Decathlon LD 920E: the future bike with automatic transmission and long-range battery

Launched this year, the Decathlon 920E Connect will already evolve into a new generation in 2023, with XXL battery and automatic transmission.

Soon after its September innovation press event, where we discovered the latest Fold Light 1 Second folding bike, Decathlon organized an online presentation of its latest developments in sporting goods. Among trekking poles and a large deployable tent, one bike caught our attention: the LD 920E Connect.

Already a new Decathlon LD 920E!

If this bike intrigues us, it’s because it replaces a model that has been on sale for less than a year! The current Decathlon Elops 920E Connect arrived on shelves this spring, and we tested it shortly afterward. But it was based on an architecture dating back several years.

Thus, a team from the French group’s bicycle department designed the new generation Decathlon LD 920 E Connected. It joins the “Long Distance” or “LD” range alongside the recent LD 500 E. It actually inherits the architecture and frame from the latter, with a battery fully integrated into the frame, a plus for the bike’s style and balance. No figures yet, but Decathlon mentions a “very large capacity allowing you to no longer worry about recharging your battery”. We can therefore expect at least 500 Wh, considering the current generation measures 432 Wh.

An automatic gearbox to simplify riding

But the star element of this Decathlon LD 920E is the automatic transmission developed with the start-up e2Drives. “With the slightest pedal stroke, the bike responds instantly and super smoothly,” says Frédéric Jung from the Btwin branch at Decathlon. However, it does not use a belt; the e-bike retains a traditional chain, without a derailleur.

However, this is not the first e-bike with automatic transmission. The O2feel iSwan has a Shimano Di2 multi-speed automatic transmission, and the Dutch Vanmoof has also adopted this solution, with customizable gears via the app. Decathlon, however, opts for a continuously variable transmission technology found on many high-end bikes, via Enviolo. Moreover, the brand plans to deploy this gearbox across other models: “there’s no reason not to use this motor and technology on all city bikes.”

The brand has not yet specified when the Decathlon LD 920 E will be available. We will learn more very soon, as they tell us, hopefully with a test at the handlebar at the beginning of 2023. The price? It will be difficult to keep it below €2,000, considering the 920 E already lists for €1,899.

Also read: Test Dance, our review of the rental electric bike