Smafo 3 in the test: our conclusion
benefits Proven technology Driving fun Additional offers such as theft protection Very good value for money large batterydisadvantage Heavy (26 kg) Thumb controls difficult to achieve
There are just things in life that you don’t want to deal with any longer than necessary. This also includes many purchase decisions. Which washing machine is the best or which laptop has a gigabyte more RAM, many people simply don’t care as long as the technology works. And e-bikes don’t always trigger excitement either, because not everyone is as enthusiastic about this technology as we are. For them, an electric bike is just an elegant solution for getting from A to B with little effort. That is perfectly legitimate.
But which e-bike should you get yourself then? A clear answer: the Smafo 3. Because the pedelec impressed across the board in our test and offers everything you need and even a bit more. It is easy to use, comes in a timeless design, has more than enough power, offers a very fair price-performance ratio and even offers smart features. A GPS module serves as theft protection and there is a replacement service.
It is therefore difficult to say anything bad about the Smafo 3. Only the heavy weight of 26 kilograms is annoying. Carrying the bike into the apartment or the basement quickly becomes a sweaty affair. But to be fair, it has to be said that most e-bikes weigh that much and very few even break the 20 kg limit. In addition, the control unit for the engine was difficult to reach with the thumb.
Smafo 3 in the test: equipment and workmanship
The Smafo 3 looks relatively unspectacular from the outside, but still modern – regardless of whether you choose the black or white color. However, if you look at the built-in components, you will discover a solid selection. For example, the Paderborn company installed the popular Tektro HD M275 disc brakes, which can be found on many trekking e-bikes. Rightly so, after all, they work reliably and in our test they always grabbed hold of it – even in the rain. The Shimano Altus derailleur has already proven itself and is also used on the Smafo 3. There it offers a total of 9 gears, which is more than sufficient in everyday urban life, regardless of your driving style.
The heart is of course the engine, which is hidden in the rear hub and comes from the big player Bafang. More precisely, an RM G020.250.D with 45 Newton meters is working here. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but it is easily sufficient in city traffic.
The LED display DP C231 with USB connection and Bluetooth also comes from Bafang and does its job according to plan. We were able to easily read all information such as speed or support level at any time. The setting buttons are located below the display and together they form a unit. However, the combination sits a tick too far from the handle, so you have to stretch your thumb very far to be able to press the buttons.
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