The top of the Wattwheels range, and it earns the position. The Bene is what you buy when you have looked at the rest of the line-up and decided you would rather not compromise. Sleek European styling, a drivetrain that asks almost nothing of you, and a component list that reads like a bike costing considerably more.
Why we feature it
The headline is the drivetrain. A Gates CDX carbon belt paired with an Enviolo Trekking internal gear hub means no chain, no derailleur, no gear cables, and no oiling. You change gear by twisting the grip — smoothly, through an infinite range, and at a standstill if you want to. Pull up at the lights in the wrong gear and it simply does not matter. For a bike that will do thousands of commuting kilometres, that is the difference between regular workshop visits and almost none.
Power is the Ananda M100 mid-drive at 300W with 120N·m of torque, fed by a 720Wh Samsung pack. It is quiet, it responds to how hard you are pedalling rather than lurching, and the range is generous enough that most riders stop thinking about charging.
The comfort kit is where the Bene pulls away from the Bighorn. A Suntour X1 Boost air fork with lockout is genuinely adjustable to your weight and riding style rather than a one-size coil. The KS Rage suspension dropper post does two jobs at once — drops the saddle out of the way at a stop, and takes the sting out of rough surfaces while you ride. Tektro Gemini four-piston hydraulic brakes are serious stopping hardware.
Maxxis Rekon Race tyres in 2.4″ handle gravel and trail without feeling slow on tarmac, which suits the way most people actually use these bikes — sealed roads during the week, something rougher at the weekend.
Smart connectivity
A 4G SIM module is built in, paired to the Wattwheels app: real-time GPS location, geo-fencing alerts if the bike moves without you, remote lighting and assistance control, remote diagnostics, and the ability to report it stolen — which shuts the bike down.
The app subscription is included for the first year and renews at $59.95 per year after that. It is entirely optional — the bike rides normally without it. Tracking functions require 4G coverage, and we recommend removing the battery if the bike will sit unused for more than a week or two.
WorkRide eligible
At 300W the Bene V1.5 sits inside the WorkRide power limit, so it can be purchased through the scheme if your employer is signed up. Talk to us about how that works.
Specifications
Motor
Ananda M100 mid-drive, 300W, 120N·m torque
Battery
48V 15Ah 21700 Samsung Li-Ion (720Wh)
Charger
Sans 48V 3Ah smart charger
Display
Ananda D16 colour display with USB charge port
Frame
Medium, Large. Optional front rack available +$129
Fork
Suntour X1 Boost Air LOR-DS, 100mm travel
Brakes
Tektro Gemini SL-HD-M535 hydraulic disc, 4-piston
Gearing
Enviolo Trekking internal gear hub with grip shifter
5 years frame, 2 years motor / battery / display, 12 months mechanical components
Sizing
Not sure which size you need? Give us a call first and we will talk you through it.
Delivery and assembly
Please allow 7 working days for delivery and assembly of your bike. Bikes are shipped 90% assembled with basic final assembly required, or fully assembled and safety-checked by our own mechanics if collected from the store. Warranty work and servicing are handled in-house, or by nationwide repair partners in the event you are an out-of-town buyer.
Wattwheels occasionally substitute components of equal or better specification due to supply conditions, so minor variations between production runs are possible.
