Moustache Takes Its Trail and Enduro Bikes to a New Level

“The only way is down. The only way is down. The only way is down. How am I gonna get back up?” John Lingard sounds almost a little melancholy in the chorus of the song “Only way is down”, with which Moustache underlays his video for the new Samedi 29 Game. Dreamy is perhaps a better word. By no means depressed, however. Neither is there any reason for that. After all, the bikers shown are sitting on what is the perfect answer to the question. Two new e-mountain bikes from the French manufacturer go both down and up again. Uphill even longer than ever before.

So here they are, the first bikes from Moustache with the new Smart System from Bosch. The Samedi 29 Game and the Samedi 29 Trail have been chosen to lead the way in converting presumably larger parts of the range. An enduro e-MTB and a trail e-MTB. Sounds like a good choice. Since the latest development stage of the drive plays out the advantage of the battery, which has grown to 750 watt hours, most clearly off-road. Especially for all those who want to extend their tours in the future or embellish them with even more metres in altitude.

Development department highly challenged

It felt like the launch was a bit of a wait. In the meantime, other competitors have already come forward. Looking at the current result, however, it becomes clear what Moustache needed the time for. The manufacturer has worked on all the essential points and put a lot of effort into development. Frame geometry, cable routing, battery mount, motor integration, shock – there are innovations everywhere.

It seems that the main focus was on how to integrate the seven-centimetre-longer PowerTube 750 into the frame and at the same time retain the essence of the previous bike. Moustache’s answer reads like an equation of at least five variables: Increase the seat tube angle by 2.6 degrees, decrease the steering angle by 0.2 degrees, lower the bottom bracket by seven millimetres, lengthen the top tube by 17 millimetres and shorten the stem by ten millimetres. Okay, the stem length was definitely not the deciding factor in whether the battery ultimately fitted or not ? In any case, the impression is created that the two new bikes were designed around the battery. This may even be quite close to the truth.

In addition, something has changed visually. The cables now run almost completely inside the frame. Moustache continues to make the frame out of aluminium. Compared to its predecessor, it is 150 grams lighter.

Own solutions for battery and motor

In order for the battery to fit into the frame not just anyhow, but really harmoniously, more was needed than a few changes on the drawing board. For example, an in-house battery lock was developed. It is 25 millimetres shorter than the original Bosch solution. As a result, the battery can be easily removed without the need for additional tools such as an Allen key or similar. All you have to do is loosen the frame cover of the battery with the catch at the bottom near the bottom bracket. Then unscrew the locking screw on the outside of the down tube and remove the battery with a simple click.

Moustache chose the motor as the second decisive approach. Once again, the integration was designed and implemented by Moustache. With the help of its own mounts, the motor is now anchored differently in the frame. Its position has rotated slightly counterclockwise around its own vertical axis compared to previous models. The aim was to align it in the same relationship to the battery as before.

Two new mounts place the motor in the frame in a position that suits Moustache.

Update also for Magic Grip Control

We don’t know whether the fine-tuning of the damper was part of the original plan or a “by-product”. What is certain is that Moustache has also looked for improvements there. According to their own statement, they were successful. The damper is now mounted on a floating bearing, which further reduces the frictional forces. Moustache promises optimised responsiveness and longer durability. Magic Grip Control, as Moustache calls its damper, is supposed to exude even more magic.

Enduro adventures with the Moustache Samedi 29 Game

The component can do so on the two new models already mentioned. The Samedi Game 29 is ideal for very rough terrain. In addition to the 160 millimetres of suspension travel on the rear shock, there are another additional ten millimetres on the suspension fork. When it comes to gears and brakes, Moustache proves its preference for Shimano and installs high-quality XTR and XT groupsets. However, fans of electronic gears are left empty-handed here. You just click through the twelve gears mechanically in search of the right gear ratio. The 29-inch wheels and the chunky 2.5-inch tyres finish off the look of a mountain bike on which you will sweat from exertion at best, but not from fear, even on the most demanding descents.

With the Samedi Game 29, you can choose between five versions of a total of four models. The price ranges from 5,799 euros to 8,399 euros.

Moustache Samedi 29 Game 2022 at a glance

• Variants: Samedi 29 Game 5, Samedi 29 Game 7, Samedi 29 Game 9, Samedi 29 Game 11
• Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
• Battery: Bosch PowerTube 750
• Display: Bosch Kiox 300
• Suspension fork: Fox Float 38 Factory, Fox Float 38 Performance, Marzocchi Z1 Air, RockShox Domain R
• Drivetrain: Shimano XTR, Shimano XT
• Brakes: Shimano XT M8120, Shimano M6120
• Maximum permissible total weight: 140 kg
• Prices: from 5,799 euros

Juxtaposition of new and old on the Moustache Samedi 29 Trail

The Samedi Trail 29 is a little more moderate. However, the suspension with 150 millimetres of travel at the front and rear can handle quite a bit. It feels more light-footed than the Game on climbs and hardly loses any ground on descents. Brakes and gears are almost identical. The same goes for wheels and tyres. In contrast to its more enduro-oriented sibling, Moustache has not yet completely abandoned the former Bosch drive system for the Trail. With the Samedi 29 Trail 2, at least one model still features this drive. Naturally, the bike is also based on the previous frame. The rest of the technical equipment is also somewhat more modest. In return, however, it costs 900 euros less than the cheapest model of the 2022 season.

Moustache Samedi 29 Trail 2022 at a glance

• Variants: Samedi 29 Trail 2, Samedi 29 Trail 5, Samedi 29 Trail 7, Samedi 29 Trail 9, Samedi 29 Trail 11
• Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
• Battery: Bosch PowerTube 750, Bosch PowerTube 625
• Display: Bosch Kiox 300, Bosch Purion
• Suspension fork: Fox Float 36 Factory, Fox Float 36 Performance, Marzocchi Z1 Air, RockShox 35 Gold RL, RochShox 35 Silver R
• Drivetrain: Shimano XTR, Shimano XT, Shimano Deore
• Brakes: Shimano XT M8120, Shimano M6120, Shimano MT420/MT410
• Maximum permissible total weight: 140 kg
• Prices: from 4,799 euros

The Samedi Trail 29 and the Samedi Game 29 are available in four frame sizes from S to XL. According to the manufacturer, sales will start in May 2022. In the meantime, how about just checking out some more songs by John Lingard?

Pictures: Moustache Bikes SAS Cycle Me