Cycling has always been the quickest way to get around cities (beating out cars and public transit in terms of travel time between A and B). Achielle believes that cycling is for everyone, and everyone can be a cyclist without sacrificing comfort or style. Their new e-bikes allow anyone to ride fast and far, no matter their age or riding ability.

The Achielle Esmee has a classic Dutch "Oma" step-thru steel frame and swept-back handlebars for the classic "sit up and beg" position that's incredibly comfortable for everyday riding. But this bike is far from slow! The Shimano STePS E6100 motor and 418Wh battery can boost your ride by 32km/hr for up to 150km, while the Alfine 8-speed internal hub teams up with a Di2 electronic automatic shifter to make your commute a truly intuitive, effortless experience. The best bit is the Gates carbon belt drive - technology borrowed from motorcycles means you never have to deal with lubricant, grease on your pantleg, or chain slippage. And did we mention it'll last you 30,000km before needing to be swapped?

And it gets better! Hydraulic disc brakes ensure absolute stopping power in all weather conditions at every speed, and a German-made dynamo lighting system means you'll never be left out in the dark no matter where you end up. A double-legged kickstand adds ultimate stability when loading groceries or heavy loads, and an included AXA wheel lock will keep your bike secure for cafe stops. Finally, a Brooks leather saddle and matching Achielle leather battery cover and grips ensure this bike looks the part on the streets of 1902 Belgium as much as it does zipping through traffic in downtown Toronto.

Questions? Book a consultation with one of our City Bike experts
Achielle Esmee Dutch Oma Step-Thru E-Bike
Hand brazed Corus steel frame, galvanized and powder coated
Step-Thru frame with very upright riding position
Matching steel fenders, chain case and heavy duty rear pannier rack
Shimano STePS E6100 motor with Di2 automatic electronic shifting makes mountain climbs and long Sunday rides truly effortless
8-speed Alfine internal hub - Wide gear range for every urban hill and extremely low maintenance costs
Gates belt drive - Lube-free, maintenance-free, 30,000km of riding before needing replacement
Brooks honey leather saddle and matching Achielle leather grips and battery cover for ultimate comfort and heritage looks
Schwalbe Fat Frank puncture-proof tires
AXA Defender wheel lock protects your bike for short stops, and your back wheel and hub for longer ones
Full dynamo lighting setup with Busch & Muller and Supernova lights - Halogen front and LED rear with standlight technology
Hebie Kickstand with steering stabilizer

ACHIELLE ESMEE E-BIKE - STEP THRU
FRAME	Achielle CORUS Steel, hand-brazed, Galvanized (made in Belgium)
MOTOR	Shimano Steps E6100
BATTERY	418Wh w/ Leather Battery Cover
ESTIMATED RANGE: Eco-Normal-High	150km – 100km – 70km
FORK	Achielle CORUS Steel, hand-brazed, Galvanized (made in Belgium)
HEADSET	1" Alloy
STEM	Alloy Quill 25.4mm
HANDLEBAR	Custom bent alloy
GRIPS	Achielle leather with foam undercore
SEATPOST	Alloy Micro-adjust
SEAT	Brooks B67 Honey Brown (made in England)
BRAKES	Shimano Hydraulic Disc Brakes
BRAKE LEVERS	Shimano Hydraulic Disc Brake Levers
SHIFTER	Di2 Electronic Automatic Shifting
FRONT HUB	Shimano Disc Brake
REAR HUB	Shimano Alfine 8 Di2
SPOKES	Oversize 13G Stainless Steel, 36 Spokes
RIMS	Aluminum
TIRES	Schwalbe Fat Frank
BOTTOM BRACKET	Sealed Cartridge Bearing 68mm/105mm
CRANKS	44T x 170mm Steel
CHAIN	Gates Belt Drive CDX
COGSET	1/2" x 1/8" 21T
PEDALS	VP Sandpaper
KICKSTAND	Hebie Double Kickstand (made in Germany)
FRONT LIGHT	Busch & Muller IQ-XS (made in Germany)
REAR LIGHT	Supernova E3 (made in Germany)
RACK	Lepper, EN certified (made in Holland)
EXTRAS	AXA Defender Wheel Lock (made in Germany)
BELL	Widek Chrome Bell (made in Holland)
FENDERS & CHAIN GUARD	Lepper Colour Matched Fenders (made in Holland) Achielle Custom Colour Matched Chain Guard

ACHIELLE ESMEE E-BIKE - STEP THRU	FROM	TO
51CM	5' 4"	5' 7"
57CM	5' 8"	6' 1"

ACHIELLE ESMEE E-BIKE - STEP THRU

FROM

51CM

5' 4"

5' 7"

57CM

5' 8"

6' 1"

How is a city bike different from other types of bikes?

Behind each bike lies a designer, and within each designer lie assumptions. The assumption of most North American bike designers is that people ride bikes for recreation, which usually involves a bike path, a country road, and several hours of spare time. The bikes that result from this assumption are usually hunched-over, have exposed oily drivetrains that require tighter athletic clothes, feature anywhere from 21 to 33 speeds, and aren’t usually made to be locked up to metal poles all day, especially in foul weather. A city bike is quite the opposite. Its position is gloriously upright, the chain is totally covered, you have all the gears you’d ever need (3-speeds for flatter terrain, 7 or 8-speeds for hills), and tough frames and sealed mechanisms to battle all kinds of weather.

What’s the difference between a brand like Achielle and others you carry?

There are several key principles behind a good city bike design: outdoor storability, clothing protection, low maintenance, theft-resistance, and comfort. As a heritage European brand, Achielle embodies all of these principles to the maximum. It has chip and rust-resistant frame with low maintenance internal mechanisms. It uses a full chainguard to keep clothing clean. The wheels are bolted on to keep thieves away and the bike is gloriously upright. Other brands aren’t nearly as outdoor storable (Pure City) while others expose the oily chain to your clothing (Pelago and Pure City).

Is a Step-thru for Women and a Roadster for Men?

Heck no! It’s the 21 ^st century and anyone can ride either a Step-thru or a Roadster. The difference between the two is not gender, but position. A Step-thru has a remarkably high head-tube that raises the handlebar so the back is straight and the hips pointed forward. A Roadster has a much shorter headtube that positions the rider over the handlebars for more control, and the hips over the cranksets for more power.

How strong are the wheels and will I get a lot of punctures?

Wheels are always the first part to break on most bikes and these wheels are strong! All the city bikes we sell feature strong double-walled rims that are internally box-sectioned to handle streetcar tracks and potholes. They all feature strong stainless-steel spokes that can never rust. Bikes like the Craighton use Marathon Plus tire that are mega Kevlar-belted tires to almost eliminate punctures in the city.

What is an internal gear hub?

In Europe a bike with an internal gear hub is what makes it a definitive city bike. Because the chain isn’t derailed up and down a set of external cogs (using a derailleur), the chain will never fall off again, and best of all, the chain can be covered so you can wear whatever you want. The gears are sealed inside the rear hub and they hold a tune two times longer than a derailleur, minimizing tune-ups and allowing you to store the bike outside throughout the winter problem-free.

What is a belt drive?

Belt drives have been developed over the last 30 years for use in racing engines and motorcycles. They are a band of nylon teeth held together with a series of carbon fibre cords, paired with alloy alloy chainrings and stainless-steel cogs. They've recently made the jump to bikes because they're nearly silent, don't require lube (and are much more winter-proof as a result), don't rust or get jammed with debris, and last for up to 30,000km of riding before needing replacement. We don't see them often on North American bikes because they can't be used with external derailleurs, only internal hubs or crank-based gearboxes.

What’s the deal with hydraulic disc brakes?

Disc brakes are awesome, here’s why: (1) Because they stop the bike close to the centre of the wheel's rotation, you get significantly more power; (2) Unlike rim brakes, they sit high above puddles so braking performance is consistent in (most) weather; and (3) They require less tuning and the pads last longer. Hydraulic (versus mechanical) disc brakes are also excellent for use in cold weather, as they don't freeze up and will work no matter how cold it gets. They add a bit of weight, but it’s good weight!

What is electronic lighting?

Cars come with lights and so should a city bike. Electronic lightsets are an integrated system that gets its electricity from the motor battery and blasts this into a theft-resistant light that projects more power than most battery or hub systems.

What’s with that leather seat?

It’s the most comfortable thing you could ever sit on, seriously! Comfort is not based on squishy softness but instead shape. Brooks have been making saddles in the same Birmingham, UK factory since 1866 and they’re meant for a lifetime. A Brooks saddle molds to your anatomy and creates the perfect fit between rider and machine. Be careful you don’t get it wet though! (A plastic bag or saddle cover does the trick).

How do I ensure my new bike won’t get stolen?

Estimates are that over 90% of bicycle theft is tied to cash-for-drugs and this (unfortunately) makes every bike a target. Make sure you buy a good U-lock or a chain and your bike will be safe. You can read more about bike theft here.

What’s the warranty?

Ten year warranty for manufacturer defects on frame and fork, one year on parts. Does not include wear and tear

THINKING OF BUYING AN ACHIELLE? READ OUR BLOG POST WHY ACHIELLE?

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ESME - E-BIKE - DUTCH STEP-THRU - GATES - MATTE NIGHT BLUE

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