E-MTB / Test: The Commencal Maxmax Power is a very sporty e-hardtail with a lot of suspension travel and voluminous tires. How does the bike perform on the trail despite the lack of rear suspension?
E-MTB hardtails have always been overshadowed by their full-suspension counterparts. Not surprisingly, after all, thanks to the motor, the loss of power when pedaling plays a much smaller role than on a “bio-bike”. The advantages, on the other hand, come into their own, depending on the area of use: significantly better off-road mobility or greater comfort when touring.
However, there are still good reasons to perhaps forego full suspension: a hardtail is lighter on average (at least one kilogram, often significantly more), less maintenance-intensive due to the simpler construction and also cheaper to purchase. Thanks to exciting concepts, you can also enjoy some of the advantages that are usually found on full suspension bikes: sporty geometry improves off-road mobility and wide tires promote comfort. A good example of this is the current Commencal Maxmax Power.
Sporty geometry, weak engine
Some people might think Commencal of all things. Precisely because E-MTB hardtails have a somewhat staid image and precisely because Commencal has been one of the hottest manufacturers in the enduro and gravity segment for years. But perhaps it is precisely this unusual combination that makes a bike like the Maxmax Power possible. With its 150 mm suspension travel, it has a lot of terrain reserves at the front and the 2,8 inch thick tires not only provide a lot of traction, but also comfort on the trail or the forest highway. There is also a very modern, sporty geometry that will also make those who normally log their trail kilometers on a trail or enduro bike feel comfortable.
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seat tube (in mm) | 380 | 420 | 465 | 490 |
| Reach (mm) | 415 | 435 | 450 | 485 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 657 | 657 | 662 | 666 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 66 | 66 | 66 | 66 |
| Seat angle (in °) | 74 | 74 | 74 | 74 |
| Bottom bracket drop (in mm) | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 |
| chainstays (in mm) | 440 | 440 | 440 | 440 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 1175 | 1196 | 1212 | 1250 |
Apart from its sporty and exciting key data, the Commencal Maxmax Power is a rather unspectacular E-MTB, where you have to make some compromises, especially in terms of equipment, which unfortunately are also noticeable in terms of driving behavior. For example, there is the drive system from Shimano. The manufacturer from Andorra is using the entry-level model E7000, the predecessor of the current EP6. With only 60 Nm of maximum torque, it's a bit weak, at least for steep or technical uphills. But it scores with a comparatively low volume. There is also a 504 Wh battery in the down tube of the aluminum frame, which can achieve good ranges from the quite economical motor. The system is operated via an ergonomically not entirely optimal control panel that integrates a monochrome, illuminated display that shows the most important information while driving.
Component compromises
| Frame | Commencal Maxmax Power |
| Fork | Rock Shox 35 Silver |
| Drive | Shimano E7000 |
| Battery | 504 Wh |
| Suspension shocks | Without |
| Wheels | E13 LG1 |
| Tire VR | Schwalbe Johnny Watts 2,8" |
| Tire HR | Schwalbe Johnny Watts 2,8" |
| Derailleur | Shimano Deore M5120 |
| Shifter | Shimano Deore M4100 |
| Crank | Shimano FC-E8000 |
| Front derailleur | Without |
| Brake | Sram Guide T |
| Brake discs | Sram Centerline 200 / 200mm |
| Seatpost | Ride Alpha |
| Saddle | Fizik Terra Aidon X5 |
| Stem | Ride Alpha Freeride 40 |
| Handlebar | Ride ALpha R27 Power |
Apart from the drive, Commencal also uses fairly inexpensive components for the e-hardtail. The RockShox 35 fork uses the steel spring version, which unfortunately can only be adjusted to a limited extent to the rider's weight - at least it has good responsiveness. Braking is done with the Sram Guide T 4-piston system with 200 mm discs at the front and rear, and the Shimano Deore in the Linkglide version is responsible for changing gears. The latter offers a sufficiently large bandwidth, very good switching behavior even under load and promises a long service life. The lack of a retractable seat post and the rather poorly profiled Schwalbe Johnny Watts tires are also painful for trail fans.
Unfortunately, for the RRP of just under 4.000 euros, the equipment package offered is not really convincing. For us, an air suspension fork and a retractable seat post are actually mandatory on an e-hardtail in this price range. But: The bike is currently available directly from Commencal for around 3.000 euros - at this price the sporty bike is definitely worth a look, provided you can live with the limitations of the components.
The Commencal Maxmax Power on the trail
In practice, the Maxmax Power can show its sporty DNA directly. Above all, the successful geometry is pleasing and the large spring travel reserves at the front in no way interfere with handling. Of course, if you're coming from a fully equipped bike you'll have to adjust a bit, but trail trips are definitely possible with this base. Unfortunately, the very poor equipment noticeably slows down the fun. The fork, the lack of a dropper post and the poorly profiled front tire are what slow down the trail hardtail. The engine, on the other hand, was inconspicuous and quite pleasing, even if it required a little more power from the driver on steep sections.
