We tested the Lemmo One extensively here last year and could only find a few criticisms of the smart bike. This is exactly what Lemmo wants to have rectified with the new MK2 version — and also offers more comfort and functionality with new accessories. Our Lemmo One MK2 ST test will show whether these new features make the bike a perfect smart bike.

Design

There are no surprises in the design of the Lemmo One, which is identical to the original model in its MK2 version. That’s good news, because the look of the bike was impressive right from the start! This also applies to our test bike with the suffix “ST”, which is the smallest frame size with a lowered top tube and is particularly suitable for riders between 160 and 185 cm tall. Another characteristic feature here is the top tube that runs through to the rear wheel, with the seat stay offset inwards.

Equally unusual is the placement of the battery, which sits in the front triangle of the frame and is barely noticeable as such with its gray fabric cover. The electric drive is also integrated inconspicuously — the compact hub motor in the rear wheel, the purist display in the top tube and the two buttons on the handlebars are only visible at second glance.

Other details also contribute to the clean look of the bike: the cables and lines are routed directly into the frame on the handlebars, a very compact rear light is installed on the slim pannier rack and the headlight at the front is integrated into the frame — and can even be removed from there to be used as a flashlight with its own integrated battery.

And then there are the new accessories for more comfort and functionality: firstly, the suspension seat post, with its suspension invisibly built into the inside of the saddle. There is also a stem with a built-in smartphone holder that can be used with any smartphone. With these specially developed parts, Lemmo once again demonstrates its high design standards.

Equipment

Although the electric drive on the MK2 model is basically unchanged from its predecessor, there is one significant innovation! The new Lemmo One once again comes with the 40 Nm hub motor in the rear wheel, which can still be decoupled from the freewheel. Thanks to this Dual Mode Hub, the bike can be ridden like a conventional “analog” bike even without a battery, without the inactive motor potentially slowing you down. The Smartpac battery offers a decent capacity of 540 Wh, can be removed and then be used as a power bank with its two USB ports. However, the torque sensor for the e-drive is brand new and enables more natural motor control. Very good, because this is where the predecessor showed its weaknesses!

With mudguards, pannier rack and kickstand, the Lemmo One offers a comprehensive everyday equipment package that leaves little to be desired. A bell is also installed, albeit in the form of a button on the right-hand side of the handlebars. The warning tone is then output via an integrated loudspeaker. This also emits the alarm signal of the anti-theft device — because yes, the Lemmo One is a real Smart Bike!

Thanks to an integrated GPS sensor, the bike can be tracked via the smartphone in the Lemmo app, and the MK2 model is now also certified for Apple’s “Find My” network and can be located via Apple’s app. To prevent the bike from being stolen in the first place, a mechanical lock is installed on the rear wheel. This is electronically controlled, which is why you don’t even need a key!

The lighting system consists of a compact rear light, which offers a brake light function in the event of deceleration. The 20 lux headlight at the front is also more for being seen, as the small light is hardly a substitute for a fully-fledged headlight. Its secondary function as a removable flashlight is well-intentioned, but you will rarely use it in everyday life. It would be nice if Lemmo offered a fully-fledged headlamp as an accessory — thanks to the modular design, this could be retrofitted quite easily.

Fitted to the test bike, the comfort handlebars, the suspension seat post with saddle and the stem with integrated smartphone holder are optional accessories. This means that all generations of the Lemmo One can be retrofitted, only the current Special Urban Edition already has these parts as standard.

Operation

We already noticed that the smartphone plays a central role on the Lemmo One when we tested its predecessor. All of the bike’s functions can be controlled via the free app, which now makes a very good impression. However, basic functions can also be controlled without the smartphone: the bike can be unlocked or locked by pressing both buttons on the handlebars at the same time, while the right button is used to switch between the three riding modes while riding. One press of the button shifts up a gear, a double press of the button takes you back to a lower riding mode. Visual feedback is provided by the compact, monochrome display on the top tube, which shows the riding mode and battery status.

Removing this Smartpac battery is quite simple: after pressing the release button, the battery can be pushed down on its guide rail and taken out. A flap can then be pulled down to close the contact connections on the bike so that they are well protected from the weather. There is no need to worry about theft of the valuable Smartpac: it can be locked electronically via an app, which means it is mechanically fixed to the bike. A traditional key is not necessary here either.

As we can see, if you want to go beyond the basic functions, you have to use the app — which is worthwhile, as it offers far more features. The app allows you to activate the bike’s alarm system, set an automatic lock time in case of inactivity as well as displaying all current riding data such as speed and battery level. The new dashboard also displays the current ride on a map and saves connected tours. In this context, it is a little surprising that Lemmo has not yet integrated a navigation function.

The integrated smartphone holder in the stem is only visible at second glance. But if you unfold two tabs and slide them apart, you can attach the smartphone between them. This process is somewhat more complicated than with conventional mounting systems, but is more flexible when it comes to different smartphone sizes and does not require a special smartphone case. Once inserted, the device sits securely on the handlebars and does not wobble thanks to the firm rubber coating of the mount.

If you want to ride without e-assist, leave the battery at home and set the adjusting knob on the motor from “E” for electric to “M” for manual. The motor is then mechanically decoupled from the freewheel and the rear wheel runs a little more easily without resistance. Even if you are riding without the battery, the lighting system and the display on the top tube continue to work. Lemmo has integrated a second battery that supplies the necessary power and is recharged by the Smartpac as soon as it is placed on the bike.

Riding impressions

While we described the electric drive on its predecessor as “not particularly harmonious”, the new Lemmo One MK2 ST presents a completely different picture in the test thanks to its torque sensor. Together with the latest firmware update, the bike now offers much more sensitive support, with the motor’s power being provided in line with the pedal pressure. Significant progress has been made here!

Another positive aspect is the very quiet noise of the motor, and no clattering can be heard from the freewheel. Some minor points of criticism are the slightly long overrun of the motor when the pedal stops turning and a slightly delayed response of the motor when starting off.

Here, however, you will quickly appreciate another feature of the Lemmo One: If you press and hold the right-hand button on the handlebars, the boost function is activated and the bike accelerates at full power. You’ll win the race at the traffic lights pretty easily and effortlessly!

The new comfort equipment accessories also make a good impression: the ergonomically shaped cruiser handlebar allows a natural grip and raises the cockpit by 50 mm. This results in a pleasantly upright sitting position, which makes riding the Lemmo One comfortable. The suspension saddle also contributes to this, offering 30 mm of suspension travel and providing good service on uneven roads.

Thanks to Shimano’s Deore derailleur gears with 10 gears, even steeper climbs can be mastered, and the gears offer enough range to make progress at a moderate cadence even beyond 30 km/h. Equipped with this, the Lemmo One proves to be extremely flexible, which is ultimately also advantageous in manual mode: even without electronic assistance, the bike is surprisingly easy to ride thanks to the gears! The bike’s comparatively light weight of less than 16 kg is also a benefit here; in combination with the 3 kg Smartpac, the ready-to-ride e-bike weighs just under 19 kg.

Conclusion

So is the new Lemmo One MK2 the perfect smart bike without any weaknesses? Certainly not quite, but it has come a whole lot closer to this point! Thanks to the torque sensor, the electric drive now offers much more harmonious assistance, which remedies the major criticism of its predecessor. Thanks to its comprehensive equipment, the Lemmo One is ideally equipped for everyday use, where the removable Smartpac battery also proves to be extremely handy. The new comfort equipment components in no way detract from the bike’s outstanding design, but they do make riding the Lemmo One much more convenient.

As impressive as the many software features of the Lemmo One are, they also require the user to be willing to deal with so much high-tech. This also includes the numerous updates with which Lemmo is constantly improving the bike and which can be downloaded to the bike via the app.

At 2,289 euros, the base price of the Lemmo One ST tested here is quite reasonable, with the optional components of the comfort accessories of the test bike: the suspension saddle costs 119 euros, the cruising handlebars 49 euros and the stem with smartphone holder 53 euros. These and all other variants of the Lemmo One can be configured and ordered directly on the Lemmo website.