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TORPADO Xanto Z test: balanced e-bike

torpado xanthus z test

Steering angle (°) Vertical tube (mm) Rear chassis (mm) Center distance (mm) BB height (mm) Reach (mm) Front/rear travel (mm)
Inline 445 mm 470 mm 1227 mm 320 mm 431 mm 150 mm

In Greek mythology, Xanthus was an immortal horse born of the west wind Zephyr and the Harpy Podarge. Xanto had the gift of speech, granted to him by Hera. Today it will be your Automedon, the one who led Xanthus.

Video featured in episode # 35

After this “historical” intro, let's go back to the fact that Torpado presents its electric proposal: the Xanto Z with Bafang Max Drive motorization. The Xanto is a full-suspended e-bike with a hydroformed Tecno Aluminum structure and 150mm travel from the front to the rear. The most interesting feature is that it is a mullet: what is a mullet? Simple, a bike with a different wheel size at the front and rear. In fact, vehicles with a wheel size of 29 "at the front and 27,5" at the rear are being born and the Xanto is part of this world.

FEATURES

720 W / h battery made with Samsung cells and integrated into the frame, Formula Cura brakes, Shimano XT 12-speed gearbox, cables fully integrated into the frame including the one for the dropper post (standard) and provision for the bottle cage.

Wheel size 29 "at the front and 27,5" at the rear: a Mullet as they say in the jargon. Only now even famous brands, such as Santa Cruz Bullit, have begun to believe in this mix of wheel format. The timing, to present a novelty, is important: if a manufacturer arrives too soon with the novelty he is seen as a visionary, if instead he arrives a few years later at the right time, he is an innovator. From now on it seems to be the right time to present some Mullets.

From the engine department we find a surprise, or rather, a less usual motorization than the usual Brose, Bosch or so on and so forth. Bafang Max Drive System: this is the system supplied by Xanto. The Bafang develops a classic power of 250W with a maximum torque of 80 Nm. It has two sensors, a torque sensor and a speed sensor that transmit data to the control unit with a frequency of 80 kHz, allowing it to guarantee a smooth and precise ride.

The Bafang HMI thanks to a backlit LCD display provides the basic information we need: battery status, speed, assistance level and mileage (manually resettable). In the options it is possible to choose how many levels of assistance to have: 3, 5 or even 9. The option with more criteria is of course the one with 5 levels of assistance (remember that then we will always find the 'walk assist' mode in addition).

VERSIONS AND COMPONENTS

This model is available in three sizes (S, M and L), three colors and two mountings (SHIMANO XT M8100 12S and SRAM SX EAGLE 12S). This test is the version with the SHIMANO and you will find the complete assembly at the bottom of this test. We remind you that the 120mm version is also present.

GEOMETRY

The geometries are not very aggressive but in line with a classic all-mountain bike that makes stability and comfort its strengths: the 150mm travel combined with a 66 ° head angle make it suitable for the descent. The rear has an abundant value of 470mm which, combined with a compact reach of 431mm, keeps the wheelbase at a not too high measure of 1227mm. Very low bottom bracket of 320mm.

THE RESPONSE OF THE TEST

The Xanto is a very intuitive model that, by not adopting extreme solutions in geometry, creates that right mix that can be enjoyed right from the start: it's easy to understand the limit and find the right feeling. The mix 29 "at the front and 27,5" at the rear is a winning choice and I don't understand why the brands have only just begun to put their heads on it. Downhill there are no defects, but the advantages of the 2 wheel sizes are at times succeeded: rolling on obstacles / less jamming (29 "at the front) and agility in driving (27,5" at the rear).

Davide Finetto during the video test

The driving position of the Xanto is quite compact but that, in an e-bike, I don't mind: in muscular bikes I tend to look for a position that is not too collected to avoid pain in the lumbar area and to have an optimal pushing position. In the electrical field, even if I have a somewhat collected position, I pass over the optimal thrust having that help from the engine that helps me a little. Of course I'm talking about a few centimeters, not a size S compared to an XL.

Matteo Anici engaged in the video test

Mention of merit for the quietness of the Bafang motor: among the best of all the models on the market! The only fact is not having tried it for a long time in order to put it to the test also from the point of view of reliability. The 720Wh battery gives us a high autonomy that allows us to close laps with more than 2000m of altitude difference (my weight is 74kg), always if used wisely and not in turbo level.

UPHILL

@ anici.matteo

Uphill the Xanto performs well: if you are in mode 5, you will climb very hard, while if you use mode 1, you will go slower. Ok sorry, I've seen too many tests on youtube these days, forgive me. The combination 29 / 27,5 ”, at this juncture, lacks a bit as the bike tends to rear up on steeper climbs and you have to stay very advanced to avoid this phenomenon. The Bafang motor has an excellent linearity of delivery: it does not tear and even in maximum mode (5) it is fully exploitable. Maybe it lacks the peak power of other engines, but in terms of pedaling sensation it is excellent: a few jerks but the right power delivered that gives us the feeling that it is all the work of your bag (or of your legs). What we are looking for in an e-bike. Too bad for the very low bottom bracket: it makes it difficult to deal with the technical and stony sections because I often found myself with the crank arm hoeing the ground or hitting a stone (and most of the times he was right).

DOWNHILL

Fragment from the Video Test

Downhill the Xanto is very intuitive: its long carriage (470mm) does not make it a monster of agility but they lead it to be stable and precise. A vehicle that gives you comfort and stability and, from a non-racing point of view, turns out to be very pleasant. Excellent assembly with Formula Cura brakes: their disarming braking power is well suited to the e-bike world where, the greater weight involved requires more powerful braking. I liked the sensations of the 29 / 27,5 "mix: it is always difficult to confirm that it is not a placebo effect but the sensation of having a stable but at the same time rideable e-bike I liked a lot.

I would not like to expose myself too much but in my opinion, in the e-bike field, we will see more and more models with this characteristic. The only sore point is having to always have the double replacement 27 "and 29". For example, in the event of a puncture, it would be preferable to have air chambers of different sizes or a 27,5 "distance with you and make it feel bad even on the 29". Or we will wait for the new 28 and 1/3 ”tubes.

Spot: Caprino Veronese

The downhill spirit is like a steamroller and the rear quadrilateral performs well in absorbing obstacles.

XC MARATHON TRAIL ALL MOUNTAIN ENDURO FREERIDE DOWNHILL


XXXX XXXXX XXX

Geometry
Sizes S, M (test), L
Steering angle Inline
Vertical tube 445 mm
Steering tube 120 mm
Rear chassis 470 mm
Wheelbase 1227 mm
Saddle angle Inline
Bottom bracket height 320 mm
Reach 431 mm
Stack 618 mm
Particular signsBAFANG MAX DRIVE
Unusual engine in an e-bike: novelty much appreciated for its quietness and linearity of delivery.
+ Silent Bafang Max Drive
Bafang Max Drive linearity
Balanced bike
- Bottom bracket height
Battery-charge noise
€4.130 Euros
Price of frame + shock | nd
Italian distributor: www.torpado.com
Weight (without pedals) 24,5kg
Fork ROCKSHOX 35 GOLD RL 150mm
Shock absorber ROCKSHOX Monarch RL 184×44
wheels Ant. 29” / Rear. 27.5” | SHIMANO MT400/510 hub DRC i30/i33 rim
Service CONTINENTAL Trail King 29×2.4 and Continental Mountain King 27.5×2.6
Rolling mill chocks TORPADO Impudent 170mm
Rear gearbox SHIMANO XT M8100 12S
commands SHIMANO XT M8100 12S
Brakes FORMULA Care
Buy Boxes SHIMANO XT M8100 10-51T 12S
Motor BAFANG MAX DRIVE 80Nm
Battery SAMSUNG 720Wh
OFFENSE TORPADO Impudent Alloy 50mm
dumbbell TORPADO Impudent Alloy 790mm
seatpost KS Ragei 125mm
Sella Selle Italia X3 Ebike
Color Black dark grey, Teal vivid orange (test) and Black lime Dark Grey

The verdict
balanced e-bike

A bike with a balanced and comfortable soul. The Bafang Max Drive motor is a beautiful discovery: silent and fluid in delivery. A product with an excellent quality / price ratio that will make happy all those users looking for a comfortable bike with good downhill performance. Too bad for the very low bottom bracket that often leads us to touch the ground in the most technical and stony sections.



Written by

[email protected] I am a fan of everything that has 2 wheels: at a young age I practiced road and track cycling (Italian Allievi champion). At the age of 18 I passed into the cross country competing at national/international level as an Under23. Past Elite, I made the choice to take things more lightly from a training point of view, and my love for gravity disciplines was born, training me as an FCI MTB instructor and guide. Now I have made passion my profession by managing 2 MTB centers on the island of Elba (Bike Center Elba and Elba MTB), creating the FANTAmtb and telling in an ironic but professional way everything that revolves around MTB thanks to 365mountainbike and 365TV (YouTube'PULITI dentro BIKER fuori').

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