2023 Haibike

LYKE CF SE

The Lyke is a bold departure for e-bike specialists Haibike, with toned down styling, reduced power, and less weight. So, is it a case of less is more? And how does it stack up against the other lightweight models in our pick of the best electric mountain bikes? Need to know Haibike’s lightest e-bike yet Full carbon frame gets 140mm travel Fazua Ride 60 motor with removable 430Wh battery  Optional 210Wh range extender  Four frame sizes and three models starting at £5,899 Haibikes have always had a unique look. Multi-faceted tube profiles, muscular proportions, and that striking hunchback top tube coalesce to create an instantly recognisable, if somewhat challenging aesthetic on its longer travel bikes like the All-Mtn CF 12. It’s a tactic that’s certainly effective for brand recognition, but its divisiveness has probably lost the company a few sales along the way. This new Lyke however, well, that’s an entirely different prospect. One in which Haibike has been able to cleverly tone down its signature look without losing its DNA. Most obviously, extensive chiropractor sessions have straightened out its topline, so it’s still obviously a Haibike, but it’s also contemporary, aggressive, and genuinely good looking. Even if the colour scheme on this CF 11 model is the least cohesive combo in the three-bike range. Smart integration for the Fazua motor and battery The freedom to take the styling in a new direction has come from the fact that this is Haibike’s new lightweight, mid-power, diet e-bike model, where the slimmed down battery and motor offer greater flexibility in terms of packaging. In choosing the Fazua Ride 60 system, the engineers were able to decouple the battery and motor, and with an innovative bit of lateral thinking, really optimise their locations. As such, the motor actually sits in the base of the flared seat tube, which frees up space in front of the bottom bracket to allow the battery to slide in and out of the fully enclosed down tube. So the Lyke benefits from excellent weight distribution, a fully enclosed down tube that saves weight and doesn’t compromise structural integrity, and yet you still get the convenience of a removable battery. It’s a really clever design.  Four-bar suspension While Haibike is best known for its rocker link suspension design, the Lyke nestles its shock into a slight recess under the top tube, operated by a swinglink attached to the shock yoke. At the back is a Horst link on the chainstay, and the configuration leaves ample space within the front triangle to run a bottle cage, tool mount, or the Fazua range extender when it finally becomes available. With 140mm travel front and rear, the Lyke is very much designed as a trail bike. I can see why Haibike has done this – bumping up the travel would require beefing up the frame and components, and that would add to the weight. Considering the mid-spec Lyke CF 11 tested here registered 19.17kg on our scales, there’s not much headroom …Continue reading »

Read Review

The Lyke is Haibike lightest e-MTB and a new direction for the German e-bike giant

Read Review

Haibike’s Lyke CF 11 looks to propel the original ebike brand into new territory

Read Review