Delightful Well-built Electric Bike
Pilen EL1
The Pilen EL1 is an electric bike with lovely clean honest design and beautiful sweeping lines. A unique electric bike with Pilen's quality and a very pleasant driving experience.

Highlight and Features
A joy to ride
Pilen EL1 is an electric bike enjoyable beyond the ordinary. It behaves well even without assistance.
Upright driving position
Pilen EL1 has an upright relaxed driving position. You glide in style and a harmonious calm.
Well balanced
Pilen EL1 has a low center of gravity with the battery in the center of the frame.
Shimano mid-drive
Shimano Steps motor with integrated crankcase provides a full 60 Nm of torque.
Resilient and safe fork
The arrow EL1 has as extra security a reinforced front fork with a so-called thru-axle.
Built-in gear hubs
Worry-free operation and maintenance with gears internal in the rear hub.
Alloy frame 6061 T6
The Pilen EL1 has a powerful S-shaped frame in the strong aluminum alloy 6061 T6.
Hydraulisc disc brake
An electric bike must have good brakes. EL1 has hydraulic disc brakes at the front as standard.
Super resilient wheels
Double-bottomed rims with eyelets, directional spoke holes, stainless spokes and spoke nuts.
Fully equipped
The Pilen bikes have approved lighting, reflectors and frame lock from Abus.
Exquisite rust protection
Pilen bikes are built for a rough climate and have extra good rust and weather protection.
Comfortable saddle
Upright riding position is combined with a saddle that has built-in suspension.
Specification, Options and Prices
- Electric Motor Shimano Steps E-6100 mid drive with 60Nm torque. Japanese Shimano is known as one of the world’s most renowned bicycle companies with an extreme quality control. The crank arms are mounted directly on the electric motor’s gear shaft. Crank arms with quality bearings allow for easy cycling even if the electric motor is disabled. The low position of the engine in the frame gives the bike nice driving characteristics.
- Battery Shimano BT-6010 capacity 418Wh (36V, 11.6Ah) placerad on the frame in front of driver. The battery’s central placement gives the bike good balance and driving experience.
- Strong and resilient aluminium frame 6061 T6. The shape of the frame and the material properties of the alloy make the bike pleasant and safe to ride. The frame is welded with TIG welding and heat-treated to temper T6. True craftsmanship is beautiful and provides the best driving experience.
- Extra strong fork in chrome-molybdenum SAE 4130 thru-axle for improved steering and secure handling when braking.
- Effective Shimano hydraulic disc brake front (and rear on EL1 8 + and EL1 Di2 8 +). Reliable brakes are extra important for an electric bike because of higher average speed.
- Very strong wheels with double bottomed alloy rims, targeted spoke holes, eyelets and strong spokes in stainless steel. Rear wheel got butted spokes for extra strength.
- Integrated carrier aluminium 6010 T6 with stainless steel carrier clamps.
- Saddle Montegrappa Future in black, brown or honey faux leather.
- Black mudguards stainless steel. Powder coated.
- Black basket in front.
- Black chain cover chromated steel
- Tyres balloon black 50-622 from Schwalbe.
- Black grips in faux rubber (Kraton).
- Stainless steel bell with Pilen badge.
- Stand Atran in aluminium.
- Abus security class 8 lock Amparo 485.
- Approved front and rear lighting with reflexes. Head light is powered by the Shimano battery. Rear lights by built-in battery.
EL1 version | Rear hub | Coaster brake | Front disc brake | Rear disc brake | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Magnus 2021-10-01 | |||||
EL1 7C | Shimano Nexus 7 | Yes | Yes | No | 29995 |
EL1 8 | Shimano Nexus 8 | Yes | Yes | No | 30995 |
EL1 8 | Shimano Nexus 8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 32195 |
EL1 8 | Shimano Nexus 8 | No | Yes | Yes | 32195 |
EL1 Di2 8 | Shimano Di2 8 | Yes | Yes | No | 32995 |
EL1 Di2 8 | Shimano Di2 8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 34195 |
EL1 Di2 8 | Shimano Di2 8 | No | Yes | Yes | 34195 |
Pilen EL1 specification | Information |
---|---|
Edited 2019-11-25 | |
Motor unit | Shimano E-6100 250W. Mid-drive mounted in frame. 60 Nm torque. Colour black. |
Battery | Shimano BT-6010 418Wh (36V, 11.6Ah) litiumjon. Charging time 4h. Temperature: 0°C~+40°C (loading) och -10°C~+50°C (Operating). Battery life: *1000 cycles * After 1,000 cycles full charging still more than 250Wh=60% (Reference). Colour black. |
Cycle computer | Shimano SCE6000 . Fem lägen: High, Normal, Eco, Walk och Off. |
Colours | Pilen EL1 comes in a limited range of colours. Creme RAL 1015, Black RAL 9005, Green RAL 6005, Duragreen and Durablue. |
Frame | Aluminium 6061 T6 heat-treated. Height 59 cm with low instep. |
Fork | Extra strong unicrown fork in Chromoly steel stål. Thru-axel for extra security. |
Mudguards | Stainless steel black powder painted. |
Bottom Bracket and Crankset | Integrated in the motor unit. Crankset Shimano FC-E6000. |
Chain and cover | 110 links anti rust protected chain. The chain guard has a layer of zink before powder coating. |
Gear ratio | 44:21 |
Hub rear alt. 1 | Shimano Nexus 7. Coaster brake rear. Disc brake front. Gripshift on handlebars. |
Hub rear alt. 2 | Shimano Nexus 8. Coaster brake rear. Disc brake as option. Gripshift on handlebars. |
Hub rear alt. 3 | Shimano Nexus 8 Di2 electronic shifting. Coaster brake rear. Disc brake front. Electronic button shifter on handlebars. |
Front hub | Shimano Deore with disc brake and thru-axle. |
Tyres | Schwalbe balloon tyres 50-622 with puncture protection. |
Rims | 28 inches (19-622) double bottomed aluminium rims, targeted spoke holes, eyelets and strong spokes in stainless steel. Black anodized aluminium. |
Carrier | Integrated with frame in Alloy 6061 T6. |
Lock | ABUS 5650 Safetylevel 9 |
Brakes front | Hydraulic disc brakes Shimano Deore . |
Saddle | Future faux saddle in black, brown or honey. |
Headlight | Herrmans H-Diver, powered by Shimano BT-6010 battery. |
Rear light | Spanninga LED activated by darkness and movement. |
Reflexes | Reflexes in tyres sides |
Bell | Stainless steel with Pilen badge. |
Basket | Black |
Handtag | Herrmans Zeglo black Kraton |
Beautiful and handy extras that make you Pilen EL1 more personal and suited to your needs. Recommended prices at the bottom of page.
Price list Extras Pilen EL1
Shipping costs not included.
Extras Pilen EL1 | Brand | |
---|---|---|
Updated 2018-12-11. | ||
Single colour bike | 400 | Pilen |
Tyres Fat Frank 50×622 Creme-reflex | 150 | Schwalbe Tires |
Tyres Fat Frank 50×622 Brown-reflex | 150 | Schwalbe Tires |
Grips Primergo cork | 200 | Herrmans Oy |
Grips Zeglo cork | 200 | Herrmans Oy |
Tool bag Pilen & Nystrom black, brown or honey | 800 | Nystrom Stockholm |
Basket brown | 500 | Pilen |
Rims silver anodised | 200 | Büchel |
Rims metallic red powder-coated | 400 | Büchel |
Mudguards matte polished | 200 | Pilen |
Bell E-ne aluminium | 230 | Crane Bells |
Bell E-ne brass | 240 | Crane Bells |
Bell E-ne copper | 260 | Crane Bells |
Bell E-ne matte black | 230 | Crane Bells |
Bell Suzu aluminium | 100 | Crane Bells |
Bell Suzu brass | 150 | Crane Bells |
Bell Suzu copper | 150 | Crane Bells |
Bell Riten aluminium | 150 | Crane Bells |
Bell Riten brass | 200 | Crane Bells |
Bell Riten copper | 200 | Crane Bells |
A Driving Experience Most Generous
Pleasant and trustworthy
The Pilen EL1 is our first electric bike and, in the usual manner we have designed an electric bike that is different from others on the market since it is both enjoyable, balanced and trustworthy to drive. The EL1 has its own very personal Swedish functional style and comfortable upright riding position. The bike has extra low instep that fits everyone without compromising stability and driving experience.
The electric bike as a means of transportation is growing in popularity when you want to commute, bike shopping and avoid going by car or bus. The life as a cyclist becomes more pleasurable with electric assistance in headwind, uphill and you managing to avoid breaking a sweat. The electric bike has also become the favorite among people whose fitness level is subpar and for exploration touring. Picking up the children at kindergarten will be a pure pleasure. And it always feels good to care for nature and not contribute to pollution and noise.
The EL1 is equipped with effective hydraulic disc brake front and has a coaster brake rear. The front hub has a 15 mm through-axle for extra safety. Good brakes are extra important for an electric bike because your average speed will be higher. Also if you drive in hilly terrain and with heavy loads, effective brakes are mandatory. The Pilen EL1 is a faithful friend that you can trust. Pilen EL1 8+ is for extra security fitted with hydraulic disc brakes both front and rear plus a rear coaster brake.
In every detail
The Pilen EL1 is generous with driving pleasure, security and carefree ownership thanks to the thoughtful design and selection of premium components. We chose to build the frame in 6061 T6 extra strong aluminum alloy and combine it with the an exclusive electric drive solution.
The powerhouse in the EL1 is the 50 Nm strong electric motor Shimano E-6100 mid-drive which provides immediate assistance to the pedals. Assistance is available in three different modes: High, Normal and Eco. Assist mode is controlled with the right thumb control on the handlebars.
The electric motor with its gear box operates at the same RPM as you are pedaling and the power from the engine is transmitted to the crank arms. You change gears as usual to get a desired pedaling resistance. Compared to an electric motor in a hub, a mid-drive electric motor like the E-6100 is much stronger at all speeds (up to 25 km/h) and also safer as the engine instantly senses and stops driving when you stop pedaling.
The bike is equipped with the Shimano BT-6010: a powerful battery that depending on assistance mode, biker weight and possible cargo assists between 90 and 180 kilometers. The battery is mounted in the center of the frame to make the bike well balanced. The battery is easy to remove so you do not have to leave it outside. The EL1 is also good to pedal without electric assistance, for example. if you want to save the battery in good tailwinds or wish work on your fitness level.
A good feature that we hear when bicycle dealers and customers test drive EL1 is that, unlike many other electric bicycles, it is even as comfortable to ride even with the electric motor switched off. This shows that Pilen builds with sound principles with a good choice of components and that Shimano lives up to its reputation with a quality ball-bearing crank section.
Combinations of hubs and brakes
- The Pilen EL1 is available in seven different versions with three different rear hubs.
- They all come with front hydraulic disc brakes and thru-axle.
- The EL1 7 has the very reliable Shimano 7 gears hub and coaster brake.
- The EL1 8 is equipped with the Shimano Nexus 8 gears with or without coaster brake. Rear disc brake is also an option.
- Pilen EL1 Di2 8 has the Shimano Nexus 8 Di2 hub with electronically controlled gear-shifting which is operated with a button control on the handlebars. The Di2’s shifting mechanism is powered by the electric bike battery. The EL1 Di8 can be quipped with rear disk brake.
EL1 version | Rear hub | Coaster brake | Front disc brake | Rear disc brake | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EL1 7C | Shimano Nexus 7 | Yes | Yes | No | 29995 |
EL1 8 | Shimano Nexus 8 | Yes | Yes | No | 30995 |
EL1 8 | Shimano Nexus 8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 32195 |
EL1 8 | Shimano Nexus 8 | No | Yes | Yes | 32195 |
EL1 Di2 8 | Shimano Di2 8 | Yes | Yes | No | 32995 |
EL1 Di2 8 | Shimano Di2 8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 34195 |
EL1 Di2 8 | Shimano Di2 8 | No | Yes | Yes | 34195 |
Magnus 2021-10-01 |
Customise a EL1 Special
Truth be told, we sell precious few bicycles as standards compared to the number of Specials that rolls out the factory door. A good bike is something you should enjoy, feel proud of and have a good relationship with – aesthetically, technically and economically. That’s why Pilen embraces the customers’ creativity. It makes sense for everyone involved. The customer gets his personal Pilen to enjoy and Pilen gets to sell more beautiful Pilen bikes.
The EL1 Special is a EL1 where you have selected paint job and parts to your own liking. Single colour bicycles with white or brown tyres are popular. You kan choose:
- Single coloured bike or a custom composition with fenders, chain-guard in any standard Pilen colour.
- Silver anodised or red power painted rims.
- Brown or Creme tyres. Schwalbe Fat Frank or Big Apple.
- Exclusive bells from Japanese Crane Bells.
- Grips from Herrmans with cork or leather grips.
- A selection of baskets and carriers.
You must order a EL1 Special though your Pilen retailer. Some delivery time might apply.
Good design and fine components
The battery is fitted to the frame to create a harmonious balance for the whole vehicle when ridden: the balance of the bike when you are sitting on the saddle. The center of mass is placed in the center and as low as possible.

Thus the EL1 feels both exciting, fun and safe. Compare the EL1 to an electric bicycle with the battery on the carrier and the electric motor in the hub and feel the difference. Moreover, this difference is felt even stronger when you load the bike with luggare. The balance of the bicycle is not just a matter of driving, but indeed a security issue. A balanced bicycle is easier to brake to a stop and is less complicated to handle when you turn and brake – especially when you have a heavy load.
The frame is built and TIG welded with a light and strong alloy of aluminum, magnesium and silicon called 6061 T6 (where T6 is the temper grade). After welding, the alloy has been adversely affected by the difference between the heat of welded joints and surrounding cold metal and to restore the good material properties of the T6 temper, the frame is heat treated at 500 degrees and then cooled. Then the crystals are harmonized throughout the frame and the material recovers its desired temper grade T6.
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