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When it comes to classic design and comfort in e-biking, few names stand as prominent as Gazelle. With a rich history spanning over a century, Gazelle has crafted a niche for itself, combining traditional aesthetics with modern technology. Gazelle has three main e-bike product lines: Medeo, Arroyo, and Ultimate.
This post is a deep dive on the Arroyo Elite C8. I’ll walk you through what I like most about it and where it falls short.
If you are looking for a bottom line when it comes to Gazelle and their Arroyo e-bike it’s this: Personally, I’d opt for the Ultimate T10 rather than the Arroyo because it has more torque and a better gearing system making it more suited for hilly commute, something that almost every commute in Seattle has 😃⛰️ . That being said, let’s dive in and I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of the Gazelle Arroyo Elite C8 e-bike.
Key e-bike details
Basics
- Base Price: $3,699
- Class: 1
- Max Speed: 20 mph
- Estimated Range: 25 to 70 miles
- Weight: 50.9 lbs
Motor & Electronics
- Motor: 250W Bosch Performance Line with 50Nm torque
- Motor location: Mid-drive
- Battery: Integrated Bosch Li-ion 500 Wh
- PAS Sensor: Torque
- Throttle: No
- Display: LED Display
Components
- Brakes: Tektro HD-T280 hydraulic disc brakes
- Drivetrain: 8-speed Shimano Nexus hub
- Belt Drive: No
- Tires: 28″ Schwalbe Energizer Plus
Misc
- Recommended Rider Height:
- 46: 4’10” – 5’6″
- 53: 5’6″ – 5’10”
- 57: 5’10” – 6’4″
- Max Rider Weight: not given
- Payload Capacity: 285 lbs
What we like about it
- Quality design: Drawing on Gazelle’s 130 years of bike-making experience, this e-bike shows off a beautiful, classic Dutch style with comfortable leather handlebar grips. It’s well-built, and high-quality components like the Bosch system add to its reliability.
- Bosch mid-drive motor & torque sensor: The 250-watt motor produces 50 Nm of torque, which is suitable for handling rolling hills. Bosch makes high-quality motors with great responsiveness. Combined with a torque sensor this is my ideal e-bike motor setup.
- Comfort enhancements: The shock-absorbing seat post adds comfort, smoothing out bumps during your ride. Combined with Gazelle’s upright riding position, front suspension fork, and wide puncture-resistant tires, it ensures a comfortable experience.
- Integrated front light: The low-profile, integrated front light in the front fender is both stylish and powerful, making you more visible to motorists.
- Integrated security: The AXA Defender Wheel Lock is a nice feature that offers peace of mind and great security.
- Built for inclement weather: The Arroyo has integrated lights, long rain fenders, and wide 2″ tires making it a great e-bike for commutes in inclement weather.
- Adjustable handlebar position: The quick adjuster for handlebar positioning makes this bike versatile and suitable for different riders or riding moods.
- Reliability and serviceability: Gazelle is known for its reliability and build quality, and it also has the advantage of being serviced at local dealers, which makes tune-ups quick and easy.
Where it falls short
- Shifting mechanism: The Shimano Nexus internal hub for shifting requires you to stop pedaling to shift, which can be annoying, especially when climbing inclines. This lack of smoothness in shifting is a significant drawback.
- Chain drive with flimsy cover: Despite its price, the bike uses a chain drive with a plastic cover that feels flimsy and unnecessary. I would have preferred Gazelle to include a belt drive on this e-bike.
- Power limitations: For some reason, Gazelle decided to downgrade the motor for the 2nd generation Arroyo. It now has the Bosch Active Line Plus with 50 Nm of torque rather than the Bosch Performance Line, which has 63 Nm of torque. I was disappointed that it didn’t have as much power to get up the steep hills in Seattle.
- Price concern: At around $3,700, some might find the value proposition lacking, especially considering the shifting issues and the e-bike’s torque downgrade.
In-depth review
The Arroyo Elite C8 is a reliable e-bike that has been designed to provide both style and comfort. Drawing from Gazelle’s impressive 130-year history, the e-bike exudes classic Dutch style with its attention to detail in every curve and finish. For instance, the comfortable leather handlebar grips provide a touch of elegance and class to the e-bike.
However, the Arroyo Elite C8 is not just about looks. Its design has been carefully crafted to ensure maximum comfort for the rider. The shock-absorbing seat post and gel saddle are a key feature that provides a smooth ride, even on bumpy terrain. Additionally, the upright riding position and front suspension fork have been designed to minimize discomfort and provide a more relaxed riding experience. The quickly adjustable handlebar position is another thoughtful addition.
The Arroyo Elite C8 also boasts wide puncture-resistant tires that give you the confidence to take on a variety of terrains without worrying about damaging you’re e-bike. The Arroyo is a nice blend of style, comfort, and durability.
Interestingly, Gazelle opted to downgrade the mid-drive motor in the 2nd generation of the Arroyo. It’s a bit puzzling, but potentially they were trying to reduce costs so that they could keep the price tag down. The switch from the Bosch Performance Line (63 Nm torque) to the Active Line Plus (50 Nm torque) has resulted in a noticeable reduction in torque, something that’s particularly evident when tackling steep hills.
But, I think it’s still important to highlight that Bosch mades a high quality motor and in general the Arroyo will still have plenty of torque for commutes that are mostly flat or have rolling hills. The motor is super quiet and responsive. Paired with the torque sensor it’s super enjoyable to pedal and feel the power kick in immediately.
The Arroyo Elite C8’s low-profile, integrated front light is one of its first noticeable features. Not only does it add a touch of elegance to the bike, but it also serves a functional purpose, enhancing your visibility to approaching motorists.
The AXA Defender Wheel Lock are a nice bonus. I have a wheel lock on my cargo e-bike and have found it to be so handy. It’s a low profile way to secure your e-bike. If you go with a wheel lock, be sure to purchase a loop chain so that you can lock the wheel lock to a bike rack.
But where Gazelle Arroyo truly shines is in the realm of reliability and serviceability. Gazelle stands behind the quality of the e-bikes with a 10 year warranty on the frame and a 2 year warranty for everything else. This is one of the best warranties in the industry. And should you ever need a tune-up, local dealers are always at hand to ensure that your bike is in top shape. Gazelle backs
However the Arroyo Elite C8 has its drawbacks. The Shimano Nexus internal hub for shifting, while functional, leaves much to be desired in terms of smoothness. I found it close to impossible to change gears while pedaling. While a minor inconvenience on a flat road, it was annoyingly difficult to downshift on a hill, I had to pause my pedaling, shift, and then resume pedaling.
The chain drive, although solid, is overshadowed by a somewhat flimsy plastic cover, a feature that seems out of place on a bike in this price range. I would have liked to see Gazelle opt for a belt drive on this e-bike.
Finally, speaking of cost, the $3,700 price tag might be a stumbling block for some, especially considering the aforementioned issues. If you really want a Gazelle e-bike, than I’d opt for the Ultimate T10 which I think is a better combination of features.
All in all the Gazelle Arroyo Elite C8 is a well crafted e-bike that brings together style, comfort, and reliability in one elegant package. Its classic design and quality components make it fun to ride, while thoughtful additions like integrated wheel lock and adjustable handlebar positioning add to its appeal. While not without its shortcomings, especially in terms of it’s shifter and lower torque, the Arroyo Elite C8 is still a good quality e-bike.
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