The new Moustache Samedi 27 Trail is fitted with the new Bosch Performance CX motor. It makes a great first impression and makes our hearts beat faster with its sexy look. Can the € 6,999 flagship model of the Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 10 also deliver on the trail?
Click here for an overview of the best eMTB 2020 group test.
Moustache have launched a completely new range for 2020. Why? The French bike brand from the Vosges mountains works in close cooperation with Bosch. They’ve done a beautiful job of integrating Bosch’s new Performance Line CX motor and the internal 625 Wh battery into the brand new, slender looking Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 10. The remaining Bosch system components, such as the speed sensor and Kiox display, have been integrated just as nicely on the € 6,999 bike.
Components, weight and technical details of the Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 10
The componentry fitted to the Samedi Trail is on the less aggressive side of the test field and more suitable for trail riding and leisurely outings. Despite having 150 mm travel front and rear, the FOX 34 fork limits it to less demanding terrain. Moustache are the only manufacturer on test that don't rely on the know-how of RockShox or FOX for the rear shock, speccing their proprietary Magic Grip Control shock instead. On the 22.77 kg aluminium bike we tested, Moustache rely on their in-house brand Just for the carbon wheels and handlebars. The wheelset is paired with 27.5 x 2.8" MAXXIS tires with the puncture-prone EXO casing.
The 2.8″ MAXXIS Rekon+ with its puncture-prone EXO casing should be ridden at a high pressure to protect the carbon rim. Heavier riders are best advised to immediately replace it with a sturdier tire.
Like Orbea or Cube, Moustache have designed their own bracket for the Kiox display, positioned next to the stem. Compared to the competition, the Kiox bracket on the Moustache is much sturdier and of higher quality.
Moustache Samedi 27 Trail
€ 6,999
Specifications
Motor Bosch Performance Line CX 75Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 625Wh
Display Bosch Kiox
Fork FOX 34 Factory FIT4 150 mm
Rear Shock Moustache Magic Grip Control 150 mm
Seatpost Moustache Teleskope 100 – 170 mm
Brakes Shimano XTR 200/180 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XTR 1x12
Stem Moustache 3D-forged Alloy 60 mm
Handlebar Moustache Just Carbon 760 mm
Wheelset Moustache Just Carbon 27.5"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Weight 22.77 kg
Perm. total weight 150 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 127 kg
Trailer approval yes
Kickstand mount yes
Specific Features
The FOX 34 suspension fork on the Moustache is a lot lighter than the beefier FOX 36. However, it is also a limiting component on the descents. We wouldn’t have minded the extra weight.
While the Moustache isn’t specifically designed for fast descents, the 180 mm brake rotor on the rear is still too small.
You can fit a water bottle on the Samedi 27 Trail. However, the bosses for the bottle cage are somewhat hidden under the top tube.
Geometry and size of the Moustache
The geometry of the Moustache is anything but extreme. With a head angle of 66.9°, it’s minimally steeper than on the Canyon Spectral:ON. However, the 430 mm chainstays are a whole 3 cm longer.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 570 mm | 600 mm | 625 mm | 650 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 130 mm | 140 mm |
| Head angle | 66.9° | 66.9° | 66.9° | 66.9° |
| Seat angle | 75.4° | 75.4° | 75.4° | 75.4° |
| Chainstays | 460 mm | 460 mm | 460 mm | 460 mm |
| BB Height | 347 mm | 347 mm | 347 mm | 347 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,177 mm | 1,209 mm | 1,236 mm | 1,264 mm |
| Reach | 408 mm | 435 mm | 456 mm | 478 mm |
| Stack | 603 mm | 612 mm | 625 mm | 639 mm |
The Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 10 on the trail
Seated on the Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 10, you’ll be wowed the moment you start turning the pedals. The relaxed position and buttery soft Moustache shock provide maximum comfort on any terrain. When things get steeper and more technical, the Moustache will surprise you. Despite the shallow tread pattern of the MAXXIS Rekon+ tire on the rear, it leaves the rest of the test field in its dust! The suspension does an amazing job of absorbing all the bumps on the trail, smoothing out roots and rocks and generating never-ending traction on the rear wheel. While some bikes occasionally have you fighting the front wheel to keep it on the ground and in control, the Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 10 lets you take in the scenery. You can even take your hands off the handlebar at times. While climbing, you can wind your way up tight, technical trails with pinpoint precision and unimaginable ease.
No other bike in the group test climbs as calmly and confidently as the Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 10.
But doesn’t the buttery smooth, plush suspension reach its limits on rough descents? Far from it! Even though the rear tire seems to stick to the ground, the suspension never bottoms out harshly no matter how big the hits and it provides enough mid-stroke support to pump the bike or get it airborne. When things get faster and rougher, it’s the undersized FOX 34 fork and the small 180 mm brake rotor on the rear that begin to hold you back. Instead of high-speed and big hits, the Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 10 is more about taking on technically challenging trails. Thanks to the balanced weight distribution and direct handling, it makes easy work of navigating over or around obstacles.
In-house development instead of off the shelf components: Moustache rely on their proprietary Magic Grip Control shock – the Samedi 27 Trail 10 has one of the best performing rear ends on test.
Tuning tip: more puncture resistant rear tire | 200 mm rotor on the rear wheel
Riding Characteristics
7Agility
- sluggish
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- stable
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Riding fun
- boring
- lively
Motor feeling
- digital
- natural
Motor power
- weak
- strong
Value for money
- poor
- top
Conclusion
The Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 10 is by far the best and most comfortable climber in the test field. Even though the bike is designed more for long-distance comfort, it doesn’t have to shy away from the descents. It easily masters the most technical terrain at slower speeds and the look and system integration are top-notch too.
Tops
- the holy grail of climbing capability
- phenomenal rear end performance thanks to the custom shock
- excellent integration of the speed sensor and display
- great to look at
Flops
- spec limits downhill capability
- doesn't feel super secure on steep descents
You can find out more about the Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 10 at moustachebikes.com.
The test field
You can find everything you need to know about our test for the best eMTB of 2020 right here!
All bikes in test: BULLS SONIC EVO AM 6 | Cannondale Moterra 1 | Canyon Spectral:ON 9.0 | COMMENCAL META POWER 29 TEAM 2020 | CONWAY XYRON 927 Carbon | CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC | FANTIC XF1 180 Race | FOCUS JAM² 9.9 DRIFTER | Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro | Haibike XDURO Nduro 10.0 | Liteville 301 CE MK1 | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K | Moustache Samedi 27 Trail | Norco Range VLT C1 | NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1 | Orbea WILD FS M-LTD | Pivot Shuttle 29 | Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition | ROTWILD R.X750 ULTRA | SIMPLON Rapcon Pmax | Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo | Trek Rail 9.9 | Whyte E-180 RS V1 | YT DECOY CF Pro Race
Relaxed and comfortable riding on surfaced roads, both uphill and downhill.↩
Easy climbs up trails with few obstacles, wide turns and a moderate incline.↩
Active and playful descents on easy trails with few obstacles, wide turns and a moderate slope.↩
Single-track climbs on challenging terrain. Loose ground, steps, roots, tight corners and occasionally extreme inclines.↩
Singletrack descents on challenging terrain. Loose ground, steps, roots, tight corners and small jumps as well as some very steep descents.↩
High speed descents on sometimes very rough trails with large jumps and obstacles that you can’t roll over.↩
The rating used for riding characteristics refers to the bikes in the group test and the current state of development of eMTBs. The best bikes managed to blend supposedly opposite riding characteristics, feeling both lively and stable at the same time. The handling describes the balance of the bike on downhill sections. The information regarding motor-power refers to the ride-feeling in the overall context of the bike and not exclusively to the motor – that’s why the same motor can present different values.↩
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Words: Felix Stix, Robin Schmitt, Jonas Müssig Photos: Finlay Anderson, Robin Schmitt, Felix Stix, Markus Frühmann
