To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by NCM. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of NCM products.
NCM is a new company to me, but they are using reliable and proven systems in their ebikes, so in someway, there is a nice familiarity to it. Today we are checking out their value priced ebike, the Moscow. This is not to be confused with the Moscow Plus which is an upgraded version we will be covering in another review soon. So the Moscow is an aluminum alloy frame hard-tail ebike that comes in 2 sizes. Each size also has tire options as well, so basically there is a 19” frame and a 20.5” frame and you can choose either 27.5” tires, or 29” tires. Today we have the 19” frame with the 27.5” Schwalbe Smart Sam nobby tires. Overall the bike weighs about 57.5lbs, and costs $1,499 USD and $1,899 in CAD. As I mentioned before, it is a bit of a hard-tail setup, so you do get this nice SR SunTour XCT spring suspension fork. It has 80mm of travel, 28mm stanchions, and includes compression adjust, lockout, and preload adjust. Pretty standard hub spacing in the front, 100mm, and there is a 9mm quick release skewer in the front, but none in the back since this is a hub-drive. I am told that it has a maximum weight capacity of 275.5lbs, which is higher than standard. This might come in handy since the bike does have bottle cage bosses, rack bosses, and even fender provisions, so you could really load it up with accessories and it should handle it very well. I like that there is a adjustable length kickstand included, but it is center mounted. That means that you could have the pedals strike the kickstand when down and reversing, an annoying occurrence sometimes referred to as ‘pedal-lock’. The seat post here is a rigid post, which is normal, but since it is 30.9mm, you could swap that out with a nice suspension seat post to get some more cushion on top of that front suspension fork. Other features include ergonomic Velo grips, Wellgo aluminum alloy platform pedals, and one of my favorites, a slap guard that will protect the bike frame and paint from getting nicked by the chain and scratching the paint.
Driving the Moscow is a 500 watt nominally rated planetary geared hub motor. I love that it is fairly compact given the high power output. Power wise, it can deliver up to 80nm of torque, which is quite high, but it cannot leverage gears the way that a mid-drive could. The upside is that the motor always feels zippy, it doesn’t matter which of the gear combinations you are pedaling with. And, the motor can deliver instant power with the minimalist throttle. Hub motors are a great fit for hardtail mount bikes because there is no rear suspension to interfere with. As you shift gears, there won’t be increased mashing or forces applied to the drivetrain because the motor operates completely independently of the chain and sprockets. You could lose the chain, and the motor would still operate and keep the bike going with pedal assist (because it uses a cadence sensor), or the throttle. Of course, this motor will use more power if you’re constantly starting with the throttle, but that’s a worthwhile trade for someone like myself, who has a knee injury. I love being able to override assist with the throttle at any time. I love that the throttle is easily disabled by removing a cable in case you need to make the bike legal for other trails or local laws. Mechanically, you have 3 rings in the front (48,28, and 28), but sadly, there is no chain cover to protect your clothing. In the rear you have a more basic 14-28 tooth setup, so really not the largest range. All in all, it is a Shimano Altus system, and you also get 7 speeds, trigger shifters, and a display window that tells you what gear you are in. There is a derailleur guard here to, something I love since it protects the derailleur during shipping, or if the bike takes a spill some day. Stopping the Moscow is a set of mechanical disc brake rotors with 180mm in the front and 160mm in the rear. Mechanical brakes are great for maintenance and easy adjustability, however, they do lack the immediate stopping power that hydraulic brakes have like the ones found in the Plus version. Interestingly enough, there is a motor inhibitor, but just one on the left brake. Typically, you see them in both brakes, again, a feature found on the Plus version, but I am still glad it is here as it helps cut power to the motor when stopping.
Powering the NCM Moscow is a high capacity Lithium-ion battery pack, offering 48 volts and 13 amp hours of capacity! I’d call 500 watt hours average for the season, but this pack offers 624 watt hours, and that means you can go further or ride at higher speeds. It looks like between this and the Plus version, there are 2 battery options, so you could get an even larger 16ah. I love that they use an external controller, this allows a lower cost for replacement batteries. Where as some companies are $800-$1000 range for a new battery, this keeps the NCM battery cost to around $500. Note that whenever you’re operating around or above 20 mph, air resistance is going to cause exponential energy draw and range will be decreased. This pack delivers electricity to the motor, but also the backlit display panel (hold the + icon to turn on backlighting), and even a full sized USB charging port on the top right side. You could use this port to maintain phones, GPS, or music devices as you ride or when parked at home or a camp site. My friends recently took a bikepacking trip using another electric bike, and this sort of charging-on-the-go feature would be really handy. If you’re excited to charge while riding, I recommend using a right-angle USB adapter, an inexpensive accessory you can find on Amazon, just to keep the wires tucked in and out of the way while you pedal. The battery pack weighs more than average at 9.2 lbs, but the alloy casing is sturdy and most of the weight is kept low and center on the bike frame. I took the pack off when moving the bike to our review location, to reduce load on my car rack. If you live up stairs, removing the battery is a great idea, and for those who need to leave the bike in a cold, hot, or wet locations… being able to protect and charge the battery inside is a great thing. It’s best to maintain the pack above 20% and avoid extreme temperatures. It’s going to take a bit longer to fill this battery because of the higher capacity, and the charger is more basic, offering 2 amp output vs. 3 amp or 4 amp. So expect 6 to 7 hours for a fill recharge if you go all the way down to zero. One quick warning about charging the battery while mounted to the bike, be careful with the left crank arm because it passes directly in front of the plug port on the left and could bend or snag the charging plug and cable.
Operating this electric bicycle is very straightforward, but the cockpit handlebar area is a bit more crowded. This is because there are two trigger shifter units (one on the left for the front derailleur, and one on the right for the rear derailleur). You’ve also got the hydraulic brake lines and motor inhibitors connected to each lever. You’ve got the display panel cable, and finally, the trigger throttle cable. Considering everything that’s going on up there, the bike actually looks pretty good. Not all of the cables are internally routed through the frame, but the upside is that servicing the bike will be a little bit easier for you or the local shop. Anyway, when you’ve charged and mounted the battery, simply press the M button on the control pad for a couple of seconds to boot up the computer unit and get the LCD online. All of the standard readouts are listed including current speed, average speed, assist level (1-5), and battery charge level. The cool thing is, the battery infographic is a bit more precise here, showing six bars vs. just five on many other units. Das-Kit makes nice stuff, and while this display is not removable and doesn’t swivel very easily, the screen is large and easy to read. You can change the units from miles to kilometers and back by going into that setting mens (hold + and -) and these are the same keys that raise or lower the pedal assist level. At any time when the bike is on, the throttle will be active… even in level zero. I personally enjoy this configuration, but it does make it easier for accidental starts when mounting and dismounting the bike. Approach carefully, consider turning the bike on once you are already seated, and turn it off before dismounting. The display unit incorporates the control pad buttons, simplifying things, and they were moderately easy to reach. All in all, very straight forward and streamlined.
In conclusion, the Moscow was a lot of fun, and as mentioned earlier, is using a lot of nice proven technology that has kept many happy. This is a value priced ebike, so there will be some tradeoffs to consider, so I should make mention of those now… For one, the kickstand is center mounted, so if the kickstand is down and you are reversing the bike, you will encounter pedal lock. I noticed that there is no chain ring cover or guard, so be careful when pedaling with clothing like pants or a dress. The charger is just 2amps, this means charging happens slowly, so matched with that high capacity battery, it could take quite some time. Probably the biggest tradeoff is the mechanical disc brakes with a motor inhibitor only on the left side. However, if you opt for the Plus version of this bike, you will get more responsive hydraulic disc brakes, with both the front and back having motor inhibitors. Tradeoffs aside, it is a very well put together bike with a lot of what we have come to know and love about ebikes, and at a price of just $1,499 in the US, will appeal to many customers. I want to thank NCM for the chance to check out the Moscow, and I look forward to reviewing more bikes from this new company.
As always, I welcome questions and feedback in the comment section below. Whether you own a previous version of the bike, have taken a test ride, or are brand new to the space, my goal is to provide an objective and honest resource. You can also join the Other Brands ebike forums and share your own photos, videos, and review updates to help others! Have fun out there, and ride safe :)
Pros:
- The Moscow blends off-road geometry, suspension, and tires with urban utility because you can add fenders and a rear rack, there are also bottle cage bosses on the top as well
- There are 21 gear combinations to explore here, and that empowers you to climb easier or hit and maintain the top assisted speed, I really appreciate the slap guard on the right chain stay and the steel derailleur guard at the rear which also protects the motor power cable (especially when the bike is being shipped)
- The 500 watt Das-Kit motor is powerful and zippy but completely independent from the the pedal drivetrain, it’s a good choice for a bike with so many gears vs. a mid-motor, it also allows for instant throttle power regardless of which gear you’re in
- One of the advantages of having a front derailleur is that it keeps the chain from bouncing off track, it does usually add more weight and maintenance to the bike however, and if you’re using either of the two smaller chainrings the larger 48 tooth one can snag your pant leg because there is no bash guard plate
- Good weight distribution, the battery is positioned low and center on the frame, it seems well protected and blends in pretty well with the black accents on the fork, handlebar, seat, and chainrings
- Great tires for cross country and street riding, the 27.5″ x 2.25″ size is lightweight and efficient, they steer quickly and Schwalbe products tend to be higher quality, there is also a 29” option as well
- At $1,499 USD and $1,899 in CAD, it is compeitivly priced and will serve many customers well since it has a throttle, high capacity battery, and suspension
- I’m glad that they chose a trigger throttle vs. twist because it makes the grips more secure and reduces accidental activation, the 12-magnet cadence sensor is also more responsive than 8 or 5 on many other products
- The suspension fork offers compression lockout and preload adjust, this allows it to firm up for smooth riding conditions like city streets, reducing bob and energy loss as you pedal
- You get a flick bell, locking ergonomic grips, and a pair of large sturdy platform pedals that should work well in all sorts of conditions and weather, sometimes these parts are cheaper on value priced ebikes
- I love the high capacity 14v 13ah battery, it even has a USB port on the side to take advantage of it and use it as a power bank, perfect for traveling
- Between the knobby tires and 80mm suspension fork, this bike feels pretty comfortable, but I might recommend a suspension seat post to make things even more cushy for your ride
Cons:
- This bike has motor inhibitor capability, which is great, but it is only on one brake lever (the left brake), where as most bikes have motor inhibitors on both brakes
- Some of the wires on this ebike are a bit more exposed along the base of the top tube, it looks a bit cleaner and reduces snags when they are completely internal
- This e-bike weighs more than your average trail bike at 57.5lbs because it has a higher capacity battery and a more basic spring suspension fork vs. air, I’d definitely take the battery off when lifting and transporting it
- No chain cover or guard means you need to be careful with your pants or dress, you don’t want it getting snagged and torn up in the chain ring system
- Even though this is technically a mountain bike, it’s nice to see a kickstand for those urban rides, I do wish that the stand was positioned a bit further back however, to avoid pedal lock with the left crank arm
- As mentioned before, the brakes only have 1 motor inhibitor, and they are also a bit on the basic side since they are mechanical versus hydraulic brakes, however, mechanical brakes are easier to maintain and adjust, so it does have that going for it
- With a standard 2amp battery charger, it could take a while to completely fill the high-capacity battery (6 or 7 hours), there are other ebikes with 3 or even 4amp chargers but they tend to weigh more
- The display panel isn’t removable and doesn’t swivel easily, as a result, it could get scratched more easily at racks and will take sun and rain wear over time
Resources:
Mike
5 years agoAn almost virtual carbon copy of the Magnum Peaks, all the way down to the sizes of 27.5 and 29″ tires, and Das Kit. Same colors. They even use the same dumb decals on the rims – only different name. You could have almost duped your Peak review here. Just change the name from Peak to Moscow, and lower the price. Since its such a close dupe, I would imagine that its the same manufacturer that Magnum uses, and that Magnum is the only firm who has the rights to sell this general frame of ebike model here in the US. But who knows? Maybe Magnum lost their rights or someone is perfectly fine just copying it down to the colors, and even same tire sizes, though they do offer two frame sizes, but Magnum doesn’t. So their website says this is made in Germany, and yet they name it the Moscow. Go figure.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Mike! I edited and combined your comments to make it easier to respond. Yes, I believe that the same company who makes Magnum, Amego, and some Surface 604 bikes also makes NCM… in fact, the parent company makes NCM and is either partnering up or selling their own to cover different markets. I filmed this review in Canada with Virginia from her shop (also called Amego). We purposefully didn’t mention Magnum, just focused on what this bike offrs, but you’re correct that they share a lot of similarities. I avoid some of the talk about exclusive markets and rights because I simply don’t know. I have been in touch with Magnum recently to film some reviews of their latest products, and I believe that they are still a strong leader in the US with a great network of dealers and a great reputation for support. I agree with you that Moscow is an interesting name, and I appreciate your comment in general ;)
ReplyDarnelle
5 years agoOther issues are the Das Kit L7 has no one who knows how to get into it and change some of the PAS levels and power levels. The Bike Shop in Ca has not answered me about this issue after a week. I email DAS Kit in Germany and they have not answered me either. Other people on forums are complaining about this problem too. Other issues is that both shift levers need adjustment. It is a nice bike overall.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHey! Thanks for the feedback, Darnelle! I’m sorry that nobody at the shop or in the EBR forums has had an answer for you about changing assist levels… that’s a bummer. I’m glad that you like the bike overall and hope that a solution eventually comes up :/
ReplyJoe
5 years agoWhat rack can I buy for this bike? I’m trying to find one on amazon. Thanks
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Joe, there are lots of racks… but do you mean for the bike (like a front or rear rack) or for your car to take the bike to different places? NCM might sell racks or Magnum, or Amego, which produce similar products :)
ReplyJoe
5 years agoFor the bike. rear rack
Mike
5 years agoSome websites and reviews say 250 watts for the motor. Some say 500 watts. I ordered one from Amazon in the us. Will I get 500 watts? Thanks.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Mike! I’m really not sure, I’d love to hear back once yours arrives, so we can all confirm. Perhaps they are 250 watt nominal with peak output of 500 watts? When I filmed the bike in Canada, I was told by Virginia from Amego EV that they are 500 watt nominal… but it’s really difficult to say when there is no writing on the hub motor cover :/
ReplyMike
5 years agoThe Moscow has a sticker on the frame stating rated to 500w continous, the Prague states 350 watts continuous. Both motors are the same physical dimensions.
ReplyAlex
5 years agoHi Mike! Look what I just found. Notice any similarities? Looks like the Moscow (at least frame-wise), but produced under the brand name VG.
ReplyRick
5 years agoThank you for the informative reviews. This website has been a great resource as I am considering my first electric bike. Can you tell me how you determine the max range? Is it quoted from the manufacturer or do you have a method for testing the range yourselves? The Moscow and Moscow Plus have a much longer max range than some other bikes with similar voltage and amperage.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Rick! We haven’t been consistent or very accurate with range estimates here. It’s a mix of what the manufacturers advertise and what I have observed in my own time riding. I look at the tire type (knobby, extra fat?) and the suspension (soft?) as well as the motor type (hub motors can be less efficient), and the battery capacity. A rule of thumb is to divide the watt hours of a pack by 20 to get the minimum range in miles… this would be with a 170lb rider on flat smooth terrain with no wind, riding in the highest level of assist or using a throttle. From there, I tend to multiply by two to get a max range estimate on lower levels of assist with pedal input. It’s a bit sloppy, but it seems to get close and is a formula that is usable across bikes. I will raise this estimate for mid-drives, if the bike is super light with efficient tires etc.
ReplyMario
5 years agoHello, I bought a NCM Moscow 27.5″ in Germany and I coming to live in the USA. I will take the ebike with me and my question is: Is it possible to place in the ebike a throttle in this European model?. I know is legal to use it there but not here in Europe. What about the speed limit, It is possible to fix it to 25mph/32kmh which is the speed limit in the USA? Here in EU is 15mph/25kmh. Thanks
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Mario, you’re correct! I think that most European ebikes have a lower top speed and do not come with throttles. To be honest… I think it would be much more affordable and environmentally friendly just to leave the bike there in Germany vs. shipping it. Then, once you’re in the USA, you could order another one or get something similar like one of the Magnum ebikes that are sold at many dealers. I have not worked directly with NCM and do not know if you could update the speed or throttle… it’s a bit of a risk, then reselling the bike here (if you needed a throttle type ebike) might be difficult since it’s from Germany. I’d say, skip the hassle and sell or leave the NCM in Germany to start over in the USA :)
ReplySkinny
5 years agoThanks for your review of the Moscow29 in Canada. I have since purchased this bike(in Australia), and although I have only had it a few days I have been extremely impressed with, firstly the price and also its performance. As it is my first ebike, it is all a bit unknown of what to expect but I have found it comfortable to ride and certainly seems to be of a good standard bike considering the modest price. I guess the future months, or hopefully years will determine its true value but I am presently impressed. Once again thanks for your very comprehensive review…
Replyrobert ridolfo
5 years agoWhere can I order proper fenders for this unit? tks
ReplySean
5 years agoHow does the warranty work? Lets say I need to make a claim and I don’t have a local bike repair shop that will work on this model? Will I be charged shipping fees just to have a manufactures warranty claim made? I also live in the middle of Saskatchewan Canada, so not too sure since this company is based out of Seattle. Thanks Court!!
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Sean! I worked with Amego EV to do these reviews, and I believe that they offered some support… so maybe not ever shop is rejecting service requests. In fact, I think that most shops want to help customers who are willing to pay for the time. Now, as far as warranty support, right now shops are very busy because it’s Spring. I have seen some shops that don’t want to support bikes or brands that they do not carry or sell. You are getting a good value price with NCM, but I cannot speak for their actual support and warranty path. You might benefit from calling Amego Bikes in Toronto to ask for some insights, and also try to contact NCM directly :) you can also ask around in the NCM electric bike forums here for real world customer feedback.
ReplyRocco Cicciarella
5 years agoYou mentioned in your video that there is a setting you can change to make it from a class 2 to a class 3, is that wirrect? Can you adjust the setting to make it go faster?
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Rocco! I covered this bike quite a while back and I know the company has made some adjustments since then (mostly for improvements!) but I cannot safely say now whether it can go to Class 3. I highly recommend contacting NCM directly or asking in the NCM ebike forums here for more current feedback from other owners :)
ReplyJudy
4 years agoHello, I’m shopping for an electric bike for our grandson at Christmas. I have narrowed my choices down to NCM Moscow or Fuji Traverse 2.1. Can you help me finalize a decision between these two bikes?
Thank you for your help!
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Judy! Those both sound like decent choices. For me, it could come down to availability. Is there a Fuji or NCM dealer nearby? I believe the NCM targets affordability and ships direct. I’ve had pretty good experiences with them, but Fuji is an older, more established brand that probably has more dealers. I hope this helps, and maybe someone else will chime in too ;)
ReplyMichael Kirkham
4 years agoI purchased, and recently received, my NCM Moscow, in a large measure do to your review (for which I thank you). I had pretty much made up my mind on the Moscow, and seeing your review convinced me I had made a good choice. The shipping was a hassle as they have apparently had issues for some time with various shipping companies. My bike apparently sat on the loading dock for 2 weeks after they issued a tracking number (and for 2 weeks after I had paid for it). When it did show up at my door it was completely unexpected as the tracking number STILL indicated it had never been picked up. Bizarre and I blame it on Covid times.
I have not yet fully put my Moscow through its paces, only a 15Km shakedown cruise, but I have noted several things I would like to share. I am 6′ 1″ tall with long legs so I opted for the 20.5″ frame with the 29″ tires, as my height was dead center in the suggested range. I have noted a few issues that I would like to point out, that will probably fade with time and familiarity.
Firstly the step-over height of this frame/tire combination is a bit extreme. Although I can stand flat footed, the bosses for mounting the water bottle are uncomfortably close and constantly snag the material of my shorts. How anyone could ever mount a water bottle here is beyond my comprehension. The Moscow specs on the company website show the 29″ has a 32.5″ stand-over height and a height recommendation of 5’9″ to 6’4″. I’m not really sure how anyone less than 6 feet tall could comfortably ride this bike in the 29 inch size. 5′ 9″ with a 32.5″ stand over height? I don’t think so.
Secondly, those of us with big feet MAY find an issue with foot placement on the pedals. I found my feet tended to sit on the pedal with the ball of the foot. This caused the toe of my shoe to rub on the tire when the handlebars are turned. A pair of toe clips will hopefully solve this problem.
Tomorrow we hope to hit the trails again and I will try to get a better feel for this bike. But, I already like the controls and the smooth power delivery. I spent most of my first ride in Power Assist 0 (off) or 1 to test out the bike. I will admit to several applications of the throttle to whiz up to 36 Kph just because I could. Plenty of power and plenty of torque. I like this bike. Thank you for helping me make this decision.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Michael! Wow, it sounds frustrating to have to wait so long for the bike to arrive just sitting there… I’ve heard that COVID and the Suez Canal situation have caused some backup and some port workers have even considered going on strike. Glad the bike finally arrived, and glad that you like most of its features. I agree that the bottle cage bosses are dangerously high and could cause harm if used unless you have REALLY long legs. Sorry about your shorts that got snagged.
I’m so happy that this review helped you with the decision, and I hope the specs and comments can provide a line of support as you enjoy the bike ongoing. Safe travels!
ReplyMichael Kirkham
4 years agoSo just a quick follow up. Maybe my feet aren’t so big after all. I discovered that I had mounted the wheel and handlebars backwards, so the front forks were backwards. Remounting the wheel and the handlebars after reversing the forks solved this problem. Rookie mistake, and I’m no rookie. If you are assembling your bike (any bike) make sure your front forks are properly oriented. With the design of these particular forks it wasn’t obvious. Check the pictures and video carefully.
Jimmy
4 years agoI had the bike for 2 months now, still dealing with POOR Canadian customer service and beware not to call them to see if they received your pictures and videos because they can’t send a confirmation and they’ll tell you that (they are sorry if they are not working fast enough for you). After installing a new display and a new controller, they still can’t figured out if the battery is the problem and they haven’t offered a resolution yet. So far I rode about 20 kms as an ebike and 300 as a regular bike… My next step will be NCM Hannover. Wrong purchase with the wrong company.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Jimmy, that sounds very frustrating. I’m sorry that your bike had issues with the display and controller. Thanks for the testimonial, I hope they improve support and you can enjoy more kms as an ebike in the future!
ReplyPaul Komene
3 years agoAnother great review Court, I have just decided to purchase this bike here in Australia through Leon Cycles. I have done a lot of research looking for the best bike I can afford and the Moscow seems like the best buy at the moment. Thanks again Court.
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHey Paul! My review is a bit outdated now, but the NCM stuff seemed like a good value at the time. Perhaps they have even improved it in recent years! So glad you found some value in the review, hope you enjoy riding!!
ReplyJoe
3 years agoLooking at this bike but would like fenders. anyone know with would fit?
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHi Joe! Perhaps someone else will chime in, but keep in mind this review is a bit outdated and the NCM frames may have changed or added more mounting points for fenders. I know that you can find fenders that will fit almost any bike because they strap to the tubing vs. screwing into bosses. Topeak is a good brand to consider for these types… but for a sturdier mount or other options, perhaps you could ask around in the NCM ebike forums to see if anyone has other tips :)
ReplyAndrew Korkus
3 years agoDoes anyone know where I could get a battery and charger for my Moscow EB?
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHi Andrew, I suspect that you could contact NCM directly. I believe the battery is a Reention Dorado, which is very common and used across many brands including NCM and Magnum for some of their bikes, as well as Aventon. Perhaps you could contact one of these companies and inquire on price.
Reply