Test / E-MTB: With the M1.EN.400.SX, we are taking a detailed look at a new eMTB with the Bosch SX motor for the first time. The new bike is uncompromisingly designed as an enduro, has a lot of suspension travel and robust equipment. We tried out the trails around Lake Reschen to see how it works in practice.
M1 Sporttechnik has firmly established itself in the world of eMTBs and can look back on an impressive history. The manufacturer from Upper Bavaria has gone through various categories and development phases over the years, from powerful engines and huge batteries, powerful tourers and sporty trail robbers to SUVs suitable for everyday use. For this model year, the portfolio has been expanded to include another variety: Light E-MTBs with the new Bosch SX drive.
New carbon frame with Bosch SX motor
The Bosch Performance SX motor delivers a maximum torque of 55 Nm and a maximum power of 600 watts. In terms of torque, it is on a similar level to the competitors from Fazua, Shimano or TQ, but in terms of output, with a maximum of 600 watts, it even comes close to that of full-blown mid-engines - despite the motor unit of the new SX only weighing around two kilograms.
M1 has integrated the lightweight drive system into an all-new carbon frame that is instantly recognizable as an M1 product. A highlight is the extremely aesthetic integration of the damper on the frame - this "split top tube" is already known from the other eMTBs from M1.
A real highlight is the integration of the CompactTube 400 battery. With a capacity of 400 Wh and a weight of two kilograms, it fully exploits the advantages of the current generation of cells and is located behind a flap in the down tube. The flap can be removed in a flash and the battery removed using the Fidlock locking mechanism.
For those who want even more range, Bosch and M1 also offer the option for a range extender, the PowerMore 250. This adds another 250 watt-hours of capacity, allowing riders to go on longer adventures without worrying about the having to make battery life. The additional energy storage is attached to the down tube - after that the M1.EN.400.SX offers two free bottle holders - so you don't have to choose between a range extender and a drinking bottle, as is the case with many other current eMTBs.
Automatic performance boost for sporty bikers
We tested the Bosch SX motor extensively for its release - both in practice and on the test bench. What was particularly remarkable here was its maximum output, which can even keep up with that of full-fledged full-power drives such as the Bosch CX - provided a few requirements are met. In order to achieve this maximum performance, you have to pedal at a high cadence and your own performance must suddenly increase - then the Bosch SX gives this boost for a limited time. But even in "normal mode", i.e. when driving very simply, the Bosch SX is currently the most powerful light-assist motor, even if it is only just ahead of the competition from Shimano and Fazua.
Bosch Performance SX in the first test: Lighter, more compact... stronger?
Test / E-Bike: With the Performance Line SX, Bosch presents its first lightweight mid-engine. Weighing around two kilograms, it has a maximum torque of 55 Nm and an impressive maximum output of 600 watts. It is supported by the CompactTube 400, a new battery and an optional range extender with […]
After we had already measured its consumption under laboratory conditions when the Bosch SX was presented, we now wanted to determine the range here as part of the practical test - in the economical Eco mode. Here, the motor consumed only 8% of the battery over a distance of 780 km and 38 hm. Of course, an own power of around 170W was necessary here, and the average speed of around 7 km/h was quite low. Nevertheless: If you don't have a problem with getting a little sweaty on the eMTB, you can easily cover 1.500 vertical meters or more with one battery charge of the CompactTube 400.
Five models, five areas of application, five prices
The new bike is accompanied by a complete change in the naming of all eMTBs in the M1 portfolio. In our specific case, the test bike M1.EN.400.SX, this means: "EN" stands for enduro, the 400 refers to the battery size, and SX designates the installed Bosch Performance SX motor.
However, our tested enduro model is not the only one with the new SX drive. In addition, there are four other light eMTBs that are based on the same platform but differ in terms of equipment, price and orientation.
The connection between the orientation of the bike, its equipment and its price naturally limits the choice a bit. For example, there is no cheaper, more simply equipped variant of our tested enduro model. Likewise, there is no high-end variant of the more tour-oriented CC model.
| M1.CC.400.SX | M1.GT.400.SX | M1.AM.400.SX | M1.EN.400.SX | M1.WC.400.SX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environment | tour/trail | everyday/tour | Trail/AM | Enduro | Trail |
| travel | 150 / 150 | 150 / 150 | 160 / 160 | 170 / 160 | 170 / 170 |
| Impeller size | 27,5 inch | 27,5 inch | Mullet | Mullet | 29 inch |
| Suspension | Fox 34 Performance/Float DPS | Fox 36 Perf Elite / Float DPS | Fox 38 Performance / Float X | Fox 38 Factory / Float X | Fox 38 Factory / Float DPS |
| Circuit | Shimano XT 12-speed | Shimano XT 12-speed | Shimano XT 12-speed | Shimano XTR 12-speed | Shimano XTR 12-speed |
| Brakes | Magura MT4 | Magura MT7 | Magura MT7 | Magura MT7 | Shimano XTR |
| Tubes | Schwalbe Hans Dampf | Schwalbe Smart Sam | Schwalbe Hans Dampf | Schwalbe Eddy Current | Schwalbe Nobby Nic |
| Weight | 20,4 kg | 21,9 kg | 20,6 kg | 20,9 kg | 17,5 kg |
| Price | 6.500 Euros | 8.150 Euros | 7.650 Euros | 9.990 Euros | 15.000 Euros |
Uncompromising enduro equipment on the M1.EN.400.SX
The M1.EN.400.SX is the only model that comes with a mix of wheel sizes. The 29er front wheel ensures good rollover behavior, while the 650 B (27,5 inch) rear wheel with wide tires ensures excellent traction and stability in challenging terrain. This mix suits the intended use of the bike well.
The focus of many light eMTBs is their weight - of course it's not much different with the tested M1. With almost exactly 21 kg in frame size L and without pedals, it is not necessarily light for a bike with a Light Assist motor; but this appearance is deceptive and this weight must also be classified correctly.
The equipment shows that no compromises have been made here in order to reduce the weight on paper and instead have components and parts that do justice to the Enduro designation. The Eddy Current tires from Schwalbe alone, with a Super Gravity carcass at the rear, weigh a good kilogram more than a lighter combination, for example with the all-rounder Nobby Nic. The same applies to the Fox 38 Factory at the front, the stable DT Swiss H1900 wheels and the Reverse cockpit. The brakes are also not to be neglected. The Magura MT7 brakes with large discs offer strong braking performance and are particularly advantageous on long descents.
| frame | Carbon 160mm travel |
| suspension fork | Fox 38 Factory Fit4 |
| Power Type | Bosch Performance SX |
| Battery | Bosch CompactTube 400 |
| Suspension shocks | Fox Float |
| Wheels | DT Swiss H1900 |
| Tire VR | Schwalbe Eddy Current Front SuperTrail |
| Tire HR | Schwalbe Eddy Current Rear SuperGravity |
| derailleur | Shimano XTR 12-speed |
| Gear levers | Shimano XTR 12-speed |
| Crank | FSA |
| Front derailleur | Without |
| Brake | Magura MT7 |
| Brake discs | Magura MDR-P 220/203 |
| Seat post | Fox Transfer Factory 150 |
| Saddle | Selle Royal Rampage |
| Stem | Reverse |
| Links | Reverse |
The Shimano gears are classy: With the XTR 12-speed, the Japanese top group for MTBs is installed here. The Fox Factory chassis is similar with a 38er at the front and Float X at the rear. The icing on the cake would have been the Grip2 damping in the fork, where "only" the Fit4 is used here. This is easier to adjust, but does not offer quite as many options as the Grip2.
The M1.EN.400.SX on the trail
We tested the M1.EN.400.SX on the enduro trails around Lake Reschen. Rooty, rocky, often steep and mostly demanding: Exactly the right terrain for an eMTB of this type. Thanks to the stable tires, we were able to lower the air pressure quite a bit without having to take too much risk of punctures and/or damage to the rim. The result is a lot of grip and pleasant damping of the tires.
Of course, the terrain is also an endurance test for the chassis, which has done an excellent job. Even the slightly simpler Fit4 damping in the fork didn't spoil our trail fun in any way, although you have to like the enormously high rigidity of the Fox 38 - but that's certainly a matter of taste and depends on the riding style and the rider's weight. The rear end is much more progressive than on the other eMTBs from M1 - a good thing, because you (usually) retain control even with rougher hits at the rear, without having to make too many compromises in comfort.
The geometry of the bike is generally good, but for our taste the reach is a bit too short for a modern (E-)Enduro. This is good for agility, but we think a little more freedom of movement on the bike would be good for handling.
All in all, you get a versatile and really powerful E-MTB on the trail, with which you can easily take on demanding trails under the tires. With well-balanced handling and a successful choice of components, the bike conveys a lot of security without appearing sluggish or sluggish. However, it shows its strengths above all when the speed increases - leisurely tours are not excluded, but they are not among the specialties of the M1.EN.400.SX.
A quiet highlight of the bike is the new Bosch Purion 200 control panel, which with its compact, integrated color display provides all the information you could wish for (e.g. the battery status in percent), but doesn't take up any more space than, for example, the LED remote from the same company . For us, the new control panel may even be the new favorite on the sporty eMTB, ahead of the combination of Mini Remote and System Controller.
The bike reveals light and shade in terms of background noise: On the trail, the bike itself is probably one of the quietest that we have tested for a long time - but: The Bosch SX motor rattles just like its big brother. The pleasant background noise of rolling tires and slightly hissing chassis is clouded by the restless rattling from the bottom bracket area. It's a pity, especially since there are no other noises from the chain, battery or cables. The SX motor is mostly audible on the climbs, especially at higher cadences and in the high support levels, but it never pushes itself uncomfortably into the foreground, especially on gravel.
