Gazelle Marathon S11

The Gazelle Marathon S11 is the most approachable entry into the Dutch speed pedelec world — but ‘approachable’ here is anything but casual. This bike is also legally a moped (L1e-B): mandatory license plate, mandatory WA insurance, mandatory NTA 8776 helmet, AM driver's license minimum. The typical buyer commutes Apeldoorn-Zwolle, Alkmaar-Amsterdam-West or Breda-Tilburg: 20-35 km one way, partly on N-roads and partly on rural bromfiets-paths. Versus the Stromer ST3 you trade range and built-in connectivity for a much lower price and a far broader Dutch dealer network. Versus the QWIC RD11 Speed you gain brand recognition and easier local-shop service, but lose the Gates belt drive. In short: the Marathon S11 is the sensible middle ground for riders who want a speed pedelec without spending the full €7,000 on a Swiss or German flagship.

On the road the Marathon S11 feels calmer than the spec sheet suggests. The Bosch Performance Line Speed mid-motor puts out 85 Nm — the highest torque in this test — which translates into very direct 0-to-45 km/h acceleration and strong pull over bridges. The 500 Wh Bosch PowerPack gives a realistic 55-75 km at a sustained 45 km/h, enough for a 30 km one-way run without needing to charge at the office. That is clearly less than the Stromer ST3 at 983 Wh and far below the Riese & Müller Supercharger2 with its 1,125 Wh dual-battery setup — any 80-100 km round trip will have you hunting for a plug at work. Geometry is upright and comfortable, the Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires are practically bullet-proof and the front suspension is tuned well enough for sustained 45 km/h on typical Dutch roads — though the absence of real rear suspension shows up in the seatpost over longer rides.

The legal reality remains decisive. Because the Marathon S11 has to wear a license plate, it is banned from most urban fietspaden: you share the main carriageway with cars, which on busy Randstad routes can wipe out the very time savings you bought the bike for. Outside town, on N-roads and their bromfiets-paths, it is in its element. Budget €150-€250 a year for WA insurance, €150-€200 for a proper NTA 8776 helmet, and annual Gazelle dealer maintenance of around €300-€450 — noticeably cheaper than the Stromer. The honest verdict: if you commute 20-30 km one way, ride mostly outside the city and do not need to finance your time savings with a €7,000 purchase, this is the best value of the four. If your commute is under 15 km or stays entirely within city limits, a regular Gazelle Ultimate C380 without license-plate or helmet burden will get you to work just as quickly and skip nearly all the bureaucracy.