Moustache weekend dual suspension dual battery suitable for touring?

[warek437]

Hi All

I have recently come across a reasonable deal on a Moustache Ebike. I am looking for a touring Ebike for multi day rail trail and gravel rides. This bike has dual suspension 1125 wh of batteries. It has perfrmance line Cx motor 85 nm
It is only available in Xl size which is frame size 54 cm and rider height of 190-205 cms. If I buy it I have to buy it without a test ride.
My height is 184 cm.


I current ride a Gazelle ebike frame size 53 which is comfortable and could be a little small.

I am comparing the moustache weekend model, to a 2026 Focus Aventura2, all sizes available with bosch CX motor gen 5 and 800 WH battery and 250 wh range extender. It would be 1000 more expensive.

Any feedback on moustache weekend full suspension bike welcome

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Review. This e-bike might be even 3-4 years old by now. How could you assess the battery wear? (If this e-bike were brand new then the specs would be excellent). By the way, judging by the manufactured date, it is not a Smart System e-bike.

I would be very careful regarding the frame size. While you can -- to some extent -- rescue the geometry when a bike is too small, you cannot shrink too a big bike. Unfortunately, bike geometry given in the review says no word about the Standover Height. What if you would hang on the top tube on your private parts on every e-bike stop?

The problem with the sizes such as 53 or 54 is these centimetre sizes only refer to the seat-tube length, and even that is not true! For instance:

• Specialized Diverge size 54 has the seat-tube length of 47 cm but the Standover Height of 754 mm (a low bike size M), while
• Canyon Grizl size M has the seat-tube length of only 52.2 cm but the Standover Height as big as 807 mm! (it is a very tall bike of actual size XL).

The centimetre size is of no meaning at all. The bike geometry also depends on the bike construction type. For instance, Moustache size XL might be as big as your body would get stretched horizontally over the top tube! The size XL says it all.

 

[warek437]

Hi Stefan
Thanks for your replies. Some research suggests this model dates back to at least 2021. However it appears to be new stock in the warehouse of the Australian distributor. Searched a few reviews on line and it is reviewed as comfortable, upright riding position, stable, well suited for pack mule and touring, but heavy, great battery range and not very agile or sporting ride. Because it is on a clearance it is discounted and I assume will have the full warranty from Bosch on motor and battery and Moustache on frame.

Not sure how smart the bike is but it does have a Nyon controller.

Geometry, I have found some stats and appreciate anyone who can compare to my current bike and my other choice which is the Focus Aventura 2 in large, although I have figures for Focus Aventura in XL as well. The gazelle figures came from some of my measurements and a website to compare bike but I think it is fairly accurate and representative of my current Gazelle Ebike. I have dropped the idea of the Riese Muller Charger for the moment due to cost. First choice now is currently the Focus Aventura 2026 model Bosch gen 5 motor 800 WH battery. No reviews of 2026, and believe geometry slightly different, these are the geometry for the 2026 Focus bikes. Focus bikes very popular for touring bikes in Australia and more agile and sporting than the Moustache.
The moustache will be 1000-1200 AUD cheaper than a new Focus 2026 model. while that is significant, either one is within the budget.

A late lead today, I was advised to consider Cube Ebikes, they have models rated up to 160 kg as well and are well priced, not quiet as well finished

I do not really understand all of there measurements regarding stack and reach.

One thing that may be helpful with standover height is that the Moustache has a dropper post

Thanks for anyone who can make some sense of this chart. I am 184 cm tall and my current riding position on the Gazelle is upright. I could happily reach another 2-3 cms to handlebars if necessary.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Kevin, have you ever measured your own Standover Height? The 837 or 858 mm are figures for a person of at least 190 cm body height and having long legs. You might not be able to straddle the bike top tube at all! The second thing is dropping the seat-post might leave you with your arms in an unnatural position... Any chance to demo ride that e-bike? Please do not make a grave mistake here!

"Smart System" is the name of the newer Bosch E-Bike system. A 2021 e-bike would lock you in a really aged generation of e-bikes.

Cube e-bikes have always been very attractively priced against their capabilities. I hope you could get a pretty new Cube.

 

[BlackHand]

That Weekender is very nicely equipped, but I too would be concerned about getting a XL given your height would seem to fit nicely into a L size frame.

Of course a 2021 bike would function just as well today as it did in 2021, you just don't have access to updates or upgrades since the old System2 is deprecated. I wouldn't be too worried about the batteries unless it was a demo. BTW - they round up on the older battery wh, so the advertised 1125 is really more like 601+482=1083wh.

If that Focus is the 6.8 and the price difference includes the range extender, the price difference would absolutely be worth it just to have a current supported system. I would try to find a Focus to test ride... in multiple sizes to get a better feel for what fits you. The geometry seems fairly different from your Gazelle.

 

[warek437]

Hi BlackHand

I can have a test ride of a new focus next week. 2026 model will be in stock. Cube bikes have a geometry closer to gazelle and they are also available for a test ride now.

In my current ebike 2018 build, which I bought second hand in 2022, I have not had any software updates, can you explain what the benefits are of having a smart system that is currently supported. I have seen a few videos where people use apps link the phone, reprogram the assistance levels for eco, tour, sport. I can see a benefit to that on a long tour to conserve battery and have seen people do that on a older Nyon controller. I am not interested in systems that automatically change gears based on your cadence.

Thanks for your input

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Kevin,

I'm sure BlackHand as a Bosch E-Bike user will contribute with useful information. Let me tell you why it makes sense going for a new Smart System e-bike.

• Lack of updates for the older Bosch system also means the Nyon maps are not being updated anymore
• Bosch E-Bike guarantees the spare parts, batteries etc will be available for at least 7 years since a system inception. The BES2 e-bikes become old now. While the latest Bosch 5 is a very new system
• Smart System has obvious advantages:
  • Easy tuning many motor parameters. Starting with something very important, that is, easy and comprehensive tuning the assistance. It really helps finding the sweet spot between the ease of pedalling and available range (the latter varies a lot between the warm and the cold season, even for Australia).
  • The latest Smart System allows you setting your destination and allowing the e-bike system control the motor, so you are guaranteed to reach your destination still on the battery
  • The new Kiox displays are a way more modern than the old one ever have been.

I am not interested in systems that automatically change gears based on your cadence.

This is only pertaining to the IGH transmission, not to the chain and derailleur drivetrain.

If that Focus is the 6.8 and the price difference includes the range extender, the price difference would absolutely be worth it just to have a current supported system.

An invaluable remark!

I'm glad you can demo ride a new Focus or Cube e-bike. Buying an e-bike without assessing the frame size (and the ride feel) would be not a reasonable thing. If you compare a Focus to a Cube, always compare the equipment, too:

• Battery size
• Motor model
• Display provided
• Charger provided
• Drivetrain
• Brakes.

Even if the price difference is, say, 1500-2000 AUD, please bear in mind the money is spent one time but you would ride your new e-bike for five years or more.

 

[stompandgo]

There's nothing wrong with buying a new System 2 e-bike if all you want is a basic, powerful, reliable, simple e-bike. If you don't care about maps, custom tuning, sophisticated ride metrics and the like, they work just fine. If you look around and shop closeout sales, you can find a System 2 bike from a major manufacturer for around the same price as a bike from a manufacturer that you've never heard of. Sizing is important. If you can get a test ride for fitting beforehand, that's best.