Halfords latest Carrera Crossfuse Electric Hybrid bicycle comes of age
The e-bike boom in the UK took off in 2018 and one player in particular - Halfords - was quick to capitalise on it with a wide range of âassistedâ bikes, capped by its own-brand flagship, the Carrera Crossfuse.
It was a highly capable, fun, somewhat straightlaced-looking contender with good build quality, a mid-drive Bosch motor, Shimano Acera 9 Speed gears, front suspension and a fetching brown, leather-look Selle Italia saddle. I clocked up decent mileage while reviewing it and liked its smooth dependability. So, evidently, did the thief who climbed into my garden and stole it.
The lynchpin of Halfordsâ range is now being replaced with a new bike of the same name (and same ÂŁ1,999 price tag), but with an extra dash of style, possibly even higher build quality and a better-integrated battery than the old one which looked, by todayâs standards, last-minute bolt-on.
On the new, slightly sportier-looking model the Bosch Active Line Plus motor and Bosch 400Wh battery have been replaced by an all-Shimano act including that firmâs Steps EP6 drive unit generating 85Nm of torque and a removable 418Wh battery, boasting a claimed maximum range of 80 miles (average range 35-40), comparable with its predecessor.
Other kit on the new bike includes Shimanoâs own, fairly basic, SC-EN500 handlebar-mounted LCD display allowing the selection of three riding modes and a walk mode, as well as range and odometer data.
Royal plush
Halfords have fitted 9-speed Shimano gears again, with a single chainring at the front for simplicity, effective and progressive Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, Suntour NEX HLO lockout forks with 63mm of travel, a plush Selle Royal saddle that incorporates âRoyalgelâ padding, and generously-sized, grippy alloy cage pedals.
Sensibly - for London cyclists - it is equipped with (relatively narrow) Schwalbe Citizen 700x40c tyres with which include K-Guard technology for fewer punctures on all the glass left behind by the boroughsâ recycling collections.
Looks-wise itâs smart and dynamic. The review bike came in vibrant green, contrasting effectively with the nicely tapered âsilverâ handlebars, seat post and, again, brown saddle. Unlike some rivals it still has a visibly-attached lockable battery, but it is better integrated than before. Itâs easy to remove and refit and can be charged on or off the bike with the supplied charger.
To some extent, Halfords undersells this bike on its website; even at first glance the quality is evident, backed by (largely) silent progress on the road. Largely? The review bike had optional mudguards that âchatteredâ over rougher surfaces, marring otherwise serene progress.
So howâs it go? Snick the selector into the lowest assistance mode and performance is underwhelming. It is this mode, clearly, that the designers used when they claimed that 80-mile range. There is some assistance but itâs best saved for level roads or when youâre afraid youâre running low on watts after a long ride.
Wind fun
Only when you snick up into the second of three assistance modes with the simple-to-use control unit are you rewarded with the âwind at your backâ feel that makes e-bikes, including this one, so much fun. All (legal) e-bikes are limited to 15.5mph and you get there swiftly enough in the middle mode, still getting plenty of exercise, if thatâs what you want. The harder you pedal the more help you get.
Select the top level of assistance, however, and the Crossfuseâs Jekyll and Hyde character is revealed. It springs to life, accelerating beautifully and swiftly through the gears up to its top speed, at which point assistance is subtly removed. Acceleration is so brisk that if you pull away from a standstill in too low a gear, your feet wonât keep up. Itâs more than a match for London traffic.
Thereâs minimal noise from the power unit (just a restrained whine as with most motors) and the gears change smoothly and efficiently up and down. As with most zero-mileage e-bikes the gears soon require adjustment as new cables stretch into place, slightly marring the changes.
The ride quality is very good thanks in part to those front forks absorbing the knocks. It handles and steers crisply for a hybrid, makes for a very effective commuting or touring bike and feels very nicely balanced indeed. Weight? Halfordsâ website says itâs 23 kgs, although they may have weighed a larger-framed model as the test unit tipped our scales at just 21.25 kgs, so itâs a kilogram or so heavier than the old one but still lighter to lift than, for instance, Halfordsâ more âbudgetâ Impel.
Night light
Niggles? Unlike the cheaper Impel thereâs no Bluetooth app-interaction with the control unit, so you canât alter the amount of assistance in each mode. Itâs a shame for those who like to tinker, but with a wide spread of power assistance already available, hardly a deal breaker. Itâs a pity the bike doesnât come with more specific handbook, or with built-in lights as does the Impel (saving the faff of attaching lights then pocketing them while youâre parked on a night out) but again, it wonât be a deal-breaker for most.
This Crossfuse very much offers the magical illusion of riding downhill when youâre actually climbing, thanks to all the oomph from the motor and the carefully selected gearing, roundly flattering your legs, lungs and self-image. The cables are more discreetly routed and concealed than before and the alloy frameâs paint finish is tough enough to withstand a knock or two as I found when it took a tumble against a solid bollard while being pictured.
Other likes? The motor is more compact and streamlined, power feed-in is well judged both at moving speeds and from a standstill, the grips are claimed to be âergonomically designedâ and are indeed very comfortable. The rims - and black hubs - are sleek and there is very good attention to detail throughout. It certainly feels a generous cut above the less expensive Impel range and a more modern offering than the outgoing model, in quality and performance. The fun-to-ride Crossfuse has come of age.
The Facts
Halfords Carrera Crossfuse Electric Hybrid bike ÂŁ1,999
Gear shifters: Shimano CUES 9 speed RapidFire
Rear Derailleur: Shimano CUES RD-U4000, 9 speed
Brakes: hydraulic discs
Tyres: Schwalbe Citizen, 700x40c
Approximate weight: 21.2 kgs (including optional mudguards)
Motor: Mid-drive Shimano EP6 DU-EP600, 250w, 85Nm
Maximum claimed range: 80 miles