Moustache Trail 7 2022 in our budget eMTB group test – The best 2022 budget eMTB under € 6,500

With its Bosch Smart System, 750 Wh battery and proven Magic Grip Control shock, the new Moustache Trail 7 eMTB promises to be the hovercraft in this group test, combining riding comfort and a big range. The Trail 7 has proven the most beginner-friendly bike in the entire test field. But can experienced lip rug lovers enjoy it too? Read the review to find out!

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2022 for € 6,500 – 11 budget eMTBs in our eMTB group test

Are you into 3-day stubble beards or do you prefer to groom your facial hair? Do you still need a bike that cuts corners as neatly as your shaver? The new Moustache Trail 7 proved the most beginner-friendly bike in the entire test field and is also an excellent companion for long tours, skilfully combining intuitive handling with a comfortable suspension. The Trail 7 inspires huge amounts of confidence, making it easy to glide over singletracks fast and safely, even for beginners – just like a hovercraft! This is made possible by the balanced handling and, above all, the excellent shock tune, which harmonises beautifully with the 150 mm rear suspension of the Moustache. The shock was developed in-house by the French manufacturer and is specced across the entire model range. In other words, whether you buy the entry-level or flagship model, you’ll get the same awesome rear-suspension performance – which is rarely the case with bike manufacturers these days!

Home-made – From Moustache with love

Moustache also rely on their own solutions in other areas, including the beating heart of the Trail 7. When integrating the Bosch Smart System motor and 750 Wh battery into the frame, the French explored new ways to keep the center of gravity as low and central as possible instead of just using existing off-the-peg solutions, fabricating their own motor mounts and replacing Bosch’s heavy and bulky battery lock with a robust clip and additional knurled thumb screw. The system doesn’t require tools, making it easy to quickly remove the battery and juice it up in your flat or office. Small detail, big perk: the new battery has the same overall installation height as its 625 Wh predecessor. After all, achieving good weight distribution while quenching the ever-growing thirst for battery capacity is nothing short of a miracle in the ebike industry.

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Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	390 mm	420 mm	450 mm	480 mm
Top tube	588 mm	618 mm	643 mm	668 mm
Head tube	110 mm	110 mm	130 mm	140 mm
Head angle	65.6°	65.6°	65.6°	65.6°
Sitzwinkel	76.6°	76.6°	76.6°	76.6°
Chainstays	462 mm	462 mm	462 mm	462 mm
BB Height	345 mm	345 mm	345 mm	345 mm
Wheelbase	1,218 mm	1,250 mm	1,279 mm	1,306 mm
Reach	441 mm	468 mm	489 mm	512 mm
Stack	623 mm	632 mm	650 mm	659 mm

Except for the new motor system, the Moustache has remained pretty much unchanged from its predecessor and still relies on the same four-bar rear suspension design and loving attention to detail. Many of the changes are hardly perceivable and implemented extremely well. The weld seams are lovingly sanded and the two-tone paint finish is true eye-candy. On the other hand, the bottle cage under the top tube and partially external cable routing look a bit outdated – but then again, they do their job just fine!

The Moustache is the right choice for those riders who just want to sit on their bike and enjoy themselves.

The Moustache Trail 7 2022 – Not only for bristle lovers!

The suspension of the Moustache is very comfortable and offers good small-bump sensitivity. This ensures excellent traction, putting you in control of the bike. On steep climbs, the Bosch Smart System packs a punch even at low cadences, with the bike efficiently transferring the power on the trail. On steep climbing sections, the custom shock and low centre of gravity keep the front wheel planted on the trail. Both up- and downhill, the Moustache impresses with intuitive handling and inspires huge amounts of confidence, proving to be the perfect choice for riders who just want to sit on their bike and feel good.

Grippy MAXXIS ASSEGAI tires with MaxxTerra rubber compound and EXO casing front and rear complement the excellent traction of the suspension. On technical trails that call for an active and creative riding style, the plush suspension lacks support, making it hard to renegotiate your line on a dime. Simply put, playful riding manoeuvres and spontaneous direction changes require great physical effort. If you’re fine with that, the Trail 7 is a true all-rounder and also the bike with the most intuitive handling in the entire test field together with Merida eONE-SIXTY 975… even if you don’t have a snot-mop ;-{).

Tuning tip: Bosch SmartphoneGrip for long rides. If the flat bars are too low, add spacers under the stem.

Conclusion

The Moustache Trail 7 is the most beginner-friendly bike and the best climber in the entire test field. The bearded Frenchman is in its element on long tours and cuts a good figure on flowing fast trails. That being said, there are definitely better bikes for active riders in this test. The plush suspension ploughs through anything you throw at it and generates excellent traction, inspiring huge amounts of confidence and encouraging you to keep your fingers off the brakes. However, playful riding manoeuvres and spontaneous changes of direction exposed the dark side of the plush suspension and its lack of support.

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You can find out more about at moustachebikes.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2022 for € 6,500 – 11 budget eMTBs in our eMTB group test

All bikes in test: Bulls Sonic EVO AM-SL1 (Click for review) | Canyon Spectral:ON CF8 (Click for review) | Centurion Numinis R2700i (Click for review) | FOCUS JAM² 7.9 (Click for review) | Giant Trance X E+19 (Click for review) | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 975 (Click for review) | Mondraker Crafty R (Click for review) | Moustache Trail 7 | Orbea Rise H15 (Click for review) | Rossignol Mandate Shift XT (Click for review) | SCOTT Patron eRide 920 (Click for review)

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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Mike Hunger, Robin Schmitt