Harley Davidson Offshoot Serial 1 Discovers the Mountains for Itself

In autumn 2020, Harley Davidson surprised large parts of its fan community by announcing its intention to manufacture and sell its own ebikes in the future. What was meant was not electric motorbikes, but bicycles with electric assistance. Since then, the cult brand from the USA has created a small but impressive portfolio of urban ebikes under the name Serial 1. Now the manufacturer is venturing off-road for the first time with two models.

The usual plain design

As unfamiliar as this may seem to insiders, the approach Serial 1 is taking with the first new model, the Bash/Mtn, is familiar. Away with all superfluous frills. Instead, clean lines, only the most necessary components and keeping the potential maintenance effort as low as possible. “Less really is more”, promises Serial 1 in the corresponding press release. The bike is intended to offer “the purest off-road riding experience”.

Basically, many of you are probably happy to agree with this at first. However, Serial 1 takes a very spartan approach. This e-mountain bike has neither a suspended rear triangle nor a suspension fork. Not even a gearing system is installed. Those who were nodding in agreement two seconds ago may now be shaking their heads and asking themselves whether the Bash/Mtn even deserves to be called an E-MTB?

Model with strengths and weaknesses

The modesty already starts with the frame. The bike has to borrow it from its road counterpart, the Mosh/Cty. Serial 1 does not even provide data on the frame geometry on its website. However, a comparison of the two bikes in side view alone shows that the seat and steering angle are designed for a riding position that is not about mastering a twenty percent gradient either uphill or downhill. All cables and lines run inside the hydroformed aluminium frame. This looks visually up to date and we really like it.

Even though there is no suspension on the frame and the geometry does not offer much support, the Bash/Mtn has been given a few off-road features. The suspension seat post with its 50 millimetres of travel ensures that not every jolt is passed on 1:1 to your back. The really wide Michelin knobby tyres with 65 millimetres should also absorb some bumps and ensure a certain level of riding safety when you venture into technically demanding, rough terrain. There, the TRP hydraulic disc brakes should also prove very useful. Especially since Serial 1 has chosen a model with four brake pistons. Its brake discs measure 203 millimetres in diameter to match the bike.

Chasing summits or rather sprinting at traffic lights?

In principle, the S Mag from Brose sounds like a great choice of motor for an e-mountain bike. Experience has shown that the unit develops a lot of power, tolerates warmer temperatures quite well and is very lively with 90 Newton metres of torque. Nevertheless, it will only be able to compensate for the singlespeed drive to a certain extent. Once again, the manufacturer keeps the exact gear ratio to itself. Based on the pictures, however, it can be said that it is far from a value like 1.2 or even 1. When the going gets noticeably steeper, you will thus remain trapped in a rather low cadence, which will significantly reduce the riding pleasure.

The short frame tube as well as the insides of the fork tubes and chainstays are graphically elaborately designed.

With its high-quality light system and Gates carbon belt, the Bash/Mtn is somehow better imaginable in the city. The rear lights with brake light function integrated into the dropouts would be the envy of many an urban ebike. The same goes for the brand label integrated into the head tube, which illuminates as a daytime running light. And a battery with about 530 watt hours doesn’t hurt either. There is even a USB-C charging cable on the stem that you can use to connect suitable mobile devices. So, there’s nothing to stop you from navigating or recording your ride with the Serial 1 app or a similar application.

Serial 1 Bash/Mtn at a glance

• Frame: aluminium
• Fork: rigid, aluminium
• Motor: Brose S Mag
• Battery: 529 Wh
• Control unit: Brose Remote
• Drivetrain: single speed, freewheel
• Brakes: TRP hydraulic four-piston disc brakes, 203 mm
• Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 21.9 kg (size L)
• Colour: Yucca Tan/Gloss Graffiti
• Price: US$3,999

The second try hits home

Those who had hoped for an e-mountain bike in the conventional sense will perhaps be disappointed by the Bash/Mtn. Nevertheless, there is no reason to mourn. Serial 1 has just released its next innovation. And this time, with the Switch/Mtn, it’s definitely an E-MTB.

Serial 1 Switch/Mtn

The manufacturer is trying out a hardtail. Therefore, the only suspension element is the suspension fork. Its 120 millimetre of travel is perfectly adequate for such a bike. According to their own statement, Serial 1 has placed a lot of emphasis on positioning the centre of gravity as centrally and as low as possible. As always in such cases, this should make handling easier so that you can control the bike well and it gives you the necessary confidence on the trails.

At home on different terrain

Unlike the Bash/Mtn, the Brose S Mag is combined here with a full-fledged derailleur. Of course, the SX Eagle from Sram is not a high-end product. However, the twelve sprockets on the cassette range from eleven to 50 teeth, which corresponds to a bandwidth of 520 percent. In any case, you can do something with that.

Despite the commitment to target mountain biking fans more specifically than before with the Switch/Mtn, Serial 1 does not lose sight of the aspect of suitability for everyday use. So, the manufacturer also equips this bike with the lighting system already familiar from the rest of the range. In addition to the front headlight and the daytime running light embedded in the head tube, this also includes the rear lights with brake light function. Integrated in the dropouts, their relatively low position in road traffic is certainly not ideal. However, they should be clearly visible in the dark.

Front headlights and separate daytime running lights characterise the front of the Serial 1 Switch/Mtn.

Typical Serial 1

It is also striking how consistently Serial 1 remains straight to its design language. The somewhat peculiar bend in the rear part of the chain stay down to the dropout, the straight transition from the seat stay to the top tube, the position of the motor – all these design features are found in every model. Just like the internally routed cables. Everything should look clean, streamlined, but not fragile. It only remains to be seen whether this will actually attract Harley Davidson fans from the crotch rocket to the e-powered boneshaker. Actually, the manufacturer would like to see this changeover, i.e. switch. Hence the name of the first “real” e-mountain bike from Serial 1.

Serial 1 Switch/Mtn at a glance

• Frame: aluminium
• Suspension fork: SR Suntour Zeron35 Boost Air
• Motor: Brose S Mag
• Battery: 529 Wh
• Control unit: Brose Remote
• Drivetrain: Sram SX Eagle
• Brakes: TRP Slate T4, 203 mm
• Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 24 kg (size L)
• Colour: Wasatch Green/Gloss Orange, Uinta Gray/Gloss White
• Price: 4,699 euros

Pictures: Serial 1 Cycle Company, LLC