Benelli city zero

A smart folding bike, that can transform your commute

The city zero is a smart and comfortable bike for a commute to work or a quick spin in the city. The bike looks much like any small e-bike with its small wheels and low frame. However, it has a distinctive advantage over many other bikes in that it can be folded into a little bundle, which is easy to take with you on a train or slide in the boot of a car. Ideal for train commuters who want to ride the bike at both ends of the journey.
The rider can choose from four levels of power assistance. There are easy-to-use twist-controls on the handlebars for both the level of assist and the seven gears that the bike has.
You can easily cruise in style or add extra speed to your journey depending how much assist you choose, without the need for a shower when you arrive to work. Simply twist the handlebar to increase or decrease the amount of assistance you require, and the handlebar-mounted LED display will show you which level you are pedalling at.
The City Zero has a Samsung cell Li-ion battery (36v6.6ah) that powers a 250w front wheel hub-motor, which responds relatively quick to achieve an assisted top speed of 15mph and a claimed range of 30miles. The charging time for the battery is four-to-six hours and it lasted for several days on my five-to-ten minute commute to work on the full assist mode. The bike also features a 7-speed Shimano Tourney TX55 derailleur with V-brakes.
Designed primarily for its flexibility, this folding pedelec is easily transportable in your car or on public transport and is perfect for the daily commuter. I didn’t need to fold it for my commute to work, but I tested the mechanism and it was easily done by releasing a few clips. Once folded the bike turns into a compact bundle, which is easy to wheel around in the folded position.
The city zero is a pleasant ride, the one thing I think it could do with is a speedometer so you know how fast you’re going. The bike seemed to get up to speed quite fast and once I got used to it, the power delivery was quite smooth. A good feature that it has is an immobiliser key, which is quite handy.
Overall I found this a pleasure to ride. I can do my commute with the pedalling assistance without the feeling of needing a shower when I get to the office, and without feeling uncomfortable all day.
Words: Charlotte Turnbull
Images: Sue Walters Photography

SPEC:
FRAME
Aluminium alloy, adjustable & foldable
GEARS
Shimano Tourney TX55, 7-speed derailleur
MOTOR
250w front-hub motor
SUSPENSION
N/A
BRAKES
V-brakes
BATTERY
36V 6.6Ah Samsung cell Li-ion battery
CLAIMED RANGE
30 miles
WEIGHT
22kg
TYRES
20in
CONTACT
www.motogb.co.uk

PRICE
£899

WIN THIS BIKE
IN OUR FREE-TO-ENTER COMPETITION

We are giving one away in our free-to enter competition.
Just go to www.twistngo.com/competitions/ and fill in the entry form – but you need to hurry, the competition closes on May 20, 2016.