Moustache Samedi 27 Xroad FS 3
For City Slickers & Adventure Seekers
Celebrating its 10th anniversary last season, Moustache
Bikes has been designing and creating e-bikes exclusively from their home in Vosges, France. The award-winning company offers over 65 models to choose from, ensuring that there’s an e-bike to suit almost every need and desire in the marketplace.
The Samedi 27 Xroad FS 3 is a unique model that’s as much at home on city streets as it is on country roads or mountain pathways, so we were stoked when the opportunity arose to take one for a spin.
At its heart is a mountain bike, yet Moustache has been able to gear the Samedi 27 Xroad FS 3 for the real world as well. The key to this e-bike’s versatility is being equipped with a powerful Bosch Performance Line CX drive unit. Paired with a 500Wh downtube integrated battery, the 250-watt motor has 85Nm of MTB-climbing torque that can also keep this e-bike, with full panniers, moving up a paved hill.
There are five levels of assist including a walk mode, which was much appreciated when pushing this 25kg bike with loaded panniers up a walkway. Speed, distance, battery levels, light controls and other ride data are managed by the easy-to-use bar-mounted Bosch Purion display.
The Samedi 27 Xroad FS 3 features a 6061 aluminum compact frame with a tight front triangle and a low swooping top tube, which makes for easy mounting and dismounting. This full suspension e-bike utilizes a Suntour XCM ATB 100mm front fork with lockout and Moustache’s own Magic Grip Control 100mm rear air shock with 2-position dynamic rebound control.
Moustache has been developing their Magic Grip for eMTBs for a decade, and working in tandem with innovations from Bosch to create an e-bike-specific shock. Technical, big drop mountain-bike routes aside, this setup will smooth out bumpy trails and gravel roads while providing a comfortable, stable ride.
Sporting Shimano’s trail-proven Deore 10-speed
drivetrain, the 11-42 rear cassette delivers cadence-matching gears for a variety of terrain. The MT200 hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors provide ample stopping power.
The 27.5-inch double-walled aluminum rims and Hutchinson Python 2.1-inch wide tires deliver worry-free riding on multiple surfaces, and the mountain-bike tread improves traction on dirt and gravel.
Complete with fenders, kickstand and a QL3 lowrider rear rack, the stock AXA Blueline front light and Spanninga Presto2Guard rear light are powered by the main battery and controlled via the Bosch Purion display.
It was a lot of fun taking this bike out on a smorgasbord of rides to the city streets, mountain trails and an out-of-town getaway. I instantly felt at home with the balanced feel of the mountain-bike cockpit. The adjustable stem allowed for a more custom fit to either a more upright or more aggressive position.
In the city, the more upright position provided good in-traffic visibility, while the full-suspension frame with the wide mountain bike tires offered stability and comfort on a variety of road surfaces. The Bosch drive system’s 85Nm of torque quickly got the bike up to speed from a dead stop and allowed for easy cruising in both Tour and Sport modes.
The Samedi 27 performed surprisingly well on most offroad conditions. The Performance Line CX system was truly at home in the woods, assisting up a variety of slopes with ease.
The Python tires hooked up well on most surfaces, and this off-road savvy e-bike can easily handle a variety of moderate trails.
The adventure seeker in me loaded up my panniers and headed out of town for the night. I was able to adjust my Ortlieb panniers to fit the stock QL3 rear rack, and when loaded with 30 pounds of gear, I hit the road for a 90km ride to my overnight destination.
With information from the Bosch online range calculator, I was able to manage my battery levels to accomplish my ride distance. The smaller space in the low swooping frame’s front triangle meant a hydration pack instead of a large water bottle. But on the flip side, it allowed much easier mounting and dismounting, which was much appreciated by my tired legs later in the trip. Monitoring battery levels is paramount when touring with extra gear to avoid having to pedal any such rig without power. The Samedi 27 handled every path I threw at it and delivered me home safe and sound – mission accomplished.
Comfort and versatility are just two of the many highlights featured on the Samedi 27 Xroad FS 3. With a range of 13 models to choose from in the Samedi e-bike lineup, there’s a model ready to take you through the other six days of the week.
The SRP is $6,499. For more information, please visit...
www.moustachebikes.com