Kellys Theos F90 E-MTB first experience evaluate – Is that this carbon revolution?

Whereas carbon has lengthy turn out to be the fabric of selection for a lot of mountain bikers, it additionally has its disadvantages. With the progressive Feather steel-carbon composite materials, Slovakian model Kellys needs to take advantage of all the benefits of the black gold whereas on the similar time minimizing its disadvantages. We examined the Kellys THEOS F90 eMTB with Shimano EP8 motor and 725 Wh battery.

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We’ve already introduced the THEOS on this unique announcement virtually two years in the past. Now the bike has lastly made it to our workplace, straight from Kellys’ HQ in Slovakia. With their new THEOS, which suggests “god” in historic Greek, Kellys wish to enchantment to the sporty gravity rider who’s searching for an indestructible, long-travel mullet eMTB for demanding trails however, on the similar time, doesn’t wish to resign the perks of carbon such because the harmonious body strains and a low system weight.

The Kellys THEOS F90 intimately

The Kellys THEOS depends on a Shimano EP8 motor and 725 Wh battery, which is completely built-in within the downtube, protected by a generously-sized TPU plate and may be faraway from the underside of the downtube. The motor is tilted by approx. 45° and neatly built-in into the body, which at first look, appears so much like a traditional carbon body with its harmonious strains. Nonetheless, the Slovakians make use of a thermoplastic steel-carbon composite materials a.okay.a Feather, which was developed in shut cooperation with Belgian tech firm REIN4CED. What makes Feather so distinctive is that the carbon is bolstered with micro metal fibres, that are claimed to distribute forces extra evenly and over a bigger space within the occasion of a crash or influence and thus forestall delamination or cracks. In consequence, the body ought to be extra impact-resistant and extra sturdy in comparison with a traditional carbon body – and with out further weight penalties! Regardless of the large battery and sturdy elements, the THEOS tilts our scales at a really affordable 23 kg (dimension L). Nonetheless, in contrast to its identify suggests, it’s not precisely a featherweight, however nonetheless one of many lighter bikes in its class.

The body has a sporty silhouette, which the Slovakians mix with a moto-style swingarm. The highest tube runs parallel to the shock and merges seamlessly into the seat stays, making certain a clear and trendy look along with the uneven shock mount. Sadly, the harmonious body strains are spoiled by the cluttered cockpit. That is primarily because of the numerous cables, which aren’t organized as neatly as the remainder of the motor system. The brake strains and dropper put up distant cable disappear into the top tube and run straight into the body. Nonetheless, these aren’t clamped on the ports correctly and held in place by flimsy rubber inserts, which dislodge from the ports very simply. The Acros headset with built-in BlockLock limits the steering angle and thus prevents the fork from hitting and damaging the body.

The spec of the Kellys THEOS F90 intimately

Like all THEOS fashions, the Kellys THEOS F90 flagship mannequin depends on a mullet wheel setup with a 29” wheel on the entrance and smaller 27.5” wheel on the rear. Our top-spec take a look at bike retails for €8,999. Not like most manufacturers, Kellys pair suspension elements from totally different producers, combining a FOX 38 Manufacturing facility fork and RockShox Tremendous Deluxe Final shock that management 180/170 mm journey on the entrance and rear, respectively. The fork’s high-quality GRIP2 damper gives four-way adjustability with high- and low-speed management each for the rebound and compression circuit. The air shock gives low-speed rebound and compression changes and includes a two-stage lockout lever for the climbs. That being stated, we by no means needed to attain for the climb swap. Whereas our take a look at bike comes with a 150 mm FOX Switch Manufacturing facility dropper put up, the manufacturing bike can be delivered with its long-travel 175 mm counterpart, which ought to enhance freedom of motion.

An digital Shimano XT-Di2 drivetrain ensures exact and dependable shifting and runs on a less expensive 11-speed 11–46T SLX cassette. Shimano XT four-piston brakes with huge 203 mm ice tech rotors entrance and rear do stopping duties. The braking torque is transferred to the bottom by aggressively-profiled Schwalbe tires, with a 2.4” Schwalbe Magic Mary on the entrance and a couple of.6” Hans Dampf on the rear – each within the Tremendous Path casing. The entrance tire employs the smooth and grippy ADDIX Delicate rubber compound whereas the rear depends on a more durable rubber compound for decrease rolling resistance. The tires are paired with a sturdy DT Swiss H1700 Hybrid alloy wheelset.

Extra Kellys THEOS spec variants

The THEOS vary consists of three fashions – we examined the THEOS F90 flagship mannequin. If you happen to’re searching for a extra reasonably priced bike, you need to take a better take a look at the THEOS F70 and F50, which retail for €7,299 and €5,499, respectively. The F70 mid-range mannequin comes with a really affordable spec, together with a Shimano XT-12-speed drivetrain, RockShox Zeb Charger R fork and RockShox Coil Choose R coil shock. The F50 entry-level mannequin is the most suitable choice for the price-conscious eMTBer and gives barely much less journey, combining 150/140 mm journey, on the entrance and rear. Furthermore, it includes a cheaper Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain and primary RockShox 35 Gold RL fork, which gives hardly any adjustment choices.

The geometry of the Kellys THEOS F90

The Kellys THEOS F90 is just obtainable in 2 sizes, M and L, providing an acceptable choice just for riders between 168 to 200 cm tall. The comparatively steep 76° seat angle positions the rider centrally on the bike. Though the quick 430 mm seat tube (dimension L) suggests loads of freedom of motion, the 150 mm dropper put up of our take a look at bike restricts this considerably. The 459 mm chainstays are fairly lengthy for a motorcycle with a small 27.5″ rear wheel however don’t have a destructive impact on the using behaviour of the bike.

Dimension	M	L
High tube	617 mm	643 mm
Seat tube	400 mm	430 mm
Head tube	105 mm	120 mm
Head angle	64.5°	64.5°
Seat angle	76°	76°
Chainstay	459 mm	459 mm
BB Drop	12 mm	12 mm
Wheelbase	1.269 mm	1.298 mm
Attain	463 mm	482 mm
Stack	619 mm	638 mm

The Kellys THEOS F90 on the path

The pedalling place is comfy and upright and places hardly any stress in your fingers, making the THEOS F90 a snug touring companion. Uphill, the THEOS shows wonderful climbing qualities, permitting you to barter even steeper climbs with out having to actively weight the entrance wheel. When negotiating technical climbs, the rear suspension swallows small impacts and gives first rate traction, even with the shock in “open” mode.

When gravity takes over, the THEOS integrates its rider you properly between its wheels. The burden is evenly distributed between the entrance and rear wheel, permitting you to generate traction, even by open corners on free terrain. Even on slender trails, the Kelly responds to steering enter willingly, making it simple to barter tight switchbacks. The rear suspension gives good assist and lets you pop off ledges with out an excessive amount of effort, contributing to the agile character of the bike. Regardless of this liveliness, the Kellys at all times feels composed, permitting you to decide to your line with out an excessive amount of effort, even in technical sections. Ought to the path out of the blue slope up, forcing you to drop just a few gears in a rush, it might take some time to search out the shifter, as a result of it’s positioned too removed from the grip. On steep descents, the 150 mm dropper put up restricts freedom of motion. The progressive Feather body made it by this take a look at with out drama and did precisely what it’s purported to do, withstanding all of the knocks and stresses of an in-depth testing session and making it again to our headquarters unscathed. That being stated, we are able to’t let you know whether or not it’s robust sufficient to outlive extra excessive conditions, like a nasty crash in a rock backyard – fortunately, we didn’t have to search out out for ourselves!

The Kellys THEOS F90 – our conclusions

The Kellys THEOS F90 has a snug using place that makes it appropriate for in depth path excursions. Downhill, it impresses with energetic dealing with and good composure. The burden is evenly distributed between the wheels, permitting you to generate good traction by quick, open corners. The staff at Kellys has designed a visible eye-catcher out of the Feather materials. Solely a long-term take a look at will reveal what the professionals and cons of the progressive steel-carbon composite materials are.

For extra info, please go to the Kellys web site.

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Phrases: Mike Starvation Images: Robin Schmitt