Haibike Lyke CF 11 Overview
Electric bike technology, especially in the lightweight category, has significantly evolved over the years, driven by robust competition. Haibike pioneered this advancement by introducing the first electric mountain bike integrated with a Bosch motor. Their latest offerings feature a variety of motors, with the Fazua Ride 60 motor powering their lightweight models.
Lightweight eMTBs, typically under 44 lbs (20 kg), offer a transformative handling experience on trails. The Haibike Lyke CF 11 is a prime example of this category, explicitly designed to appeal to traditional mountain biking enthusiasts. It boasts 140 mm of travel and 29” wheels, ideal for the seasoned rider.
The bike’s design centers around a carbon frame, discreetly incorporating a 430 Wh battery within the downtube. This non-removable battery enhances the bike’s sleek profile. The Lyke CF 11 is equipped with a 60 Nm lightweight motor, notable for its slimline design that maintains the bottom bracket area’s resemblance to a conventional bike.
As a top-tier, all-mountain trail bike with mid-level travel, the Lyke is tailored for fitness-focused riders transitioning from conventional bikes. It offers a performance akin to non-electric bikes, ensuring enthusiasts a familiar yet enhanced biking experience.
Lyke CF 11 Components
The Lyke CF 11 stands out in its premium price range with top-notch specifications. Suspension is expertly handled by Fox, featuring the robust Fox 36 fork and Float shock, known for their ability to handle tough impacts on rugged terrains while remaining agile for smoother trails.
The drivetrain is a collaboration between Shimano and Rotor, boasting a 12-speed SLX cassette powered by a Rotor 32T chain wheel crank combination. Gear shifts are seamless with the Shimano XT derailleur and shifter, allowing efficient double-shifting in both directions.
Braking is responsive and reliable, thanks to the Shimano XT four-piston brakes paired with Shimano Ice Tech rotors. These ensure optimal cooling with a 203 mm rotor at the front and a 180mm at the rear.
The bike’s wheels are a highlight, featuring Mavic Crossmax wheels with straight-bladed spokes and Mavic hubs, complemented by Maxxis trail tires — the Minion and Dissector. This combination results in a wheelset that is not only lightweight and durable but also adds a touch of style. It ranks among the best we’ve experienced in this bike category.
Riders can also enjoy a comfortable ride with the Fizik saddle, coupled with a hydraulic seatpost that offers a wide range of movement adjustments, optimizing comfort whether descending or climbing
Fazua Ride 60 Motor And Battery
The Lyke CF 11 is a groundbreaking e-bike, notable as our first test model equipped with the Fazua Ride 60 lightweight motor system, a Porsche-owned technology known for its quality ride feel and interface.
This motor, our current favorite in the lightweight category, offers a significant 60 Nm of torque, outperforming other lightweight motors. It features a unique top power mode, providing a 30-second, 400-watt power boost – ideal for overcoming technical climbs and obstacles.
Its 430 Wh battery offers a 3-4 hour range. While it delivers slightly less torque than a full-power motor, it compensates with a lighter weight and one of the most energy-dense packs on the market, using cutting-edge lithium Ion 21700 cell technology (similar to Tesla). An optional external battery pack can extend the range by about 30 percent, fitting conveniently in the water bottle holder.
The motor assistance is smooth and efficient, providing enough power throughout the pedal stroke, and is exceptionally quiet, even on climbs. The system overall supports a relaxed, rider-focused experience.
Riders can customize motor settings via an app, which offers a range of tuning options for each power mode, although the initial Bluetooth connection setup can be time-consuming.
The Lyke CF 11 opts for a sleek design with no display, featuring a battery level indicator on the top tube and a metal remote on the left handlebar for easy operation. We appreciate the move toward cleaner, uncluttered handlebars without large LCD displays, enhancing the trail riding experience.
Geometry
Having tested the Lyke CF 11 across diverse terrains, it’s clear that this bike excels in both sitting and descending positions. Its design, which doesn’t focus on long travel, suits it, particularly for flat or gently rolling trails. The synergy of 29” wheels and 140mm travel renders the bike agile on winding paths. However, on more challenging descents, the bike’s geometry reveals its limitations, indicating that it’s not tailored for extreme downhill riding. Instead, the Lyke CF 11 is designed with a wider range of uses in mind, offering versatility across various trail types.
On The Trail
During our rides on various trails, including all-mountain and smooth, wooded paths, the Lyke CF 11 demonstrated exceptional performance. The bike’s wheels, with their apparent low rolling resistance and superb directional stability, worked seamlessly with the Maxxis tires to provide an ideal balance of grip.
This efficiency isn’t solely due to the bike’s lighter weight, which does contribute to its ability to maintain speed effectively.
Our experience suggests that the optimal pedaling cadence with this bike falls between 70-90 RPM, at which point it closely mimics the feel of a traditional non-electric bike. On climbs, the bike sustains momentum as long as the rider continues to pedal actively. The motor doesn’t take over completely; consistent pedaling effort is necessary, especially on short, technical uphills where good pedaling technique and line choice are key. This approach to power regulation also helps in extending the battery life.
For those accustomed to the effortless climbing of a full-power eMTB, be prepared to invest about 30 percent more energy when riding the Lyke CF 11.
Descending with this bike is enjoyable. Its lightweight nature allows the rider to lead the way, offering a more responsive and controlled experience. Braking is smoother, too, thanks to less weight shifting forward, resulting in fewer suspension dives. This translates to a fluid ride, where reaccelerating after hard braking feels easier and more seamless.
Reasons to Buy the Lyke CF 11
For those in search of a lightweight product equipped with the Fazua motor system, this e-bike is an essential option to consider. Its outstanding geometry and design result in a bike that meets the needs of enthusiastic trail riders who value the responsiveness and lightness of a carbon frame.
Things to Consider
Should your preference lean toward a motor-dominated riding experience, then the Fazua Ride 60 might not align with your expectations. This system is designed to enhance, rather than overshadow, the rider’s effort. For those seeking a more robust motor-centric performance, there are other more powerful systems on the market better suited to those needs.
