Instinctiv Ocelot 125 e-Bike First Ride: Turbo Cat or Playful Kitten?

Dutch brand Instinctiv present the Ocelot 125 as a full-power eMTB that aims to carve out its own niche – both in looks and in ride dynamics. Thanks to the ultra-light maxon AIR S motor and an impressive total weight of just 17.72 kg, the Ocelot 125 promises big things. But how does this nimble feline really perform out on the trail? We put it to the test for you.

The Ocelot: a sleek, lithe cat whose slender appearance belies its strength, speed and explosive power. What’s this got to do with an eMTB from the Netherlands? Let’s keep our feet on the ground for now. Founded in 2017, Instinctiv became known for their bikes with Pinion gearboxes, like the Instinctiv M9. Alongside their current analogue Pinion model, the Kodiak, the Amsterdam-based designers have now launched their first ever eMTB – something which already caught our eye at this year’s EUROBIKE.

The new Instinctiv Ocelot 125 is an eMTB that barely reveals its electric nature at first glance. It’s available as both a frame kit or as a customisable complete bike. The base kit includes a full carbon frame, maxon AIR S motor and a fully integrated 400 Wh battery, on top of which you can choose from a curated selection of components. The frame kit, including the motor, starts at € 6,724. That clearly places it in the premium segment, especially considering that many brands offer complete builds for that kind of money.

Our test bike is a bit special – a true dream build that brings the Ocelot down to just 17.72 kilograms, despite being a full-power setup. So yes, it’s light on its feet. But can it also prowl the trails like a true predator?

A Coat That Shines: The Instinctiv Ocelot 125 in Detail

Looks aren’t everything – but let’s be honest: when it comes to buying a bike, first impressions often matter more than any geometry chart. And this is where the Instinctiv Ocelot 125 plays to its strengths. It looks like a regular mountain bike – maybe a lightweight eMTB at most: definitely not like one of those chunky motorised beasts that typically weigh well over 22 kg. The secret behind the Ocelot? The maxon motor: compact, lightweight, and almost invisibly integrated.

The slim silhouette combined with the sky-blue paint really does bring you a little closer to heaven. Up at the cockpit, the Ocelot’s “whiskers” (the cables) are neatly routed: they disappear cleanly through clamped cable ports at the head tube, reappear at the seat tube, then dip back into the seatstays.

The maxon AIR S Motor System – The Turbo in the Ocelot

Power, efficiency and integration – these are the three pillars Swiss manufacturer maxon focused on when developing the AIR S motor. And the figures speak for themselves: 90 Nm of torque, up to 620 watts of peak power and a support ratio of 400% put it firmly in full-power territory. On paper, it’s a serious motor – just packed into a smaller, lighter unit weighing only 2 kg. If you want to take a look behind the scenes at Swiss company maxon, check out our factory visit – it’s got the full story on how the AIR drive system came to life.

Since maxon place a strong emphasis on integration, the system comes exclusively with a permanently installed 400 Wh battery. According to the manufacturer, the AIR S motor is designed to run especially efficiently and maintain thermal stability, keeping energy consumption low and reducing the need for large battery capacities in the first place. For longer rides, maxon also offer a 250 Wh range extender, which you can add to your Instinctiv build for € 565 if you’re worried about running out of juice. For those who still want more capacity, the Swiss motor specialists have announced a 600 Wh battery that will be made available to manufacturers.

To power it all, the charging port is located just above the bottom bracket, protected by a rubber cover. It’s well shielded from dirt, but in practice it’s a bit fiddly to access – you can’t have everything.

When it comes to the ecosystem, maxon are still playing catch-up. The brain of this predator sits in the top tube, and it’s fairly minimalistic: power button, ride mode selector, and a simple LED indicator for battery status – that’s all you get for now. The bike computer mounted on our test bike is strictly for internal testing. However, maxon are currently working on their own display. The three ride modes are selected via a high-quality, robust ring remote on the handlebar, which impresses with crisp tactile and audible feedback.

The Specification of the Instinctiv Ocelot 125

Our Ocelot 125 is clearly intended to keep the weight down, without compromising on performance. That’s why it features components you’re unlikely to encounter out on the trails.

Let’s start at the front: the Intend Edge fork is an upside-down suspension fork that not only looks different, but also rides with a distinct feel – it’s very sensitive, with a character all of its own. If you’re curious to dive deeper into the world of upside-down forks, you’ll find more info here. To keep things calm at the rear, the Intend Hover OPT shock takes charge. It offers a wide range of adjustment options, delivering impressive trail performance. That said, setting up both suspension components is anything but straightforward. It takes time – and ideally, the setup guide from Intend.

Rounding off the trio are the Intend Trinity four-piston brakes, paired with matching rotors – 200 mm up front, 180 mm at the rear. In terms of performance, we’d place them in the same league as the SRAM Motive.

Shifting is handled by the SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission, mounted directly to the UDH dropout. Another standout feature is the NEWMEN Phase 30 VONOA Trail wheelset. Both the rims and spokes are made of carbon, shaving off even more weight from the already lightweight Ocelot.

For the tire setup, we picked some seriously tough models: up front, a MAXXIS High Roller with a sturdy Doubledown casing and grippy MaxxGrip compound, in 29 x 2.4”. Out back, there’s a MAXXIS Minion DHR II, also with a Doubledown casing, but paired with the more durable MaxxTerra compound. The result? Loads of grip and confident control – like a wildcat sinking its claws into the trail. The stock build comes with the Schwalbe Albert Trail tires in 29 x 2.5” – featuring the ADDIX Ultra Soft compound up front and the slightly firmer ADDIX Soft at the rear.

The fitted KS LEV INTEGRA does its job reliably, but seatpost length is limited by the Ocelot’s shallow insertion depth. According to the manufacturer, a FOX Transfer with 150 mm of drop can be fully inserted in size S1, while the 180 mm version will only fully insert into the seat tube from sizes S2 and S3 upwards. Anything beyond that will sit up above the seat collar.

The Geometry of the Instinctiv Ocelot 125

Good things come in threes: Instinctiv offer the Ocelot in three sizes, designed to suit riders from 160 to 200 cm tall. In size S2, the geometry chart lists a reach of 480 mm and a stack of 640 mm – these are modern numbers, even if the stack appears relatively low on paper. The 445 mm chainstays are fairly average and aim to strike a balanced blend of stability and agility. The 64° head angle is nice and slack, promising composure at speed, while the 77.1° seat angle is pleasantly steep, offering an efficient pedalling position both on the flats and when climbing.

The Instinctiv Ocelot 125 on the Trail

Right from the moment you swing a leg over the Ocelot 125, it’s clear what this bike is built for. The riding position is sporty, with your weight well balanced between hands and saddle. Out on the trail, it immediately feels nimble – the low system weight is apparent right away. When the gradient kicks up, the Ocelot surprises with its confident climbing abilities. Even on technical uphill trails, you’re rewarded with solid traction. That said, the rear end does tend to bob slightly when pedalling out of the saddle, and there’s no mechanical way to cancel that out – the Intend Hover shock doesn’t have a climb switch. Still, the bike’s low weight makes up for it – this would be far more of an issue on a heavier eMTB.

The real star of the show here is the motor: the maxon AIR S runs incredibly quietly, engages smoothly, and still feels impressively powerful. Under load it becomes audible, but the sound stays low in frequency and never gets annoying. At the 25 km/h cut-off, the transition is silky smooth, making the bike easy to pedal even without assistance. Only when setting off does the motor need a bit more input, and in full turbo mode it doesn’t launch forward as explosively as some other full-power systems. That can actually be an advantage on technical climbs, where the Maxon’s power delivery can be modulated precisely and predictably in line with your own effort. To get the most out of it, you need to keep your cadence up. Do that, and the maxon AIR S rewards you by delivering just the right amount of support to conquer even the trickiest uphill sections.

As soon as the trail turns downhill, the Ocelot reveals its second nature – and it’s noticeably more demanding. The relatively low front end leaves you feeling less integrated into the bike on steep, rough and fast descents, which can chip away at your sense of confidence. It takes an experienced hand to build up trust and grip in the right places. The Instinctiv Ocelot 125 isn’t the kind of bike you just hop on and cruise down the hill with – but to be fair, that’s rarely the case for bikes in this travel category when the trail gets rough. If you want to ride the Ocelot with confidence, you’ll need to stay active and take the wildcat firmly by the scruff of the neck.

The suspension didn’t quite live up to our expectations overall: the rear end wallows a little, feeling a tad sluggish and lacking pop. Brake traction is fine, but nothing special. Combined with ultra-light wheels and minimally padded grips (specific to our custom build), the bike feels twitchy in technical terrain and doesn’t inspire much confidence. Holding a precise line isn’t this setup’s strong suit. That said, the Intend Trinity brakes shine with excellent modulation and plenty of power on tap – perfect when you change your mind at the last second before a big gap jump. The Ocelot definitely feels more at home on less demanding tracks. Here, the low weight really comes into its own: the bike feels fast and playful, dancing through corners with ease. The tires roll quickly, and the motor response feels smooth and natural as you accelerate out of a turn.

Who Is the Instinctiv Ocelot 125 For – and Who Isn’t It For?

The Instinctiv Ocelot 125 is made for design lovers, minimalists and true weight weenies. At just 17.72 kg, it ranks among the lightest full-power eMTBs on the market – a figure that’s almost unheard of in this category. If that’s exactly what you’re after, then you’ve found it: an exceptionally light motor system, seamlessly integrated into the eMTB, with a look that stays remarkably close to a traditional analogue bike, and a weight that’s impressive the moment you lift it.

The Ocelot 125 is aimed at riders who enjoy flow trails, ride actively and appreciate agile, responsive handling. On long rides and technical climbs, its low weight and natural-feeling motor really come into their own. It’s less suited to those who expect a plush, planted feel on the descents, or regularly ride rough, technical terrain – here, the lightweight setup demands more attention and gives up some stability.

Conclusion on the Instinctiv Ocelot 125

With the Ocelot 125, Instinctiv have created a true turbo cat: nimble, quiet and quick on the climbs, powered by the strong maxon motor that delivers solid support even on technical ascents. When it’s time to descend, the Ocelot feels most at home on flow trails – agile, playful and fast. But when the terrain gets tougher, the turbo cat can become a skittish ball of teeth and claws – it takes a skilled hand to avoid getting scratched. Even so, this eMTB remains a clear front-runner in lightweight design, which will especially appeal to riders who count every gram and value clean integration.

Tops

• extremely lightweight full-power eMTB
• agile and fast on flow trails
• powerful maxon motor system
• sleek, eye-catching design

Flops

• reaches its limits in demanding terrain
• no climb switch on the shock

For more information, head to instinctivbikes.com

Words: Robin Ulbrich Photos: Benedikt Schmidt