Decathlon LD 920E Test: Hands-on and First Impressions of the Btwin Electric Bike

New flagship in the Btwin bicycle range, the Decathlon LD 920E is unveiled before its launch this summer, and we were able to do a quick test to give an initial review.

In the collective consciousness, Decathlon is a brand specializing in technical products but also affordable options. But this will change in its Btwin bicycle universe, where the current Elops 920E Connect at €1,899 sees its successor arriving… at over €3,000! However, the communication around this Decathlon Btwin LD 920 E remained somewhat mysterious until we discovered and handled it this week.

What is this Decathlon LD 920 E bike?

To simplify the message to customers, Decathlon has eliminated the Elops name. It was a sub-brand of Btwin for urban bikes, itself a sub-brand dedicated to bicycles. Instead of Elops, we now find the name Btwin, followed by “LD”. This acronym means Long Distance, the range of bikes designed for long trips. As for the number 920, the “900” series is common to other Decathlon products, indicating intensive use, at least more than the LD 500 E. And let’s not forget the E for electric. So, here we have an electric bike developed for long-distance commuting.

At first glance, the Decathlon LD 920E might look a bit like the LD 500 E, but it’s quite different in design. Its motor is no longer at the rear but integrated into the crankset, while the frame — either closed or semi-open — is designed to accommodate a larger battery, the reinforced fork features an absorbing collar, and the handlebar is higher. The latter hosts a touchscreen with various features,

The automatic motor is top

On the crankset, this Decathlon’s motor isn’t made in-house but comes from a Belgian startup, E2Drives. The French manufacturer invested in and co-developed the unit, which will even be produced in Lille! While awaiting its release from the factory this spring, the motor is automatic, of the CVT type, with a single, continuously variable gear. This means the bike delivers a fixed gear ratio for the rider, regardless of speed, with a constant torque of 65 Nm.

First, you need to choose your pedaling rhythm via the knob on the left of the handlebar, adjusting the cadence from 40 to 90 revolutions per minute. We set it to 50 after a few hundred meters, our natural rhythm, which we probably won’t need to change. because the motor truly adapts to all situations, providing the same effort whether starting, on flat ground at 20 km/h, or climbing a hill.

XXL Battery for the Decathlon LD 920E

Otherwise, we would have liked to do more than a quick ride. Naturally, the bike isn’t yet available for sale, and we were still examining a pre-series model. But we could already assess other aspects, such as the firm damping. The front fork collar with only 3 cm of travel struggles to filter Lille’s cobblestones, especially without traditional suspension or large balloon tires. The Vittoria Randonneur tires are 700x38C here, far from the massive “balloons” of a Moustache Lundi 27. Agile for its size and weight of 26 kg, the Decathlon LD 920E is well-equipped for commuting, featuring a fairly comfortable saddle, mudguards, rear rack (27 kg capacity but non-MIK), and a rear wheel lock.

We couldn’t assess the autonomy, but this e-bike claims between 80 and 120 km depending on mode. A good point: the battery is removable and can be extracted from the side of the frame, making it less exposed to rain than from the top, and reducing the risk of falling out. It’s still heavy, with a capacity of 694 Wh (47.2 V x 14.7 Ah), but Decathlon thought to include a small handle for carrying it. Regarding braking, it’s adequate, but we’ll need a longer test to judge properly.

A Screen Fit for the 21st Century

On many electric bikes, displays are very rudimentary or completely absent! Some like it, others don’t, but for an urban bike intended for intensive use, a nice display is not optional. That’s why the Decathlon LD 920E features a colored display integrated into the center of the handlebar, somewhat like the Voltaire or an electric scooter. The display is smooth, and the information easy to read: speed with a circular gauge, the time (handy!), and the selected mode among the three available. We would have preferred a more prominent battery gauge than the tiny logo with three bars, but scrolling through the three other screens shows battery percentage, remaining range, and distance traveled. Some would prefer to see this data in a combined display, but the simple, sleek design is a conscious choice.

Moreover, the fonts are pleasant, and the colors are appealing, with a subtle pink/purple gradient in turbo mode, yellow in normal, and green in eco. Other menus allow you to set language, time, units, and screen brightness. The whole system will also be connected, like the LD 920 E Connect. Via Bluetooth, you can track your routes, and even use geolocation features useful in case of theft. According to Decathlon, this function could help recover 91% of stolen bikes.

Price and initial review of the Decathlon LD 920 E 2023

After a few kilometers, it’s hard to give a complete opinion on this bike, but enough to grasp the main points. This Decathlon LD 920E is a very good urban electric bike, easy to handle, where the automatic transmission motor manages different situations perfectly. Heavier and somewhat less comfortable on degraded roads, this e-bike offers a lot with its beautiful display, connectivity (to be confirmed with app), and a huge range.

Between €3,000 and €3,200, this bike offers an impressive value for the features. Some would suggest adding front suspension to replace some of the battery weight, but honestly, under €4,000, it’s hard to get more complete — especially since it’s assembled locally in Lille. We’ll have more time to test this Decathlon LD 920 E thoroughly before its release next June, for a detailed long-term review.

Review of the Decathlon LD 920E

Also read: Test Angell Cruiser: a versatile range, but average battery performance