The “new mobility”, which is intended to relax inner-city traffic and bring the air quality back to a tolerable level, relies on intelligent networking and “transfers”. For example, from the car to the bike or pedelec. In many places in the city you are on two wheels - with or without battery backup - faster than with the beloved SUV. Commuting with the pedelec is not that complicated, if necessary with reduced muscle strength.
Where exactly our test car, an Opel Adam, wants to flex its muscles in order to shoulder an e-bike, is not immediately apparent. The “Open Sesame” for the “Flex Fix” bike rack system from the Rüsselsheim-based company is hidden as a small lever in a recess in the inner edge of the trunk of the almost 3.70-meter-long mini car. One pull on it and a drawer with the license plate pops out from behind the bumper. A few steps follow, but you should have studied them carefully beforehand - the films on YouTube or simply by reading an instruction manual are helpful. After that, there are really two holding rails plus attachment ready to strap the Adam's bike to the rear.
Into the city by car and further on with a city e-bike
A very clever idea that Opel had with this fully integrated and patented carrier system. The Adam can use it to piggyback a bike weighing up to 30 kilograms and the standard wheelbase of 1,15 meters. If you want to cycle with a passenger, there is also an extension kit, but each bike must not weigh more than 20 kilograms. Hamburg is a good address for the mobility test with the Adam. The first driving bans for diesel vehicles were here ... Into the city by car and then on with the city e-bike. That weighs a hefty 25 kilograms including the battery, is called Loft Go! , comes from the Electra brand and is “made in USA”. This also explains a little that Adam has no lightweight to shoulder here. The battery can be removed in a few simple steps. This makes the further procedure easier. The low ergonomics of the Flex Fix carrier, which has been particularly praised by the Healthy Back Campaign (AGR), help when lifting. A bike on the roof, on the other hand, is completely unsuitable for everyday use.
With a little practice, the e-bike is strapped to the rear in two minutes
The neat US bike fits exactly on the two plastic mounting rails. The skepticism about their sustainability turns out to be unfounded. Ratchets must be passed through the wheel spokes, the frame must be fixed with a rotatable and height-adjustable telescopic arm and a rubber-coated clamp. With a little practice, it's a matter of less than two minutes and you're good to go. Bicycle helmet and battery in the trunk. Very practical: even when it is loaded, you can simply tip the bike rack with a handle so that the tailgate can be opened. The first destination is the Speicherstadt. The two-wheeled backpack on the Adam is quickly forgotten. Neither irritating wind noises nor hindering the wheel when maneuvering, this also applies in a tightly tailored parking garage. As soon as reverse gear is engaged, an acoustic signal sounds to indicate the excess length, and the park pilot also takes the extended FlexFix system into account.
In contrast to the high beams on the rear and on the roof, the wheels of the Rüsselsheim system travel in the slipstream. With the electric bike and a speed of around 130 km / h on the autobahn, Adam needed around 1,4 liters of petrol with the 87 liter petrol engine, 6,8 hp and five-speed manual transmission. About half a liter more than without a rear load. After arrival, the choice is left: either leave the bike on the lockable rack or dismantle it in a matter of minutes. Close the flap, at most two grooves reveal the retracted carrier. A system for which others would be celebrated with “simply clever” and which is far less expensive to purchase than a trailer coupling and a carrier attached to it.
Text: Solveig Grewe
Photos: Bernd Willeke