I’m a fan of the Bosch centerdrive system given how responsive it is for mountain bike applications. It starts and stops almost immediately (as shown in the video review). The Gen2 design brings increased power at 350 watts for improved starting and climbing which is perfect for this 29er hardtail from Haibike. This is one of my favorite ebikes in their lineup because it’s the most affordable but still awesome looking with higher end components (including 180mm hydraulic disc brakes, RockShox Recon Air with 100mm of travel and 15mm thru-axle). The entire bike weighs just 45 pounds but is still rugged and truly trail ready. With four frame sizes (and two colors) to choose from you can match the bike to your body and enjoy riding as you would with a traditional mountain bike.
This bike can easily reach 20 miles per hour and freewheels efficiently beyond when dropping hills. The 350 watt motor sits at the intersection of the downtube and seat tube doubling as the bottom bracket. It’s got a protective plastic cover along its base (to defer damage from any rocks or stumps you might encounter). It keeps motor weight low and center on the bike frame (right where you want it for balance) and leverages the 10 speed SRAM cassette in the rear. One of the neat things about this and other mid-drive ebikes is that maintenance and service on the wheels is handle just like a regular bike. While it’s true that more force is put onto the chain and cassette with mid-drive, this motor is smart enough to sense when you’re switching gears and will automatically cut out to avoid mashing. The motor is a bit louder than some gearless hub designs (producing a soft high pitched whine shown in the video review) but it’s not as loud as some and when you’re on a dirt path the sound of your tread will pretty much cover it up.
The battery pack used with this system is a 36 volt 11 amp hour Lithium-ion configuration that’s light weight and long lasting. It’s removable for easy charging or multi-pack use on those long distance rides. Even though the official specs say 25 to 35 miles my experience is that it can go much further (depending on the terrain and level of assist). By leveraging the gears on this bike and always using pedal assist (there’s no throttle mode) you get excellent range. The battery has a nice LED indicator on the side that displays its charge even without turning the bike on (or even having it on the bike) which is nice. The pack mounts low and center, just like the motor, but does take up the space where a bottle cage might have otherwise mounted. I feel like they could have added bosses to the seat tube for a cage mount but it’s not the end of the world. You can always get CamelBak…
The display unit on the XDURO RX 29er is large and easy to use. The screen is backlit and shows speed, distance and assist and you can interact with it using a break-out console. This means you can keep your hands on the grips at all times (critical for trail riding on bumpy, dangerous terrain). While some electric mountain bikes rely on throttle only operation if I had to choose one I’d go with pedal assist. There’s no chance of accidental acceleration based on squeezing the grips harder for stability and the centerdrive is so responsive (using torque, cadence and wheel speed) that it cuts out as soon as you stop pedaling. One of the neat things about the Bosch display is that you can either lock it to the mount with a set screw or remove the screw and take the panel with you (to prevent tampering and vandalism). It’s nice that they give you the choice here though I’ve heard that removing screens too often can allow the contacts to get dirty and weaken if not cleaned.
The Haibike XDURO RX 29″ is my favorite in large part because I can actually afford it. Sure, $4K isn’t cheap but this is top of the line stuff and I prefer the soft feel of off-road tires and air suspension to commuter style bikes. This thing works great on roads, trails or true mountain settings and gets excellent range thanks to the mid-drive which leverages the 10 gears in the rear. It’s easy to maintain, has a solid warranty and just looks cool. Haibike was one of the first brands to produce a true eMountain bike in Europe and now it’s finally coming to the US with Currie (Makers of IZIP and eFlow) providing distribution and support. I’ve only had limited time riding this bike but had the chance to jump it, do stoppies (thanks to the hydraulic disc brakes) and power up large hills. This thing actually feels like a bike but took the edge off for my knees and weekend warrior lungs.
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Rob Earp
10 years agoThis is a terrific bike because everything it does, it does exceptionally well. In my opinion, it is worth the extra money. I had an E3 Dash and after experiencing a number of problems, I “traded up” to the Haibike. I’m very happy I did. This bike is rock-solid, from the ride, to the shifting, to the big range/long battery life. This is not the most ambitious bike in terms of features. (It does not have a throttle or Cruise Control, for example.) The sophistication of the Bosch system seems to be aimed at providing the basics of pedal assist, torque, and range exceptionally well, and better than anyone else. And man does it succeed. I’m loving this bike and I’m grateful to Currie for their commitment on customer satisfaction. I may be a Haibike rider for life!
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoAwesome testimonial Rob! Thanks for sharing your experience with the Haibike XDURO RX. They actually just won the Interbike E-Bike of the Year Award for 2014 and I think they definitely deserve the positive recognition. Here’s a video I shot of the award ceremony.
ReplyRandy van Vliet
10 years agoIf they ever make a FS 29’er with 120mm front and rear, that will help get 225#’s up steep fire roads here So Cal, I may have to let go of my Niner Jet 9 frame for this.
ReplyVince
9 years agoI took a loaner bike from El Camino Bike in Encinitas Ca. out for a 13 mile trail ride and decided they should change the name from Haibike to Wowbike, because WOW is the only way to explain it. I could not trail ride hear in southern California for more than 2-3 miles because of the very steep and rock trails and now I am looking forward to trying many of the fantastic trails we have.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoAwesome! I feel the same way, the Bosch drive system is amazing and when paired with a purpose-built mountain frame like the XDURO 29″ or one of their other setups… it’s just amazing. Way easier on my knees and makes it possible to reach greater distances. Have fun out there and thanks for sharing your take on this bike!
ReplyVince
9 years agoThanks. In your experience do people switch out the seat? It seems hard, feels like a butt buster,
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Vince! Yeah, I hear about people switching the saddles all the time. I think they put on a very active, firm saddle that would appeal to hard-core riders but if you’re using this around town or just aren’t as interested in stiffness and power output (and weight savings) then this would be a good part to swap out. I got the FSRX 27.5 and kept the saddle (and it is firm) but the full suspension helped to reduce the discomfort :)
ReplyVince
9 years agoAlso I want you to know that the video test ride does this bike no justice. A golf course is nothing compared to what this bike is capable of. You should let me make you a video of this bike on a real trail.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoPlease do! I was at an industry event where they were unveiling the bike for the first time and I was doing my best to find dynamic terrain for testing. Feel free to leave a video response on YouTube from my original review here.
ReplyTom
9 years agoThe awesome folks at Fly Rides in La Jolla (CA) allowed me to take out an RX 29 overnight (at a reasonable price) so I could test on my intended commute route, involving about 4.5 miles of trail including sand, gravel, stream beds, single-track, steep, gullied sections, etc. It’s amazing. Had to buy one. It has no problem getting the job done, and is plenty comfortable on the streets as well. The long climb at the end before arriving at work is accomplished without breaking a sweat or breathing hard, while maintaining 19 mph (assist tapers off above this). I’m back to bike commuting after a 12 year suspension due to route/sweat worries. This bike solves both problems, and I’m loving it!
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoTom! Thanks for the great feedback… It’s awesome that you’re back on a bike regularly for commuting purposes, sounds like the Haibike really met your needs. My experience with the brand (and the Bosch drive system) has been similar, it’s a really capable product :D
Reply