E-bike Evaluation: Sushi Maki+ Unveils the Brilliance in Simplicity

Worth and availability

At a value of €1,199, you get a rock-solid e-bike with the Maki+ from Sushi, however you shouldn’t anticipate any technical devices. The light-weight bike, which is designed as an entry-level bike, presents brakes, an electrical motor, a detachable battery and an on-board pc—nothing extra! For street use, nonetheless, producer Sushi a minimum of consists of battery-powered lamps within the scope of supply.

In case you are on the lookout for a easy bike for the town with an electrical motor, the Maki+ is certainly recommendable. Nonetheless, in case you are on the lookout for a contemporary e-bike, you’ll miss an app connection, a gear shift, and a strong motor.

Please word: For readers within the U.S., bear in mind that the Sushi Maki+ ebike is solely obtainable for direct buy within the DACH area and the Netherlands.

Design & Processing

The Sushi Maki+ is a singlespeed bike with straight handlebars and is accessible in three completely different sizes. For our check, the producer supplied us with a mannequin in body dimension “M”, which, in accordance with the product description, is appropriate for riders between 1.73 and 1.79 meters. Along with the 2 different body sizes, the bike ought to be appropriate for all physique sizes.

Professionals:

• At 16 kilograms, good and lightweight for an e-bike
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• Totally different body sizes with out surcharges.
• The matte black design appears good and minimalist.

Cons:

• No mudguards.
• The on-board pc could be very rudimentary.

With its matte black body and the discreet lettering, the Maki+ meets my style very a lot. On the identical time, the bike with out gears and with out mudguards is phenomenal and is extra appropriate for brief jaunts on sunny days within the huge metropolis than for longer rides within the metropolis. The strongly ahead bent seating place underlines this once more clearly, as a result of on longer excursions I believe a powerful fatigue of the wrists.

So the experience really feel of the Maki+ is someplace between a street bike and a fixie. In comparison with the latter, nonetheless, it’s fairly nice that you do not have to trample completely due to the free-running chain. For our check, we had a mannequin with out mudguards, which is absolutely disagreeable within the rain.

On the one hand, you disturb the individuals who experience shut behind you—then again, you mess up your pants, jackets and backpacks with splashing water. For those who can deal with it style-wise, you should purchase the mudguard set for round $50/€50.

Since Sushi depends on a light-weight aluminum body and the put in electronics are additionally light-weight, the whole weight is simply 16 kilograms. In the course of the check interval, I additionally examined a VanMoof S5 and each when carrying and using I clearly seen the distinction.

Even the foldable Brompton Electrical is heavier at 17 kilograms. And the Sushi Maki+ is a type of e-bikes that does not make it overly strenuous to exceed the 25 km/h help restrict for any size of time.

However light-weight and ease come on the expense of the stuff you’d anticipate from an e-bike in 2023. You possibly can’t, for example, document your rides by way of app, set the help stage in your telephone, or depend on a built-in lock.

There’s solely a rudimentary on-board pc on the left aspect of the handlebar, which solely is aware of the capabilities “help stage up / down” in addition to “on / off”. It’s annoying that the vary is simply displayed on a five-point scale. A extra exact scale with vary or proportion factors could be fascinating.

E-motor and driving

Sushi equips the Maki+ with a 200-watt electrical motor on the rear wheel. You possibly can regulate how laborious the motor has to work by way of your pedaling energy in addition to by way of the on-board pc with its 5 help ranges. Although the motor is weaker than on many different e-bikes, the racing bike really feel and lightweight total weight lead to a excessive enjoyable issue.

Professionals:

• Calibration of the torque sensor very nice.
• Agile and appropriate for quick progress
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Cons:

• Considerably underpowered…
• …which is especially noticeable on inclines.

Whereas e-bikes just like the VanMoof S5 or the Brompton Electrical reviewed by us actually catapult you away on the site visitors lights, the Maki+ is slightly sluggish. On the one hand, the gear ratio permits a compromise between snug beginning and a pleasing cadence at increased speeds. Then again, the electrical motor reacts fairly late and in addition doesn’t provide an extreme quantity of power with 200 watts.

Nonetheless, the space that your opponents acquire within the first few meters in the course of the site visitors gentle race is rapidly regained. After just a few kicks, you possibly can really feel the help of the electrical motor – till it stops at 25 km/h. And that is the place the low weight of the bike is beneficial. And that is the place the low weight of the e-bike is useful: Even over longer distances, I used to be in a position to experience the Sushi Maki+ at speeds of round 30 km/h, because the bike is gentle sufficient for this.

On winding roads or in metropolis site visitors, nonetheless, the Sushi Maki+ is much more enjoyable. As a result of the light-weight bike is good and agile and offers with the Tektro M280 as mechanical disc brakes for a protected alternation of quick acceleration and protected braking. The brakes are highly effective sufficient to lock you each wheels fully.

As quickly because the Maki+ is uncovered to inclines, the considerably too weak motor additionally stands out negatively. Even with my pretty gentle physique weight of 68 kilograms, the e-bike needed to wrestle on climbs. Based on the producer, inclines of as much as 10 levels are doable. And even then, the motor laboriously drags you up the hill at about 21 km/h.

General, the Maki+ is a nimble and enjoyable single pace that gives first rate help from an electrical motor. For longer distances, I think about this to be fairly nice and that is additionally a cause why many purchase an e-bike. Nonetheless, each the seating place and the street bike saddle are a bit too uncomfortable for lengthy bike excursions.

Battery and good options

Sushi has prolonged the battery life within the Plus mannequin. Based on the producer, the Maki+ helps you as much as 75 kilometers. When the battery is working low, you possibly can disconnect the battery from the body, which is secured by a key, and cost it conveniently at dwelling. One other spotlight of Sushi’s charging resolution: You can too use the 230.4 watt-hour battery as an influence financial institution with USB-A port.

Professionals:

• Good vary of as much as 75 kilometers.
• You possibly can comfortably cost the battery indoors
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• Powerbank characteristic will be actually helpful when touring.

Cons:

• Battery stage can solely be seen by way of 5 factors.
• No good options in any respect.

Within the sensible check, we didn’t obtain a variety of 75 kilometers with the Maki+ in Berlin. That is not an enormous deal, for the reason that vary is dependent upon components just like the rider’s weight, the terrain, and the chosen help stage anyway. I normally moved the Maki+ on the very best help stage and infrequently rode fully electrically at a gradual cadence. In doing so, the e-bike carried me about 40 kilometers via Berlin.

The fluctuation is forceful, however 40 kilometers are nonetheless very appropriate for on a regular basis use on my rides. I discovered it annoying that the remaining battery life is simply displayed by way of 5 factors on the on-board pc. As well as, you possibly can press a button on the battery and see how full the battery is thru three colours, even with out the battery. That is related, for instance, if you happen to use a number of batteries—Sushi sells them for a hefty 299 Euros in its personal on-line retailer.

The battery sits in the course of the body on Sushi’s bikes, wanting a bit like a thick water bottle. The benefit of not inserting it discreetly exterior the body is which you could simply cost the battery indoors. The essential element is secured with a key, which you do not have to go away within the bike whereas using.

Additionally well-thought-out: Due to the USB-A port, you possibly can cost your smartphone or different electronics by way of the battery. Other than this cool trick, the Maki+ doesn’t provide any good options.

Remaining verdict

Personally, I actually took the Maki+ to my coronary heart throughout my check report—I might even favor it to the considerably extra highly effective VanMoof S5. Nonetheless, this is because of my choice for gentle, agile and quick bikes—and right here Sushi manages a wonderful balancing act between easy single pace and sweat-free e-bike with the Plus mannequin.

As an e-bike, nonetheless, I discover some options missing in comparison with different fashions. For instance, a companion app is lacking, with which you’ll be able to entry sure capabilities or info conveniently in your telephone. As well as, many customers will dislike the shortage of gears. The motor energy of 200 watts and the very rudimentary on-board pc additionally give the impression that Sushi has solely outfitted a typical bike with a retrofit package.

The successor, the Sushi Maki 3.0*, appears a bit extra refined. For right here, hydraulic disc brakes, a completely put in gentle system and tires with puncture safety appear a bit extra trendy. Nonetheless, Sushi has not improved the engine efficiency of the successor.

Sushi’s Maki mannequin is subsequently good if you happen to’re on the lookout for a light-weight and inexpensive e-bike. If you would like a bit extra, if you happen to already spent over €1,000 for an e-bike, there are extra trendy e-bikes in the marketplace.