Third thief of the Parisian brand, the Voltaire Legendre brings its style and originality to a high and dynamic frame bike. He thus retains the qualities, but also the faults of his friends, starting with autonomy. Here is our full test.
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The Voltaire adventure began in the heart of Paris, in a narrow street in the 17th arrondissement, on the initiative of Gabriel Écaille and Grégoire Lieurade. For two years, the founders developed a first electric bike for the city, easy to drive, comfortable, connected with a touch of elegance. This is what Frandroid tested at launch in 2021.
The original Voltaire became the Courcelles, in 2022, with the appearance of the little brother Bellecour, a non-connected version. Then the brand quickly grew and extended its reputation, especially among women, who account for 70% of its sales.
To try to attract a wider clientele, the Voltaire Legendre is arriving in the spring of 2023 with an identical style, but a high frame. More classic in its shape while keeping the aesthetic codes of the start-up, this urban VAE is therefore more manageable and agile. We tested it, here is our feedback.
Design: retro, work, sleep
The young French brand wanted to keep the timeless style of its first electric bike, with a chrome effect and brushed aluminum everywhere: mudguards, stem, handlebars, seat post, pedals. Precision: the Voltaire Legendre was entrusted to us in pre-series, which would be, according to the brand, 99% identical to the final model. Only difference vis-à-vis this copy: the handlebars will be in a shiny finish like the stem. It shines, therefore, to oppose the leather of the saddle and handles, as well as the frame.
The latter is therefore of closed format with a fairly high upper bar, therefore not easy to ride. It is covered with a beautiful paint and one size, only cut for people taller than 1.70 meters. Dark blue, English green or here gray, the Voltaire Legendre is stunning, and turned many heads during our test. More than in appearance, care is taken with the finishes, such as the well-sanded welds.
Cutting in 28 inches against 26 inches the Bellecour and Courcelles, this third model plays with a very short wheelbase. It remains relatively long, and this is not enough to easily sneak into small spaces, having to play to the millimeter so as not to scratch the walls.
Nevertheless, the Legendre does not weigh down with less than 22 kg, battery included. A little heavy for the category. However, I was able to lift it by hand – to get into the elevator – and carry it without forcing when necessary. A good point.
Classic equipment with free wheel blocker
A city bike, the Voltaire retains a slightly curved handlebar, on which a magnificent chrome bell is placed. The stock fenders shine too, lightweight stainless steel but are a bit wobbly. As the space is too small with the tire, a few millimeters of offset are enough to induce unforeseen events. Our model thus brushed against or even scratched the cable of the rear light which is lodged between the tire and the mudguard.
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The double crutch already present on the other versions returns here. More common to cargo bikes, it is not the easiest to use, but with a certain advantage. By holding the bike upright, it allows the electric bike to be placed as close as possible to a wall, without it leaning into a room where the slightest centimeter counts. Love it or hate it.
The superb old car headlight style front lighting of the first Voltaire Courcelles is not included. The Legendre opts for that of the Bellecour, offset above the wheel. Fixed and solid, 100 lux, it is powerful and very visible at night. To see the roadway, it’s not that yet, but it’s better than average. The rear light is four diodes, integrated into the rear fender. Another retro touch.
The whole thing is completed by a rear wheel blocker, requiring a key to lock and unlock it. Too bad for this city bike, there is no pannier rack or luggage rack as standard. The brand indicates compatibility with rear racks (95 euros), basket and front rack (119 euros). Developed in-house, they join the chrome look of the electric bike.
A modern and beautiful screen, but not quite readable
The first VAE Voltaire was connected, the second not, the third… the choice is yours. We tried the unconnected version here, simply because the connected iteration was not finished at the time of our test. We will wait to decide on this point.
In the meantime, we see that Voltaire gropes on the screens, with three different models on the three existing models. The Courcelles integrated it in the middle of the handlebars, when the Bellecour is content with a small remote control screen, common to other brands. Here, the Legendre marries a new 1.3-inch square OLED screen, in color on a black background, a bit in the style of Specialized. It’s modern, with a strong contrast, concentrating information of distinct sizes glued to each other. Almost a cloud of numbers.
Beautiful at first sight, it is not very readable once on the road. The original battery gauge is too small, as is the barely visible light icon. This, combined with the reflections of the smooth surface. Above all, we see the speed roughly, at the bottom left, and the mode used on the right. It is also necessary to approach a little to read the secondary information:
- Current or total mileage;
- Average or maximum speed;
- Time elapsed since ignition;
- Remaining autonomy (changing according to the chosen mode).
The handling of the buttons is simple: the top one to turn on the bike, and the left one to scroll through the information. They are, however, a little small, but metal and solid, like the edges of the screen in general, which make you think of a smartwatch. Classic and larger, the up and down buttons for the assistance modes are operated just below, to switch from one to the other.
Decent comfort and good maneuverability
Change of importance on the Voltaire Legendre compared to its congeners: the position is sporty and active. The saddle being level with the handlebars, you lean forward, for a less “ comfortable ” ride than the Courcelles and Bellecour. Thus, the weight distribution is more balanced, giving better control of the bike and a feeling of agility on the handlebars.
Unlike the rest of the range, the Legendre inherits thinner tires. Less reassuring in turns, it adds this feeling of lightness in maneuvers. If it is less urban in spirit, it is however more suitable for those who like sportier models, with less “cushy” driving. This slightly sporty model is made for commuting or a brisk walk.
Easier to handle, this Voltaire remains quite narrow thanks to the curved handlebars, in order to avoid other cyclists or rear-view mirrors. However, it is not the most compact, far from an Iweech for example.
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Narrow tires should logically degrade comfort. Well, having personally tested the Courcelles and Bellecour, there is no notable handicap on this Voltaire Legendre. The VAE is fitted with Schwalbe Marathon Road Cruiser tires which absorb vibrations beautifully.
And we congratulate the choice of “Green Compound”, because it is made from recycled materials and renewable materials. However, it can’t do wonders on bumps and holes, where a suspension is lacking to improve day-to-day comfort. Impossible to fit a suspended saddle there, due to the integration of the battery, and the aluminum front fork is fixed.
Padded and in imitation leather, the caramel-colored foam saddle is suitable for short journeys, say less than 10 or 15 km. Beyond that, it is too firm to reach its destination without pain in the rear end.
A lively engine, in keeping with the spirit of sport
Like the other Voltaires, the Legendre renews the engine and transmission part. No need to tell you everything about the initial Courcelles test, except that it is a motor designed with Mivice, 35 Nm and located on the rear hub (equivalent 65 Nm crankset depending on the brand). It combines a single speed running through a Toptrans belt, maintenance-free (regular) and durable over time.
The specificity of the Voltaire Legendre is the connection to the ground, weaker, because of the thin tires. We thus feel a more energetic assistance, in line with the torque sensor. The latter works as soon as the pedal is pressed, but not all the time. Punctually, the assistance does not start at the quarter turn.
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It also works via 3 modes: 1, 2 and… Max. Mode 1 already offers good support for effort, for calm driving, on a walk, not exceeding 20 km/h. Mode 2 is very lively, with nice accelerations and pick-ups, sufficient for everyday use and even uphill. Max mode is almost optional, unless you’re climbing steep hills. Or if you appreciate the “kick” at start-up and not losing a second when cycling.
Belt and single speed with ease, a lack of good brakes
Note that everything works in almost total silence. Thanks to the belt, and to the engine whose whistle only invites itself out of traffic or in a tunnel. In short, a dynamic bike as expected, often pushing to exceed 25 km/h.
No question, however, of peaking, because the single speed offers no gear above 30 km / h. When driving without assistance, it is very hard on the first pedal strokes. Twenty to thirty meters are necessary to launch, and the strap offers a small resistance. For a few hundred meters in case of discharge, no more.
Sporty without going to the stratospheres of speed, the Voltaire Legendre reminds us that it is urban, and remains confined to moderate use. Because the brakes, hydraulically controlled, come to betray it. Tektro brand, they are very average, linear, with a weak grip at the front. Our test model was however broken in, with more than 200 km on the clock. You have to anticipate, especially on wet ground, because the rear tire blocks very easily.
An autonomy that is too fair and irregular
Just like the motor part, the battery is identical to the Courcelles and Bellecour. The Voltaire Legendre reuses the same removable accumulator nestled in the seat tube, after having raised the latter by activating a latch. The disadvantage of this solution is to open the tube by reflex, when lifting or handling the bike.
Otherwise, the 2.5 kg battery is extracted by a strap. To put it back on, you have to aim just by dropping it (gently), to connect the base to the bike.
With a capacity of 360 Wh, the VAE does not leave with an advantage. It still claims 45 to 70 km depending on the mode, in theory. In practice, it is mostly 40 km. My usual route around Paris showed the limits of the energetic engine which remains active between 25 and 27 km/h.
This is possible, because the tolerance is +/- 10%. We specify here because I made two complete courses: one in mode 2 by adjusting between 24 and 25 km / h, the other without constraint in Max mode. We thought we would do better by mostly exceeding 25 km/h – the assistance cuts out in this case – which the bike invites with its spirited accelerations.
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However, we note 45 km on the “gentle” passage and just 37 km on the “Max” route. It’s too fair, but close to what I’ve noted on other Voltaires. The brand is aware of this autonomy, and confirms to us that it is working on an upcoming improvement.
A battery that is not very usable under 20%, but a fast recharge
The loss is gradual over the first half, but decreases more quickly thereafter. It is even in free fall below 30%. Example: we went from 22 to 13% in 4 km, and the second time from 23 to 10% in 4.5 km. Below 10% battery, the gauge changes from a number to a lightning bolt icon. There, the assistance cuts off, and invites you to recharge.
Refueling is possible by removing the removable battery, or directly on the bike. At the bottom right of the tube, we come across the socket protected by a plastic cap. However, it turns out to be not very accessible, because you struggle to connect the charger of the Voltaire Legendre. 4 amps, so fast, it can recharge the Voltaire Legendre in just 3 hours.
Final test score
Voltaire was born in Paris and continues to aim for the electric city bike. His third bike is a little less daring in the comfort position with its high frame, which offers a position that invites more dynamic riding. And that matches perfectly with the muscular character of the rear engine, the ease on the handlebars with the single speed via belt and the torque sensor.
More imposing to house in a building, with a weight of 21.9 kg, this Legendre retains the superb appearance of Courcelles and Bellecour, a bit vintage and superbly finished. Too bad the mudguards and brakes are a little below the rest, while the beautiful screen could be a little more readable.
Voltaire’s black point is always his battery. We like the integration into the seat tube, the fact that it is removable and the quick charge. We appreciate less autonomy around 40 km with the most powerful mode (although mode 1 can approach 70 km, even if it remains limited in top speed), and the gauge which disappears too quickly under the 30%.
This beautiful and dynamic electric bike is launching in April 2023 at 2,390 euros, a contained price for assembly in France, and above all a competitive price compared to the competition. A front and rear rack can be added as an option, before the connected function by June.
