Spy Shot: American Eagle eMTB with the new Bafang M500 motor
American Eagle and Bafang announced a partnership at the beginning of 2019 to work together to develop a race eMTB to compete at the UCI eMTB World Championship in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada. We got a first peek at the photos and key details of the development of the American Eagle ebike fitted with the new Bafang M500 motor.
American Eagle, a well-known 90s bike brand, was relaunched in November 2016 by Dutch ex-pro mountain biker Bart Brentjens. Bart won a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996 aboard an American Eagle. Since then, they have launched a number of mountain bikes and are now working on this, their first eMTB.
The collaboration between Chinese motor supplier Bafang and the Dutch bike manufacturer American Eagle showed its first fruits at the Electric Snake Race during the UCI MTB World Cup Val di Sole.
American Eagle engineer Kjell van de Boogert raced in Val di Sole, Italy for the CST-Sandd-Bafang Mountainbike Racing Team and took second place behind 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, Marco Fontana, riding for FOCUS.
After several months of sleuthing and effort, we’ve managed to get a hold of the first exclusive photos and information about the new bike.
The American Eagle eMTB is powered by a Bafang M500 mid motor drive which offers up to 95 Nm support. Unfortunately we haven’t so far had an eMTB fitted with the Bafang system available to take part in our big motor group test.
The 450 Wh battery should provide enough range for the UCI eMTB World Championship race in Mont-Sainte-Anne. Bafang does also offer a 600 Wh battery available, though this would of course increase the weight of the system.
Cross-country focussed MAGURA MT8 Raceline brakes take care of stopping duties. That might be alright for the pros but for everyday use we would prefer to see more robust four-piston brakes.
Watch the Brentjes MTB Racing Team at the race in Val di Sole:
Our thoughts
The Bafang-equipped American Eagle is conceived as a pure-bred, lightweight race bike and as such isn’t really designed for everyday trail riding. However, we’re pleased to be able to introduce a carbon eMTB newcomer with its exciting Bafang motor and are interested to see whether this bike will make it to production. When it’s time, we’ll be sure to report on what the bike and motor can do!
For more information head to americaneagle.online.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of E-MOUNTAINBIKE, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.
Words: Manne Schmitt Photos: Irmo Keizer