First ride review: Moustache Dimanche 28 – The eRoad bike on a mission

The Moustache Dimanche 28 represents the first foray into the road bike market by the young company from the Vosges. Taking with them the experience they’ve gained from their eMTB background, they aimed to create the perfect on-road fun-machine. What happens when eMTBers create an eRoad bike?

The Vosges-based company has only been in the bike business for eight years and has already caused quite a sensation with its eMTBs. The philosophy of the French brand seems as simple as it is ingenious: it is not primarily about building high-performance machines but to create bikes that are fun and make cycling accessible to as many people as possible.

As part of the emergence of eRoad bikes, it seems only logical for them to bring their off-road know-how to the road – fun bikes with drop-bars and narrow tires. When developing the Dimanche 28, Mustache’s designers had a clear objective: their ongoing cooperation with Bosch, which they’ve had since founding the company, is to be carried through their entire product portfolio. Accordingly, the Dimanche 28 relies on the proven Bosch Active Line Plus motor. Their so-called open-frame construction, however, might spark bigger debates. You can refer to the model overview for the details.

Some of you may already be wondering who this bike is meant for. When developing the Dimanche, Moustache had the following target groups in mind:

• Bike novices and road bike beginners who want easy and stable handling to enjoy the electric assistance of the motor
• Randonneurs and hobby riders for whom an e-trekking bike isn’t aggressive enough, who enjoy rides with friends but don’t have much time for training
• Explorers who want to ride further and discover new places without first having to complete a 6-week marathon training schedule

Although the target groups seem to be relatively clearly staked out, ultimately, the Dimanche was meant to be one thing: a bike for anyone who sees bikes as something to have fun on and not primarily as a training device – regardless of fitness level, age or gender.

The rather conservative road market is what it is. So leave it and focus on our own concept and let’s do what we think is right. – Yann Noce, Global Marketing Director

Moustache Dimanche 28.5 in detail

We got to ride the Moustache Dimanche 28.5, which comes with an aluminium frame, carbon fork and a Bosch Active Plus motor (3rd generation) with a Bosch Kiox display and remote. The motor is powered by the 500 Wh Bosch PowerPack 500 battery, which is integrated into the down tube, although it is also compatible with the smaller 400 Wh Bosch battery. Thanks to the charging socket built into the frame, you’re free to leave the battery in the frame for charging. If you want to remove the battery, you can do so in a few simple steps: remove the cover, unlock and remove the battery. But how far can you ride before you have to recharge the battery? You can read more about that in our first ride review below.

The Bosch Active Plus motor has a maximum torque output of 50 Nm in Turbo mode – we’ll go further into detail below. According to Bosch, the motor delivers a maximum output of 418 watts and a nominal output of 250 watts*. The motor assists the rider up to a maximum speed of 25 km/h. Above this cut-off speed or when switched off, the motor shouldn’t add any additional drag. Moustache’s designers have also developed the motor software to be most efficient at approximately 80 crank rotations per minute.
_{*The power of an ebike motor is given in watts. The average power, the so-called nominal power, is not allowed to exceed 250 W over a period of 30 minutes – as stated by the law.}

The Bosch Kiox is a compact colour display barely larger than a Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT. Everything can be controlled via a remote mounted on the handlebar, allowing you to select the desired support mode and scroll through the various info displays – including an integrated power meter!

Apart from these details, the Dimanche 28.5 comes specced with proven componentry. The mechanical Shimano ULTEGRA 2×11 groupset is combined with hydraulic ULTEGRA brakes, paired with 160 mm rotors front and rear. The aluminium wheels, cockpit and seat post come from Moustache’s in-house brand. The only carbon fibre component on the Moustache is the fork, offering flatmount calliper mounts for either a 140 mm or 160 mm rotor, as well as fender and rack mounts. The Dimanche 28.5 is fitted with 700 x 32C tires, although it offers enough tire clearance for tires up to 700 x 45C.

Moustache Dimanche 28.7

The Dimanche 28.7 is the French brand’s flagship model and will be available with the proven ULTEGRA 2×11 groupset as well as the in-house carbon wheelset. This model is aimed at ambitious explorers who want to accelerate above the 25 km/h limit.

Frame Moustache 6061 hydroformed aluminium frame, endurance fit
Fork Moustache tapered carbon with 12 mm Thru-Axle, 50 mm offset
Motor Bosch Active Plus System with 500 Wh, 5 modes (Off, Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo)
Display Bosch Kiox Compact with colour display and Bluetooth compatibility
Drivetrain Shimano ULTEGRA 2×11, mechanical, 50/34T chainrings, 11-32T cassette
Crankset Moustache, aluminium, 170 mm
Brakes Shimano ULTEGRA 160/160 mm rotors, hydraulic
Saddle Fizik Aliante
Handlebar Moustache Drop Bar with 6° Flare
Wheelset Moustache Carbon 24-hole, 45 mm deep rims
Tires Continental Grand Sport Race 700 x 32C
Price € 5,299
Sizes Regular: S, M, L, XL / Open: S, M, L
Colour Charcoal
Availability from the end of May in the standard and open versions

Moustache Dimanche 28.5 – Our test model

With Dimanche 28.5, Moustache wants to appeal to hobbyists, offering good value for money. Accordingly, you’ve got an aluminium wheelset instead of the carbon version. The remaining specifications of the Dimanche 28.5 are the same as the flagship model.

Frame Moustache 6061 hydroformed aluminium frame, endurance fit
Fork Moustache tapered carbon with 12 mm Thru-Axle, 50 mm offset
Motor Bosch Active Plus System with 500 Wh, 5 modes (Off, Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo)
Display Bosch Kiox Compact with colour display and Bluetooth compatibility
Drivetrain Shimano ULTEGRA 2×11, mechanical, 50/34T chainrings, 11-32T cassette
Crankset Moustache, aluminium, 170 mm
Brakes Shimano ULTEGRA 160/160 mm rotors, hydraulic
Saddle Selle Royal Vivo
Handlebar Moustache Drop Bar with 6° Flare
Wheelset Moustache aluminium 24-hole, 30 mm deep rims
Tires Continental Grand Sport Race 700 x 32C
Price € 4,499
Sizes Regular: S, M, L, XL / Open: S, M, L
Colour Indian Red
Availability from the end of May in the standard and open versions

Moustache Dimanche 28.1

The Dimanche 28.1, priced at € 3,199, is the entry-level model in the product range. With its alloy flat-bar and the Shimano TIAGRA 1×10 groupset, this model is aimed primarily at beginners and budget-conscious city commuters.

Frame Moustache 6061 hydroformed aluminium frame, endurance fit
Fork Moustache tapered carbon with 12 mm Thru-Axle, 50 mm offset
Motor Bosch Active Plus System with 500 Wh, 5 modes (Off, Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo)
Display Bosch Purion
Drivetrain Shimano TIAGRA 1×10, mechanical, 42T chainring, 11-34T cassette
Crankset Moustache, aluminium, 170 mm
Brakes Shimano MT200 160/160 mm rotors, hydraulic
Saddle Selle Royal Vivo/Open: Selle Royal Vivo Comfort
Handlebar Moustache Flat Bar
Wheelset Moustache aluminium 28-hole, 20 mm deep rims
Tires Schwalbe Lugano-2 700 x 32C
Price € 3,199
Sizes Regular: S, M, L, XL / Open: S, M, L
Availability from the end of May in the standard and open versions

Moustache Dimanche geometry

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	460 mm	500 mm	540 mm	580 mm
Top tube	540 mm	560 mm	580 mm	600 mm
Head tube	120 mm	135 mm	160 mm	180 mm
Head angle	70.5°	72.0°	72.5°	73.0°
Seat angle	74.0°	73.5°	73.0°	72.7°
Chainstays	455 mm	455 mm	455 mm	455 mm
BB height	272 mm	272 mm	272 mm	272 mm
Wheelbase	1,052 mm	1,052 mm	1,062 mm	1,073 mm
Reach	377 mm	386 mm	392 mm	402 mm
Stack	568 mm	588 mm	614 mm	635 mm

Moustache Dimanche Open geometry

Size	S	M	L
Head tube	420 mm	460 mm	500 mm
Top tube	535 mm	555 mm	575 mm
Head tube	120 mm	135 mm	160 mm
Head angle	70.5°	72.0°	72.5°
Seat angle	74.0°	73.5°	73.0°
Chainstays	455 mm	455 mm	455 mm
BB height	272 mm	272 mm	272 mm
Wheelbase	1,052 mm	1,052 mm	1,062 mm
Reach	372 mm	381 mm	387 mm
Stack	568 mm	588 mm	614 mm

Moustache Dimanche 28 first ride review

The riding position on the Dimanche 28.5 is very comfortable. The reason for this is the relaxed and central seating position with the saddle not being much higher than the cockpit. If you’re used to a bike with 120 mm long, -17° stem, you can easily imagine spending hours on this bike. Fortunately, due to the relaxed geometry of the Dimanche, there is no toe overlap with the front tire either. The carbon fork offers sufficient compliance, doing a good job of absorbing vibrations and small bumps. However, the only source of comfort at the rear is the 32 mm wide Continental Grand Sport Race tire. The combination of an aluminium frame with a 31.6 mm aluminium seat post transfers every bump and irregularity on to the rider. A more compliant carbon seat post would increase rider comfort significantly. On the smooth roads of southern France and with the tire pressure at about 4.5 bar, the level of comfort was ok.

The Moustache feels very stable on the road – here, the weight of the bike makes a positive impact. It gives you the confidence to tackle fast descents as well as tight corners. The steering is responsive and precise, making the handling of the Dimanche stable yet fun. The cornering agility is suitable for the target group, with good-natured handling that isn’t nearly as nervous as that of race bikes.

Due to the total weight of 17.55 kg, the Dimanche 28.5 obviously isn’t the quickest in acceleration without the help of the motor. If you turn the motor on, the power modulation feels very natural from the start to getting out of the saddle in a sprint, there’s no digital on/off feeling. Another positive thing we noticed is what you don’t notice: the Bosch motor is pleasantly quiet even in “Turbo” mode. If you reach the 25 km/h limit, the motor fades out smoothly, without an abrupt stop. This is regardless of the support mode from “Eco” to “Turbo” – we like!

The integrated power meter reliably delivers its data to the Bosch Kiox display and allows you to train according to wattage output – an interesting option for those who don’t want to rely only on their heart rate, which is influenced by stress, weather, nutrition, etc. The displayed wattage refers only to the rider’s power output. We tested this ourselves, clicking through the various support modes: on a constant slope and a rider output of about 300 watts in “Eco” mode, our output drops to about 150 watts in “Turbo” mode at the same speed. Just as we’re thinking “this could be fun,” we see the climb of the Tour de France to the Col du Tanneron in front of us. Let’s go: 5 km with a 4.2% gradient. Big gear, “Turbo” mode and all-in. In the end, we got three Strava-KOMs and also left riders like Thibaut Pinot, Jeremy Defaye, Julien Absalon and Romain Hardy far behind us. We enjoy the thought of Pinot receiving the message that we stole his KOM for a moment before marking our Strava ride as an ebike ride and it gets taken out of the official ratings.

Range is always difficult to pin down as it depends on an infinite number of variables such as wind, aerodynamics, total weight, temperature, support mode, and so on. But to give you an approximate idea, here are the data from our two test rides:

Conclusion

With the Dimanche 28.5, Mustache have made a successful entry into the eRoad bike market, offering a solid package. We were particularly impressed with the smooth power modulation, the low noise and the excellent range of the Bosch Active Plus motor on our first test ride. In terms of comfort, the front is much more compliant than the rear – here we would prefer a more compliant carbon seat post. The bike’s weight makes itself clearly noticeable beyond 25 km / h, but below this speed it takes a back seat thanks to the powerful Bosch motor and the associated fun factor. Mission fun-machine – accomplished!

We’re curious to see how the Dimanche 28.5 will fare in our big road bike group test. More about that in issue #12!

For more information visit moustachebikes.com

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Words: Photos: Benjamin Topf, Jérémie Reuiller