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The Gazelle NL C8 HMB is a cruiser style, mid-sized utility electric bike, that has been refined in several key ways for 2018. The older C7 offered a 7-speed internally geared hub vs. an 8-speeds now, and you can see that reflected in the C8 name. It shipped with an efficient Bosch Active Line mid-motor vs. the Performance Line Cruise mid-motor here, the difference being ~15 newton meters of torque increase. And, it had a lower capacity Bosch PowerPack 400 vs. the 500 here, offering roughly 25% more energy to extend rides and provide a zippier ride feel. This is a beautiful looking, feature-complete, urban utility bike that is easy to approach and comfortable to ride. The double tube step-thru frame design provides a lower stand over height, it’s available in three sizes (possibly four in Europe) for optimal fit, and the stem can tilt to raise or optimize handlebar position. Even though this ebike does not ship with a suspension for, it provides a comfortable and stable ride. Gazelle chose wider rims with reinforcement eyelets that can handle heavier loads and bumpier streets, even packed dirt and gravel. Wider 28″ x 2″ CST Metropolitan Palmbay tires provide stability and dampen vibration when used at lower pressure (they are rated 30 to 65 PSI). These tires also have level 1 puncture protection and reflective sidewall stripes to keep you safe. With five beautiful colors to choose from, two of them lighter, and integrated LED lights that run off of the main battery pack… it’s a platform that’s capable year-round as the seasons and day/night cycles change. Electric bicycles like this are versatile because they could serve as a commuting platform, casual neighborhood ride, or family wagon. The sprung saddle and matching ergonomic grips allow you to ride longer without fatigue and the premium composite fenders and enclosed chain cover will keep you clean and dry all the way. They are also very quiet and sturdy compared to many others I have tested. Not everything is perfect here, there are some trade-offs to be considered in the name of functionality. The NL model, which stands for Netherlands, is one of Gazelle’s heaviest electric bikes, weighing roughly 62.8 lbs (28.4 kg) because of the large racks, more powerful motor, built-in cafe lock, and internally geared hub. The company has enabled walk-mode for all 2018+ models, and that’s a welcome feature in those moments when you’re walking through a park or pushing up a ramp, especially if you’ve got a child seat on the back and some groceries or books on the front. And yes, the Yepp Nexxt child seat is compatible with this rear rack! Older Yepp models required a rectangular window to sit down into, and that was not compatible with many rear-rack battery ebikes. The new one clamps on from the sides. The rar-rack tubing is slightly thicker than most standard bicycle racks I have seen, and may not work with all clip-on panniers. The kickstand is great for loading both racks, because it stabilizes the bike perfectly centered if the ground is flat… but it also hangs down a bit when riding, and could scrape obstacles like curbs if you get too close. Gazelle specs a locking headset that secures the font of the bike, keeping it straight for easy loading. Note that the front rack is attached to the fork and does turn with you, as you steer the bike. When fully loaded, up to 22 lbs (10 kg) the rack may impact steering a bit.
Driving the Gazelle NL C8 is a Bosch Performance Line Cruise mid-motor rated from 250 to 570 watts with peak torque output of 63 Newton meters. The torque rating is important because it allows you to start quickly, climb effectively, and transport heavier loads in combination with the 8-speed internally geared hub. The bike feels zippy and allows you to shift smoothly with motor controller shift detection, so you won’t put as much pressure on the drivetrain. I mentioned the additional gear for 2018 and how clean the chain cover is, but I want to expand on those benefits by adding how durable the Shimano Nexus Inter8 has been, that it allows shifting at standstill, and that you probably won’t ever drop the chain because there’s no derailleur and extra sprockets in use… just a single rear cog and a single front chainring. The only downside is weight and slightly slower shifting response. The chainring here is a 15 tooth (38 tooth equivalent) design which spins 2.5 revolutions for every single crank arm revolution. This gear reduction requires an internal gearbox that adds some weight and noise. The motor weighs roughly 8.8lbs vs. 6.3lbs to 7.1lbs on newer Bosch Active Line motors (the lower powered, more compact offering from Bosch). Note that the Active Line motor used on the 2017 Gazelle NL probably weighed closer to 8 lbs because it was a first generation design. Anyway, Gazelle has added a fully-enclosed plastic chain cover to keep your pant legs and dress ends clean. In my own experience, the Bosch Performance Line motors are able to start and stop extremely quickly, making them intuitive, confidence-inspiring, and satisfying to ride. I love that this particular motor series can assist up to 120 pedal strokes per minute because I tend to enjoy spinning and revving to reach high speeds vs. shifting down and lumbering along. Frankly, you can ride however you’d like with this electric bicycle and the motor will be there to support you in a reliable way. It may be overkill for some neighborhood environments, with limited hills and fairly smooth terrain, but it’s definitely fun and capable for moving kids and cargo. The Bosch motor controller measures rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque over 1,000 times per second and that translates to near-instant starts and stops. The bike feels smooth and fast, the components are attached well and don’t make a lot of noise (aside from the fenders, cafe lock, and kickstand bouncing a bit) but the motor does produce a noticeable whine at the higher RPMs when riding in the upper levels of assist. I tried to demonstrate this in the video review by mounting the camera to the frame later on, in the ride test. There wasn’t a whole lot of traffic in Santa Cruz, California, where I filmed this review, but it was pretty windy out. The motor noise might not have been quite as pronounced as it has been when reviewing other bikes with the same drive unit in quiet wind-free neighborhoods. On some ebikes, mostly mountain models, the whine is masked by knobby tires and the sounds of gravel and organic material along the trail, but you really hear it on smooth pavement and that might annoy some people. It’s one of the trade-offs when moving from the Active Line series to the Performance Line. Another trade-off to consider is a slight increase in pedal drag when riding unassisted. If the motor is off or if you’re pedaling beyond the maximum supported speed of 20mph (35km/h), the reduction gearing adds some friction.
Powering the NL C8 HMB is a rear-rack mounted Powerpack 500 from Bosch. It contains high-density Lithium-ion cells and weighs about 6.1 lbs (which is about 0.3 pounds more than the donwtube mounted Bosch PowerPack). Depending on the assist level you choose, this electric bike should go at least 30 and up to 100+ miles per charge. Because the motor is pulling the same chain that you pedal with, it’s up to you to shift gears thoughtfully and empower it, to improve leverage. The larger Bosch Intuvia LCD display, that comes with this model, has a shift recommendation graphic that appears as an up and down arrow when it senses that you could empower the motor more efficiently; look for it at the top left portion of the display screen when riding. This feedback is only a recommendation, and I love that Bosch supports you up to 120 RPM, as mentioned earlier, because I sometimes prefer to spin fast for a cardio feel and reduced strain on my knees. Anyway, the battery pack can be charged on or off the bike frame and it uses the same plug style in both locations, which is nice, there’s no adapter dongle to keep track of. The included Bosch four-amp charger is two times faster than most generic chargers I see but is still very compact and relatively lightweight at just 1.7 pounds. When you unlock the battery and slide it out of the rack, there’s a handle at the end to make carrying safe and comfortable. The rack is designed in such a way that it completely surrounds and protects the battery, and has plenty of extra room on the top and sides for trunk bags, panniers, and child seats like the Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi referenced earlier. I keep bringing this up because it’s important to get the model that mounts on the sides vs. the older center window one. The locking core that secures the battery pack is keyed-alike to match the cafe lock, and this adds convenience. It’s one of those extra little things that set Gazelle apart. As great as the rear rack is, it does extend forward to the point where the saddle and large springs can collide and scrape the paint. This was a bummer to discover during my ride tests, because I suspect that some petite riders will want to lower the seat all the way down, and there just isn’t quite enough space if the saddle isn’t positioned forward on the seat post clamp. It’s something you can adjust, but the demo model I tried (the small size) did have some scratches on the rear rack… and considering how beautiful the paint-matched tubing is, it’s something I’d want to protect. I love that both lights on this bike are integrated, powered by the battery pack, and positioned out of the way. They are positioned below the racks and won’t be blocked by cargo. The front headlight is aimable and seems to have plenty of room above the tire… I have seen some competing products that have a non-aimable light that collides with the racks. I love how the Bosch Intuvia display also runs off of the main battery and offers a little Micro-USB port for charging portable electronics on the go. It’s another reason that the higher capacity Bosch 500 battery is nice to have here, so you can charge your phone, an additional light, maybe some speakers, or even holiday lights to string across the frame ;)
Once the battery is charged and locked to the frame, simply press the power button on the Bosch Intuvia display panel. This is one of my alltime favorite control / display systems because it’s so large and easy to see, feature rich but not confusing, reliable to click and intuitive even without looking down, and completely removable for reduced wear. Yes, the display itself is a bit larger, but I appreciate the size because my eyesight isn’t perfect. The screen is backlit with a faint blue glow that cannot be disabled, but can be lowered by entering into the settings menu. The main readouts are current speed, battery capacity (five bars), and current assist level (off, eco, tour, sport, turbo). The highest level of assist is required to get you close to 20mph, and you are required to shift gears in order to pedal up to that speed, but with the increased speed comes higher power use and increased noise. Most of my time is spent in Tour mode to balance efficiency with support. To change assist levels, just press the + or – keys on the control pad, located within reach of the left grip. The center button has an i on it, which is replicated on the right side of the display system. This i button will cycle through trip stats such as average speed, max speed, clock, and range. Range is a cool menu because it dynamically adjusts as you ride and change assist levels. It’s a great way to gauge how far you can ride in each mode and is much more precise than the battery infographic with 20% steps. I want to point out that this display can swivel to reduce glare, can be removed to prevent theft and scratches, has a Micro-USB charging port on the right side, and can be switched out for the smaller Bosch Purion if you prefer to mount a phone or some other device at the middle of the handlebar. You will have to pay a shop to get you the part and perform this service, and it’s something I would never do because the Intuvia is so great, but it’s still an option. that’s what you get with Bosch systems… more options and easy replacement if necessary. There’s even a dedicated light button on the right side of the Intuvia display. This makes activating and de-activating the lights a lot easier than some competing ebike systems that have secret button combinations because they lack additional dedicated buttons. It’s worth noting that walk mode does seem to be enabled on this ebike, and that Gazelle said they are bringing it to all 2018+ models. You do have to be in one of the four assist levels to use it. Just arrow up from off and then click the walk mode button on the top edge of the button pad near the left grip, then hold the plus button constantly to get the motor going. This is an easier way to move the 62+ lb ebike in non-rideable environments.
It seems like nearly every aspect of the Gazelle NL has improved since I first reviewed it in 2017, and yet, the price remains the same. For roughly three-thousand dollars USD, you get a lot of value and utility from this electric bicycle, and it also looks beautiful! The paint-matched racks don’t stand out as much as when they were silver. The black motor casing blends nicely with the black chain cover and the black battery box is fairly compact but would be completely obscured from view with the addition of pannier bags like the Urban Double models from Basil that hang over the top of the rear rack. For people who seek the reliability of Bosch drive systems, the European styling and rich heritage of a brand like Gazelle, that has been operating since 1892, and the utility of a cargo electric bike without the long footprint, the NL C8 would be an excellent option. There are other models to explore in this category, including the Faraday Porteur and Cortland, which offer a frame-mounted front rack that does not turn, but they utilize weaker hub motors at this time. And, by the way! Faraday is owned by the Pon Group, which also owns Gazelle… so you might see their products being sold through the same network of shops. Final thoughts: the rim brakes are powerful and I love the tool-free adjustable brake levers that even smaller and weaker hands can operate confidently. Rim brakes tend to be less prone to bumps and bends at crowded bike racks. I really like the half-grip twist shifter on the right and half-grip twist bell on the left because they keep the handlebars clean are easy to understand and use without compromising hand positioning and grip. The rear fender connects in multiple places and there’s actually a metal bar beneath that supports the rack too, which is how they were able to scoot the rack back and make it appear freestanding. Please note that the review model utilized a steel fork and handlbar which could have increased the weight slightly. I was told that the production versions of this e-bike will be made completely with aluminum alloy. Big thanks to the Gazelle team, especially Ewoud, for partnering with me on this review and hosting me in Santa Cruz. It was neat to see their offices, learn about the history, and do some review rides back to back. I’ll answer questions and take feedback in the comments below and you can connect with other Gazelle owners and share more about your ride in the Gazelle electric bike forums.
Pros:
- The NL is one of Gazelle’s most affordable electric bikes and it brings a lot of value for ~$2.5k, starting with the Bosch Performance Line Cruise motor, high capacity PowerPack 500 battery, and a two-year comprehensive warranty with dealer support
- Gazelle goes the extra mile to make their products look great and you can see that with the matching frame, fork, racks, and fenders on the NL C8 model here… their paint consists of multiple layers and a clear coat over the graphics, so it’s also very tough and will look good over the long run
- There’s so much utility on offer here, the fenders, racks, cafe lock (to secure the rear wheel quickly for short stops), puncture resistant tires, and integrated lights make the Gazelle NL capable in many situations and in different weather conditions
- Safety is a big concern of mine, especially riding in city environments with traffic, so I love the integrated lights, white tires, and reflective strips on the tires! There are five colors to choose from and the Iced Blue Gloss and Powder Rose Gloss are lighter and would therefore be more visible and safe
- The headlight is mounted below the front rack so it shouldn’t get blocked by cargo, it also aims wherever you steer and can be tilted up or down manually
- Considering the higher weight of this electric bicycle, it’s nice that the brakes are hydraulic… and I love the tool-free adjustable levers (which can come in easily for people with smaller hands or wearing gloves), Gazelle chose rim brakes here vs. disc brakes because they are positioned in a safer spot for parking at crowded bike racks, sometimes disc brake rotors can collide with racks and get bent easier
- The bike is extremely comfortable, it’s setup like a cruiser with swept back bars, padded grips, a comfortable saddle with big springs, and I love the higher volume 28″ x 2″ tires because they offer stability and comfort on a range of terrains
- The double-tube step-thru frame is very sturdy but also approachable, I appreciate that the bike comes in three frame sizes, that the saddle can be dropped way down for lower seating and stabilizing, and that the handlebar position can be adjusted on the fly… the bike is very approachable and adjustable
- It was interesting to see the high performance Bosch motor here, it delivers up to 63 newton meters of torque that can support heavier riders, cargo, and take on steeper hills… many competing cruisers and city bikes have moved to the Bosch Active Line motors because they are smaller, lighter, and quieter, I personally like this high-powered motor because it also provides higher pedal cadence support
- The eight-speed drivetrain uses an internally geared hub that is tougher and cleaner than a traditional derailleur and cassette, you can shift it at standstill (which is great for less experienced riders and in those moments when climbing hills and having to make unexpected stops), the fully enclosed chain cover will keep your pants or skirt ends from getting dirty
- The cafe lock and battery lock use the same key, this reduces clutter and makes locking and unlocking the bike more convenient, you can also put in a request for replacement keys easily
- I like how the battery has a molded handle at the back because that makes it easier to pull off and safer to handle, it’s nice that you can charge this battery on or off the frame and that it comes with a faster four amp charger vs. just two amps on many competing products
- The motor is efficient and responsive, it measures three signals (wheel speed, pedal cadence and pedal torque) 1,000 times per second so you feel in control, it’s also centered on the frame which keeps the weight balanced
- Apparently Gazelle puts their bikes through a gauntlet of tests including UV fade and salt water exposure to make sure they hold up to a myriad of real-life conditions… I wonder if they ever toss their bikes into the Amsterdam canals for testing? I hear that can happen sometimes
- All of the cables for shifting, braking and powering the bike are internally routed through the frame to reduce snags and make it look nice
- Clever bell built right into the left grip interface, just twist and it rings! No bulky tacky thing mounted to the bars like on other bikes
- The display has a littel Micr-USB port ont he right edge so you could maintain your phone for GPS or a music player or other lights (like holiday lights on the bike for fun!), the bar is pretty big so this is a good place to mount your stuff or maybe a cup holder since there are no bottle cage bosses
- I appreciate that the display can swivel to reduce glare and that it’s removable (as long as you don’t install the set screw in the base), this helps to reduce theft and damage at public racks
- The pedals are good for basic riding because they’re fairly wide and use rubber vs. metal pins (so they won’t scratch your shins if you slip off), for riders who want a sturdier pedal with more traction for wet conditions, check out the affordable Wellgo BMX models which come in a range of fun colors
- The control pad is simple and intuitive to the point where you can actually navigate through the four levels of assist without even looking down, I like the rubberized i button in the center and the tactile click sounds that the + and – keys make
- Given that the bike is a bit heavier and might be loaded with a child or cargo, it’s nice to have a walk mode feature… just navigate up to one of the four levels of assist, press walk mode, then hold the + button to have the bike move at ~4mph (~6km/h), this can also be useful for pushing up out of ramps in basements and cellars
Cons:
- This is not an especially lightweight electric bike, weighing in at ~62 lbs, but that’s partially due to the sturdy front and rear racks, fenders, lights, internally geared hub, and cafe lock which add a lot of utility
- The front rack really makes this ebike unique and adds utility but it’s mounted to the fork and moves when you steer, this impacts handling as you ride and can also tip to the side when you park (dumping your cargo), but Gazelle chose a special headset locker that helps to solve this problem! Just twist the black headset to the left and the handlebars will stop turning, do keep an eye on the weight of your front cargo because the rack is only rated to 22lbs (10kgs) max weight
- There’s always a trade-off when utilizing a rear-rack battery design like this, weight is positioned higher and towards the back vs. low and center… but it does free up the main section of bike to be lower for easier mounting, the Bosch PowerPack rack battery is pretty lightweight (compared to other similar sized packs) so in many ways this is a great implementation of the rear rack setup that many cruiser e-bikes use
- The tubing thickness on the rear rack appeared to be a bit wider than many of the standard aftermarket racks I have seen and this could make it incompatible with some clip-on panniers, the good news is that it is compatible with the Yepp Nexxt Maxi child that clamps from the sides
- I didn’t see bottle cage bosses on the top tube or seat tube, you could always get a trunk bag with a bottle holster like this but I feel like they could add these in the future and it would be nice to use with a folding lock, mini pump or other accessory
- The Bosch Performance Line Cruise motor is a bit heavier than some of the new Active Line motors, it definitely makes more noise, and the reduction gearing (with smaller chainring that spins 2.5x revolutions per crank revolution) introduces some drag when the motor isn’t active
- I was test riding the small 49cm frame and noticed that when the saddle was all the way down in the lowest position, the springs on the bottom were bumping into the front edge of the rack and scratching the paint… it’s a minor gripe and may not be an issue on other sizes
- As stable as the double-leg kickstand is, this design does seem to require more physical effort to deploy and stow, especially if the bike is loaded up with gear, and it hangs down lower than a rear mounted stand which could come into contact with curbs and other tall obstacles on occasion
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