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Pro Bike Check : Maxime Remy’s Moustache Samedi Race 27/9 Collectif

13.07.2016
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The French E-MTB racing scene is growing rapidly, showcasing the power and potential of E-MTB’s against the clock. During practice for the Moustache E-MTB Series on the iconic Megavalanche course, we checked in with Moustache Collectif team rider Maxime Remy to check out his ride.

Maxime Remy races for the Moustache Collectif on a Samedi Race 27/9 Collectif edition.
Maxime Remy races for the Moustache Collectif on a Samedi Race 27/9 Collectif edition.

Before checking out his bike, we thought it would be great to find out how Maxime found his way into E-MTB racing and the differences he has encountered when compared to racing conventional bikes.

Maxime, how did you get into E-MTB Racing?
I used to race downhill, even a few World Cups, but I stopped racing in 2010. After a brief spell on dirt bikes I was given the opportunity by Moustache to race on their E-MTB. It was a new challenge for me, and with my experience on bikes and dirt bikes I thought it would be a great mix.

Have you raced a lot this year?
This is my first year racing the Megavalanche, but this is my sixth major race on an E-MTB. The French series was cool because we had some great riders like Nico Vouilloz and Adrien Dailly and Olivier Giordanengo making it a great battle.

Have you changed the way that you train at all, compared to how you used to train for DH?
Yes for sure, training for E-MTB racing is very similar to dirt bikes, requiring more upper body strength to move the heavier bike around. The heavier E-MTB’s hold their speed well but have to be worked a little harder than a normal bike.

What about the comments that E-MTB makes it too easy?
It’s a new sport, the racing is like a normal race, but the physical section is in a different place, no longer the uphill but now on the downhill. If anyone thinks E-MTB is easy, they have never raced, when going against the clock we are always full gas and it’s really hard and physical. Aside from racing the best thing is when you ride on a small mountain you can do a lot of runs in one day.

The Moustache Samedi 27/9 uses a 29 inch front wheel for maximum comfort and a 27.5 rear to optimise power delivery.
The Moustache Samedi 27/9 uses a 29 inch front wheel for maximum comfort and a 27.5 rear to optimise power delivery. The Samedi Race is also the bike of choice for their race team, The Collectif, competing in the French Enduro Cup and the Moustache Bikes EMTB Series.
A SRAM GX drivetrain provides accurate and reliable shifting
A SRAM X0 11 speed drivetrain provides accurate and reliable shifting. Maxime changes the chainring from a 14 tooth to a 17 tooth for increased pedal speed on the glacier.
The engine is a BOSCH Performance Cruise 250W, set to deliver maximum acceleration.
The engine is a BOSCH Performance CX 250W, set to deliver maximum acceleration with 310 % assistance accross the cadence range thanks to the Nyon display.
145mm of rear wheel travel is controlled by a RockShox Monarch RT3.
145mm of rear wheel travel is controlled by a RockShox Monarch RT3.
The Collectif team run SRAM Guide ultimate brakes
The Collectif team run SRAM Guide Ultimate brakes for their powerful and consistent performance.
With big 200 mm discs for powerful stopping power.
For maximum power with the heavier bike, the team riders run big 200 mm discs for aggressive stopping power.
The 160 mm RockShox Pike RCT3 fork gives the Moustache Samedi Collectif a 67.5 degree head angle.
The 160 mm RockShox Lyrik RCT3 fork gives the Moustache Samedi Collectif a 67.5 degree head angle. Maxime runs 3 tokens for more support with the added weight
For the aggressive Megavalanche Maxime runs a Schwalbe Magic Mary with a Super Gravity Compound sidewall.
For the aggressive Megavalanche Maxime runs a Schwalbe Magic Mary 2.5 with a Super Gravity Compound sidewall for maximum puncture protection on the front and a Schwalbe Super Gravity Hans Dampf on the rear, on SRAM Rail 50 wheels.
A RockShox Reverb is essential for racing.
A RockShox Reverb is essential for racing, a dropper seatpost is essential on any E-MTB.
When it comes to air pressures, Maxime runs 1.75 Bar in the front and 1.95 Bar in the rear.
When it comes to tire pressures, Maxime runs 1.75 Bar in the front and 1.95 Bar in the rear.

The Moustache Samedi Race 27/9 is the raciest bike in the Moustache stable, sitting next to the more trail focussed Off and Trail models and the very downhill focused Down. Combining a 29 inch front wheel for maximum rollover ability and a 27.5 inch rear wheel for maximum acceleration and torque, the Samedi Race offers the best of both wheel sizes.

For more information on the Moustache range check out the Moustache website.

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