News Archives - Trefecta Mobility

Trefecta – The extravagant brand

Radmarkt 04-2023

In the latest edition of RadMarkt, a well-known German branche magazine about e-bikes featured our Trefecta brand: Heavy-duty-Bolide with which you can certainly present yourself more exclusive than with a Ferrari.

In der neuesten Ausgabe von RadMarkt, einem bekannten deutschen Branchenmagazin für E-Bikes, wurde unsere Marke Trefecta vorgestellt: Heavy-Duty-Bolide, mit denen man sich sicherlich exklusiver präsentieren kann als mit einem Ferrari.

Read the full article as PDF here

The Hard Way – Profile Elektro Rad

Elektro Rad 08-2022

In the latest edition of Elektro Rad, a well-known German magazine about e-bikes, an extensive profile of Trefecta.

From the start in 2013, the Bespoke and RDR series, the performance to the current state of affairs of the professional series. The entire article can be downloaded as a PDF below (only in German). A short summary:

The Trefecta owes its martial appearance to the fact that it was originally developed for the military. The bulky hull is more like a motorcycle – which it is, given its performance. This powerhouse is considered to be one of the most extravagant e-bikes.

Read the full article as PDF here

Trefecta e-bikes used in exercise Falcon Autumn

Last month exercise Falcon Autumn 2022 took place in the Netherlands. Over 1,000 troops and 37 helicopters from three nations trained together to prepare for large airborne operations. Trefecta supplied a number of their military grade e-bikes to the 11 (NL) 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade to support reconnaissance missions, Helicopter Landing Sites Operations, Drop Zone Operations and Forward Arming and Refueling Point Operations.

Thanks to the Trefecta e-bikes, the units are able to spread out over the area more quickly and prepare for possible drops more efficiently and stealthy transportation from drop zones. No exhaust and exceptionally stealthy, the e-bikes offers unique tactical advantages.

The Trefecta eBikes have been developed with the specific demands of professional military and law enforcement users in mind. Daily use of our eBikes under extreme conditions is possible, due to the use of high-end, durable materials like 7075 aerospace grade aluminium, giving its rider the reliability and performance needed for harsh environments. The motor can be utilized as much or as little as the rider prefers. It has many levels of pedal assist to power the ride resulting in a safer and more effective mission.

For more information about our professional e-bikes and its advantages visit our professional page here.

Picture taken by Harry Hulshof for Defensiekrant

Trefecta joins King’s Day 2021 Mobility Caravan!

King’s Day 2021! On April 27, the Royal Family will visit Eindhoven, in which we also have a share. Eindhoven radiates automotive, technology and innovation and this is emphasized with the Mobility Caravan and our vehicle rides in it! A caravan of unique vehicles from Eindhoven and the surrounding area, with the Royal Family at the forefront.

Will you join us on April 27th? King’s Day can be seen on the NPO and digitally via this link.

DUTCH

Koningsdag 2021! Op 27 april brengt het Koninklijke Gezin een bezoek aan Eindhoven waar ook wij een aandeel in hebben. Eindhoven straalt automotive, technologie en innovatie uit en dit wordt benadrukt met de Mobility Karavaan en hier rijdt ons voertuig in mee! Een karavaan van unieke voertuigen uit Eindhoven en omgeving waar het Koninklijke Gezin in voorop rijdt.

Kijk jij met ons mee op 27 april? Koningsdag is te zien op de NPO en digitaal via deze link.

E-bike superlatives – pushing innovation or price?

From Bike EU March 31st, 2021

BERLIN, Germany – Since the early days of e-bikes, performance and exclusivity justified extraordinary price tags. Today, the product variety in the € 10,000+ class ranges from gems and sports equipment and is as diverse as the clientele itself.

At the top end of the e-bike market, €10,000 is a magic line. Many well-known manufacturers offer their top models just below this threshold. Beyond this mark, the sky seems to be the limit. Bugatti takes the cake with what is currently the world’s most expensive e-bike. Introduced in 2018, the 8.6 kg urban bike made of carbon fibre costs €75,000.

In this league, three groups of suppliers stand out; Ambitious small companies dedicated to superlatives. Large, established manufacturers who round off their broad product range with a top model. And finally, suppliers whose core business is in other industries and who supplement their portfolio with prestige bikes.

Adrenaline Class

As for many top-of-the-range e-bikes, expensive also stands for fast, typically, the products are s-pedelecs or bikes in the motorcycle class above 45 km/h. And what sports car drivers have always known – speed is sexy. It’s not the ratio alone that decides how much money changes hands in the end. Nor is it the technical features alone. In many cases, a bike that costs a quarter of the price would do the job just as good. In the end, it’s all about emotions and exclusivity. Or as Trefecta founder Haiko Visser puts it, “If someone else is riding around on the same bike, you need a really good excuse why you spent so much money.” In Trefecta’s case – €23,500 for the top model DRT Off-road Unlimited with 4kW drive.

The origins of Berlin-based eRockit date back to the 1990s. After the company’s re-launch in 2020, the primary claim to build the fastest bicycle in the world, manifests in the bikes of today’s production series that go up to 89km/h. Over 150 parts of the original product were modified until the first edition went into production. Limited to 100 pieces, this first edition started to be delivered last summer. The price tag of the ‘Tesla on two wheels’, as co-founder Sebastian Bruch calls the pedelec-rocket with 5kW motor and 6.6kWh battery is €11,850. In order to ride the street-legal version, buyers in Germany benefit from a new driving license regulation which allows car drivers to ride two-wheelers in the 125cc class with 9 additional driving lessons instead of taking the full set of lessons for a motorcycle driver’s license.

Powerful is the predicate of M1 Sporttechnik. The icing on the cake of the German company’s sporty product line is the World Cup R-pedelec with TQ motor and 120nm of torque, priced at €15,999. R stands for race, as these models don’t have street approval. What managing director Thorsten Cornils calls his top model though, is the street-legal S-pedelec M1 Spitzing Evolution that starts at €8,999 in the basic version.

S-Pedelecs and SUVs

Stromer from Switzerland set the trend for high-priced s-pedelecs around the year 2000 and has largely defined the 45 km/h class in terms of design, integration and technical features. The current ST5 model starts at €11,190.

While Riese und Müller, known for premium e-bikes, has set a new standard in the travel segment with their Superdelite S-pedelec with dual battery and Rohloff hub, HNF Nicolai targets adventurers of all kinds with their new flagship XF3 Adventure that is based on a full-suspension, dual battery frame made by Nicolai Bicycles in Germany. Similar models are available as S-pedelec directly from Nicolai at € 11,249 in the standard version.

The Scorpion fx S-pedelec trike by HP Velotechnik is a good example to show the variety of products in the league of superlatives. Including all extras, the price tag is €15,000.

Mountains, Trails and Road

The e-bike flagships of Cube, Haibike, KTM, Scott, Specialized are full-suspension eMTB for the extreme. Carbon frames, ample suspension travel, CX Bosch drive and electronic components are inherent parts of this class. Price-wise, Specialized takes the lead in this class with their S-Works Turbo Levo SL, released in 2020. The 16.9 kg lightweight gem is available for €13,999 and with a new drive concept clearly at home on the trail.

Road bikes are a marginal segment in the e-bike sector. Optimised down to the last gram, Scott and Cube offer 25 km/h models around €9.500.

Who buys the e-bike superlatives?

And what for? Whether as a status symbol, for daily commute, fun or extreme sports, the customers are individualists with high demands. In the luxury segment, Trefecta reports about yacht and land owners who buy their bikes, as well as sheikhs in Dubai who like to take a spin through the desert. “But this market is very small,” Visser says. “Generally, our customers are people with special needs who use their bike for their work, hobby or daily commutes––a hunter for example, or a banker.”

eRockit sees itself as a mobility provider. The buyers are early adopters––technology fans, engineers, connoisseurs of photovoltaics, and people with a green mindset. Collectors of the first limited edition are also willing to pay the price for their trophies.

The mobility market holds a gigantic potential. Corona-related social distancing, more and more driving bans for cars in inner cities increase buyers’ willingness to invest in alternative and individual mobility. What helps are e-bike leasing programs that make a bike around €12,000 affordable for under €200 a month. This budget then covers the entire monthly mobility cost; no more gas, no more parking fees, no more public transportation. As a substitute for cars, cargo bikes are increasingly being targeted for private and commercial use, and their variety and price range are steadily growing.

The top-end, full-suspension eMTBs, road bikes and co appeal to athletes who are serious about it or simply pay the price for their dream bike. In the commercial sector, rental companies and tourism providers are increasingly interested in e-bikes. Trefecta has specialised in military applications, and the police has shown interest from various countries.

The small suppliers sell limited numbers of units individually and directly. Service is partly provided by a dealer network. For customising in larger quantities, online configurators play an increasingly important role. Big brands use their established dealer network to also sell their flagship bikes.

It’s not about money

It’s like with clothing: Some wear designer clothes because they appreciate upscale quality, outstanding function, good style and premium materials. Others wear expensive brands to stand out from the masses. Some pay for sustainability and fair production. Others pay inflated prices for clever marketing and cheap manufacturing.

For the manufacturers, it is the labour that costs its price, the responsibility for the product. For the customers, predicates such as handmade, made in Germany or Switzerland matter. They pay for a maximum of features, top quality, the love for detail, modern materials and technical finesse. It’s a decision about the uniqueness of specifications, the personal touch, about passion, image and exclusivity. This puts the responsibility into the hands of manufacturers and retailers to offer the customer a fair deal.

Read the whole article here at the Bike Eu website

Trefecta RDR Black Edition

Often referred to as delightfully insane the Trefecta RDR is now also available in a Black Editon. A completely blacked out Trefecta RDR in a black powder coating for maximum durability and stealth.

The Trefecta RDR Black Edition is the most powerful eBike on the market and offers the most value based on performance, range and design. Offering you a longer lasting 50.4v, 1480Wh / 34Ah battery pack to provide you with staggering range of approximately 200 km, a powerful mid-engine motor delivering 120 nm of torque, hydraulic callipers with floating disc brakes and optionally the world’s first integrated high performance eBike ABS (Preventing the front wheel from locking up and the rear wheel from lifting under braking).

The RDR is designed to cope with almost any terrain. But even ordinary commuters should be able to drive stylishly from work to home and back with the the optional Road Kit.

The Trefecta RDR Black Edition mainframe is made in a high pressure injected mould with 6000 series aluminium. The Powertrain is a custom welded 6000 series aluminium profile. Through an adjustable damper mount it is possible to vary the trail angle to suit the riding style and terrain.

The Trefecta RDR is the ideal eBike to take on a challenging off-road trail and yet with the road kit installed the RDR is the fast and relaxed solution for your every day inter-urban commutes. The Trefecta RDR offers you best value for Performance, Range and Design without compromising on the values the Trefecta brand is known for: offering you the ultimate riding experience with the freedom to go where you want, when you want.

Don’t wait and order yours directly in our webshop

Getting Fit and Healthy with an Electric Bike

Wondering if it’s even possible to get fit with an electric bike?

Getting more exercise is most likely on a lot of New Years resolutions lists for 2021. Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to stay indoors more in 2020.

Cycling is a healthy and accessible way to exercise and get fit(ter) quickly and an eBike can certainly help, although many don’t think so and even call it ‘cheating’. Unfortunately, that opinion is anything but correct. With the right knowledge and technology, almost anyone at any skill level can train fantastically on an eBike. Various studies have proven it! In one of the studies the University of Colorado asked 20 persons with an inactive lifestyle to take an electric bicycle to work at least three times a week. They wore a heart rate monitor and GPS monitor. Various health and fitness parameters were measured both before and after the experiment. After four weeks, blood sugar levels and muscle power were found to be significantly improved. Fat mass and blood pressure had also evolved positively.

What are the benefits?

Biking is one of the best cardio workout options for the average person. With low-to-no impact biking uses all your major muscle groups and improves joint mobility. Like all exercise riding an electric bike will improve your cardiovascular fitness, the efficiency of your heart, lungs, and blood pressure.

One of the big advantages of using an eBike is that you can get as little or as much exercise as you like. Even if you have not exercised for many years, or have health barriers and challenges, an electric bike allows you to exercise without putting excessive strain on your joints and muscles, so that you can safely build your strength and fitness.

Riding an eBike is almost always going to be easier than riding a bike that requires 100 percent human-power. It puts longer and more challenging trails within your reach and can make you feel more confident knowing backup power is available if your muscles or lungs become exhausted halfway.

Who is choosing an eBike?

It is not only ‘out-of-shape’ people who choose an eBike, also sporty and energetic enthusiasts who want to replace the car or want to do a long hard drive on the weekend. And there is a generation of younger mountain bikers interested in the extra range and power the eBike offers.

Experienced riders often choose eBikes to explore new areas they couldn’t reach in a normal trip at 100% human power in the time given, by covering more distance in the same amount of time with an eBike. Or the eBike gave them access to otherwise unreachable terrain due to its additional power.

E-bikes also allow riders with physical limitations to access otherwise unreachable terrain, and allow riders recovering from injuries to bike earlier in their recovery. If you can’t ride like you used to, eBikes are an awesome solution. You are still getting plenty of exercise and enjoying being outside, but the assist makes it more accessible and relieves pressure on your joints and muscles.

Electric bicycles result in more exercise.

Electric bikes don’t mean a free ride. You still have to pedal. While no doubt that regular bikes burn more calories per hour than with an eBike, it also gives you more energy for a longer ride, which ultimately burns more calories than a shorter ride!

The idea is to work together with the eBike rather than letting it do all the work for you. There are even specific training programs to help you to get the best use of your electric bike.

Riding an eBike and particularly a Trefecta is an excellent way to get fit and a whole lot of fun!

Trefecta RDR first speed pedelec with frame-integrated ABS

Last month, Stromer announced that their new model will be equipped with a frame-integrated ABS. News? Not for us and our fans as the Trefecta RDR has been available with the fully integrated Blubrake ABS system inside the frame since the beginning of this year!

Surveys show that 58% of the accidents involving e-bikes happen during braking and 24% are related to braking. 39% of fall events are caused by the front wheel lock up, 25% by a loss of balance. Blubrake ABS drastically reduces the risk of front wheel lock-up and rear wheel lift-off and guarantees a safer cycling experience. A cutting edge innovation between Blubrake and Trefecta which was co-developed specifically for our eBikes during 2018 and 2019 for the 2020 model year.

More value for money

So why is it news now that Stromer offers it and is the media reporting that it is the first speed pedelec with an integrated ABS system? Did they not pay attention when we introduced the Trefecta RDR? The explanation is simple; Stromer has a bigger marketing budget and therefore a greater reach in connecting with media and the consumer. Where we as Trefecta mainly spend our money on innovations and the quality of our bicycles, Stromer puts that part of its budget into marketing.

Does that make a Stromer an inferior bike? Not for us to say, but if we compare the Stromer ST5 ABS with the Trefecta RDR with ABS, the differences are obvious and the full option Trefecta RDR with ABS for €12’200 offers a lot better value for money than the Stromer ST5 ABS.

Why wait?

The Stromer ST5 ABS is scheduled for launch in June 2021, but why wait when you can already drive a Trefecta RDR? Contact us for more information about the Trefecta RDR and we would be more then happy to assist you in choosing the perfect Trefecta RDR for you.

Comparison Table Trefecta RDR – Stromer ST5 ABS

	TREFECTA RDR	STROMER ST5 ABS

RANGE	200 km – 45 km/h	180 km – 45 km/h
MOTOR POWER	920W / 120nm	500W / 100nm
BATTERY	1480 wh	983 wh
CHARGE TIME	80% – 1hr / 100% 3hr	–
ABS	V	V
OFFROAD SUSPENSION	V	X
FLOATING DISC BRAKES	V	X
GEARBOX	IGH stepless	X
CARBON DRIVE	V	X
IPOD DOCK	V	X
ROAD KIT	V (option)	V
WARRENTY	3 YRS	2 YRS
BASIC PRICE (in Euros)	10.890	9.590

A homage to the Ferrari Pista – Trefecta URB Special

At Trefecta we have already been able to deliver a lot of beautiful and special bikes in our history, but this is a very special one. A homage to the Ferrari Pista.

Petrol heads will know that The Ferrari 488 Pista is powered by the most powerful V8 engine in the Maranello marque’s history and is the company’s special series sports car with the highest level of technological transfer from racing. In fact the name, meaning ’track’ in Italian, was chosen specifically to testify to Ferrari’s unparalleled heritage in motor sports.

Like the Ferrari the Trefecta URB is a perfect compromise between man and machine. The URB is an engineering “Tour de Force” with single sided adaptive suspension front and rear. This is otherwise only found on the most exotic of machines! The URB front fork has a tapered down tube which was developed using FEM structural analysis. More than a simple electric bike, URB Speed Pedelec is a mix of technologies and connectivity. Built with the highest materials with high-performing components, the bike offers unique high-end functionalities.

The bike effectiveness is at its peak as the biker uses its strength to pedal at low-speed, and when the engine propels him at high speeds. The engine is a 4 kW HSP2-4 model, a true hybrid combined to a Smesh gearbox. It can reach a top speed of 75 km/h. Thanks to its Li-ion battery the ride can last for approximately 100km. The bike has an aluminium frame as well as carbon fibre wheels, all lightweight components that allow it to be more powerful wherever in city or on less practicable roads.

This Trefecta URB Pista will stand out thanks to its Modena extraordinary paint scheme with black racing stripes. The paint is the famous Ferrari Giallo Triplo Strato. A tri coat paint that contains a solid yellow undercoat and a pearl yellow basecoat.

Besides it’s beautiful paint job this Trefecta URB homage “Ferrari Pista” has been completed with the following components:

• Supernova M99 Pro

• Honis rear light saddle mounted

• Saddle dropper

• Ergon Carbon Pro saddle in black leather

• Carbon fibre rear mudguard

• Carbon fibre kickstand

• Carbon fibre front fork servo cover

• Schwalbe Crazy Bob tyres

• Trefecta folding stand

• Trefecta complete tool kit

• Spare tubes and brake pads

We wish the new owner a lot of pleasure with this extraordinary Trefecta and we are reluctantly saying goodbye to this bike on it’s way to its final destination in the USA.

A biking revolution is here

Best electric bikes 2020 article published in the Evening Standard, October 23rd by Rob Smith

From banana breads, to puzzles, lockdown reignited a passion for an array of weird and wonderful trends – but cycling may just have been the most ubiquitous of them all.

Bikes, and in particular electric or e-bikes, have become even more popular in the post-lockdown commuting world as the ideal solution to tube-related woes.

Rob Smith, Head of Partnerships at Smartech (the smart brand specialists behind Selfridges’ The Bike Shop) tells ES Best everything you need to know before making the investment and the best e-bikes to shop now.

What is an e-bike?

An electric bike (e-bike) is a regular bike with the addition of a motor to assist your progress. It is a hybrid form of transport meaning part of the power comes from the rider and part of it from the motor.
How do e-bikes work?

Generally speaking, e-bikes are bicycles with a battery-powered assist that comes via pedalling and, in some cases, a throttle.

When you push the pedals on a pedal-assist e-bike, a small motor engages and gives you a boost.

In addition to the pedal-assist feature, some e-bikes come with a throttle that engages the motor by pressing a button.

Why are e-bikes so expensive?

E-bikes vary in price but have more associated costs than traditional costs.

The motors used in e-bikes include highly engineered and technical parts. That being said, you get what you pay for, they are worth an investment and are certainly the post-lockdown transportation of choice.

How far do e-bikes go on one charge?

Anything from 50km to 400km, depending on the battery size.

There are other factors to consider, over and above the specified distance from the brand; everything from speed to rider weight to terrain style to wind conditions and even tire choice can impact an e-bike’s effective range on a single charge.

With distances varying hugely, it is important to select the e-bike with the travelling distance in mind.

How fast do e-bikes go?

The max speed limit for e-bikes in the UK is 15.5 miles per hour. Most e-bikes are capable of speeds faster than this but they are not suitable for road use.

Can you use e-bikes the rain?

Yes, you can in-fact use e-bikes in the rain, as most are made with water-resistant sealed components. We would always recommend care and attention is given to your e-bike after it has been out in the rain; such as a wipe down with a soft cloth and the use of wet sponge to remove dirt and debris.

What they say about Trefecta in Best electric bikes 2020

This is THE ultimate performance e-bike. The DRT Off-road is the untamed beast. The absence of any compromise ensures this e-bike transcends all that has come before it. Questions of purpose seem irrelevant after experiencing the performance off-road. Every inch is optimised to perfection. Every piece of material the best of its sort. One of the most luxurious and quickest bikes on the market. Simply put, stunning.

Read the whole article from the Evening Standard online here

News