The Berria Mako Hybrid GT LTD – In our huge “Best e-mountainbike of 2023” group test

With the Mako Hybrid GT LTD, Berria entered the race with an exotic-looking eMTB allrounder. For € 12,199 you’ll get a powerful 90 Nm Polini E-P3+ MX motor with 720 Wh battery and a carbon frame, which is produced in-house by Berria at their headquarters in Castilla La Mancha. But does the exotic Spaniard have what it takes to outperform the competition with established motor systems?

**Berria** Mako Hybrid GT LTD | Polini E-P3+ MX/720 Wh | 160/151 mm (f/r)
21.8 kg in size M | € 12,199 | Manufacturer’s website

With the Mako Hybrid LTD, you won’t go unnoticed at the pub while sipping on your well-deserved post-ride pint. That’s partly due to the fact that Berria are still scarcely represented in the bike world outside Spain and partly due to the limited black/gold paint finish and exotic Polini E-P3+ MX motor, making the Mako one of the few bikes in this test that doesn’t employ a Bosch or Shimano drive system. While the Spanish manufacturer is known mainly for their analogue road bikes and XC racers, their eMTB portfolio is slowly growing bigger. The Mako Hybrid LTD, which generates 160/151 mm of travel at the front and rear, is the most potent bike in their electric portfolio and aimed at riders who only want the best of the best – without compromising, of course.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2023 – 30 models in review

Bling Bling Vroom Vroom – What sets the Berria Mako Hybrid GT LTD apart from the competition?

At the heart of the Berria Mako Hybrid GT LTD lies a powerful 90 Nm Polini E-P3+ MX motor, which ranks among the big guns in this test alongside the Specialized and Panasonic drives. In the Berria, it’s neatly integrated into the bottom bracket and protected against the elements by a beefy skid plate. The motor is combined with a bar-mounted remote and big colour display in the top tube. While the latter is only marginally smaller than Forestal’s elegant touch display, it isn’t integrated into the top tube as seamlessly, with two screws making for a rather industrial look.

**Less isn’t always more**
Although we’re huge fans of minimalist remotes, Berria’s remote left us perplexed. To operate it, you have to take your index finger off the brake lever, and switching between menu items requires a lot of dexterity – there’s a better way!

**Faster than its own shadow**
The charging port is integrated neatly into the frame but snaps back aggressively as soon as you let go of it.

**Powerhouse**
The 90 Nm Polini E-P3+ MX motor provides up to a whopping 400 % support, but lacks sensitivity, especially in the strongest Race mode.

**Want more?**
The 720 Wh battery can be removed quickly and easily – just don’t lose the key! If you really want to know, you can also get the optional 252 Wh range extender for very long tours.

Moreover, the Spaniards squeeze an insane amount of information onto a small screen which, together with the minimalist, two-button remote, makes it hard to navigate through the different menus. For example, switching to the subordinate menu requires you to press both buttons simultaneously, meaning that it’s fairly easy to miss the desired menu item. On the other hand, removing the 720 Wh battery is fairly easy: just open the key lock on the side of the down tube, flip the lever at the bottom and let the battery fall into your hands – done! The rubber charging port is integrated discreetly into the battery but is a bit finicky to use. The tiny power button is positioned at the bottom of the downtube and blends in almost too perfectly with the black finish, while at the same time exposing it to the elements.

**Understatement looks different**
Berria didn’t hold back with the finish, dipping the frame of the Mako deep into the golden paint bucket. If that’s a bit too much for you, you can create your own finish using Berria’s online configurator.

**Fragile!**
The standard, foam-like silicone grips tore apart after just one crash… we replaced them afterwards.

**Seamless-less**
The big Polini display is recessed in the top tube but doesn’t sit entirely flush with the frame. On top of that, it’s secured with two visible screws, which make for a somewhat industrial look.

**Size matters!**
The RockShox Reverb AXS offers a meagre 125 mm travel, which makes it the shortest dropper in the entire test field. Long-legged riders especially, will have to pull the dropper post far out of seat tube on climbs, which severely restricts freedom of movement downhill.

To match the Mako’s classy appearance, Berria picked a bunch of bling components. However, the Spaniards must have missed RockShox’s 2023 product launch event, because the suspension consists of last year’s Lyrik Ultimate fork and matching Super Deluxe Select+ shock. The American components giant also supplies the electronic AXS Eagle XX1 drivetrain and RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post. While the former ensures smooth and precise shifting, the latter only has a meagre 125 mm travel, which is the least in the entire test field and almost 50 mm less than average in this group test! Especially long-legged riders will have to pull the dropper post far out of the seat tube when climbing, which severely restricts freedom of movement on descents. The silver SRAM G2 stoppers might be blinglishously shiny, but are amongst the weakest brakes in the entire test field, failing to provide enough power on long, steep descents – especially with heavy riders. That said, Berria allow you to customise the spec and finish to suit your personal needs and preferences – with a big BUT! The choice of components in the configurator is rather poor and limited to a few different stem lengths and wheelsets, including 3ZERO MOTO carbon wheels and other models from Mavic and Fulcrum.

Berria Mako Hybrid GT LTD

€ 12,199

Specifications

Motor Polini E-P3+ MX 90 Nm
Battery Portapower 720 Wh
Display Polini Color display TFT 3
Fork RockShox Lyrik Ultimate 160 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ 151 mm
Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS 125 mm
Brakes SRAM G2 Ultimate 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM AXS Eagle XX1 1x12
Stem Avanforce 60 mm
Handlebar Avanforce UD Carbon 785 mm
Wheelset Zipp 3ZERO MOTO 29"
Tires Vittoria Martello Graphine 2.0 Trail / Vittoria Agarro Graphine 2.0 Trail 2.6/2.6

Technical Data

Size S M L
Weight 21.8 kg
Perm. total weight 120 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 98 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no

Specific Features

Range-Extender
Flip-Chip

Tuning tip: A more aggressive-profiled tire that transfers the power of the motor better to the trail

Life’s a compromise! – What is the Berria Mako Hybrid GT LTD capable of on the trail?

Riding uphill and on level ground, Polini’s powerhouse makes it hard to gain an objective impression of the Mako’s character. The E-P3+ MX motor has 3 predefined support levels and 2 additional, freely adjustable profiles, each of which can be split into 5 subgroups, making for a total of 25 different modes! In Touring mode, the motor delivers its power discreetly and doesn’t accelerate abruptly, which, together with the relaxed, upright pedalling position, makes the Berria a comfortable companion on long tours. If you switch to Race mode on steep, technical climbs, the motor shows its powerful, direct side. Speaking of switching: while changing between the five sub-profiles of the support levels with the two buttons is fairly easy, switching to a higher-level mode requires you to press both buttons at once. Needless to say, removing your index finger from the brake lever while riding to press the second button is a bit unnerving. Once in Race mode, however, the Polini motor flexes its muscles, with direct engagement and linear power delivery, regardless of the cadence. On the other hand, the mode is anything but natural, making it hard to set off from a standstill on steep hills.

On the trail the Mako feels stiff and direct but becomes increasingly nervous at high speeds.

The relaxed pedalling position makes the Berria Mako an excellent companion for longer tours, where the moderate touring mode comes in particularly handy.

Even on technical climbs, the rear suspension remains planted and generates decent traction. Unfortunately, the shallow-profiled Vittoria Agarro rear tire struggles to bring the power to the trail and spins out of control all too easily. As a result, the Berria falls behind other strong climbers in the full-fat eMTB allrounder category with real powerful motors, the FLYER Uproc and Specialized Turbo Levo. Even downhill, the Vittoria tires struggle to generate traction, breaking off quickly in corners and under hard braking. That’s a shame, because the firm suspension provides bags of pop, ensuring a high level of fun on flowing trails. However, the handling is very demanding, with the steep head angle rendering the even weight distribution and integrated position useless, thus robbing you of confidence at high speeds. Add a few blemishes in the spec, and the Berria can no longer back its claim of being an uncompromising performance beast.

Holy moly, the Polini motor of the Berria Mako Hybrid GT LTD packs a punch!!

Size	S	M	L
Top tube	573/574 mm	602/604 mm	635/636 mm
Seat tube	410 mm	440 mm	470 mm
Head tube	110 mm	115 mm	120 mm
Head angle	65.2/64.8°	65.2/64.8°	65.2/64.8°
Seat angle	77.9/77.4°	77.6/77.2°	77.3/76.9°
Chainstays	454/456 mm	454/456 mm	454/456 mm
BB Drop	27/33 mm	27/33 mm	27/33 mm
Wheelbase	1,220/1,221 mm	1,252/1,253 mm	1,284/1,285 mm
Reach	440/435 mm	470/465 mm	500/495 mm
Stack	634/638 mm	639/642 mm	643/647 mm

**Helmet** Endura MT 500 MIPS | **Glasses** evil eye traileye ng | **Backpack** USWE Patriot 15
**Pants** Specialized Demo pro pants | **Kneepad** POC OSEUS | **Shoes** ION Scrub AMP
**Socks** GORE BIKE WEAR Thermo mid cut socken | **Gloves** Fox Dirtpaw

Who should take a closer look at the Berria Mako Hybrid GT LTD and who should look elsewhere?

The Berria Mako Hybrid GT LTD is a perfect match for tourers with a penchant for individuality and exotic flair. The uncommon motor system, customisable paint finish and countless bling components (at least at first glance), make the Mako a real head turner. If you’re looking for trail performance, there’s definitely a more suitable option in our huge 2023 eMTB test field.

Riding Characteristics

DESIGN

unbalanced
coherent

USER FRIENDLINESS

cumbersome
clever

VALUE FOR MONEY

flop
top

TREKKING & COMMUTING SUITABILITY

low
high

HANDLING

demanding
intuitive

FUN FACTOR

boring
lively

Intended Use

Gravel roads

Technical climbs

Flowtrail descents

Technical descents

Conclusions about the Berria Mako Hybrid GT LTD

The Berria Mako Hybrid GT LTD is a real head turner. With its eye-catching look and exotic motor system, you won’t go unnoticed, both in the forest and at the pub while downing a well-deserved post-ride ale! On the trail, unfortunately, it doesn’t stand out at all, with several spec blemishes slowing it down. Even on steep and technical climbs, it struggles to transfer the power of the motor to the trail, falling behind its opponents with a similarly powerful motor. That said, the Berria proved a comfortable, powerful tourer.

Tops

Customisable paint finish
Very powerful motor

Flops

Spec has several blemishes
Lacks composure on challenging trails

You can find out more about at berriabikes.com

The test field