Test Jeep MHR 7000: A bike with a big name - The cheap off-roader promises driving fun on unpaved roads and offers a lot of solidity with simple, reliable technology.
Unfiltered, raw, authentic - these are terms that are commonly associated with the Jeep brand. The military vehicle presented 80 years ago, with a simple and rock-solid design, has long had cult status and the current civilian versions are extremely popular, especially in the SUV age. Of course, these have little in common with the characteristics of the original model – if you want to blast through the terrain today, you’re more likely to use an (e-)mountain bike. And so it is perhaps no wonder that the simple brand lettering has long been emblazoned on the down tube of an E-MTB that offers solid riding fun without frills and is more aimed at occasional riders who want to cruise in a good mood over unpaved paths or simply a solid electric bike for them looking for free time.
Inexpensive and comfortable
What does the bike with the well-known name offer? First of all, a very reasonable price of 1.999 euros, which already indicates what this is not about: serious sporty off-road use. If you really want to mountain bike, you need different equipment and look around in completely different price ranges. On the other hand, the MHR 7000, which is the exact model name of the Jeep, is striking because of its comfortable, upright sitting position - ideal for relaxed cycling and helpful if you want to have a good overview of traffic. The steep steering angle is also not designed for trail riding: It ensures easy steering at medium speeds, whereas real off-roaders with a slack steering angle are designed for directional stability at high speeds.
Rear engine with plenty of thrust
Unlike most current e-mountain bikes, where the mid-engine predominates, the Jeep relies on a rear engine - a good choice when maximum torque is not the focus. The compact unit pushes quite powerfully, especially if you have selected the highest of the five speed levels. The small display on the left of the handlebar is sufficiently easy to read and can be easily operated with admittedly small buttons. You always have an eye on the charge level of the battery, which is displayed in the style of a fuel gauge – at 374 watt hours, it is large enough for longer tours and is elegantly integrated into the down tube, which is not a matter of course in this price range. The battery can be removed for charging.
The ability of the motor to kick in with a significant delay and push on as soon as you stop pedaling takes some getting used to. You know something like this from older e-bikes; it shows that the Jeep's sensors are not exactly up to date. The electric cable that runs into both brake handles next to the brake cable is now a rare sight: the motor is switched off when the brakes are applied.
Simple, solid technology
The braking system is not necessarily "high-tech"; after all, the mechanical disc brakes are quite snappy and easy to maintain. The seven-speed derailleur is simple but functional; A useful accessory is the protective bar, which prevents defects should the bike tip over - whereby the MHR 7000 can be parked safely on its rear stand. In addition, there is a suspension fork on board, and the 27,5-inch wheels are equipped with moderately deep treaded tires that roll quite easily. The high-quality, screwed ergo grips, which offer the ball of the thumb a pleasantly large area, deserve a mention.
With all these features, the e-bike with the Jeep logo is definitely good for driving fun. Of course, it's not a real mountain bike for tough trail use, but only ambitious athletes ride such routes anyway. If you are looking for a solid, inexpensive electric bike for leisure, you should have a lot of fun cruising with the jeep.
You can find more e-bike models from Jeep here:
https://www.velomotion.de/magazin/2021/04/jeep-e-bikes-2021/
