Review: Conway Nyvon 12.0 E-Allroad

Just in time for Eurobike, Conway present their first range of e-gravel bikes aiming to attract a broad target group. Whether for quick commutes to the office or long rides away from urban traffic – with four new Conway Nyvon E-Allroadbikes, two for adventure and two for commuting, everyone is guaranteed to find a reliable partner.

The subtle yet powerful Bosch Performance SX motor ensures you won’t arrive at the office sweaty even in high temperatures or at fast speeds, and you may also go for the hilly way back without getting home completely exhausted. The new carbon frame does not only promise a geometry suitable for long-distance riding but also high riding comfort. To absorb shocks, the bike features ample tire clearance and a full carbon fork with defined flex in the direction of travel, designed to improve damping of high-frequency vibrations.

All four Nyvon models come ex works specced with front lights and are Range Extender ready to enhance their all-around capabilities. Additionally, both commuter bikes come with front and rear fenders, a rear rack with a light, and a standard kickstand.

We had the opportunity to test the flagship of the new all-road series, the Conway Nyvon 12.0, thoroughly several weeks before the official presentation.

The core of the new design is the new Bosch SX, a minimal-assist motor that supports with up to 55 Nm of torque and is ideal for e-gravel or crossover bikes. The compact motor visually resembles the popular Bosch Performance CX, but it is significantly smaller and lighter due to its magnesium housing. The technical designs of SX and CX are similar, but a third gear reduction stage was omitted to further reduce size and weight. In addition to reducing the external width of the motor housing, the Q-factor was reduced from 178 mm to 160 mm, providing a more natural riding feel.

Engineers have also focused on noise development to address the annoying freewheel rattle inside the motor. Pedal resistance was also further reduced, with Bosch claiming a 50% reduction – a rather theoretical specification, as the Bosch Performance CX motor already had very low pedal resistance at speeds faster than 25 km/h. Under load, the new Bosch SX operates relatively quietly and delivers a high peak power with 450 watts of continuous output and a maximum of 600 watts. Due to the modified primary gear ratio, the efficiency range is higher, which means that the rider needs to pedal significantly faster to take advantage of the full power.

Conway launches four Nyvon models. These are two different categories with two versions each for sporty tours and bike adventures, as well as two for the daily commute and urban trips. The two urban models, that got a “C” in their names, feature an elegant rear rack with integrated rear light, a kickstand, and fenders for use as a commuter or everyday bike. The Nyvon is available in four frame sizes.

All models share a relatively low weight thanks to the full carbon chassis, numerous mounting points for transport solutions, the front light, an integrated stem and seat post clamp.

The Bosch SX motor with 55 Nm of torque and a maximum of 600 watts of peak power provides powerful propulsion. The 400 Wh battery is removable, and there is an option to connect a range extender to increase battery capacity to 650 Wh.

The Nyvon 12.0 we tested is the flagship bike of the series, closely followed by the Nyvon 9.0 with slightly more affordable equipment.

In contrast, the NYVON C 10.0 and NYVON C 8.0 models are perfect for the daily commute at any time and in any weather. The latter even features a comfortable and stylish flatbar in addition to fenders, a rack, rear light, and kickstand.

For our test, we were provided with the top model of the adventure line specced with a SRAM Force 1x12 AXS groupset. The combination of the Bosch SX motor, 42-tooth chainring at the front and 10-44 teeth cassette at the rear turned out to be ideal for both fast flat sections, steep descents and even steeper climbs. Although we mostly rode in ECO or Tour+ mode, we also enjoyed the rocket-like feeling of the Sprint and Turbo modes. It was downright insane how crisply the bike climbed even the steepest ascents – provided the optimal gear was chosen and the cadence correspondingly high – i.e. at around 100 rpm.

We were a little surprised by the slightly flared handlebar. However, since it is an all-road bike and not a purebred gravel bike, the Conway product managers opted for a comfortable all-round handlebar with 8 degrees flare and a slight back sweep to cater to commuters, touring cyclists, and randonneurs. Overall, the handlebar and SRAM Force dual control levers, which are quick and easy to adjust to the optimal grip width using an Allen key, were a very good match.

The Fizik saddle and matching handlebar tape complement the list of high-quality tech and features. The latter served its purpose optimally for all-round use but could have been thicker and more comfortable for real gravel riding. But as mentioned, the directive was "universal," and such handlebar tape can be quickly replaced.

The small Bosch Performance SX delivers a maximum torque of 55 Nm, positioning it between the two popular light-assist motors, Fazua Ride 60 (60 Nm, 450 watts peak) and TQ HPR50 (50 Nm, 300 watts peak). When pedaling, the Bosch Performance Line SX feels very powerful and accelerates more strongly in sprint or turbo mode than the FAZUA Ride 60 or the TQ HPR 50, as the Bosch offers a solid 600 watts of mechanical power.

Nevertheless, the SX impresses with a very good and natural ride, thanks to smooth acceleration and the barely noticeable fade-out at the 25 km/h limit. Overall, the drive unit works very quietly, is hardly noticeable off-road and not annoying on the road. Only when decoupled you’ll notice some kind of ghostlike “whispering” or “whining” sound, which may be due to the carbon frame acting as resonating body.

Another peculiarity is the required cadence, so the Bosch SX is not suitable for people who are lazy shifters. To get to full power, the e-bike motor requires a significantly higher cadence than the CX, which should, however, not be a problem with the installed gear range. In short, with the right gear and the appropriate cadence, both support level and dosage are excellent – whether on steep climbs or in demanding technical sections.

The Nyvon excels downhill. Thanks to the elevated riding position, long reach, and short stem, the bike offers a good mix of agility and control. Due to its high stiffness and substantial overall weight, it conveys a lot of stability and confidence even at high speeds downhill. Of course, the Nyvon tends to understeer more when cornering due to its higher weight, i.e. earlier braking is required, but its balanced handling is compelling in most situations. The only downside is the comfort of frame, fork, and handlebar, which are all quite stiff, so it makes sense to experiment with a lower pressure in the 45 mm wide tires or to convert the wheels to tubeless. A slightly thicker handlebar tape could also be helpful.

Our conclusion: Even with tubes, the wide Mavic wheels (25 mm inner width) combined with the medium-tread Schwalbe G-One Bite EVO 45C tires did not only offer better traction and grip at a tire pressure of 1.5 bar, but also noticeably more comfort. It made a significant difference, though we also had a flat tire due to a puncture. Therefore, we recommend ambitious standard-weight riders to switch to tubeless.

Regarding the range, the Bosch SX with its 400-watt-hour battery is well-equipped and allowed for around 1,500 meters of elevation gain on several brisk 75 km rides with a few sprints sprinkled in between. However, if you frequently push the SX to its peak power in the field, the range may be reduced, of course. The range depends not only on battery and motor performance, however, but also on rider weight, individual pedaling power, external factors such as outside temperature, terrain profile, wind, shifting behavior, riding skills, kilometers ridden above and below the 25 km/h threshold, and much more.

Reasonably used, our guess is that the battery might basically make at least 1,000 meters of elevation gain. If more power is needed, an optional Range Extender can be used – an additional battery that is mounted like a water bottle on the seat tube and connected to the charging port – thus increasing the battery capacity to 650 Wh.

While e-mountain bikes have become established despite initial resistance, e-road bikes (including e-gravel bikes, etc.) were long considered exotic. Thanks to lightweight and discreet drive systems from manufacturers like Fazua, Mahle, TQ, and Bosch, which promise a natural riding experience, e-gravel bikes are now reaching new target groups.

The focus is on people who like to commute by bike and want to make a sporty off-road detour on their way home, or bike packers who want to compensate for the additional weight of their panniers. Of course, all gravel bikers who want to be fast off-road without having the necessary fitness, as well as long-time cyclists who can no longer keep up with their partners or training groups uphill due to age, lack of training, or physical limitations, benefit from the e-drive.

Use Cases

Ambitious racers might be somewhat disappointed by the e-gravel bike’s sluggish handling (higher weight and longer wheelbase), but they are likely not the target group for the Nyvon 12.0. On the other hand, newbies and less experienced road cyclists can look forward to a very smoothly running bike.

The Conway Nyvon 12.0 offers an impressive combination of elegant design, relaxed frame geometry, solid components, and powerful technology. The model presented here shines particularly with its high-quality SRAM Force AXS groupset and many components, e.g. from Mavic, Schwalbe, and Fizik, that are suitable for everyday use. With numerous mounting options, Range Extender compatibility, and a powerful front light, the sporty e-gravel bike convinces both on and off the road. The integration of the new Bosch Performance SX motor makes for a pleasant, very sporty, and reliable riding experience.

There is very little to criticize, and it’s mostly subjective or superficial. We think, a more comfortable handlebar tape or a thicker wrapping would be appropriate, and the new owner should convert their Nyvon 12.0 to tubeless as soon as possible. Overall, reducing tire pressure is a quick and effective way to significantly increase the comfort of the stiff e-gravel bike, especially on bumpy or rough roads.

Availability: After the launch at Eurobike, the first Nyvon 9.0 and 12.0 models will be shipped in August 2024. The fully specced models 8.0 C and 10.0 C will follow in September.