | - |
| Stand | Batavus Safety adjustable |
| Stabilisers | - |
| Basket with bag | - |
| Parking lock | - |
| Saddle bag | - |
| Accessories | - |
| Model/gears | - |