A versatile Swiss all-rounder – The Thömus Longrider E2 in review

Switzerland has much more to offer than just mountains, cheese and chocolate. Look at Thömus, for example. They’ve been producing bikes for more than 30 years, each of them tailored to the customer’s requirements. We tested the Thömus Longrider E2, a sporty ebike for the urban jungle that does justice to the brand’s premium image!

A beautiful view: the Thömus Longrider E2 is quite a looker! This isn’t just due to the high-quality components but also the design of the Longrider E2. The carbon frame features clean lines with the top tube extending through to the seat stays, and the front end also flows seamlessly over to the rigid carbon fork. The Shimano EP8 motor is clad with a colour-matched cover while the 726 Wh battery is neatly integrated into the down tube. Although removing the battery works well enough, the handling would be easier still if the mechanism were more precise.

Up front, all cables are routed into the frame via the stem, underlining the tidy look. Furthermore, the inconspicuous Shimano STEPS SC-E8000 display is perfectly integrated with the drivetrain components on the handlebar. Unfortunately, the rather small colour display only provides basic information about the ride, lacking additional features such as onboard navigation. Other systems have significantly more to offer for the tech nerds amongst us.

The drivetrain itself is supplied by Shimano’s XT groupset, providing 12 gears. It comes from the MTB sector and offers a big gear range thanks to the huge 51 t cassette, giving you suitable gearing for everything from fast rides on flat terrain to the steepest mountain pass climbs! On the descents, you can trust the stopping power of Shimano’s ICE-TECH rotors, consisting of a 203 mm version up front and a 180 mm model at the rear.

Incidentally, we were also able to test another version of the Thömus Longrider E2 with hub gears and a belt drive. Thanks to the lack of maintenance this setup requires, it’s usually an interesting option for commuters, though we wouldn’t recommend it here. Due to the motor’s delayed response when you stop pedalling, gearshifts are delayed too, which is annoying. In this case, we prefer the quick shifting offered by the derailleur, which also has a much wider range and is better suited for mountainous topography or steep roads like those found in San Francisco or Stuttgart!

Thömus Longrider E2: as versatile as a Swiss army knife thanks to the configurator

Thanks to the high-quality lights, luggage rack, side stand and sturdy aluminium mudguards, the Longrider E2 is perfectly equipped for everyday use. The Supernova M99 headlight comes with a high beam function, which is controlled via an illuminated remote button on the handlebar. Unfortunately, you can only activate the lights via the display menu, which takes several clicks and is thus somewhat laborious. Other suppliers, such as Bosch, offer a dedicated light switch on the remote. The taillight is mounted to the luggage rack and also supplied by Supernova. Both are solid and functional components, though they lack modern features, such as a brake light function or a dedicated mounting system for a child seat, panniers or the like. In addition, the side stand is a little wobbly for our liking, leaving some room for improvement in the details.

The fact that Thömus refer to the diamond-shaped frame on test as a gender-specific men’s frame seems somewhat incongruent with the times. In contrast, the designation used for the “Comfort” step-through frame is much more fitting and neutral. That aside, we were particularly impressed with the number of configuration options available for the bike, allowing you to adapt almost everything! From the motor – allowing you to choose between the EP8 and the STEPS 6100 – to the drivetrain, wheels and tires. Rigid or suspension fork? And what kind of handlebar would you like? There are currently 14 models to choose from! Being able to choose the components according to your preferences is one of the big advantages that small brands such as Thömus have at their disposal.

On test: how the Thömus Longrider E2 rides

The name Longrider says it all. With a wheelbase of 1,140 mm (size M), it certainly is long for a city bike, ensuring very composed handling together with the large 29″ wheels. As such, it doesn’t excel at winding through narrow city traffic. We wouldn’t recommend weaving between passers-by on the sidewalk either, but that goes without saying 😉

However, there are several reasons why the Longrider E2 still feels agile. On the one hand, you’ve got the powerful Shimano EP8 motor, which offers three individually adjustable support modes and a solid performance. With the stock settings, we preferred the progressive Trail mode in the middle, which regulates the power output depending on your input and feels the most direct. The frame’s stiffness further contributes to the bike’s agile character. Despite its relatively high weight of 22.6 kg, it motivates you to get up and sprint as you pull away from traffic lights! Not a single Newton metre of output gets lost in the bike and you quickly reach the 25 km/h limit, at which the motor gently cuts off. Lastly, it also feels quick thanks to the Schwalbe Supermoto tires fitted to our test bike, offering minimal rolling resistance with their semi-slick tread. If you’re planning to do a lot of off-road riding, the configurator will allow you to choose more aggressive tires, appropriate for that kind of terrain.

At 1.85 m tall on a frame size M, the riding position aboard the Longrider E2 feels rather stretched. Alternatively, the frame is also available in sizes S and L, though the step-through Comfort model is limited to one size. If you can test ride the bike, you should definitely do so, as it would allow you to fine-tune the fit by selecting the right stem and handlebar in the configurator. Our tip: visit Thömus’ headquarters in Oberried, Switzerland where they’ve got a shop and test centre! If you’re lucky, you can meet the boss personally to have a chat and get advice!

Despite the rigid fork, the Longrider E2 doesn’t fall short on comfort. Thanks to the carbon construction, the fork is capable of absorbing small vibrations and the Cane Creek Thudbuster suspension seat post provides damping at the back. As such, rolling over slightly bumpy terrain such as cobblestone paths isn’t overly unpleasant, though you’ll still want to avoid curbs and potholes. Optionally, Thömus also offer a suspension fork for the Longrider E2, which would make for a much more comfortable and stable ride. Unfortunately, however, this destroys the city bike’s clean look! The Longrider E2 just can’t hide the fact that it’s a city-slicker through and through!

Our conclusion on the Thömus Longrider E2

If you’re after a sporty city companion with that something special, this is it. The Thömus Longrider E2 is a versatile bike for paved surfaces featuring high-quality components and a beautiful design. It’s highly configurable to suit your preferences, though you’ll want to keep an eye on the price. Starting at CHF 3,790 for a configuration like our test bike, you can quickly end up with a price tag of around CHF 7,000. But hey, you’re paying for Swiss quality and heritage after all!

Tuning tip: large 203 mm brake rotor at the rear too

Words: Oliver Gibler Photos: Benjamin Topf