Going against the Avinox 'trend' and setting Polini aside, this Italian brand releases an electric bike with a Bosch motor and some uncommon features.

The Italians have Polini as their top engine brand, but Fantic has opted for a German product: Bosch supplies the engine for the factory in Lombardy region, and in this newly released and impressive enduro model, the chosen engine is the Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 5.

The electric bike in question is the new Fantic Rhapsody, and although it falls into a similar category to the recently launched Fantic Ridge, its carbon fiber frame (unlike the Ridge’s aluminum frame) gives it a more premium look and feel.

Carbon Fiber Frame with Unique Solutions

We’ve said it several times: we welcome innovations (or at least less conventional solutions) in the new bicycles hitting the market. Because sometimes, out of caution, we see new bikes launched with highly overused suspension systems and technical solutions. And frankly, it doesn’t really excite us much.

The frame of the new Rhapsody, made entirely of carbon fiber, features a very interesting design for where the shock absorber is mounted: it appears as though the damping element goes through the seat tube, but that’s not actually the case. The shock absorber is enclosed, including on the upper side, which provides great stiffness to this sensitive area. Fantic claims that the frame’s torsional stiffness is very high. Incidentally, the suspension system offers an impressive 180 mm of travel. The front fork also has 180 mm of travel.

"Fantic’s R&D department has adopted solutions from the motor racing world thanks to the ‘know-how’ gained by its parent company in motocross" (Fantic Bikes)

Another detail that helps with this is the way the battery is removed: they could have left it fixed, but that would be less practical. To maintain rigidity, the diagonal tube is made as one piece with an opening at the bottom, which provides significant resistance to the frame.

The rear triangle (which is quite short due to it being a ‘mullet’ bike, by the way) is constructed from two pieces, with the pivot point aligning with the wheel axis (coaxial horst pivot). This setup, according to its designers, achieves perfect isolation between pedaling and braking effects. It also minimizes ‘pedal kickback’ (the backward movement of the pedals when the suspension is compressed).

Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 5 Motor

Not much to add: reliability is the top priority. That seems to be what Fantic was looking for. This engine, after the Upgrade 2.0 performed early in summer, boasts impressive figures: a maximum power of 750 W, a torque of 120 Nm, and a maximum assistance level of 600%. Thanks to the eBike Flow app, we can make numerous adjustments, both to the power settings in each assistance mode and to how Extended Boost functions.

The battery, which we’ve mentioned is removable, is Bosch’s 800 Wh PowerTube. As an option, we can include Bosch’s PowerMore Range Extender, which adds another 250 Wh... On the upper tube of the frame lies Bosch’s full-color Kiox 400C display, which provides a wealth of information.

3 models

At launch, the Rhapsody is available in 3 configurations, with prices ranging from 6,490 euros for the Sport version to 7,990 euros for the Race version, and up to 9,990 euros for the Factory version.

Fantic Rhapsody Sport (6,490 euros)

Frame: carbon fiber / Engine: Bosch Performance Line CX / Battery: Bosch PowerTube 800 Wh / Transmission: SRAM Eagle 70 / Fork: RockShox Domain Gold R 180 mm / Shock absorber: RockShox Deluxe Select 180 mm / Brakes: SRAM DB6 / Wheels: Fantic Racing alloy

Fantic Rhapsody Race (7,990 euros)

Frame: carbon fiber / Engine: Bosch Performance Line CX / Battery: Bosch PowerTube 800 Wh / Transmission: SRAM GX AXS T-Type / Fork: RockShox ZEB Select 180 mm / Shock absorber: RockShox Vivid 180 mm / Brakes: SRAM Maven / Wheels: Fantic Racing alloy

Fantic Rhapsody Factory (9,990 euros)

Frame: carbon fiber / Engine: Bosch Performance Line CX / Battery: Bosch PowerTube 800 Wh / Transmission: SRAM X0 AXS T-Type / Fork: Fox 38 Factory 180 mm / Shock absorber: Fox Float X2 Factory 180 mm / Brakes: SRAM Maven Ultimate / Wheels: DT Swiss HX1700

A model added to those released a few months ago creates a very comprehensive range that exudes modernity: the Sierra, designed for trail use with a carbon frame; the Ridge, a durable allmountain bike made of aluminum; and the recent Rhapsody. All share the Bosch engine as a common feature. For more information: Fantic Bikes