Italian design with Italian engine – eMTB-News.de

Fresh design from Italy: With the Olympia Karbo, the Italian bicycle manufacturer presents a novelty for the 2023 season. We have first information about the new Olympia Karbo.

Olympia Karbo – information and prices

Italian design meets Italian production and technology. Similar to the well-known manufacturer Thok, Olympia also relies on an independent design with a high recognition value. Visually, different functions from different manufacturers are used here and mixed into a successful unified object with an independent design. The frame looks like a Simplon or a Mondraker Crafty Carbon on the head tube, plus a bend in the top tube like on the Haibike, and the rest of the carbon frame with aluminum rear triangle shows a resemblance to the M1 Erzberg. Striking here: the horizontal damper, which is somewhat hidden in the top tube, which is open at the top. So if you like a special design, you should take a closer look at the Olympia Karbo.

The main frame of the Olympia Karbo is made of T800 carbon fiber in Double-Mold (EPS) technology. Benefit here: the surfaces inside the frame can be designed more homogeneously, resulting in a stiffer and lighter structure. The rear end is made of 6061 aluminum.

With mixed wheel sizes and 160mm of front and rear travel, the Olympia Karbo is a powerful e-mountain bike that doesn’t shy away from any trail and should also feel at home on rougher terrain. In terms of price, this bike is tempting, as the manufacturer is asking for a price of €6,850 for the Olympia Karbo. The available colors are Glossy/Matte Black and Glossy Iridescent White/Matte Black.

• frame material carbon
• trip 160 mm (front) / 160 mm (rear)
• wheel size Mullet wheels (29″ front, 27.5″ rear)
• frame sizes S/M, M/L, L/XL
• engine OLI Edge
• battery capacity 900Wh
• Accessible from now on
• www.olympiacicli.it
• Price (RRP) €6,850 | Bike Market: Buy Olympia Edge

geometry

In terms of geometry, Olympia goes its own way with the Karbo and has three overlapping frame sizes in its range. Karbo is available in frame sizes S/M, M/L, L/XL. Exciting! If you take a look at the reach (469mm for M/L, 497mm for L/XL), a normal 1.80m tall Central European shouldn’t really feel like he’s in good hands with either frame size . Rico, editor-in-chief of eMTB-News and tester, prefers frames with a reach of 475 to 485 mm. So the medium size Olympia Karbo would be too small for him and the largest size would be too big. Hmm… what was Olympia thinking?

The steering angle of 64.4° speaks for adequate straight-line stability and directional stability. To create good climbing characteristics, the Olympia relies on a seat angle of 77; 77.5 and 78° (depending on frame size). In addition, the Karbo’s seat angle can be adjusted using a flip chip, which allows the angle to be changed by 0.5° to suit your riding style.

Did you know that in Geometrics – our database for bike geometries – you can compare many current e-bikes and see the differences at a glance? Try it!

Available frame sizes: S/M, M/L, L/XL

interior design

Olympia Karbo is available in two colors for €6,850 (REP). The 160mm chassis uses an EXT ERA V2 S 36 suspension fork and a RockShox Super Deluxe shock. Shifting is done with a SRAM combination of GX rear derailleur and SX derailleurs, of course 12 gears with Eagle technology. The Mavic E-Deemax wheels, equipped with Vittoria tires, speak for longevity and robustness.

• suspension fork EXT ERA V2 S 36
• dumb RockShox Super Deluxe Select+
• Spring deflection w/h 160/160 mm
• orbit SRAM GX Eagle with SX shifter
• impeller Mavic E-Deemax
• tire Vittoria Mazza 29×2.6 / TNT-Vittoria Martello 27.5×2.8 TNT
• engine OLI Edge
• Max. torque 90 Nm
• battery capacity 900Wh

You can find the exact equipment details here: www.olympiacicli.it

motor and battery

The heart of the Olympia Karbo is the Edge engine from OLI. This motor is visually similar to the well-known Bosch Performance CX, but has a maximum torque of 90 Nm and weighs just over 3 kilos. This engine system has a Q factor of 177mm and an ISIS crankset.

OLI eBike Systems, not to be confused with Bosch eBike Systems, is based in Italy and places great emphasis on sustainability in its technology. For example, all individual parts for the Edge engine are manufactured in Europe and the engine is finally assembled and finished in Italy.

In terms of modulation, OLI has tuned and improved the power curve of the Edge motor’s pedal assistance in such a way that a strong torque is guaranteed throughout the speed range, both at low speeds (below 50 rpm) and at speeds above 90 rpm. Four torque sensors inside ensure smooth and timely power transfer.
Together with OLI, Olympia developed 6 levels of support, all of which can be further customized with special software made available to dealers. The engine also has an “R” stage that reacts instantly to pedal pressure to reach full power in the shortest possible time and with little effort.

Olympia develops not only bicycles, but also batteries. The Karbo relies on the new PowerNine G 900, which has a capacity, as the name suggests, of 900 Wh. Advanced cell technology with 21700 cells – 50 of which come from LG Chem – makes this battery relatively slim and compact despite its huge capacity. According to the manufacturer, the volume of the new 900 battery is not greater than 630 batteries with older technology. The manufacturer does not disclose the weight, but compared to other batteries in this class, the PowerNine 900 should weigh a good 4 kilos.

• engine OLI Edge
• ONEbattery Power Nine G 900
• battery capacity 900Wh
• Performance 250 watts
• Max. torque 90 Nm
• the screen Shimano SM-EC800 / Bosch Purion, Kiox, Kiox 300

Here you can find more information about current e-bike motors.

What do you think of the new Olympia Karbo from Italy? Do you already have experience with OLI engines from Italy?

Text: Rico Haase / Info & photos: Olympia

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