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Ultimate C380+ HMB Review

Gazelle Ultimate c380 HMB
By
Richard Shrubb,
Contributing Author
Gazelle Ultimate c380 HMB
By
Toby Hill,
E-Bike Reviewer
Images from manufacturer's website

55 mi

RANGE

28 mph

TOP SPEED

5 hrs

CHARGE TIME

55 lbs

WEIGHT

Mid-drive

MOTOR TYPE

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Ultimate C380+ HMB Review: Takeaway

Short of riding it down a mountainside and over jumps, this is a great electric bike for most uses. Its wide tires and 80mm suspension fork will handle off-road sections, and the drive system will take you quickly and efficiently on road routes – helped ably by the step-less CVT transmission. The Ultimate C380+ is a great electric bike for a wide range of uses.

Ideal for...

Commuting
Utility riding
Shorter fun rides into the countryside
Shopping or Cafe hopping
Casual family rides

E-Bike Overview

Available as a mid-step or classic-frame e-bike, the Gazelle Ultimate C380+ HMB has a range of high-grade components that make this a low-maintenance and fun bike to ride.

With most e-bikes on the market today you still have to perform regular maintenance on the chain and other drivetrain components. If not, the chain could get excessively dirty and make shifting balky and unpleasant – or it could even rust and break. Although the continuous variable transmission (CVT) hub in the rear wheel of the Ultimate C380+ is heavier than a derailleur/chain drive, it requires zero maintenance. This is because it lacks a chain but instead has a carbon belt drive that will last many years with virtually zero maintenance.

The electronics are made by Bosch, which has a reputation for being among the best in the e-bike market today. Though only 250W, the mid-drive motor puts out as much as 85Nm of torque and will take you all the way up to 28 mph without asking too much of the 500 Wh battery. Thanks to the Enviolo CVT transmission, you won’t be pedaling very hard at top speed either.

Four-piston Shimano hydraulic disc brakes provide strong stopping power even on steeper downhills and in wet weather.

Relatively lightweight at 55 lbs, this is a comfortable ride. Its SR Suntour suspension fork offers 80mm of travel and has a lockout lever for road use, so you can be comfortable on or off the road as you choose. Rounding out the machine are a rear rack, fenders, and lights.

Reasons to Buy the Ultimate C380+ HMB

Maintenance on most e-bikes can be a bit of a pain in the rump. The more you ride, the more maintenance is required. This isn’t so much the case with the Gazelle Ultimate C380+ HMB – with hydraulic disc brakes and its bomb-proof transmission system it is a very low-maintenance beast indeed. It’s a great fit for someone who doesn’t like worrying too much about their bike but wants to use it a lot.

Things to Consider

Could Gazelle have given this a better name? It sounds like a technician or a bureaucrat named it rather than someone who cared much for marketing. Cut through the garbled letters that name it and this is a very good high-end e-bike from tires to saddle!

Specs & Components

Frame
Aluminum
Fork
SR Suntour, 80mm-travel telescopic suspension
Motor
Mid-drive Bosch Power Line Speed, 28 mph
Battery
500Wh in-tube
Controller
Bosch Purion
Brakes
Shimano BR MT420 4-piston hydraulic, 180mm front rotor, 160mm rear rotor
Drivetrain
Enviolo 380 CVT, carbon belt drive
Wheels/tires
28”, Schwalbe Energizer
Accessories
Rack, fenders, lights, kickstand

The specs above come from the manufacturer and may vary from what you’ve experienced. Notice something that needs correcting? Let us know.

Ratings

Power
5/5
5

With 85Nm of torque, the Bosch Power Line Speed mid-drive motor will get you up steep inclines even from a standing start. It tops out at 28 mph – the limit for most e-bike road laws in the USA. The Schwalbe Energizer road tires are better suited to road use and offer minimal rolling resistance.

Range
4.5/5
4.5

With the C380+ HMB’s lightweight and efficient drive system, we can believe Gazelle’s estimate that it will do 55 miles on a single charge. In most riding conditions you can expect around 35 miles per charge. As with all e-bikes, the range is affected by payload/rider weight, weather conditions, road/track quality and elevation profile. On big hills on a poor surface, you will get fewer miles.

Comfort
4.5/5
4.5

Sitting in a forward-leaning, sporty position, you will be able to lean into turns comfortably and even take on high-speed turns safely. The 80mm-travel SR Suntour fork is going to absorb most inconsistencies in the road surface, and it can also be locked out for more efficient pedaling on smooth pavement and paths. At the rear is a Selle Royal saddle and altogether with its wide tires, this is going to be a bike comfortable to ride even on longer outings.

Durability
5/5
5

This gets a perfect 5 as its transmission is almost zero maintenance. Gazelle offers a 10-year warranty on the frame, and the fork and components are covered for 2-5 years. This is subject to fair wear and tear.

Style
4.5/5
4.5

Although made to look and feel good to ride, this bike does blend into the background a bit too much. A conservative and refined style will appeal to many, and its components are found in different combinations on a large number of other electric bikes. That does mean it looks a bit anonymous, and there’s nothing that screams ‘Pick me!’ in the looks department. This may well appeal to many who don’t want to have a loud and brash e-bike.

Our Research Methodology

We personally research and test every e-bike featured in our reviews and guides to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations. Learn how we review.

About Our Editorial Team

Richard Shrubb
Written by Richard Shrubb
Contributing Author
Richard is a well-established journalist and copywriter with years of experience in the EV and e-bike world. He has worked with international sailing magazines, e-bike publications, and national newspapers.
Toby Hill
Edited by Toby Hill
E-Bike Reviewer
A trained journalist with 30 years of print and online experience, Toby Hill is an avid cyclist who has fully embraced the exciting new ride experiences that e-bikes have brought to his favorite pastime. He's ridden and tested dozens of e-bikes of all styles and technologies.
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