E-Substance Aluminium Apex (Fazua)

On asphalt, it's mainly a question of resistance and efficiency, and that's what the score summarizes. That's why it's better suited to relaxed riding than pushing fast splits. It ends up here thanks to a heavier build, very wide tires that create extra drag, and a more budget-friendly drivetrain that focuses on value. The effect is most noticeable when you're chasing a faster average speed or riding into wind.

Uphill performance score: 5.1/10. Within e-road bikes, this comes out around the middle. It has a reasonably easy low gear for steady climbing. In numbers, the low gear is roughly 24.4 gear inches. On the ‘easier low gear’ scale, it sits around ~76% versus similar bikes. We use “gear inches” as a shortcut for climbing gearing. Lower numbers mean you can spin more easily when it gets steep. Weight is around 15.3 kg, which you notice more on longer or slower climbs. Being an e-bike helps on climbs because the assist adds steady push when you need it. It won’t be the absolute best climber, but it won’t hold you back on most climbs either. Specs can vary by size and build, and some manufacturer details aren’t always published, so treat this as a strong guide rather than a guarantee.

Rated 4.7/10 for aero, it balances some streamlining with versatility so it works well across lots of riding. Put simply, it’s a balanced middle ground: some streamlining, but not an extreme aero setup. Different categories trade aerodynamics against comfort and stability—gravel is part of that story. The fit looks fairly neutral, so aerodynamics depends more on the overall design and components than on an extreme position. Details like hidden cables and a cleaner cockpit can add up to small aero gains at speed. That typically means solid everyday speed without forcing an aggressive position or race-only parts.

Balanced fit - a versatile position for long rides and faster efforts. You get this posture because the cockpit sits 102 mm below the saddle (a large drop), and the cockpit stretches you forward by ~554 mm (long). Plan for roughly 39 degrees of lean.

Overall, it falls into Adjustable. A modular front-end gives more freedom to change stem length or bar width, Hidden cables usually add a little friction when you swap bars or stems. At the same time, Seatpost info looks fairly neutral, so most fit change comes from cockpit choices. This mainly reflects how easy it is to adjust or swap key fit parts over time.

This scores 6.4/10 for comfort, so it feels nicely smooth out on the road. So it’s tagged Balanced overall. It’s running about 47 mm tires on 650b wheels, and extra tire volume helps mute vibration and small bumps on rough lanes and gravel patches. The posture is neutral (posture 6/10, torso ~39°), which balances comfort and responsiveness pretty well.

The value looks a bit weak compared with similar options. Value is scored 1–10: higher is better value, lower means you’re paying more than similar bikes. Uses MSRP as a baseline; real-world prices can be lower (discounts can change the value). Based on the spec estimate, it’s about 13% above the typical level for similar builds. Compared with similar bikes, it trends a little expensive (cheaper than about 43% of listings). To anchor it: price €4.618 versus an estimated €4.102 for a similar build. Overall, it doesn’t look like the best value for the spec.

This bike is built for longer mixed-terrain days and rougher unpaved riding. The tire size is unknown in this entry, so the surface range is based on the clearest available signals. Wheel choice (650b) fits the kind of surfaces this bike targets.