Carrera is no newbie to the bicycle market. The Halfords-exclusive brand has been producing affordable yet capable bikes for nearly 30 years; chances are you’ve had one or two in your lifetime.
It’s dominated the accessible end of the market for some time, but how does Carrera stack up when it comes to e-bikes? We’ve done a Carrera e-bike review to find out.
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While it has a number of styles in its current roster, we got on the saddle of the Vengeance E, an entry-level electric mountain bike.
In short, we weren’t disappointed. A highly capable off-roader, the Vengeance E is perfect for those looking to make the jump to an electric two-wheeler.
There’s no doubt about it, electric bikes are expensive. But in the same way that electric cars are here to stay, so too are their two-wheeled alternatives.
E-bikes make commuting easier, ensure long distances are a breeze and in some cases, make mountain trails much less intimidating.
The latter is exactly what this Carrera e-bike offers, and it does so at a relatively affordable price point. If you’re in the market for an electric bike on the cheap, we’re sorry to disappoint; that doesn’t really exist. The next best thing, however, might just be the Vengeance E.
It’s not a premium offering (for that, you’d have to pay at least twice the bike’s £1,099 price tag) but what it is is a capable off-roader that’s also adept for road use. Comfortable and easy to ride, the Vengeance E’s Suntour electric motor will punch you along with impressive vigour, despite its moderate 250w output.
Adequately specced and not bad to look at, this is a bike for those looking to begin their electric bike journey, or for seasoned trail riders wanting to electrify their hobby.
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The word ‘Carrera’ holds a lot of weight in the cycling world. And if you begin to dive deep into the history of the brand, it’s easy to get confused.
Carrera, after all, was a successful bicycle racing team in the ‘80s and ‘90s, with wins in both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, two of the world’s biggest cycling events.
It got its name from title sponsor Carrera Jeans, and today the brand lives on. The Carrera-Podium brand honours the team, producing extremely high-end racing bikes often made from carbon fibre.
For many not attuned to the world of cycle racing, though, the Carrera found in Halfords is what pops to mind. While they may share the same name with the world-beating team, this Carrera has offered affordable, well made and durable bikes for over 25 years.
In essence, it offers something for everyone, from daily commuter bikes to more specialised mountain bikes, all of which are made from high-quality alloy frames that are built to last.
If you’re looking for a first bike, or want something that’s durable but won’t break the bank, then you could do far worse than Carrera.
It’s also worth noting that due to the connection with Halfords (Carrera is sold exclusively through the UK chain), there’s a good level of customer support should something go wrong.
Halfords’ CycleCare Plan includes benefits such as unlimited puncture repair, free servicing and unlimited brake and gear adjustments. What’s more, buy an e-bike through Halfords and if you’re not happy with it you can return it within 14 days for free.
But back to Carrera. Do the same virtues the company has become known for after nearly three decades of producing regular bikes apply to its e-bikes?
The brand isn’t an e-bike newcomer – it’s been making them for a few years and today offers e-mountain bikes, e-hybrids and even folding e-bikes.
While its hybrids are attractive in design with their integrated batteries and clean silhouette, and its folding bikes are handy for commuting with their small size and weight, many will be drawn to the brand’s e-mountain bike offering, since Carrera is best-known for its off-roaders.
The Vengeance E is especially popular, and for good reason. First of all, it’s one of the most affordable e-mountain bikes out there, coming in at just above £1k.
E-bikes can cost more than five times that, so while it’s not exactly a bargain, it’s still very much on the cheaper end of the spectrum. Then there’s also the fact that it’s pretty well specced for its price point.
The Vengeance E shares a frame and underpinnings with Carrera’s best-selling mountain bike, the non-assisted Vengeance, so you can expect all the benefits of that tried-and-tested system.
It’s got a 7005 alloy frame, which is both lightweight and sturdy; SRAM 8-speed gearing; a Suntour XCT fork with 100mm travel and Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors.
The difference is, of course, the addition of an electric motor and battery. Powering the Vengeance E is a 250w Suntour Eco motor, which is integrated into the hub of the rear wheel, as is commonplace with e-bikes.
Unlike many bikes in this price bracket, the motor offers “torque sensing”, ensuring smooth power delivery, which increases the harder you pedal. This essentially provides a more natural ride and is often found on more expensive bikes.
Ride a bike without torque sensing and you’ll often get unexpected surges in power, which can be both uncomfortable and, at times, dangerous. With the Vengeance E, though, the ride is predictable and smooth, whether you’re traipsing up trail runs or gliding along the road.
It’s not the most powerful motor, but it is enough for a 15.5mph top speed and will comfortably assist you up inclines. The steeper the hill, the more you’re aware it’s an e-bike, however, as the soothing whir of the motor intensifies to a near-grumble, almost making you feel guilty for subjecting it to gravity. It doesn’t struggle as such, but it certainly doesn’t fly uphill like more expensive e-bikes.
And then there’s the battery itself. A Suntour STL unit, it’s semi-integrated into the frame with the aim of providing a better weight balance over rear-mounted batteries. And it succeeds: the Vengeance E feels balanced on the move and surprisingly lightweight.
The battery’s 317Wh output and 40-mile range are far from market-leading, but it is more than enough for medium distance rides, and as it’s removable, it’s easy to charge once you get home.
In short, yes. The Vengeance E retails for £1,099, so while it’s not exactly a bargain, it is cheap in the world of e-bikes. Despite this, however, it has features usually reserved for more expensive models. Torque-sensing is one, providing smooth and predictable power delivery that makes riding a breeze.
Many bikes at this level overlook this, resulting in jerky power surges that can be both off-putting and occasionally dangerous. Elsewhere, the bike doesn’t boast the most lavish spec, but its parts are all mainstays of the Carrera range with years of testing behind them, so you can be confident they’ll perform.
And if they don’t, Halfords offers nationwide after-sales and easy to access servicing, so you’ll be well covered.
If you’re on a budget, or just want to dabble in the world of e-bikes without remortgaging your house, you can’t really go wrong with the Carrera Vengeance E.
Sure, it doesn’t have the most luxurious spec and it doesn’t look as premium as more expensive bikes, but that’s all reflected in its price point.
It’s a capable bit of kit that’s ideal for leisure mounting biking. If you’re looking to climb the stepping of hills and jump off the highest peaks, it may not be for you.
But for the rest of us, it’s ideal for cruising along trails and even for use as a commuter bike. It also comes with a two-year warranty as standard, so if you push it a little bit too far, you’ll be in good hands. As far as ‘entry level’ e-mountain bikes go, this might be the best one yet.
If you enjoyed our Carrera Vengeance E review, you might want to find out what we thought of the Echelon exercise bike.
We also put the Garmin Venu 2 through two weeks of workouts to see if it’s worth the price tag.
Head to Sun Selects Health and Fitness for more reviews, recommendations and roundups.
