New 2022 Moustache Game 9 – In-house solutions for the win?

French brand Moustache have specialised in building motorised bicycles and the ebike experts have now launched their latest full-suspension models: the Game and Trail. We put the 2022 Game through its paces to find out whether the eMTB can deliver and be as much fun on the climbs and descents as promised.

The Moustache Game is a sporty eMTB that covers the entire spectrum from relaxed tours to demanding off-road use. It relies on the Bosch Smart System with a 750 Wh battery and large Kiox 300 display. Thanks to the large battery, the bike promises to offer long-lasting fun and the in-house mounting solution should mitigate any of the disadvantages that come with its considerable weight. Moustache also rely on their own expertise for the rear suspension with the Magic Grip Control shock. Can their designs deliver or should Moustache have relied on proven suppliers instead?

The 2022 Moustache Game 9 in detail – In-house solutions instead of stock components

Moustache have a long-standing development partnership with Bosch, also relying on the powerful Performance Line CX motor for the 2022 Game 9. The closed Smart System ecosystem hardly allows brands to deviate from Bosch’s specifications for the battery, software, display and remote, but the system integration offers some room for customisation. Moustache seized the opportunity, taking the reins here and designing their own, space-saving mounting solutions for the motor and battery. The French team have done away with Bosch’s battery lock, integrating the battery in the down tube so that it’s easily accessible and removable without tools. Instead of the heavy and bulky lock from Bosch, Moustache developed a slender plastic clip. These in-house solutions ensure that the larger 750 Wh battery doesn’t sit higher in the frame than the 625 Wh battery in the previous model, which should keep the weight distribution equally balanced.

Moustache have taken a unique approach to the cable routing too: the brake and shifter cables are routed through the top tube and briefly exit the frame at the bend between the seat and top tube to avoid kinking the cables.

As a result, it’s only the cables for the dropper post and remote that are routed through the down tube, reducing the required space. In any case, the down tube is very slender for an ebike and the external cable routing by the seat tube is a matter of taste. Instead of a flip chip, the lower shock mount on the 2022 model is designed to prevent lateral flex. Similar to thru-axles on long-travel, dual-crown forks, this should help keep the shock perfectly aligned, reducing stress and friction as it cycles through its travel. Whether this actually makes a difference considering the length of the shock in comparison to a long-travel fork is hard to tell.

Smart connectivity thanks to the 2022 Bosch Smart System ecosystem

The 2022 Moustache Game and Trail models continue to rely on the Bosch ecosystem, which has recently received some updates, as you can read about in our news article on the new Bosch Smart System. Riders who like recording and tracking their efforts will love the new features, able to log their rides on Strava and Komoot directly via the ebike’s onboard computer. Additionally, Bosch now allow you to fit a smartphone mount in place of the Kiox 300 display, so you can always have your smartphone in view and use the onboard battery to keep it charged – whether you do so via induction or cable is up to you. Those who are familiar with Moustache bikes will surely have heard of their exclusive Magic Tour mode, which they developed in cooperation with Bosch. By agreement between Moustache and Bosch, it will no longer be exclusive to their bikes. In fact, it’s been made available as TOUR+ mode on other Bosch bikes for some time now.

The spec of the 2022 Moustache Game 9 – Components largely supplied in-house

For the components, Moustache rely predominantly on in-house products. Most notably, the Moustache Magic Grip Control shock, which features on all models in the range and has been factory-tuned to suit the kinematics of the rear end. Whether it’s on the entry-level or flagship model, it provides a flying carpet like ride quality, as already proven in previous tests. Thanks to the minimal adjustment options and the sag indicator, setting up the shock is quick and easy for beginners too.

In addition to the shock, the carbon handlebar and aluminium wheels are also supplied by Moustache. The components of the Just Moustache range are developed in-house and they build the wheels themselves. Compared to the easy setup of the shock, it’s worth reading the user manual of the FOX 38 Factory fork or at least checking out the setup table. Once correctly adjusted, it responds perfectly while providing stiff and precise handling, no matter how heavy the rider. The brakes and drivetrain come from Shimano’s XT groupset. Together with the big 203 mm rotors, braking power is guaranteed.

Other Moustache Game models

In addition to the superbly equipped Game 9 on test, there are 4 other models available: the Moustache Game 5, 7 and 11, whereby the Game 5 is divided into two further variants. The most affordable entry-level version of the Game is priced at € 5,799 and relies on the RockShox Domain RS fork, while the model just above it features the Marzocchi Z1 fork. This means that the higher-priced, € 5,999 entry-level model relies on FOX’s subsidiary brand for the fork, which you rarely see on production bikes. All other models are supplied with a fork from the parent company, FOX. Of all the models, the excellently specced Moustache Game 7 seems to offer the best value for money. For € 6,499, you get a FOX 38 Performance fork and Shimano XT components for the brakes and derailleur. The higher-end Game 9 and 11 models rely on a FOX 38 Factory fork with the Kashima coating and select carbon components to reduce the weight. All models rely on in-house 29″ wheels, the new Bosch Smart System with a 750 Wh battery and provide 170 mm travel up front and 160 mm at the rear. If you need a little less travel, we recommend checking out the 2022 Moustache Trail. According to Moustache, the new models should be available from your trusted dealer by the end of May, except for the Game 5 with the Marzocchi F1 fork for which you’ll have to wait until the summer.

The 2022 Moustache Trail – The big little brother

The Moustache Trail is the little brother of the Game, offering 150 mm travel front and rear. It’s based on the same frame as the Game and compensates for the shorter fork with a 10 mm spacer above the crown, adapting the geometry to some degree. Other than that, the Trail range features similar builds as the Game, though the respective models are around € 100–200 more affordable. We’ve already put the Moustache Trail 7 to the test in our budget eMTB group test. You can find out how it performed in the upcoming digital issue of E-MOUNTAINBIKE, free of charge.

The lowest-entry model of the Trail series is the most striking in Moustache’s new lineup, remaining unchanged from the previous model and equipped with the older Bosch system, a 625 Wh battery and Purion display. It’s available for just €4,799, offering a low-cost entry into the world of full-suspension eMTBs.

The geometry of the 2022 Moustache Game – Updated front, tried and tested rear

The geometry of the 2022 Moustache Game has only been updated via the newly designed front triangle, whereas the rear end and its kinematics, for which the in-house shock has been tuned, remains unchanged. Visually, there’s still no mistaking the Moustache for any other bike, sticking to the design language of its predecessors. The small hump in front of the head tube has all but disappeared and the top and seat tube have been shifted downwards to offer increased freedom of movement.

The Moustache Game is available in sizes S–XL, accommodating riders from 169 to 211 cm in height. That said, the 433 mm reach of the S frame is very compact for an aggressive eMTB. From the Game 7 onwards, the size XL comes with a sensible 190 mm dropper post, offering unrestricted freedom of movement.

size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	590 mm	620 mm	645 mm	670 mm
Seat tube	390 mm	420 mm	450 mm	490 mm
Head tube	100 mm	110 mm	130 mm	140 mm
Head angle	65°	65°	65°	65°
Seat angle	76°	76°	76°	76°
BB Drop	35 mm	35 mm	35 mm	35 mm
Chainstay	462 mm	462 mm	462 mm	462 mm
Wheelbase	1225 mm	1257 mm	1286 mm	1313 mm
Reach	433 mm	461 mm	481 mm	504 mm
Stack	628 mm	638 mm	655 mm	664 mm

The 2022 Moustache Game 9 on test – The only thing better than traction is even more traction

With the new Game, Moustache promise an eMTB that lets you master the most demanding descents and technical climbs with a smile on your face. To achieve this, the Game was designed with an eye on versatility. It offers an upright riding position on flat terrain and makes for a good touring bike thanks to the plush suspension.

When winching your way uphill, the bike offers tons of traction, which is due, on one hand, to the aggressive MAXXIS ASSEGAI tires at the front and rear and, on the other, the perfectly tuned rear suspension. The Moustache Magic Grip Control shock offers a sensitive response off the top without lacking progression towards the end of its travel. As such, you get a lot of traction on steep and technical climbs while remaining high in the travel, keeping the front wheel planted and in control, and allowing you to get to the top of every trail with ease. When things get steeper still, you can flip the climb switch on the shock – this doesn’t lock it out but increases the compression and slows down the rebound, keeping you even higher in the travel.

On the descents, the bike is very balanced and positions the rider centrally between the wheels. The Game feels pleasantly familiar from the get-go and the shock uses its travel in a controlled manner. As on the climbs, the rear suspension responds very sensitively off the top, efficiently ironing out even the smallest bumps. In the middle of the stroke and towards the end of the travel, the bike offers sufficient support without feeling harsh. This results in a lot of traction in rough terrain and instills you with confidence.

You can easily pop off roots and occasionally overshoot the landing without bottoming out. However, all this comes at the cost of agility, requiring more effort to pull off rapid direction changes and spontaneous manoeuvers.

The French brand’s many in-house solutions have paid off for the Moustache Game 9. The latest iteration of the Game is a very versatile bike, allowing both touring-enthusiastic beginners and advanced trail shredders to get their money’s worth. The rear suspension offers more than enough traction regardless of the situation, which is sure to instill the rider with confidence. That said, if you want a playful bike, the Moustache Game 9 isn’t one we’d recommend.

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For more information, please visit the moustachebikes.com

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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Jérémie Reuiller und Julian Schwede