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Discover the pinnacle of cycling comfort and luxury with the new Moustache J Electric Bike
- Introducing the Enviolo Automatiq variable transmission for an enhanced riding experience
- Moustache J, a potential contender for the perfect electric bike?
- Key improvements including powerful Magura brakes and automatic transmission adjustment
- A high-end electric bike with a price tag to match its premium features and performance
First impression on the Moustache J Automatiq
We had the chance to take the new Moustache J Automatiq for a spin in Paris, accompanied by representatives from the brand. From the get-go, it's clear that this e-bike is in a league of its own compared to other high-end models like its predecessor, the Tuesday 27.6. The transition feels like stepping into another dimension, where suddenly there's a cushion between you and the road. The dual suspension system is delightful, featuring a SR Suntour Mobie 25 front fork with 100 mm of travel and a custom Magic Grip Control air shock with 115 mm of travel. The Schwalbe Moto X tires, at a width of 2.4 inches, play a crucial role in smoothing out rough cobblestones and uneven streets.
The Moustache J Automatiq weighs approximately 66 pounds (30 kg), yet it maneuvers with ease through urban traffic without feeling heavy, thanks to its elevated riding position over traditional city bikes. The braking system has been significantly upgraded from the standard Alhonga brakes found on many high-end bicycles. Now equipped with Magura MT A2 brakes featuring two-piston calipers and 160/180 mm rotors, they offer more stopping power but are slightly less aggressive than MT4 or MT5 brakes found on competitors like Riese & Müller Homage.
The joy of automatic transmission
The Enviolo Automatiq transmission is a pleasure to use – or rather to experience since it requires no effort from the rider. There are no gears to shift manually, as everything operates automatically albeit with a slight delay when starting off. After the initial pedal stroke, there's brief freewheeling before electronic activation kicks in, which settles after about one second but somewhat slower than systems such as Decathlon LD 920 E or Shimano Di2 equipped e-bikes.
Other journalists present during this press event also noticed this minor lag and an accompanying high-pitched noise from the system at start-ups or after pausing pedaling (like when going downhill).
An adaptable automatic Enviolo system
This slight inconvenience is barely noticeable over time on rides. The convenience of Enviolo Automatiq will win over many riders combined with the comfort and ease provided by Moustache J which can tackle hills and reach speeds of approximately 15 mph (25 km/h) within seconds.
The steep inclines of Montmartre posed no challenge for this transmission which adjusted seamlessly without any mechanical sensation or noise – maintaining consistent cadence up until motor limits were reached around 12 mph (20 km/h) due to its Performance Line motor's power ceiling at 55 ft-lb (75 Nm), which isn't quite as robust as Bosch's Line CX offering an additional 7 ft-lb (10 Nm).
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The cadence can also be adjusted via the dedicated Enviolo App which works alongside Bosch's eBike Flow app within their Smart System environment. There's latency between changing cadence in-app and actual bike response; however, adjustments are rarely needed unless desired changes or multiple riders are using the same bike.
The Moustache J.on Automatiq comes at a price point of $6,599 USD. Our model featured their largest battery option (625 Wh), capable of reaching an estimated range of up to 91 miles (146 km) in Eco mode – probably closer to around 44 miles (70 km) in Turbo mode.
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