2024 M1 Sporttechnik EN.400.SX first ride review – Exclusive e-enduro bike with Bosch SX motor

M1 Sporttechnik have been designing carbon mountain bikes since 1990. Over the past few years, the German manufacturer have shifted their focus onto eMTBs, adding a wide range of ebikes with different motor systems and battery capacities to their portfolio. We tested the EN.400.SX, which relies on a Bosch SX motor and 400 Wh battery. Is M1 Sporttechnik’s e-enduro bike just an exclusive toy, or does it hold up on the trail?

German manufacturer M1 Sporttechnik have always chosen to swim against the current, especially with their wild frame designs. However, their current ebike range, which we already had a chance to see at the latest EUROBIKE fair, relies on a more discrete design language. Since EUROBIKE 2023, M1 presented a total of five bikes with a Bosch SX motor, all of which employ the same frame but rely on different amounts of travel and a different wheel size configuration, thus covering a different range of applications. In M1’s portfolio, the five variants are called Allterrain, Trail, Allmountain, Enduro and WorldCup. The Allterrain model combines 160/150 mm of travel and comes with a 27,5″ wheel setup, a lighting system and a rear pannier rack. The M1 CC SX “Trail” model has 150 mm of travel front and rear and also rocks a 27,5″ wheel setup. The Allmountain rolls on mixed wheel sizes, generating 160 mm of travel front and rear. The only full-29er in the line-up is the WorldCup model, which at 170 mm front and rear, generates the most travel and comes equipped with some of the finest components available on the market.

We tested the Enduro version, which combines 170/160 mm of travel and rolls on mixed wheel sizes. Each of the five models is available in three versions: one with an SX drive, another one with a bigger motor and an S-pedelec variant. That said, the models with bigger motors look completely different from our SX test bike, which tips the scales at 21 kg in size L and can be purchased on M1’s website for € 9,900. If you visit their page, don’t expect to find too many details about the bikes, because the German manufacturer prefers to let the hard facts speak for themselves.

The new M1 Sporttechnik EN.400.SX 2024 in detail

The M1 Sporttechnik EN.400.SX relies on a modern yet discreet design language. For MY 2024, M1 have moved away from the distinctive curved lines they used for the older models. Instead, the EN.400.SX sports a clean frame silhouette with straight lines. The 55 Nm Bosch SX motor draws its power from a compact 400 Wh battery and is paired with a bar-mounted Purion 200 remote with a small screen, which provides all crucial riding data.

A TPU plate on the down tube protects the frame against stray rocks and nasty impacts. The battery cover is secured with a FIDLOCK magnetic closing system, which allows you to remove the cover quickly and easily without the need for tools. The closure system works reliably and stayed securely in place throughout this test – excellent! The battery can be charged both on and off the bike. For internal charging, you’ll have to use the charging port, which is safely tucked away in a recess on the seat tube. For external charging, on the other hand, you’ll have to unlock the battery with a key before you can remove it from the frame.

The EN.400.SX has two bottle cage mounts, one at the top and one at the bottom of the down tube. The chainstay protector is cleverly integrated into the frame line and effectively prevents chain slap despite its thin silhouette. The back of the seat tube is covered with a protective rubber coating. M1 Sporttechnik rely on their own mech hanger rather than SRAM’s universal derailleur hanger, but this is just a beefy, round piece of metal, which isn’t the best looking solution out there.

The spec of the new 2024 M1 Sporttechnik EN.400.SX

The M1 Sporttechnik EN.400.SX is only available in one spec variant, which looks pretty classy but also has a few flaws. For example, the FOX 38 Factory fork, comes with the inferior FIT4 damper, which might save a few grams but can’t keep up with the excellent performance of its top-tier GRIP2 counterpart. The rear suspension relies on a FOX FLOAT X Factory air shock with externally adjustable rebound and compression settings. FOX Transfer Factory dropper post has a fancy Kashima coating but only offers a meagre 150 mm of travel, which is clearly not enough for a potent enduro e-bike, restricting freedom of movement on the trail. In addition, M1 rely on the same dropper travel in all sizes, which makes no sense, since taller riders with longer legs always require a longer-travel dropper, and can take advantage of the increased insertion depth of a larger frame size.

MAGURA MT7 four-piston with a 220 mm rotor at the front and 200 mm disc at the rear provide powerful, reliable deceleration. However, the long two-finger levers aren’t a great match for a sporty e-enduro bike and offer poor ergonomics. Shifting is taken care of by a top-tier Shimano XTR drivetrain with a bling gold chain – too much for our taste!

German component brand Reverse supply the cockpit, consisting of a 35 mm stem and 800 mm alloy handlebars, while DT Swiss provide the H1900 alloy wheelset. However, this is one of DT’s more affordable models and doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the M1’s high-end spec. Wheels are something you shouldn’t skimp on, as they have a big influence on the performance of a bike – and with enduro bikes, durability is a huge issue too! The rims are fitted with 2.6” Schwalbe Eddy Current tires, both in the harder Soft rubber compound, with Super Trail casing at the front and robust Super Gravity casing at the rear. We’re very fond of the robust rear tire, but would prefer to have the softer Ultra Soft rubber compound at the front for more traction.

Tuning-Tipp:
– Push the saddle all the way forward
– Tires with softer Ultra Soft rubber compound at the front

The geometry of the new 2024 M1 Sporttechnik EN.400.SX

The M1 Sporttechnik EN.400.SX is available in four sizes, S to XL, though M1 don’t recommend a frame size based on body size yet. Our test bike in size L combines 465 mm reach and a long 470 mm seat tube, which restricts freedom of movement together with the short-travel dropper post. Chainstay length is 445 mm across the board and doesn’t grow with the frame size.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	616 mm	620 mm	654 mm	687 mm
Seat tube	430 mm	430 mm	470 mm	510 mm
Head tube	120 mm	120 mm	130 mm	140 mm
Head angle	65.6°	64.4°	64.4°	64.4°
Seat angle	75.2°	74°	74°	74°
Chainstay	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm
BB Drop	20 mm	10 mm	10 mm	10 mm
Wheelbase	1,223 mm	1,235 mm	1,268 mm	1,301 mm
Reach	448 mm	434 mm	465 mm	496 mm
Stack	639 mm	648 mm	658 mm	668 mm

The new 2024 M1 Sporttechnik EN.400.SX on the trail

At first, the M1 Sporttechnik EN.400.SX feels relatively long, despite the moderate reach values. The pedalling position is fairly stretched and places you far back above the rear wheel. That said, the position is very comfortable and doesn’t put too much pressure on your hands, making the EN.400.SX a pretty good companion for touring. The Bosch SX motor packs a punch but also drains the small 400 Wh battery relatively quickly. While the powerful motor allows you to negotiate even steeper ramps, the rear-heavy pedalling position forces you to actively weight the front wheel to keep it tracking. We recommend pushing the saddle all the way forward to shift the centre of gravity away from the rear. The M1’s rear suspension only bobs marginally when pedalling, so reaching for the climb switch isn’t necessary on long climbs, especially considering that you’re climbing with assistance.

When you turn its nose into the valley, the EN.400.SX makes you feel comfortable from the get-go, integrating you nicely between its wheels, with the weight evenly distributed between the front and rear. When you hit the first corners, the M1 feels quite sluggish, requiring a fair amount of effort to negotiate bends. In slower trail sections, the bike’s a handful and rather difficult to swing around tight corners.

It’s on faster trails that the M1 really comes to life, slapping a massive grin on your face in fast rollers and berms! When riding at high speed, it’s reassuringly composed and comfortable. The rear suspension provides a decent amount of support and doesn’t sink into its travel on flowing trails, allowing you to generate lots of speed by pumping. At the same time, the EN.400.SX offers bags of pop, making it easy to take off into the air despite the generous amounts of travel – you’ll quickly forget that you’re riding a 20+ kg ebike! Unfortunately, the FIT4 fork struggles to keep up with the rear suspension, rushing through its travel with big compressions and pulling your weight over the front end – you really need strong shoulders to counteract this! However, you can also compensate for this by adding a few clicks of compression damping on the fork, although this will also affect the fork’s responsiveness.

Who should take a closer look at the 2024 M1 Sporttechnik EN.400.SX?

The M1 Sporttechnik EN.400.SX is a special bike that appeals to a special kind of rider. The German brand’s aficionados will definitely get their money’s worth, taking home an elegant bike with a modern motor. On the trail, the M1 EN.400.SX delivers a great performance but feels at home on fast, flowing trails, with the suspension throwing in the towel when the going gets rougher. Overall, it’s an interesting option for all those riders who want a rare bike from a brand with history.

Our conclusions about the 2024 M1 Sporttechnik EN.400.SX

With the EN.400.SX, M1 Sporttechnik rely on a daring new design language, which might be slightly more sober than their previous bikes, but still makes an impact. With the spec, M1 have splashed the cash on some bling components, but save money exactly where they shouldn’t: with the fork and wheels, for example. On fast flow trails, the firm suspension makes the EN.400.SX a speed-thirsty, two-wheeled rocket, but stiffens up excessively when the going gets rough, robbing you of confidence on more technical trails.

For more information, visit M1 Sporttechnik’s website.

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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Simon Kohler, Jan Richter, Antonia Feder, Julian Schwede