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Bultaco Albero 4.5 test
The Spanish brand Bultaco is reborn from its ashes after a real history of victories, especially off-road. Disappeared for years, it was bought by a new Spanish company in 2010, sharing the same roots of passion and innovation.. And who says innovation today, says electric. It is therefore a whole electric mobility strategy that the manufacturer is now developing. And after the more all-terrain-oriented Brinco model unveiled in 2015, 2017 saw the arrival of the Albero, a definitely road-oriented model and thus completing the nascent range. A range in development since the brand announced three new products to come and to discover in 2018. Motobike! That we could translate by velomoto or motovelo. Car Bultaco insists on having created a new segment, with models borrowing from both bikes and motorcycles. A successful bet? Trial in Malaga on the manufacturer’s land.
Discovery
Bultaco were particularly light enduro models. The Albero is no exception to the rule with an overall light appearance even if the large central beam reinforced by the underlying battery thickens the whole. The inverted front fork is closer to a motorcycle fork while the center shock makes it more like a big ATV. The front discs even come close to high-end bicycle discs, despite being 203mm with 4-piston calipers reminiscent of motorcycle discs.
The saddle is on the other hand a real bicycle saddle like the chain as well as the gears (9) with the derailleur which goes with and naturally the pedals. We also change the gears on the handlebars on the left commodo, like on a bicycle. But we also accelerate with the throttle grip on the right. The speedometer is reminiscent of a mini motorcycle speedometer, while some motorcycles currently have speedometers similar to bicycle speedometers. The information is minimal with the totalizer, the battery level and the indication of the ride-by-wire mode. Because yes, the Albero offers three modes between eco, touring and sport.
As for the lighting, 100% led, it really allows you to see the road at night beyond signaling its presence, as is the case on a bicycle. And we will appreciate the very trendy face of the front headlight and the line of LEDs at the back, that no hipster will deny.
In short, you would almost lose your Latin. But Bultaco insists above all on the sensations on the handlebars. So let’s not go on about it and give it a try.
In the saddle
If you can adjust the saddle in height, you climb on the Albero like on a bicycle with the same feeling of lightness as a bicycle. The handlebars move just as easily and almost freely while the first instinct is to pedal, which is possible to help the engine, even if it is completely unnecessary, especially in sport mode. The engine is cut off at the right stalk, under the thumb; an automatism to prevent a bad support from making you jump in a brutal way. On the other hand, on the left stalk, there is a cruise control, which eliminates the need to turn the handle to maintain the same regular speed..
The overall finish is rather there, especially once in the saddle, with clean cables and quality plastics. Only certain welds of the central beam could have been better finished. Of course, the beam is made of aluminum and aluminum welding is not the easiest to achieve..
It remains to pass the transponder on the meter to start the system.
In the city
In fact the Eco mode, puts the model at the same level as an electrically assisted bicycle bringing to 25km / h. The slightest odds then require assistance while pedaling … on the other hand, the Touring mode allows you to completely free yourself from pedaling by bringing without pedaling to 50 km / h, even if by regulation the speed is normally limited to 45 km / h. In fact, the model is original flanged, in particular in order to spare the battery and preserve its longevity. The Albero is in fact guaranteed for 1,000 charges, each charge being able to provide 100 km of range, or 100,000 km potentially. Because unbridled, it is capable of reaching a good 70 km / h.
The first few times are a bit unsettling, so we are not used to setting off quickly but rather used to finding our balance in the first few meters. Above all, the throttle grip is sensitive and offers instant response and equally instant torque with 60 Nm! Your best bet is to avoid actually wanting to both pedal and accelerate. We just accelerate, which is done gently in eco mode, flexible in Touring mode and nervously in Sport mode..
Once the beast has been tamed, Sport mode is clearly the most playful, instantaneous and fun mode, because the driving is then dynamic. But on a daily basis, to make the trip home work, the Touring mode allows in large cities to barely take more time than a large cube. Because on-board computer set, in town, my daily journey of 40 minutes is done at an average of 35 km / h, well below the 50 km / h of the Abero. Only notable point, I do not have a fast lane and it is hard to imagine taking the ring road with the Bultaco … unless, as promised, the town hall still lowers the speed to 50km / h.
In fact, it is the odds that are impressive because the Albero swallows them in a simple way, where it would be necessary to dismount for the majority of cyclists. It is no longer assistance; we are even more dynamic and efficient than with a 50cc moped. Because there are plenty of ways to reach 50km / h. And the torque available instantly and the light weight of the Bultaco, offer an excellent weight / power ratio and therefore ease and dynamics unmatched VAE.
Where the first electric bikes needed pedaling, here it can be forgotten. However, there is a crankset, with 9 speeds, which can be easily switched to the handlebars, thus making it possible to help or not, to do a little sport or not, or in any case to exercise, especially in mode. eco, where you can clearly feel the driver’s muscle contribution.
And it’s also natural downhill, where you descend like a mountain bike, to accentuate the notion of overall lightness, similar to a bicycle. Yet the Albero weighs 42 kilos and when stationary when you want to take it to lift it like a bicycle to put it against a wall, you can feel the weight and the efforts that must be made to get there, closer weight lifting than usual ease.
In fact, downhill, we appreciate the braking … at two levels. At two levels, because the first brake socket cuts the engine and the second, if you continue to take the handle, acts on the front and rear discs. And there is nothing to worry about locking the wheels, like on a mountain bike. The feeling and the power are there besides, contributing to the overall driving pleasure.
And for the more observant, the Bultaco then turns on its brake light when braking !
Highway
No, we didn’t go so far as to use it on the motorway, limited by its 50km / h. On the other hand, with its 100 kilometers of autonomy, we can consider making long trips, even going by bike by pedaling to finish with the engine..
We can finally switch from one mode to another while driving … even if the selection is made on a button on the meter and would have been better positioned on one of the stems.
Comfort
Inverted front fork, huge central shock absorber, we go beyond the frame of a standard bike, with excellent comfort reinforced by excellent damping of road defects. It is both sporty and efficient while erasing the roughness of the ground.
Convenient
There is no safe and we will not compare with a scooter. On the other hand, the battery is removable, once the lock has been released and a screw has been loosened; the whole thing is done in about fifteen seconds and is therefore easy to carry out on a daily basis. All that remains is to connect the battery to the small dedicated charger, itself to be plugged into a standard outlet. Bultaco announces a 95% charge in 3 hours.
It remains to get a good motorcycle lock, to hang on a good fixed point to secure everything in town.
It should be noted that this is the 4.5 model but that the Albero also exists in version 2.5, limited to 25 km / h. The difference ? The 4.5 requires as a cyclo, insurance, license plate and helmet.
Conclusion
The market is starting to offer credible offers now in electrical terms. The Albero offers much more than an electric bike or VAE, with sensations close to motorized two-wheelers. Above all, it offers two faces and a real versatility of use, much better than a simple tool to get the baguette on weekends, forgetting the odds to come back. The performances are also there and it is not a by-product. The quality of the components also puts it at a higher level compared to many Chinese imports. It remains its price at almost 5,700 euros, which reserves it for the moment to an elite, wanting to afford a beautiful product, effective and solid. But the price of batteries should fall by 75% in the next 5 years and associated with a larger production suggests models more accessible to ordinary people, that is to say when some cities will have also banned their city center at all. thermal vehicle. Now, if you were looking for the solution and it is within your reach, the Albero is available in a silver and brown version..
Strong points
- Versatility
- Sensations
- Braking
Weak points
- Price
The technical sheet of the Bultaco Albero 4.5
Test conditions
- Itinerary: city
- Mileage: 75 km
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Hello,
For my part, this article transcribes very well the sensations I experienced during my tests.It is a very fun vehicle and has no comparison with any other vehicle.The spyder F3 S is great to drive.
My wife, who also tried it, shared this opinion. I also tried the more tourism-oriented RT version which has wiser behavior.
But the spyder F3 S with its 3CYL engine and the exhaust that goes well is a real pleasure.
Hello,
For my part, this article transcribes very well the sensations I experienced during my tests.It is a very fun vehicle and has no comparison with any other vehicle.The spyder F3 S is great to drive.
My wife, who also tried it, shared this opinion. I also tried the more tourism-oriented RT version which has wiser behavior.
But the spyder F3 S with its 3CYL engine and the exhaust that goes well offers a real pleasure.
lolo.