The everyday and tour riding tests take place in the small town of Tanna in the Saale-Orla district in Thuringia, Germany.
 

 
The everyday and touring test involves a test circuit with a total length of 14.7 km. After each test ride, the measured data are recorded separately for both the everyday and touring sections.

Touring section
The total height difference over this 5.3 km `Tour` test section is 54 m (altitude from 536 m to 590 m) with a total climb and fall of 65 m. With moderate climbs, and varying surfaces including country lanes, gravel and forest tracks, it reflects a typical touring ride rout.

Watch the touring section online:

>> Touring section (gpsies)

Everyday section
This test section is a total of 9.4 km long. The total height diefference is 49 m (altitude from 502 m to 551 m) with total climb of 108 m and total fall of 109 m. The everyday test course is divided into several sub-sections, which vary in the demands they make of bike and rider.

Flat section
This section of the tests begins with the acceleration area, on which the test riders can evaluate the power assist and handling of the test bikes on the flat.

First hilly section
The first hilly section on the everyday circuit runs for almost a kilometre, with a moderate climb at an average gradient of 5%. This stretch is especially useful in determining the range and the power assist factor for hills.

City section
In the city section the ride performance in urban traffic is sumulated via stop and go sequences. In total there are eight stopping points, after which the performance when setting off can be tested. The calculated values for average speed, range and power assist factor are a measure of how practical each pedelec is to use in the city.

Second hilly section with hill start
The second hilly section is shorter than the first, but its gradient, at an average of 12%, is significantly steeper. In addition, at the start of this section the rider must come to a halt, so as to determine the performance of the test bike when doing a hill start. This section prepares each test rider to appropriately rate the ride characteristics and the noise levels from the drive.

Riding unassisted
On the final section the test riders switch off the motor, so as to rate the ride performance of the test bikes without motor assistance.

Watch the everyday section online:

>> Everyday tes circuit (gpsies)

Data from a conventional, unassisted bike (reference bikes) is used as a reference point:

>> The reference bike

Text and picture: Angela Budde

Translation: Peter Eland

17 November 2015