Lawnmowers, chain saws and motocross bikes – Husqvarna hasn’t been a brand you’d usually associate with eMTBs, but all that’s about to change. To find out what it’s capable of, we were given the exclusive opportunity to review Husqvarna’s new Hard Cross HC 9.
In 1903, Husqvarna was one of the first manufacturers to put a motor on a bicycle. In the years that followed, the motorized bicycle evolved into an off-road motorcycle and Husqvarna became a household brand, known for its motocross and enduro motorbikes, chainsaws and lawnmowers. What began with motorised bicycles in 1903 was to continue with eMTBs in 2017 under the leadership of PEXCO. For 2018, the Schweinfurt-based company has revised its eMTB lineup. At the top of the range, there’s the € 7,199 Husqvarna Hard Cross HC 9, offering a generous 180 mm of front and rear travel.
The eMTB community is torn when it comes to the topic of integration. Some people want an eMTB that looks like a regular mountain bike, and others want to show off their electric motor with pride. Husqvarna’s models are clearly aimed at the second group, prominently highlighting the Shimano E8000 motor. The 600 Wh battery, specially developed for the bike, blends nicely into the design. The only drawback for those who already own a Shimano powered ebike or want to travel without having to carry the charger around with them: conventional Shimano chargers aren’t compatible with Husqvarna’s battery. As with all of Husqvarna’s new eMTBs, the battery is removable.
The Husqvarna Hard Cross HC 9 in detail
With regards to the componentry, Husqvarna didn’t skimp on the Hard Cross HC 9, which is equipped with ebike-optimised FOX suspension consisting of a 180 mm FOX 36 Factory fork at the front and a FOX FLOAT X shock providing 180 mm of travel at the rear. The electronic shifting of Shimano XT Di2 drivetrain is crisp and precise, and braking is taken care of by Shimano DEORE XT four-piston brakes and massive 203 mm rotors. The high-end 27.5″ DT Swiss HX 1501 wheels are shod with grippy, 2.6″ wide Schwalbe Magic Mary tyres. Only the in-house seat post, with either 125 mm or 150 mm stroke, doesn’t match the otherwise top-notch spec due to its simple design and the rudimentary remote.
Fork Fox E-Bike 36 Float Factory 180 mm
Shock Fox Float X2 Factory 180 mm
Brakes Shimano XT 203/203
Drivetrain Shimano XT Di2
Battery Simplo 630 Wh
Motor Shimano Steps E8000
Seatpost Husqvarna Dropperpost 150 m
Handlebar Husqvarna Performance MTB 780 mm
Stem Newmen Evolution 31,8 mm
Wheels DT Swiss HX1501 Spline
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary 2,60″
Weight 24.75 kg
Price € 7,199
The FOX Factory suspension is brilliant. However, dialling in the setup, is liable to cause headaches and confusion.
The button on the top tube allows you to switch the bike on without having to contort yourself.
Even landmines couldn’t damage the skid plate beneath the motor. Although we don’t recommend testing this at home.
Traction is definitely not lacking on the Schwalbe Magic Mary tyres with their soft rubber compound!
The Geometry of the Husqvarna Hard Cross HC 9
| Size | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 420 mm | 440 mm | 460 mm | 480 mm |
| Top tube | 589 mm | 609 mm | 633 mm | 654 mm |
| Head tube | 120 mm | 120 mm | 140 mm | 140 mm |
| Head angle | 66° | 66° | 66° | 66° |
| Seat angle | 76° | 76° | 76° | 76° |
| Chainstays | 455 mm | 455 mm | 455 mm | 455 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1212 mm | 1232 mm | 1260 mm | 1280 mm |
| Reach | 435 mm | 455 mm | 475 mm | 495 mm |
| Stack | 618 mm | 618 mm | 636 mm | 636 mm |
The Husqvarna Hard Cross HC 9 on the trail
Switching the Husqvarna Hard Cross HC 9 on is easy thanks to the switch on the top tube, a feature that we’ve been missing on bikes with an original Shimano battery. You can then climb on board and relax: the 180 mm of travel offers a lot of comfort on day to day rides on forest roads. With a a seat tube angle of 76°, the riding position is pleasantly upright and thanks to the tall front end with a stack height of 636 mm, you’re not placing too much weight on your hands. But the Husqvarna Hard Cross HC 9 really comes into its own on the climbs. Thanks to the moderate chainstay length of 455 mm and the 1,260 mm wheelbase, the bike climbs incredibly well, easily conquering the steepest of slopes with the front wheel staying firmly on the ground. When the ground is loose and rutted, the grippy ADDIX soft compound of Schwalbe’s Magic Mary tyres together with the sensitive FOX suspension gives you all the traction you need.
The Husqvarna Hard Cross HC 9 convinced us with its composure and stability.
What works so well going uphill does just as well on the descents. When the trail points downhill and the forest road gives way to singletrack, the Husqvarna Hard Cross HC 9 convinced us with its composure and stability. Thanks to the sensitive and plush suspension, the HC 9 literally sticks to the ground and irons out obstacles with confidence. What may be a blessing for some, could be be an annoyance for riders with a playful riding style, with fast direction changes, bunny hopping and spontaneous jumps not suiting the steamroller character of the 25 kg Husqvarna. The weight distribution isn’t entirely balanced either, so you feel the bike’s weight when cornering and braking. Consequently, the bike feels a bit top heavy on the descents, understeering in corners and requiring a longer braking distance. Thanks to the low standover height and the balanced geometry, the rider is placed very centrally on the bike, so you can corner and descend with confidence, although, because of the HC 9’s weight, you won’t be setting record times. The FOX Factory suspension offers too many adjustment possibilities for our liking, capable of baffling even the most experienced mountain bikers. We recommend that beginners make only the basic suspension adjustments themselves and consult a dealer to get to grips with the more intricate aspects.
Conclusion
A range that seemed inconspicuous and run-of-the-mill last year has become a portfolio of superior eMTBs, standing out from the crowd with their own look and design. The Husqvarna Hard Cross HC 9 is a good choice if you’re looking for lots of composure, traction, and a very comfortable ride. If you’ve got an active and playful riding style, we recommend going for something lighter and more agile. We can’t entirely stomach the € 7,199 price tag, and considering the in-house dropper seat post, it might leave a slightly bitter aftertaste. Apart from that, the componentry of HC 9 leaves nothing to be desired.
Strengths
– stability
– spec
Weaknesses
– weight
– lack of agility
For more info head to: husqvarna-bicycles.com
This article is from E-MOUNTAINBIKE issue #015
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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer
