Electric city bikes might still sound fairly cutting-edge and electric mountain bikes the stuff of two-wheel fantasy, but the German firm Haibike has been building technically innovative and virtually indestructible eMTBs since as long ago as 2010. Haibike has spent those intervening years perfecting the technology that has made it the undisputed market leader. There’s its Gravity Casting Interface means every ounce of power generated by the motor is transferred into the drivetrain. There are unique components manufactured using special technology normally only associated with motorcycling. There is the motor that is fully integrated into the frame so that, unlike other integration concepts, it looks a natural part of the eMTB. There’s also a specially developed skidplate which protects the bottom bracket and motor mount when you crunch over rocks. And the sprocket has been engineered to guarantee perfect power transmission between the motor and the chain… If you were to weaponise a mountain bike it would look something like this.
But to really understand what an eMTB can do for you, you first have to understand the sport of downhilling. The thrill is to hurl yourself down precipitous tracks, clinging to your bike for dear life. The drag is then returning to the top to repeat the whole thing again. In a way it’s more like skiing than cycling. Therefore, a bike with a powerful engine, full suspension and pin-sharp brakes quickly becomes not so much a luxury but essential equipment. And you won’t find anything better than Haibike’s Xduro Nduro 9.0.
It’s a wildly serious piece of kit. Just don’t let it lead you astray… (haibike.com)
Price: £6,999
Motor: Bosch CX with 75nm torque – up to 300% assistance in turbo mode
Battery: Bosch 500wh
Weight: 22.22kg
Suspension: Fox, front and rear
Gears: Sram EX-1
Wheelset: Mavic
Brakes: Magura MT7 dual piston hydraulic discs
There is only so much a preview can reveal about the amazing ability of a bike like this, however these films will give you some idea…
Email Martin at martin.love@observer.co.uk or follow him on Twitter@MartinLove166
