Moustache eBikes - What do you think?

EddiePJ

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 7, 2013
4,632
4,013
Crowborough, East Sussex
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ghouluk

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 11, 2013
329
11
There's now a £5K Moustache with a bigger wheel on the front than the back.

It can only be a gimmick, and an expensive one at that.
why do you say its just a gimmick? the logic behind it makes sense to me at least superficially in a best of both worlds kind of way - and i can see significant work needed to make the bike function properly, hence a high initial price.

I wouldn't have thought it would be in any manufacturers interest to make a gimmick e-bike, the target market is so small, that while bolt on gimmick goodies (some useful some not) would convince folks to buy, i think with such a radical design and aesthetic all you'd do is narrow an already narrow market.
 

103Alex1

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 29, 2012
2,228
67
I wonder what it means as far as choice of tyres is concerned.....

The mechanical spec is exceptionally good. But so it should be for five grand. To be honest though I can't put its total value at more than £3,750 tops. That's allowing £2,250k for the underlying bike (seems fair - a grand towards forks and suspension, £750 for the groupset and 500 for the ally frame and the rest) and £1,500 for the Bosch & battery (which is what it seems to work out at mostly) - and that's all at spares pricing so generous to allow plenty of profit and room for post-sales support. The extra £1-£1.5k is just the usual low volume sale markup which will drop off the value of the bike the second it leaves the shop.

On a slightly side-note, I've noticed more and more manufacturers are going for systems with these USB charging ports. The only thing is USB connections are not good for using 'in ride', especially in wet conditions. It's another case of something which sounds good but I reckon isn't much practical use and more of a gimmick.

Motorbike-spec hardwire charger with proper waterproof case integrating the charger cable entry is the only thing i'd try to use especially on an expensive phone or GPS. It's when you're out riding and the bike is 'on' that you can really benefit from device charging.
 
C

Cyclezee

Guest
That bike fits in very well with a business venture that I was discussing with someone today. Added to my favourites list. :)

Do they also happen to make a trike version?
Hi Eddie,

The eZee Expedir utility/cargo bike comes in various specifications, but not a trike.

However, the German eZee distributors do have number of eZee powered 3 wheeled variants as shown below.

You can see them via the following links

Musketiere (Dreiräder) - www.Radkutsche.de

Aramis - www.Radkutsche.de

Comtesse - www.Radkutsche.de

Porthos - www.Radkutsche.de

Athos - www.Radkutsche.de
 

RobF

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 22, 2012
4,732
2,312
why do you say its just a gimmick?
I'm surprised you ask.

There won't be much of a discernible difference between riding a 27.5 (another gimmick) and a 29er - even less when you've got one of each.

Particularly true with an ebike which tends to iron out what differences there are in terms of acceleration, weight, and to a degree, momentum.
 

Yamdude

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 20, 2013
842
639
Somerset
Seeing as its a mountain bike, I guess the larger wheel up front has been copied from off road motorcycles that also have a larger front wheel and smaller diameter back.
A larger wheel at the front is better for riding over ruts, tree roots, rocks etc.
 

ghouluk

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 11, 2013
329
11
Particularly true with an ebike which tends to iron out what differences there are in terms of acceleration, weight, and to a degree, momentum.
i see your point, but there are massive differences between the neo cross and the neo xtreme for example. I guess i'm comparing 26-29.

I'd still be interested to give it a try, and i think innovations need to be tried, and i also think that e-bikes is not the right place for gimmick sales (though it may be in france for a french manufacturer as it sounds like they are going mainstream)
 

Martin@e-bikeshop

Esteemed Pedelecer
Hi Ghoul,

Yes correct wheel size makes a bigger difference on normal push bikes for rolling etc.
But off road it makes a bigger difference in ride as to how well you roll over terrain.
Deffo not a gimmick... It is different though.

They do a couple of hardtail versions too -
samedi-27-9gold-01.jpg

Regards
Martin
 

SRS

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 30, 2012
848
349
South Coast
Hi Guys,

We are always looking to expand our electric bike range. At the NEC I wondered round all the brands on show. The Moustache electric bikes in particular really stood out to me. Seeing them in the flesh really showed the quality of the build. I was rather Impressed.

Chatting to the designer it was clear they have passion behind there eBikes which I always highly respect in a brand.

I thought the bikes were very well specc'd for the money too.

The Moustache eBikes can be found here - Moustache Bikes | E-bikes e-powered by Bosch
(Although not yet updated with their 2014 electric models)

View attachment 7301

What do you guys think?
Looking for some opinions..

Regards
Martin
Martin. I think we all know you for Haibikes, top notch e-mountain bikes.

I think the moustache range would compliment the above nicely. Expanding your range with quality machines. I particularly like the look of their trekking version for town and general use. Keep us posted.

Anyway on another note, many thanks for getting in my Streamliner. Excellent and works fine on a 29er. Tried a 15 miler today and my daughter loved it.
 

RobF

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 22, 2012
4,732
2,312
Deffo not a gimmick.

One wheel an inch and a half bigger than the other is about as big a gimmick as you can get.

Yes, there's lots of difference between 26" and 29er, but 27.5 one end and 29 the other is a joke.
 

103Alex1

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 29, 2012
2,228
67
^^ fit some big tyres on the smaller wheel and you've got yourself back full circle to a 29er :p So can I have a thousand Euro discount please ? :eek:
 
My eyes were drawn to the finish, design and welding. Then I looked at specification.
An example of what I mean by 'unfinished' -
View attachment 7306
Now in now way am I having a pop at other brands. Before anyone pipes up. Hence why I have clipped this image down to not display any names.
BUT look at the mounting of the new Bosch motor on the Moustache. You'd struggle to fit a fag paper through the gap. The welding around it is phenomenal as well. The picture above represents another brand integrating the same motor - to me it looks untidy and not finished.
I personally would rather pay the extra couple hundred - Just my opinion.

What do other think?
Any owners out there? Or Should I hit up the French pedelec forum? ;)

Regards
Maritn
Hi Martin,

The bike you have pictured is a pre production prototype build, not a production level bike, it was rushed over for the show, because we didnt have any other Bosch bikes in the uk.

The production bikes are now in stock, perhaps you'll let me send you down one to have a play with for a couple of weeks and actually ride to compare with the other bikes you stock?

Regards
Col
 

Velospeed

Pedelecer
Aug 20, 2009
31
0
West Berks
We've been selling the moustache range for two years now and we're very happy with them. The quality is second to none, the amount of work that goes into their design and the passion that this company have for what they are doing is really different and, as is obvious from the comments here, makes them stand out from the (increasingly crowded) umm - crowd. They are a small independent company, run by some guys who come from the worlds of cycle design and competitive mountain biking.

The 2014 range has some interesting innovations such as the MTB with 29" front and 27.5" rear wheel setup, which starts at £2599 and as you have noticed goes up to £4899 for the very top of the range "Gold" edition. This is far from being a mere fashion statement, the bikes have been designed to be used seriously offroad and have been thoroughly tested in the nearby Vosges mountains. The larger front wheel gives the benefits of a 29er with the increased torque and manoeuvrability of a 27.5" rear. Offroad use isn't for everyone, and we reckon they've been brave to introduce such a novel concept. Their 26" wheel MTB is still available too. They've introduced a variety of specifications for the new MTB range, which will be appearing on our website very soon.

Other than that they are also introducing lightweight road bikes (18kg), an increased range of trekking bikes and some City bikes that show their dedication to innovative design, balance, rider comfort and precision build.

For a very small company we think they are brave, clever and destined for great things. And as with any company producing innovative quality products they are never going to be everyone's cup of tea. But they're certainly not bland and are attracting a lot of interest.

I hope that's useful. If anyone wants more information let us know or contact any Moustache dealer, they are hoping to enrol more throughout the UK before next year.

Regards
John
Velospeed
www.velospeed.co.uk

** Oh yes, why "moustache"? The handlebars on many models are bespoke designed and made, in a "moustache" shape. Incidentally this approach (design, not shape) is taken with other components such as mudguards which have been specially designed by the company - rather than using off the shelf products.