An electrically power assisted bicycle that assists driving with a motor and allows you to easily climb slopes. However, many purchasers are using it as a substitute for the 50cc moped that used to run on roads all over Japan. For this reason, many designs are also reasonable.

Daytona Pottering Bike's "DE01" series is an electrically power assisted bicycle aimed at a different layer than before. It is a mini velo with a fashionable design with the catchphrase "electric assist that does not look like an assist".


The Enuchi editorial department rented a test drive of "DE01" and actually used it for a week. It was a perfect place to go for lunch and have lunch in a fashionable town.

■ Why doesn't it look like an assist?
Why doesn't "DE01" look like a power-assisted bicycle? The reason is that it hides the most prominent "battery" of electrically power assisted bicycles. I put it in a leather bag and installed it around the rear loading platform to make it look like a fashionable rear bag.



Eliminate meters from the steering wheel. This also makes the "DE01" look like an ordinary bicycle.


■ First, test the assist function! -It's good to go, but it's effective for commuting because it's hard to return!
First, test the assist function. I used "DE01" for commuting and checked its power.

The distance from Nakano-ku, Tokyo, where the author lives, to Gotanda, where the Enuchi editorial department is located, is about 12 kilometers one way. The route is downhill on the way and uphill on the way back, and people tend to resent "I wish I had done the opposite". Gotanda station is about 3 meters above sea level, but the altitude around Nakano station is about 38 meters, so you will have to climb about 35 meters on your way home.


The toughest one is between Gotanda and Meguro. Gotanda station is about 3 meters above sea level, but the next station, Meguro station, is about 23 meters, so you have to go up about 20 meters in just one station. By the way, is it easy to climb on this steep slope, "DE01"?

◆ Slope, easy victory!
Trial run around the tightest area in front of Meguro station. The result was surprisingly easy. You can feel that someone is gently pushing you from behind. Even men were able to continue rowing on the slopes where many people "row" while sitting. Even if you are tired from work, you can easily go home with this.


It is also effective when waiting for a traffic light. Even if you inadvertently stop in the top gear, you can start easily with the assistance. The feeling of powerful assistance as soon as you start rowing is fun and makes you laugh a little!

■ I understood the power of "DE01" when I ran in a fashionable town. However, not many people commute by this bicycle. Looking at the design, I feel that it is a bicycle that enjoys riding in the city. So, I visited a fashionable town in Tokyo for a while.

The 23 wards of Tokyo are full of slopes. There are almost always slopes in places such as Shibuya and Yotsuya that have a "valley" in their place name. The same is true for cities with "mountains" in their place names. The fashionable town "Daikanyama", which has been gaining popularity recently, and its suburbs "Nakameguro" can also be said to be hill towns.

So, first I visited Nakameguro. Is "DE01" easy to drive in this city?


The first place I visited was Snoopy's theme cafe "PEANUTS CAFE". But unfortunately, it was full even though it was a weekday. I will give up PEANUTS CAFE and change my schedule to shopping at Daikanyama T-Site.


The distance between "PEANUTS CAFE" in Nakameguro and T-Site in Daikanyama is only 700 meters on the map. Real estate display is less than 9 minutes away.

However, there is an altitude difference of about 19 meters between these two points. This elevation difference at this short distance. It's a tough climb on foot, but it's really hard on a bicycle. It can be said that it is a slope that can not be climbed without considerable leg strength.


Above all, the slope at the Daiichi Commercial High School is a steep slope where people who are descending seem to disappear to the ground. By the way, can I go up here with "DE01"?


As you can see, I managed to get better by turning on the electric power assist.


Challenge uphill from Ebisu to Daikanyama. I can manage to climb this as well.


"DE01" is a perfect bicycle to go back and forth between Daikanyama and Nakameguro, Ebisu and Daikanyama, and to move around the hills of Shibuya. Of course, you can climb the slope in the same way with a general electrically power assisted bicycle. However, the design is like "Mom, should I go to pick up my child soon?" It's a little unsuitable for riding when visiting gourmet shops and general stores, isn't it?



By the way, the test drive I borrowed this time is the "DE01S" from the "DE01" series. Its weight is a little heavy at 16.1 kg. Assist systems such as batteries and motors are concentrated around the rear wheels, so the rear is heavier than the front. When running in the streets of Tokyo, I tend to come across cases where I have to ride a bicycle up and down the stairs, but I found it quite difficult for a woman to carry the "DE01" up the stairs.


■ Can be stored in a room or company
I haven't touched it once, but in fact, "DE01" is foldable. If you don't have a bicycle parking lot at home or in the office, you can fold it in your room or by your desk.


Even though it has an assist function, it folds. This is quite rare, isn't it? However, for city dwellers who often climb hills and often live in small rooms, it may be a necessary function for both.


■ For gourmet tours and general store tours in fashionable towns
With an assist that does not look like an assist, it is a fashionable mini velo, and it has a folding function so you do not have to worry about bicycle parking. The "DE01" is perfect for city dwellers.

It doesn't look like an electric power assist, so you might be seen with the eyes of "Are you riding a bicycle for mom?" You will not be attacked by the paranoia. Rather, you should be able to enjoy the fun of riding a fashionable bicycle that is perfect for the city.

For some reason, a fashionable town in Tokyo that is often full of slopes. "DE01" is perfect for running around such a city and finding a new favorite store. Recommended for life stylists who want to be particular about design as well as functionality.