The Eskute Netuno is an inexpensive city e-bike with a rear motor and a long range. The test shows how good the e-bike with low entry is for the city.
A city bike is a proven means of transport for getting to work, school, university or shopping in times of high oil prices and overcrowded buses and trains. If you don’t want to manage the everyday ride with muscle power alone, you can use an e-bike for the city. The electrified variant of the so-called Dutch bike is characterized by its robustness, a low entry and a high seating position.
The Eskute Netuno with an electric rear motor looks very elegant and chic with the matt black finish and is also affordable at a price of 1300 euros. The name is an allusion to the words “Netuno” and “no” and the city e-bike as an alternative without exhaust fumes for traffic in the city position. Visually, the e-bike with 28-inch wheels is reminiscent of the cheaper Eleglide T1 Step-Thru. A powerful battery from Samsung provides enough energy. The test reveals how well Eskute’s new city e-bike performs in practice.
Eskute Netuno: Design and Processing
Eskute delivers the Netuno in a large box. The e-bike is partially pre-assembled. The user must assemble the front wheel, the handlebars with the bike computer, the front bike light and mudguard, the pedals and the stand. The removable battery is already attached to the frame. Instructions and the required tools are available.
The assembly effort is limited, experienced cyclists should assemble the e-bike in just under 30 minutes, a beginner should be able to do it in just under an hour. The instructions describe the most important steps, but leave out small details, such as how to mount the stand or the mudguard. In addition, some English-language passages sneak into the Spain part of the manual.
To attach the handlebars, users must first remove a screw and four retaining rings. Then comes the bike computer. There is also the holder for the handlebars. Then you connect the cable with the green marking to the bike computer – no further steps are necessary for the cabling.
Thanks to the quick release, the front wheel is quickly mounted. First remove the locking screws from the fork. The front mudguard and front light are then attached to a screw above the fork. There are two screws on the back of the frame for attaching the stand. The tires are already inflated. However, it is advisable to check the pressure again and, if in doubt, inflate the wheels. We show suitable tools for this in the list of the best: Top 5 electric air pumps with batteries for cars and bicycles.
The processing of all components of the ebike leaves a solid impression for a device in this price range. This means that there are no gaps or sharp-edged elements, and all components are in place when they are installed correctly. Nothing rattles while driving. The assembly of the front fender is less successful. This is screwed together with the front light, but the drill hole above the fork does not seem to be placed exactly. As a result, the sheet metal is not centered over the front tire. In addition, the mudguard is attached to the side of the fork using two struts.
The wiring is fixed with cable ties so that it doesn’t hang around in an annoying way. A loose wire with a yellow mark is for an optional throttle control that is available as an accessory. It is not included in the scope of delivery. However, according to the road traffic regulations in Spain, the use is not permitted anyway.
According to the manufacturer, the bike weighs almost 25 kg without the battery. With battery it is 3 kg more. The frame is designed for people up to 125 kg. According to Eskute, the luggage rack has a carrying capacity of 25 kg. A spring clip helps attach items to it.
Eskute Netuno: Handlebar & Light
The straight handlebar offers the usual ample width, as you know it from a city bike. On the right is the circuit for the 7-speed gearbox, on the left is a classic bicycle bell. In the middle is the display with the LED display. This is very tidy and is limited to the essentials: the speed, the selected support level and the charge level of the battery. One looks in vain for information about the kilometers traveled – that’s a pity. Although Eskute offers an app, it does not currently work with the Netuno.
There is also a USB-C port at the bottom end so that you can charge your cell phone from the bike’s battery. The left button serves as a power button and for switching on the front and rear lights, the right mode button is used to select one of five support levels for the electric motor. When braking, the tail light flashes.
That would be a nice feature, but it’s not allowed in Spain. Flashing lights attached to vehicles are reserved for so-called sovereign vehicles, i.e. police, ambulances, garbage disposal and the like.
Eskute Netuno: Ergonomics
The stem with the handlebar itself is not adjustable in height. A quick release is used to adjust the saddle. This allows for quick adjustments, but increases the risk of thieves clawing at the saddle. Thanks to the low entry of the frame in the style of a Spaine bike, it is still easy and comfortable to saddle up, which also benefits rock wearers and older people. The saddle could be softer. For longer distances, this could become too uncomfortable in the long run.
Eskute recommends a height between 1.60 and 2 meters for the Netuno. The Eskute Netuno fits perfectly for a person who is 1.85 meters tall. Even with a body height of 1.70 meters, we got along well with the bike. With smaller people under 1.60 meters, it can happen that the ground can no longer be reached with their feet.
Eskute Netuno: Drive
The Zoom suspension fork noticeably softens bumps from curbs. However, the strength of the suspension cannot be adjusted and is almost too soft for our taste. The city bike is not designed for difficult terrain anyway. The brakes grip properly without decelerating the two-wheeler too abruptly. Here you should set them well in advance so that they do not grind. Disc brakes with a diameter of 160 mm are used at the front and rear. As already mentioned, the front fender is not quite centered. However, it fits in the back. When driving through puddles, the mudguards still provide sufficient protection against water splashes.
A seven-speed derailleur from Shimano is used as the gearbox. This usually switches reliably, at the beginning there were occasional imprecise switching processes. After running several kilometers, however, everything went smoothly.
Compared to a mountain bike, these are few gears, but they are sufficient for use in the city and on level paths. However, the translation is not optimized for higher speeds beyond 25 km/h. The steering is also a little too wobbly for our taste.
Eskute Netuno: Battery
The electric, brushless rear motor from Bafang with a nominal output of 250 watts provides additional thrust. The maximum torque is 32 Nm. This provides good propulsion, but the motor of the Eleglide T1 Step-Thru offers more torque with 50 Nm.
A total of five different support levels are available. At levels 1 to 3, however, you don’t notice that much of the electrical support. We mainly chose level 4 and 5. Only at 8 to 9 km/h do you clearly feel the additional boost. The electrical support only switches on up to a maximum of 25 km/h. There is also an optional pushing aid. To do this, you hold down the mode button, and when you push, the electric motor supports you at a speed of 6 km/h.
The entire electrical system is protected against water and dust according to IP65. The levels can only be adjusted via the bike computer, so the rider has to take one hand off the handlebars, which is not ideal for riding safety.
The lithium-ion battery comes from Samsung and has a generous capacity of 522 Wh at 36 volts. This makes it one of the strongest batteries that we have tested on an e-bike so far. It can also be removed with a key. This is handy for charging at home without having to take the bike into the apartment every time. The charger is part of the scope of delivery. A charging process takes about five hours.
Eskute states a maximum range of up to 100 km. We think that’s exaggerated. How long the battery lasts ultimately depends on many factors, such as the ambient temperature, the incline of the route, the level of support selected and the weight of the rider. For a rider weighing 85 kg, we think about 60 km is more realistic. This is still a very good value.
Eskute Netuno: Conclusion
As an electrified two-wheeler for the city, the Eskute Netuno convinces with a chic and elegant look and decent workmanship at a fair price. The battery offers a lavish capacity. The electric motor could do with a bit more torque though. In the long run, the saddle is too uncomfortable. We also miss the display for kilometers covered on the bike computer.
A significantly cheaper and even better alternative for cycling through the city is the Eleglide T1 Step-Thru. If you would rather have an electric folding bike, you should take a closer look at the Fiido D2S for an unbeatable 500 euros.
If you want to read up on the topic in detail, we recommend the guide to e-bike basics: drive, battery, gears, etc. Mountain bikes are also great for getting around town. Here we recommend our list of the best: Top 7 e-mountain bikes from 800 to 1600 euros.
Eskute Netuno: Price and Where To Buy Cheaper?
The Eskute Netuno currently costs 1299 euros in the Eskute store on Amazon and directly from Eskute. Anyone who buys via Geekbuying pays 1288 euros. With the voucher code NNNTHSTGPEB the price is reduced to 1150 euros. Both dealers ship from European warehouses. Additional shipping costs do not apply. A replacement battery costs 349 euros. You can also purchase a suitable throttle for the Netuno for 25 euros.
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