AureusDrive PowerDrive PINION put to the test – the speed pedelec highlight of 2025

Test report by Speed Pedelec Review

The text has been translated into English. Source: Speed Pedelec Review – Test AureusDrive PowerDrive PINION

Test report part 2: AureusDrive Powerdrive PINION specifications:

“It is customary in every test report I write to list all the specifications and the price at the bottom.

In this case, I’m putting the price first: the AureusDrive Powerdrive PINION costs £7,495. Keep this price in mind when reading the specifications, because the PowerDrive will be a serious competitor for established brands with a competitive, almost unbeatable price-performance ratio.

Frame: aluminium, with polished welds
Frame colour: matt black, grey and white
Frame size: S (155 cm – 175 cm), M (175 – 185 cm) or L (taller than 185 cm)

Model with high and low step-through
Total weight including battery: 33 kg

Motor: 1,000 W/55 Nm rear wheel motor (the model with a bicycle chain has 800 W/55 Nm)
Battery: 48 V/1,440 Wh, removable, Samsung 21,700 cells
Range: 80–200 km depending on assistance, speed and external conditions

Battery charging time: 0–100% in approx. 7 hours
Display: 56 mm LCD display
5 levels of assistance

Headlight: Litemove AE-200 with 600 lm high beam function

Gear system: PINION C1.9, 9-speed hub gear
Belt: Gates Carbon CDX
Sprocket: CDX 39T aluminium

Brakes: Magura MT-5e with double piston (Note from AureusDrive: Tektro is supplied on the Swiss market.)
Brake discs 203 mm
Tyres: Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour 28″ x 2.00 with side reflection

Rims: Ryde 25C x 622
Spokes: 36 x Sapim E-Strong
Fork: AureusDrive gas spring fork with 70 mm travel, 40 mm diameter

Saddle: Selle Royal
Handle grips: Velo brand

Luggage rack and mudguards: AureusDrive
Handlebars: Promax
Rear-view mirror: Bush & Müller

Of course, we would all like a connected S-pedelec with Supernova M99 PRO2 headlights, indicators and PINION C1.12 Smart Shift gear system, but these are incredibly expensive extras (even for the manufacturer). On the current S-pedelec market, these are in the price range of €10,000 to €14,000.

At €7,495, the AureusDrive ‘PowerDrive PINION’ S-pedelec is simply first-class in terms of quality, workmanship, support and range.

The low-maintenance PINION C1.9 gearbox with Gates Carbon CDX belt drive and a powerful 1,000 W/55 Nm rear wheel hub motor is a combination that has been tried and tested for years, and the PowerDrive rides absolutely superbly. The bike accelerates in a very controlled and powerful manner. The support curve differs slightly from other brands: from 30 km/h, you notice that the motor shifts up a gear and easily takes you to over 48 km/h (according to GPS measurement). This is a higher top speed than my own STROMER ST5 PINION, which can reach up to 45.6 km/h (according to GPS measurement).

The assistance limitation at maximum speed is more pleasant than any other limiter I have experienced so far. With PowerDrive, you don’t feel the limitation. The riding experience is very natural and pleasant. Headwind: the bike doesn’t jerk. You can feel that this S-pedelec was developed and designed in the Swiss mountains.

The PINION C1.9 hub is exceptionally cleanly integrated into the frame. Our market leader could learn a thing or two from this for its top model. And it’s not because of the battery size, because the PowerDrive also has a powerful 1,440 Wh battery.

The frame even has mounting holes for a frame lock. Hurray! GPS measurement. The 50 km/h was achieved on a downhill stretch on an overpass. However, the maximum speed measured by GPS is easily over 48 km/h.

My average speed is normally around 39 to 40 km/h, but during this short test I constantly pushed the maximum speed and did not achieve an optimal average.

Incidentally, the value on the PowerDrive display corresponds quite accurately to the speed measured by GPS. Also nice!”

Test report part 3: AureusDrive PowerDrive PINION headlight

“AureusDrive opted for the Litemove AE-200 Speed Pedelec headlight. The Litemove is an attractive, compact headlight in an aluminium housing with low beam and high beam functions. Personally, I find high beams indispensable, as I live in a rural area with many unlit cycle paths. So it’s great that the PowerDrive has one too.

We have been familiar with this Litemove headlight for some time, as it is also used by the Specter and ASKA brands.”

Test report part 4: AureusDrive PowerDrive PINION battery and range

“I was pleasantly surprised that the PowerDrive is equipped with a 1,440 Wh battery. This means that the AureusDrive can compete with all the big brands (especially STROMER, KLEVER and OPIUM) in terms of range.

The battery is integrated into the down tube (where else would you put such a monster?) and is removable and lockable. To remove the battery, unlock the lock with the key. Then push the round button above the battery downwards, causing the battery to tip out automatically. Turn the handlebars slightly so that the battery does not land on the front mudguard and catch the battery with your hand.”

Test report part 5: The range

“With a fully charged 1,440 Wh battery (charging time from 0 to 100% approx. 7 hours), the display shows a range of 108 km in the highest assistance level. AureusDrive specifies a minimum range of 80 km in the specifications. This is more in line with my experience. As a small and light person, with full assistance, an average speed of approx. 39 km/h, in reasonably spring-like weather and with a fair amount of wind, I achieved a range of 85 kilometres.

This range is perfectly adequate for most commuters to get to and from work without having to recharge. This is practical for people who cannot or are not allowed to recharge at work and also saves hassle. So, big thumbs up to AureusDrive for this removable 1,440 Wh battery.‘

Test report part 6: AureusDrive PowerDrive PINION: Test results and conclusion:

’At £6,995, the AureusDrive ‘PowerDrive PINION’ is clearly one of the most interesting S-pedelecs in the mid-price segment. The PowerDrive chain model costs €6,295 and offers the perfect introduction to the world of PowerDrive.

The workmanship and features of the AureusDrive ‘Powerdrive PINION’ range from ‘appropriate for the price’ (display, lighting) to ‘very high quality’: 1000 W / 55 Nm rear wheel motor, 1440 Wh replaceable battery, Magura MT5e double piston brake, gas spring fork, frame with polished weld seams and an excellently integrated PINION C1.9 hub; all features that are otherwise only found on expensive S-pedelecs in the upper segment (> £8,000).

Thanks to the enormously powerful 1000W / 55Nm rear wheel motor, the AureusDrive ‘PowerDrive PINION’ accelerates quickly to a very high top speed of over 48km/h (measured by GPS). The removable 1440 Wh battery allows a range of approx. 85 km in the highest assistance level, so that most commuters do not need to recharge at work before their return journey. For more leisurely tours in assistance levels 1 or 2, a range of up to 200 kilometres can be achieved.

The AureusDrive ‘PowerDrive PINION’ is equipped with a low-maintenance PINION C1.9 gear hub and a high-quality Gates CDX carbon belt drive. Occasional removal of the belt is sufficient. In addition, only a periodic oil change of the PINION hub (annually or every 10,000 km) is required. You can do this yourself or have it done by FM. To maintain the warranty on the PINION hub, you must be able to prove that the oil has been changed by providing proof of purchase.

The PowerDrive comes with a maintenance booklet that recommends annual maintenance or every 8,000 kilometres. I think that’s a very good guideline for keeping the bike in top condition.”

‘If you are looking for a powerful, high-quality and well-designed speed pedelec without expensive extras, but with a very generous range and exceptionally natural and powerful handling, the AureusDrive ’PowerDrive PINION‘ is the right choice for you!’