The Greyp G6.2 in review
We had the exclusive privilege of riding the new Greyp G6.2 on the demanding trails of the Croatian island of Brač.
Bike setup is a bit different on the Greyp G6. Before you adjust the suspension and the components, you first have to download and install the app. Once you’ve done that, the rest is quick and easy: attach your phone to the sturdy bracket of the CIM display with a simple click, plug in the USB-C cable and you’re ready to go. Once plugged in, you’ll no longer be able to use the app via the smartphone touchscreen for safety reasons, having to rely on the handlebar remote instead.
We were fascinated by the camera function, letting you switch between the front and rear camera and allowing you to record and save the footage to your phone or stream it live (this function wasn’t yet available on our app). The quality of the 1080p@30fps footage obviously doesn’t come close to that of a GoPro, and you would actually need some kind of gimbal, but we get the intention: complete systems integration.
While testing on the Croatian island of Brač, the app froze a couple of times. According to Greyp that was due to the poor network coverage on the island, in regions with better network coverage like Zagreb the app worked flawlessly, as we got to see in the presentation. The easiest solution: unplug your smartphone and plug it back in!
There currently isn’t an interface with Strava and other platforms via which you can upload your ride data – GPS manufacturers like Garmin or Wahoo have shown this to be an essential aspect for serious riders.
So much for the app, but what is the bike itself like? The first impressions of the Greyp G6.2 are mixed: the frame, motor, battery, and the remote seem solid and the finish shows a lot of attention to detail. The huge amount of cables on the cockpit and the seat post for the shifters, remotes, front and rear light, brakes, brake sensors, CIM display, and dropper seat post, on the other hand, create a very untidy looking bike and rattle around a lot on the trail. The same applies to the battery, which had a little bit of play. Greyp have told us that the production models will have foam covers in the frame and an improved battery bracket to resolve the issues on our test bike and make for a much quieter ride.
The assistance of the MPF motor is sensitive, powerful and controlled. The difference between the 5 support modes is very noticeable and all offer a very natural ride feel – there is none of that lurching feeling that you get from a Shimano in Boost mode or a Bosch in Turbo mode, making the MPF a very suitable motor for beginners, regardless of the mode you’re in. Once you reach the 25 km/h cut-off speed, the transition is smooth and gentle and easy to pedal at higher speeds without the assistance of the electronic motor. Conspicuously inconspicuous: the motor is extremely quiet! The chain guide, on the other hand, isn’t – but this too was still a 3D printed prototype and will operate quietly on the production models, as we got to see on Tony’s bike, one of the Greyp sales reps.
As you would expect from the geometry data, the Greyp G6 is no trail rocket – due to the very short rach, the long chainstays, the hefty weight, the rather linear suspension and the steep head tube angle, the bike lacks agility in tight corners and composure at higher speeds, robbing you of confidence. The bike tends to understeer in tight corners. The shock is generally set up with low pressure, which is possible by the adjustable rebound range isn’t wide enough resulting in an overdamped rear end.
The 100 mm KS dropper post reduces the bike’s downhill capabilities. Because of the position of the battery, the seat tube has to be kept really short, limiting the length of the dropper seat post.
While the geometry isn’t made for aggressive riders, for less aggressive riders, the upright sitting position promises to be very comfortable – although a much more comfortable saddle would be very important: upright rider positions put a lot of weight on the saddle.
The design of the front and rear lights with its 4 LEDs is reminiscent of a Porsche Taycan, but unfortunately, the light only works as a daytime light and to be seen at night – you’re bound to be disappointed if you’re expecting something with a lumen output of the likes of the Haibike Flyon.
Conclusion
With the Greyp G6, the Croatian brand has put the software and the electronics as the central point of focus for the first time in the history of eMTB development. “It’s not about the bike, it’s about the system that’s behind it” as the Greyp team repeatedly told as the official presentation of the bike.
After the presentation and the first few test rides, one thing was clear: the vision and the technology of Greyp are sure to shake up the ebike world, although it still has quite a few teething issues to sort out. With all its technology and features, the innovative Greyp G6 seems like a concept bike made purely to demonstrate the options and possibilities of the software. The bike itself isn’t an option we would recommend to aggressive riders looking for the best performing trail bike. It could be interesting for newcomers, early-adopters and tech-nerds – especially since you’ll be able to get the latest software updates and digital features as they’re released.
We’re assuming that Greyp will make their software know-how and system available to other manufacturers, as with Rimac, to drive forward the development of connectivity, data analysis, and maybe even artificial intelligence. Things will get particularly exciting when the expertise of the Croatian company meets with the bike knowledge of established bike brands, combining the best of both worlds. The team is open to critique and suggestions and seems to be very motivated to shake up the eMTB segment. We wish them all the best in their new venture and we’re excited to see how the software gets used and how it will evolve.
More information at greyp.com
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