The new 2022 Husqvarna Mountain Cross and Light Cross – Two all-new carbon eMTBs

For 2022, Husqvarna have developed a completely new carbon platform, which is the basis for the new Mountain Cross and Light Cross models. We took a closer look at the new eMTBs featuring Shimano EP8 motors and 720 Wh batteries. Have they found the formula for a good time?

Evolution or revolution? With the new MC and LC models, Husqvarna aren’t just breaking new ground behind the scenes but are also continuing down the path they took in 2018! A lot has changed since the first Husqvarna ebikes were presented in 2017. The first models seemed like off the shelf products, but the Swedish brand came up with a unique and unmistakable design language in 2018, accentuating and staging the motor. And they’ve taken things to the next level with the newly developed carbon platform. At the same time, the Swedish brand with German-Austrian roots is breaking new ground, bringing Ruben Torenbeek on board as a development partner. Ruben is the founder and head of RAAW, one of the hottest mountain bike brands currently around, and he’s got a lot of know-how when it comes to the optimal trail performance – you’ll find a 2018 interview with the flying Dutchman in our sister magazine ENDURO from when he founded his bike brand.

Speaking of trail performance, or riding fun, Husqvarna claim to have found the formula for success: the rider & trail provide input, and the bike responds with the appropriate feedback.
If this feedback feels intuitive (i.e. exactly as expected), you automatically feel like you’re in control and full of confidence. The rider will feel at home. This sets off an emotional chain reaction, at the end of which you can’t help but smile.

THE MORE INTUITIVE -> THE MORE IN CONTROL -> THE MORE CONFIDENCE-INSPIRING -> THE MORE THE RIDER PUSHES THEMSELVES -> THE MORE FUN THEY HAVE

We’ll have to wait until we can put the bikes to the test to find out whether the new platform can do just that. In the meantime, you’ll find the most important facts and figures about the bikes below!

The Husqvarna product range at a glance

The Husqvarna team categorise their ebikes according to three use cases: urban, all-road and off-road. And they’ve been hard at work, especially in the off-road sector. The Light Cross (LC) and Mountain Cross (MC) models are two of the new off-road models, based on a completely new carbon frame. Husqvarna designed the LC to be a versatile eMTB for touring and easy to moderate trails. The Mountain Cross should be capable of somewhat more aggressive riding in challenging terrain. The highlight of Husqvarna’s new eMTBs is that both rely on the same carbon platform, just specced with different components. We were invited to the product launch in Salzburg where we had the opportunity to have a closer look at the new Husqvarna MC models.

The new 2022 Husqvarna MC6 in detail

The standout feature of the new Husqvarna eMTBs is the newly developed carbon frame, which the three top MC and LC models are based on, i.e. the MC6 to MC4 and the LC6 to LC4. The models below that rely on an aluminium frame. The Shimano EP8 motor is mounted to the frame via a specially developed C-shaped carbon bracket, presenting rather than hiding it. Thus, they’ve created an equally striking successor to the skeleton interface of the predecessor. According to Husqvarna, the free-standing motor interface provides better cooling. Moreover, tilting the motor has allowed them to free up space for the new battery in the down tube, positioning it as low as possible for a low centre of gravity. The new, rectangular 720 Wh battery is supplied by Simplo and is accessible through the bottom of the down tube. To remove the battery, you simply have to unscrew the hatch – no tools required. The skid plate on the bottom of the hatch is attached to the bike via a hinge, so it just swings open. The battery itself features a damping mechanism, which is intended to protect it from hard knocks and vibrations while ensuring a snug fit in the frame, and it’s secured with a pin lock, requiring neither a key nor tools. A flexible cable at the end of the battery promises an uninterrupted power supply. Husqvarna have also revised the battery cooling. A ventilation grille on the head tube is claimed to improve air circulation and ventilation fins on the skid plate are said to provide improved heat radiation – we’ll have to wait and see if this actually makes a difference.

For the new 2022 models, the shock mount has also been completely revised. While the shock used to go vertically through the seat tube on the predecessor, it’s now positioned horizontally. That way, long-travel dropper posts are less restricted and there’s more room for a water bottle in the front triangle. According to Husqvarna, they improved the rear-end kinematics while they were at it. The rear suspension provides 150 mm travel, paired with a smaller 27.5″ wheel. Up front, the MC6 rolls on a 29″ wheel (27.5″ in size S), fitted to a 150 mm travel fork. The geometry has also been updated as Husqvarna strive to make riders feel more integrated with the eMTB, lengthening the chainstays, lowering the bottom bracket and lifting the cockpit.

The components of the flagship Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC6 in detail

The new Mountain Cross MC6 costs € 8,899, representing the top of the range. For that, Husqvarna give you FOX Factory suspension consisting of a FOX 36 GRIP2 fork and a FOX FLOAT X shock. Shifting is taken care of by a Shimano XTR derailleur and shifter combined with a Shimano DEORE 12-speed cassette and KMC chain – a pure XT groupset would offer better performance. You get Shimano XT four-piston brakes and 200 mm rotors to keep your speed in check and the Husqvarna rolls on sturdy, aluminium DT Swiss HX 1700 SPLINE wheels. Unfortunately, our experience has shown that the shallow tread of the 2.4 and 2.6″ Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires won’t do justice to the bike’s intended use. According to the manufacturer, the complete bike will weigh in at around 23 kg. Husqvarna are yet to release the exact figures.

The Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC5 will be available for € 7,899, while the entry-level carbon model, the Mountain Cross MC4, will be priced at € 6,799. According to Husqvarna, the Light Cross models will be specced with adapted components better suited for easy trails and tours, providing 120 mm travel. They’re yet to release the exact details. All of the new models are expected to hit stores from the fourth quarter of 2022. Apart from that, Husqvarna have also announced new aluminium models, featuring the same geometry as the new carbon models but a different, dedicated frame design.

The new Husqvarna models will be available in four frame sizes from S to XL. In frame size S, the eMTBs roll on 27.5″ wheels, whereas frame sizes M and up come with mixed wheel sizes, i.e. a large 29er front wheel and a smaller 27.5″ wheel on the rear.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	567 mm	596 mm	626 mm	655 mm
Seat tube	410 mm	440 mm	460 mm	490 mm
Head tube	130 mm	115 mm	130 mm	145 mm
Head angle	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°
Seat tube angle	77.1°	77°	76.9°	76.8°
Chainstay length	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm
Stack height	18mm	18mm	18mm	18mm
Wheelbase	1.184 mm	1.216 mm	1.247 mm	1.279 mm
Reach	425 mm	450 mm	475 mm	500 mm
Stack height	619 mm	633 mm	646 mm	660 mm

Our conclusion on the new Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC6

Husqvarna’s new carbon platform for the 2022 Mountain Cross and Light Cross models look very promising. It’s an exciting design that represents the latest stage in Husqvarna’s evolution. It’s got some interesting heat management features, though only real-world tests will reveal if this is more than just hot air. We’re particularly excited about the updated geometry and newly developed rear suspension. Apart from the inappropriate tires, the components also make a good first impression. We can’t wait to find out whether Husqvarna’s new models will let you keep a cool head on the trails!

For more Infos, visit husqvarna-bicycles.com

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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Manne Schmitt