Ducati Futa Limited Edition on the Road

Under the family name "Futa," named after the Futa Pass that connects the route between Bologna and Florence in the Apennine Mountains, Ducati has been gathering its E-road bikes since 2022. The Futa LTD Edition we tested stands out not only for the Campagnolo EPS groupset but also for the Ducati Corse paintwork of the traditional motorcycle racing department and the corresponding lettering on the down tube.

All E-road bikes in the Futa series are based on UD monocoque carbon frames, whose design and tube shapes emphasize aerodynamics, and at first glance, they appear to be quite normal but rather sporty road bikes. Only upon closer inspection does the voluminous rear hub with integrated FSA HM 1.0 become apparent in the rear frame triangle, the LED-rimmed button for turning on/off and changing the support modes on the top tube, and the cover for the charging port at the lower end of the seat tube.

Note: Apart from the now sold-out Futa LTD Edition, the Futa E-racer is currently available in two models. Either equipped with an FSA K-Force WE or a SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset. In all three models, the FSA HM 1.0 rear hub motor provides additional propulsion.

Although we were looking forward to many test rides in bright sunshine and warm temperatures to thoroughly test the Ducati Futa LTD E-Road Bike, we ultimately had to limit ourselves to the rides themselves, as the weather was mostly wintry, windy, and cold. Despite the low temperatures, the battery held up bravely on our hilly home circuit over 50 kilometers and 1,000 meters of elevation and even had 16% capacity remaining afterward. The actual possible range, however, is of an individual nature and depends heavily on the conditions, one's own power, and the riding style.

As already mentioned, there are five support levels, including the energy-saving "Eco" mode (green) at the lower end and the "Boost" mode (red) at the upper end of the power scale. These can be changed either with the LED button integrated into the top tube or the Garmin eBike remote control.

However, the control (as with the Mahle systems) takes some getting used to, as the support levels cannot be reduced step by step via the LED button. Since the system inherently has only one button, you have to press it four times in quick succession each time to reduce the support by one level. This is absolutely tolerable on a road bike with a consistent riding style, but it can quickly become annoying during aggressive group rides or in particularly varied topography.

In addition, the LED ring shines in different colors depending on the level and also wants to indicate the battery charge level by color or by regular blinking - unfortunately, this is not very visible in strong sunlight.

The Garmin control unit is intended to provide a solution, which is mounted on the left side of the handlebar. It not only enables the effortless switching of support modes in both directions but also allows for the convenient operation of the included Garmin Edge Explorer bicycle computer with GPS.

However, we did not get along well with it, which may have also been due to Nopain's short fingers. Whether it was about holding onto the lower handlebar during fast descents or braking, the Garmin eBike remote control felt just as inappropriate as the thumb shifter of the Campagnolo Record EPS group.

The riding experience itself was beyond any doubt. Thanks to the control via a torque sensor, the system was responsive to the force applied to the pedals, and the motor adjusted quickly to different riding styles and changing conditions. Moreover, the motor's noise level at lower support levels was so quiet that it was barely noticeable amidst the wind, drivetrain, and other ambient noises.

Upon reaching the legally prescribed maximum speed of 25 km/h, the FSA rear hub motor gently disengaged. Now, the only thing standing in the way of a natural, free pedaling motion was the weight of the bike at 12.5 kilograms, without causing any noticeable friction.

When comparing the performance data and the riding feel of the FSA HM 1.0 drive system with the two Mahle systems, it can fundamentally be placed in between them.

Mahle vs. FSA

On the one hand, the FSA drive has approximately the same power as the older X35+ drive, but feels subjectively stronger, on the other hand, it operates in terms of power delivery and the natural riding feel of a racing bike at a similarly high level as the new X20 drive from Mahle. In certain riding situations such as careless pedal pressure while standing or the hard transition from a seated riding position to out-of-the-saddle efforts, the control of the FSA HM 1.0 may not work quite as perfectly as that of the Mahle drive, but it is absolutely sufficient for the specific application area of racing bikes.

In fast sections and downhill, the E-sports bike showed its best side, providing a lot of stability and confidence with its elevated seating position and long chainstays. Naturally, due to its higher weight, the Futa tended to push in corners and therefore required a bit earlier and stronger braking compared to a conventional road bike. Nonetheless, the bike impressed overall with its surprisingly agile, yet always harmonious handling.

The comfort was acceptable thanks to the robust frame set specially designed for e-road bikes, and was supported by the deeply dropped seat stays and the wide Pirelli Cinturato Velo TLR tires. The 35 mm wide Pirelli tires offered excellent traction and grip, while the Campagnolo brakes decelerated powerfully and silently. Particularly light riders might benefit from testing the lower air pressure range or using a TLR setup to give the bike more compliance. Heavier riders will appreciate the stiffness of the frame set even with fully pumped tires.

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Area of application

The Italians present with the Ducati Futa LTD Edition a chic e-road bike that, thanks to its design, consistent integration, and exclusive Italian equipment, has the potential to become a coveted collector's item.

Those who can afford it can of course also use the road bike for riding. With its relaxed endurance geometry, a great handling, and the FSA HM 1.0 drive system with torque control, it offers a particularly natural riding feel as well as adequate support to cover significantly more kilometers and altitude.

However, it should be noted that the range of the integrated 250 watt-hour battery, which the manufacturer specifies as 80 kilometers, is probably only realistic in slightly hilly terrain and in the green ECO mode. Anyone wanting to conquer 300 vertical meters at once in the red Boost mode will realize how quickly the main battery can be drained.

The included range extender, which can be stably mounted on the seat tube and theoretically doubles the range, provides a solution. Unfortunately, its clunky shape complicates the plugging in of the charging cable into the charging port and - depending on the frame size - the mounting of an additional bottle holder on the downtube or the insertion of the water bottle. Depending on the circumference of the calf, it can also be in the way while pedaling.

Another point of criticism remains the somewhat unclear display and operation of the FSA LED button, which could - at least in theory - be remedied by using a smartphone app or Garmin e-bike remote control. Nevertheless, we would completely forgo the installation of the Garmin control unit, as it is ergonomically misplaced and spoils the dropped handlebar hold in the heat of the moment. In everyday training, we changed the support level so seldom that despite the described limitations, we would work exclusively with the FSA LED button.

Subjectively, we could also do without the new Campagnolo Super Record EPS group. Although the exclusive electronic 2x12 group features high-quality materials such as carbon, titanium, or ceramics and offers a significantly higher shifting speed and precision compared to its 11-speed predecessor, we find that the group looks visually bulky and is not necessarily the reference in terms of performance. Despite the manufacturer's promises, the fine adjustment of both derailleurs is difficult, the battery had to be recharged comparatively often, and the shifting operations were relatively hard and loud. The larger thumb shifters made shifting easier in the drops, but were disturbing in the familiar brake grip position.
Those who compare the new Super Record EPS with the old 11-speed group might be thrilled, while others who compare it with a current Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 or Ultegra Di2 might be disappointed. Perhaps the difference between Campa and Shimano is and remains a matter of belief.