Too big, too heavy, too slow — despite their great popularity, standard SUV e-bikes also have some negative characteristics. However, the new Entice L Advance from Kalkhoff wants to prove that things can be done differently. An e-bike that combines a striking look with comfortable equipment and a low weight. Our test will show how well this works in everyday use and what compromises are made to achieve this!

Design

Just a glance at the massive tyres indicates that the Entice L Advance can also cope off-road. The coarse tyre profile, the its width and the brown sidewalls give the bike an adventure look that makes it look good in the countryside too. The frame color in Moonstone Grey, a matt shade somewhere between grey, sand and beige, matches this perfectly.

The frame itself is anything but massive — and thus offers a successful contrast to the voluminous tires. The flat top tube looks almost delicate and even the down tube is quite slim, despite the removable battery being located there. And even on the handlebars, the electric drive can only be recognized by a compact button with display, making it pleasantly inconspicuous.

The same applies to the cables and lines on the cockpit, which disappear directly into the frame on the stem and contribute to the clean look of the bike. This is also not disturbed by the numerous add-on parts such as mudguards, lighting system, pannier rack and suspension — they are all kept discreetly in black, allowing the frame and wheels to shine in the foreground.

Equipment

As with all new lightweight models, Kalkhoff relies on the new Performance Line SX drive from Bosch for the Entice L Advance. Despite its compact dimensions and light weight, it offers an impressive output of up to 600 watts and a torque of 55 Nm. The CompactTube battery with its 400 Wh capacity, which can be conveniently removed for charging, also offers decent performance. A real advantage that only a few bikes with the new SX system can offer! If you need even more range in between, you can also connect the optional PowerMore additional battery with a further 250 Wh. The electric drive is controlled via the compact Purion 200 controller on the handlebars, which shows all the important information on its color display.

While conventional SUV bikes usually focus on maximum power and maximum battery capacity, the Entice L Advance takes a different approach: the motor and battery offer adequate and sufficient power, but have the advantage of being lighter — which ultimately results in better handling of the bike!

The mechanical drivetrain on the bike consists of a Shimano Cues 9-speed derailleur, while the hydraulic disc brakes are also from Shimano and are of the MT200 type. The off-road-compatible Racing Ralph Performance tires from Schwalbe in 27.5” format are 57 mm wide and the SR Suntour NCX32-E suspension fork at the front offers a suspension travel of 75 mm. The stem of the bike can be adjusted upwards by up to 90° for flexible adjustment to the desired riding position.

The sturdy plastic mudguards and the permanently installed lighting system from Herrmans ensure a high level of everyday usability at any time and in any weather. This also includes the pannier rack, which has a load capacity of 25 kg and is compatible with the MIK system. Bags, boxes or baskets can be attached and removed in no time at all using the click system. The spring flap on the luggage carrier is almost a rarity these days: it can be used to spontaneously clamp something to the carrier. Handy!

If you need even more transportation options, you can also attach a custom-made front carrier with a load capacity of 10 kg to the Entice L Advance. The frame has four mounting points to securely attach the carrier.

Operation

Controlling the Bosch drive on the handlebars is simple and easy to understand with the Purion 200, which has five easy-to-reach buttons with a well-defined pressure point. In addition to the selected riding mode, a color display also shows a variety of other information about your ride. If you want more individualization, you can configure this extensively with Bosch’s free eBike Flow app. The personally preferred riding modes can also be selected there.

We have already praised the ability to remove the battery for charging. The process itself is also pleasantly simple: the attached plastic cover is removed by pulling it upwards, and the battery itself is also removed by pulling it upwards. If you want to charge the battery directly on the bike, you can of course also do this. The charging socket is positioned above the motor and is securely closed by a rotating cover.

As expected, the mechanical Cues shifting system is easy to operate. Although the groupset is more of a mid-range model, shifting operations and speed are sufficiently precise, simple and fast.

Riding impressions

The wide and coarsely profiled tires are also noticeable on the first few meters with the Entice L Advance, because their rolling noise on smooth asphalt is rather loud. A fact that you have to accept for the off-road capability. The same applies to the higher rolling resistance. However, if you are riding on unpaved surfaces, the tires really come into their own and reward you with plenty of grip. Together with the responsive air suspension fork at the front, the bike also effectively absorbs rough bumps, which noticeably increases riding comfort. Not only off-road, but also on potholes in the city. At most, a suspension seat post would be desirable. However, it is relatively easy to retrofit one yourself.

Regardless of the terrain, the Entice L Advance has none of the sluggishness of conventional SUV bikes. One reason for this is the comparatively light weight, which we weighed at 21.6 kg on the test bike in frame size M. Secondly, of course, the Performance Line SX motor, which makes the bike very agile. As the cadence increases, the motor rewards you with additional support and encourages you to pedal sportily. Of the various riding modes, the Auto mode was also the most appealing, responding very directly to the rider’s input. On the other hand, those who prefer a more leisurely approach can make good progress in Turbo mode, even with less power.

The sound level also varies depending on the support provided by the motor. If the electric drive only has to work a little, it is pleasantly quiet and you hardly notice it; under full load, on the other hand, it emits a clearly audible whirring noise, which is hardly disturbing in its pitch. You can hear even less of the freewheel in the rear wheel, whose clicking noises are pleasingly discreet. Once you reach the 25 km/h limit, the motor decouples gently and you can continue pedaling under your own steam.

In terms of riding position, it is a good compromise between sportiness and comfort, so you don’t sit too stretched out on the bike. The slightly backward curved and raised handlebars are also pleasant and, together with the Ergon GA30 handlebar grips, provide a comfortable position.

Conclusion

The Entice L Advance makes it easy to enjoy the benefits of an SUV e-bike without regrets: despite the fat tires, equipment suitable for everyday use and the suspension, Kalkhoff has succeeded in making the bike relatively lightweight — which, in combination with the lively Bosch SX drive, makes it a lot of fun to ride on both urban and off-road terrain!

Handy details such as the removable battery, the MIK system rear pannier rack or the option of attaching a solid front rack make the bike even more versatile.

You can get the Entice L Advance from your local dealer for 3,599 euros. In addition to the version tested here, the bike is also available as a Wave version with a comfort frame and low step-through, while the black Darksprings Glossy is another color option to choose from. Further information on this and the other new lightweight models can be found directly on Kalkhoff’s website.