Review 2020 Decathlon E-ST 520

[alan_sh]

The Bike:

Manufacturer: Decathlon
Model: E-ST 520
Model Year: 2020
Price Paid: £1399
New/Used: Brand New
Score (out of 10): 8

Review: I purchased this a week ago and so far, done 3 rides on it. So, things I like:

It's very easy to ride. It's my first E bike and I am amazed how easy it is to go up hills.
It's comfortable. I have changed the saddle though.
I love the big wide tyres. Makes riding over lumpy ground much easier
The brakes work very well. My previous bike (the ST 540) also has disk brakes and these are equally as good.
The battery lasts for ages. We did a 20 mile ride over the hills and it still had well over 30 miles left.

Now, the small niggles:

1. The gearing is too low really. It has 9 gears and I spend all my time in 7, 8 or 9. Going downhill, I could do with a higher gear.
2. The water bottle screws are ridculously placed - on the top bar under the seat. As the top bar is quite high, if I had a water bottle on it as well, I would not be very comfortable (and that is putting it nicely) when I stopped. I've tie-wrapped the bottle holder to the battery.
3. I have no idea how to reset the trip on the electronic display.
4. The speedo is about 10% fast. Once again, no idea how to adjust it.

So, nothing major wrong - which is why I gave it an 8. If Decathlon ever come back to me with answers to 3 & 4, it may go up.

[The picture is of my wife with her E-ST 520 - yes, we have a matched pair ]

 

[malteser65]

Hi,

To reply to your 3rd niggle - just press the minus (-) button for around 10 seconds to reset the trip. I've attached the quick start guide which you can find alongst with other info on Decathlon Support WORLDWIDE although I did not find the manual after I chose the English flag from the landing page but after choosing Italian (which I understand as well).

For your 4th niggle, the speedo is almost the same as that from Google. I think if the speed sensor on one of the back spokes is not in the right place, this will happen. Hope this helps.

 

[alan_sh]

Thank you. Since I wrote that report, I've written my own user manual which explains how to adjust things much better than the manual that comes with the bike. I've uploaded it ontot his forum but in case you can't find it, here it is. I hope it's useful.

Alan

Update - new version uploaded with more info on what the On/Off & Minus displays might be. See below.

 

[malteser65]

Thank you. Since I wrote that report, I've written my own user manual which explains how to adjust things much better than the manual that comes with the bike. I've uploaded it ontot his forum but in case you can't find it, here it is. I hope it's useful.

Alan

Thanks for your manual. I've checked the error codes and they seem the same as those from the eST-900 user manual, so I think that at least their error codes are standard between bikes. What I found really strange is that the English language section of the Decathlon support website lacks the same manuals for this bike found on the Italian or French language sections. For some reason, the eST 520 is omitted from the support website.

 

[malteser65]

May I ask you whether your bike emits a light clicking/ticking sound during braking? I hear it more on the front obviously but even the rear brake does it. The sound starts immediately after the brake lever is used and is similar to the sound from the freehub. I have searched a lot about this sound but cannot seem to find any relevant information. Cheers.

 

[alan_sh]

May I ask you whether your bike emits a light clicking/ticking sound during braking? I hear it more on the front obviously but even the rear brake does it. The sound starts immediately after the brake lever is used and is similar to the sound from the freehub. I have searched a lot about this sound but cannot seem to find any relevant information. Cheers.

No, mine doesn't do that. Nor does my wifes' one.

 

[malteser65]

No, mine doesn't do that. Nor does my wifes' one.

Thank you. So I'll have mine checked.

 

[alan_sh]

I'll update my user manual soon, but pressing On/Off and Minus together gives you access to 4 more numbers. I believe one of them is the actual battery voltage and the other is the percentage used. The reason I think that is that fully charged, one says 42.1 and the other 100. After an 8 mile hard ride, one says 38.2 and the other says 77. The battery is a nominal 36v, but could be more when charged. There are two other numbers that didn't change. One said zero and the other was 100.

I'll carry on keeping an eye on it.

Alan

 

[DT36]

May I ask you whether your bike emits a light clicking/ticking sound during braking? I hear it more on the front obviously but even the rear brake does it. The sound starts immediately after the brake lever is used and is similar to the sound from the freehub. I have searched a lot about this sound but cannot seem to find any relevant information. Cheers.

@malteser65 My E-ST900 has a clicking sound from the front on high speed downhills. It also does it with the battery switched off.
Just bought an E-ST520 for the wife this morning and will have to see if this is the same.

@[U]alan_sh[/U] Any updates to how the 520 is performing?

 

[alan_sh]

To be honest, we haven't used it for months since the second lockdown.

Alan

 

[DT36]

To be honest, we haven't used it for months since the second lockdown.

Alan

Ok, thank you.

Totally understand your restrictions, as this lockdown is certainly stricter than the previous.

I'll keep an eye on this thread and probably chip I with how it compares with my 900.

 

[alan_sh]

I did notice that Decathlon have them in stock now, but the price has gone up by another £200.

Alan

 

[DT36]

I did notice that Decathlon have them in stock now, but the price has gone up by another £200.

Alan

Bike arrived and assembled yesterday. Quite a few differences to the E-ST900. Basically, looks like every component except the frame, saddle, pedals and handlebars.

Immediately changed the display over to MPH instead of KPH by holding the + & - buttons together. To come back out of this menu, press and hold the minus button for a few seconds.

Bought a Small. Very noticeable against my Medium (see pics). Now my Wife can touch the floor flat footed just about over the crossbar. She is currently 5ft 5in and will probably remain this height for the foreseable future.

Took it for a quick run down the lane and up a steep hill which is about 1 in 5 (20%) in 3rd gear for about 200m. Although the 520 claims to have less power than the 900, it pulled it with much the same power and made the climb feel very easy.

Coming down the hill at speed, there was no noticeable clicking from the brakes.

Overall, having had a quick run out on it, it feels solid and very responsive. I think this will do the job nicely.

Will come back when we've tried it on a decent run out.

 

[alan_sh]

My wife has the small and I have the medium. About 1" of difference in height and length.

Did you see the download for the manual I created for the display?

cheers

Alan

 

[DT36]

My wife has the small and I have the medium. About 1" of difference in height and length.

Did you see the download for the manual I created for the display?

cheers

Alan

I'll download and read it now. That will be handy, thank you.

Update: Spot on that. Very handy.

 

[Bagofsand]

Bike arrived and assembled yesterday. Quite a few differences to the E-ST900. Basically, looks like every component except the frame, saddle, pedals and handlebars.

Immediately changed the display over to MPH instead of KPH by holding the + & - buttons together. To come back out of this menu, press and hold the minus button for a few seconds.

Bought a Small. Very noticeable against my Medium (see pics). Now my Wife can touch the floor flat footed just about over the crossbar. She is currently 5ft 5in and will probably remain this height for the foreseable future.

Took it for a quick run down the lane and up a steep hill which is about 1 in 5 (20%) in 3rd gear for about 200m. Although the 520 claims to have less power than the 900, it pulled it with much the same power and made the climb feel very easy.

Coming down the hill at speed, there was no noticeable clicking from the brakes.

Overall, having had a quick run out on it, it feels solid and very responsive. I think this will do the job nicely.

Will come back when we've tried it on a decent run out.

View attachment 52642 View attachment 52643 View attachment 52644

Is That a MKII Escort?

 

[Landy Andy]

Is That a MKII Escort?

And not just a MK11, an RS2000, by the look of it ????????????

Fantastic bit of kit.

 

[Bagofsand]

if thats legit then there is still rocking hors poo to be found.

 

[Bagofsand]

fook me cant believe i missed the massive RS2000 graphic. old age is a barsteward.

 

[Landy Andy]

Don‘t think it’s got the cowhide front though, which I personally dislike.

I thought my parktool bike stand was posh, but an RS2000 as a bike stand is unreal.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Don‘t think it’s got the cowhide front though, which I personally dislike.

I thought my parktool bike stand was posh, but an RS2000 as a bike stand is unreal.

Isn't the cowhide rs2000 generally the Mk1 ?

You know you're dealing with a serious toy person when they have the aforementioned rs2000 bike stand - god help anyone who would use a mexico, shag pile bike rug and a 4 in 1 playground !

I had a friend who put a turbo rotary in a stripped out and caged MK2 (think it might have been in max power) ... sheeeeet that was nippy ! Was about 25 years ago though. It's probably dust now.

 

[Landy Andy]

Isn't the cowhide rs2000 generally the Mk1 ?

No Mk11’s only.

 

[DT36]

Is That a MKII Escort?

Yes, makes a good bike stand. Need a bigger garage to be honest, so I can put more rugs down...

It's having a little bit of winter tinkering now. Couple of bits off in engine bay at the moment getting powder coated.
Recently swapped the bucket seats out and also fitting correct wheels on soon as tyres arrive to replace the Minilights.

Been trying to keep it on the road over the last 8 years, while trying to sympathetically restore it back from a hill sprint car. Getting there slowly.

Did find a nice air freshener too recently. Who remembers the Feu orange?

 

[Landy Andy]

Very nice, and it is a pointy front end one. Love the retro air freshener ????Quality

You’ve got to stop resting your bikes on it though. ??

 

[alan_sh]

Back to the bikes (just for a moment). We had a nice 18 mile outing today up some very muddy tracks. Bike behaved perfectly except that Norma's bike somehow unscrewed the connection from the display to the bike - and suddenly she was on pedal power alone. I screwed it back together and we were going again.

No idea why that happened, but I will keep an eye on it.

 

[DT36]

Back to the bikes (just for a moment). We had a nice 18 mile outing today up some very muddy tracks. Bike behaved perfectly except that Norma's bike somehow unscrewed the connection from the display to the bike - and suddenly she was on pedal power alone. I screwed it back together and we were going again.

No idea why that happened, but I will keep an eye on it.

View attachment 53203

Hi Alan,

Looks like you had a good ride, fair play.

Noticed this while putting my Wife's bike together last week, as had to disconnect to route the cable better. Was actually thinking of putting a small section of Heat Shrink over it at the time. Will definitely keep an eye on that.

Without fully zooming in on the picture, I'm guessing you've cable tied the water bottle on?

What I've also noticed on the 520 is that it has a Quick Release front wheel, as compared to the 900. Much better.

How are those tyres in the wet?

 

[alan_sh]

Yes, the water bottle holders are cable tied to the batteries. It's the obvious place to have it and, when.I take the batteries out, it makes a nice handle.

I've replaced my QR spindle with a locking one. Too easy for someone to nick them otherwise.

The tyres seem fine in the wet and mud. I didn't notice any issues.

Alan

 

[DT36]

Had our first proper ride out together today and the 520 performed really well.
Mostly trail and cycle paths.
I noticed before we left that the rear tyre rotation was facing the wrong way, but decided I'd sort this out tomorrow.
Riding back and about 100 metres away from home, rear puncture. Guess the wheel just wanted to come off tomorrow ?
Bike seems to do the job though for what we wanted.

 

[DT36]

520 has been performing well for the wife and seems to climb really well. Been doing a mixture of trails, forest and paths over the last few weeks.

What I have felt is that it seems to be a little heavier than the 900 when lifting it up through the X gates in this area that stop Off Road Motorbikes going through. Think I'll weigh them one day this week out of curiosity to compare.

As it's a hardtail, the wife says it feels a bit harsh on lower spine/coccyx area, so ordered a XLC Comp Suspension Stem last week. Fitted this on my lunch break today (working from home), ready for us to go out around 4.30pm today as weather is glorious here. Set it to it's lightest at 60kg, so hopefully it will be a good mod for her. This stem also allows for the adjustment up/down of the saddle nose.

Also ordered a Suntour SP12 stem for my 900 this week having seen decent feedback on it in another thread and should get that fitted by the weekend.

Will feedback on how the stem feels for her on the 520.

 

[DT36]

Went on 12 mile mixed terrain ride with the above XLC Suspension Stem fitted and she has given it a big thumbs up. ? Definitely more comfortable.
I had a quick go of it and could feel it damping.
Although not an expensive purchase, this has improved the ride quality.