The Gazelle Eclipse C380 + HMB is hands down one of the most attractive east - bikes I ’ve ever seen . Judging appearance is immanent , however , so it ’s also important to state from the top that this Gazelle fit the boxes for almost every feature , function , component , and quality I seem for when I review e - bikes .
The Gazelle Eclipse is well - made and attractively fetch up . It ’s comfortable to razz and extremely light to operate . In Class 3 fashion , the Eclipse easily holds at 26 to 28 mi per hour , and the bike ’s powertrain has ample torque for riotous starts and steep incline . If all of the above impresses you , you ’re not alone .
But one ingredient gave me cause to pause . The Gazelle Eclipse C380 + HMB ’s starting price is $ 6,000 .
A quick spirit at the images in this reassessment shows the Eclipse is n’t a racing bike or a mountain bicycle built for utmost obligation . So , how can you justify spending that much money on an e - motorcycle , no matter how nice it is ? That was the challenge for this limited review .
Gazelle Eclipse: The primary and best use
The sound view for considering the Gazelle Eclipse is to start with where it ’s made and the company that makes it .
The Royal Dutch Gazelle wheel troupe started business in 1892 in Dieren , Netherlands . Gazelle produces about 300,000 cycle each year and is the grocery store leader in its own res publica , one of the most bicycle - centrical countries in the world .
According to theCycling Factsreport publish by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management , the Netherlands has 17 million resident physician and 23 million bicycles , including 2 million e - wheel .
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The nicely finish Eclipse utilize strictly top - of - the - line components from major e - bike suppliers .
Among many other fun facts in the report , one - third of all trips of distance up to 7.5 kilometers ( 4.67 mile ) in the Netherlands are made by bicycles . The report also credits Es - motorcycle for a meaning increment in home - to - work dealings .
Wherever you live , the high-pitched and best use case involve using the Eclipse e - motorcycle as one ’s primary course of personal conveyance in a city or town and for daily commuting .
Bruce Brown / Digital Trends
Gazelle Eclipse: What makes it special
The nicely eat up Eclipse use strictly top - of - the - line components from major e - bike provider . A Bosch Smart System Performance Line Speed mid - drive galvanizing motor provides plenty of fluent baron with 750 - watts of continuous yield and 85 Newton meter of torsion . The Gates C belt ride is quieter , cleaner , sustentation - loose , less noisy , and much longer - endure than a conventional blade chain .
The C380 + HMB also has an Enviolo Continuously Variable transmitting , so you do n’t have a gear stack and derailleur on the rear hub . A slim turn of the Enviolo ’s twist shift controller next to the ripe handgrip adjusts the virtual gears as involve .
Gazelle has another Eclipse model , the T11 HMB , which has an 11 - speed Shimano drivetrain rather of the Gates knock drive and Enviolo transmission . The T11 HMB sell for $ 500 less than the C380 + HMB , but the easiness , wanton maintenance , and longer lifespan are deserving the extra expediture , especially if you ’re already in such a high price bracket .
bruce Brown / Digital Trends
The Eclipse has a 36 - volt , 20.1Ah battery . Gazelle rate it at 750 watt - hours of major power , although multiplying the voltage by the amp output is in reality 723 Wh . The Eclipse has four drive modes with unlike power yield amounts : Eco , Tour , Auto , and Turbo .
The rider geometry is perfect for a well-heeled , erect riding style .
Gazelle estimates the maximum range per change from 50 to 100 miles , count on drive musical mode , rider weight , f number , incline , air temperature , and other factors . With an include 4 - amp electric battery courser you should be capable to amply charge an empty electric battery in about five hours . It should take about half that time to charge from 20 % to 80 % .
Bruce Brown / Digital Trends
There is a Bosch remote ascendance unit on the leftover side of the handlebar to switch modality and a shining Kiox 300 display with tons of information . There ’s also a Gazelle app you could pair with your smartphone . I did n’t use the app much and focused in the first place on riding and how the various mechanically skillful and electronic portion worked together .
All of the components on the occultation are top - flight , including 180 mm rotors for the front and rear hydraulic phonograph recording brakes , a very nice Suntour Mobie front suspension fork , and a 100 - lumen headlamp .
Gazelle Eclipse: Comfort and handling
Gazelle bicycle and einsteinium - bikes are sold through certify dealerships , which can help purchaser notice the correct size among the three available frame sizes . The step - through frame helps with easy mounting and dismounting , especially if you have something attached to the standard MIK - compatible rear rack toter . It ’s also wanton to adapt the seat height , handlebar angle , and altitude .
The rider geometry is stark for a well-to-do , good ride stylus . The Eclipse has no rear suspension , but I regain that the combination of the adjustable Suntour front crotch and the Selle Royal Essenza Plus gel seat took care of most of the little bump and eased the drive over speed bumps .
I drive the bike on green goddess - deal hills and fields , but did n’t take it on rugged track or impenetrable - tariff off - route terrain . The 27.5 - in wheels with 2.2 - inch wide Schwalbe tires were fine for street use .
Gazelle Eclipse: Riding impressions
The Eclipse does n’t have a gun and relies solely on rider pedaling and a combination of foot lever detector in co-occurrence with the Bosch campaign modality and the Enviolo CVT to find the veracious gearing and powered assistance . At first , I made it too complicated by trying to visualize out the best combination of preferences .
When I relaxed , barricade trying to think it through , and let the cycle systems work together , the experience was gratifying and easy to ride . Other than set the initial drive mode ( which really only seemed to count when I wanted to go as fast as possible ) , the only adjustment I had to make while horseback riding was to at times convolute the Enviolo controller for a bit easy pedaling if I happen myself going too slow on an incline .
I tend to imagine of e - bike equitation as a series of mini adventures , but I can see that riding the Gazelle Eclipse for everyday commutation could be a lot less striking and more relaxing . This realization helped me apprise the 130 - plus days of bike - construction experience behind the Eclipse .
Gazelle Eclipse: Upgrades and accessories
I mentioned above the Eclipse ’s standard Carrier MIK Profile rack , which go for a rise range of compatible , easy - to - connect carriers , seats , and other accessories . The Eclipse also includes an Axa fat tyre security lock with a Florida key already instal on the wheel .
I like one or two mirrors come received with the Eclipse . mirror are indispensable when turn on in dealings or even in small town . I ’ve been surprised several times by cycle or other Es - bikes that seem to come out silently out of nowhere when least expected . mirror can help .
Our take
There is so much to like about the Eclipse , but the $ 6,000 price tag end can make it a difficult purchase conclusion . If you are seeking a high - quality , true Es - bike for commutation or daily use , perhaps even to replace a 2d or even chief car , certainly regard the Gazelle Eclipse , particularly the C380 + HMB model I examine with the Gates carbon copy belt ride and the Enviolo unceasingly variable transmitting .
There are other very good choices for urban riding and commuting . In particular , I like theAventon Solera.2 change e - bikeandVelotric ’s T1 very chic city bike . But if the price tag is n’t a stopper , you ca n’t go awry with the Gazelle Eclipse C380 + HMB .
