Breaking News: Moustache Clutch Introduces Innovative E-Bike with Pinion's MGU Motor and Gearbox
Electric Bicycle by Moustache Equipped with Pinion Motor and Gearbox, Yet Its 27kg Weight and Moderate Power Might Prove Challenging Amidst Avinox's Competition
Highlight The much-anticipated Moustache Clutch, a new e-bike, boasts an innovative design by integrating Pinion's new Motor Gearbox Unit (MGU), eschewing the traditional drivetrain mechanism. The Moustache Clutch is one of the first bikes to incorporate this cutting-edge German technology.
The Clutch, strangely named despite the absence of a clutch mechanism, utilizes Pinion's latest MGU, generating a peak power of 600W and a torque of 85Nm. It is powered by a custom 780Wh Moustache battery. Coupling the motor and gearbox offers the coveted benefits of less maintenance, reduced risk of damage, and less unsprung mass.
Despite the technological leap, the Moustache Clutch elicits a question about its competitiveness in an era where bikes with 1,000W peak power and 120Nm torque abound, such as the DJI Avinox.
The top-tier model, the 16.9, showcases top-of-the-line suspension from Ultimate. The Clutch family includes three models, priced from £7,199 to £8,899, with availability commencing in June 2025.
At 26.9kg for the lower-spec bikes and 27.4kg for the high-end model, the Clutch falls on the heavier side of the e-mountain bike spectrum. Other specifications, such as the bike's 160mm travel and the use of a 170mm fork, are more conventional.
Key Points for Moustache Clutch:
- A new e-bike with 160mm travel and 170mm fork, and mullet wheels
- Pinion MGU combined motor and gearbox eliminates the need for a rear mech
- 600W peak power, 85Nm torque, and a custom 780Wh battery
- Three models available, costing between £7,199 and £8,899, scheduled for release in June 2025
The Clutch's design moves away from traditional shifting with a more conventional trigger shifter for gear changes, even allowing for gear changes while pedaling.
Motor Modes and Display:
The assistance modes from the MGU comprise Fly, Flex, Flow, and Eco—offering full, medium, low, and minimal torque, respectively. The control unit bears a resemblance to Fazua's Ring control unit, and the Fit Master display is set into the top tube, lending the bike a sleek appearance.
Motor and gearbox:
While the combined motor and gearbox system is not novel (Rotwild, Simplon, and Bulls have it, and Geometron will soon join), the 4.1kg MGU adds to the bike's weight compared to motor-only units like Bosch CX (3.8kg) and DJI Avinox (2.9kg). However, the reduced unsprung mass and improved reliability could compensate for the slight weight increase.
The Clutch's impressive features include an integrated rear light, internal storage, Fidlock water bottle mounts, and custom mudguards.
The entry-level 160.7 model gets a KMC chain instead of Gates, features a Magura MT5 brake system, and what seems like a RockShox Psylo fork. The 160.8 offers the Gates belt drive, a RockShox Zeb Select fork, and Vivid Select fork, along with Double Down Maxxis tyres. The 160.9 stands tall as the flagship model with Ultimate level RockShox suspension, Magura Gustav Pro brakes, and Mavic wheels.
The Clutch appears promising; however, its weight raises some concerns about maneuverability. The cutting-edge technology and innovative design warrant close observation and testing.
- The Moustache Clutch's integration of Pinion's MGU Motor and Gearbox marks a departure from traditional drivetrain mechanisms, showcasing a fusion of technology and lifestyle that sets it apart as an electric-vehicle gadget.
- Incorporating a more conventional trigger shifter for gear changes and offering a sleek appearance with a Fit Master display set into the top tube, the Clutch's design features thoughtfully-selected elements that immerse riders in a modern riding experience.
- After considering the Moustache Clutch's impressive features, such as an integrated rear light, internal storage, and custom mudguards, one might overlook its slightly heavier weight compared to other high-performance electric-vehicles and electric-mountain bikes, like the DJI Avinox.
