We kick off the year with a true highlight – our review of the Moustache Clutch SUV 150.7 EQ. This bike boasts several superlatives: it has full suspension, is designed for almost any terrain and is equipped with the innovative Pinion MGU, a unit combining a gearbox and a powerful motor. Even the price is superlative, which is why expectations are high. We’ll find out whether the Clutch SUV can live up to them in our detailed test.
Design
There’s no question that the Clutch SUV has its roots firmly in the mountain bike sector. The full-suspension frame, combined with a mullet tire setup featuring a 29-inch front wheel and 27.5-inch rear wheel, makes it abundantly clear that this bike is also at home off the beaten track. Its appearance is correspondingly powerful and sporty, which is further emphasised by the knobby tyres and wide cockpit.
At the same time, Moustache has taken a pleasingly restrained approach to the typical SUV components. Mudguards, luggage rack holders and lighting system are neatly integrated and blend inconspicuously into the overall picture. Less discreet, however, is the rather massive motor-gearbox unit in the bottom bracket area. This contrasts with the rest of the drive system, which runs very inconspicuously along the rear triangle with its toothed belt and is hardly noticeable visually.
Equipment
A key component of the Clutch is the Pinion MGU, as Moustache typically utilises Bosch motors for its e-bikes. The decision to use the MGU was based on its unique combination of a powerful motor and integrated gearbox in a single component. With a gear ratio range of 600 percent, the 12-speed gearbox covers an extremely wide range of applications. The motor itself delivers a maximum torque of 85 Nm, with values of up to 160 Nm measured on the rear wheel in the lowest gear! The battery, which is permanently installed in the down tube, has a capacity of 780 Wh and is said to provide a long range of up to 90 km – as always, however, such manufacturer specifications depend on many factors (rider’s performance and weight, terrain, riding mode, etc.) and are hardly universally applicable in reality.
A major advantage of the encapsulated motor and gearbox unit is that it protects against external influences. Mud, rain and snow have significantly less impact on the technology, which is particularly interesting for year-round use. In line with this, Moustache doesn’t use a standard chain, opting instead for the almost maintenance-free Gates belt drive.
For safe braking in all weather conditions, a powerful Magura MT5 four-piston brake system with 203 mm discs on both wheels is fitted. The front suspension features a RockShox Psylo Silver RC air fork with 150 mm of travel, while the rear suspension features the company’s own Magic Grip Control damper, also with 150 mm of travel.
The 60-millimetre-wide Maxxis tyres are mounted as part of the mullet setup mentioned above. The large front wheel is designed to ensure good rollover behaviour and smooth running, while the smaller rear wheel promotes agility and manoeuvrability.
The SUV equipment is rounded off by a Vario seat post with 150 millimetres of travel and a high-quality lighting system from Supernova. At the front, the Mini 3 Pure headlight is mounted directly on the handlebars – unfortunately without a high beam function, which would have been desirable for fast rides off the beaten track. At the rear, the TL3 Z rear light with integrated reflector is used. The sturdy aluminium mudguards offer two luggage bag holders on the sides, which are compatible with the common QL3 system. And there is even a kickstand to ensure the bike stands securely. A clever detail can also be found in the stem: a multi-tool is hidden there, which can be easily pulled out upwards.
With all this equipment, it’s no surprise that the Clutch isn’t exactly a lightweight. Ready to ride in size L, we weighed the test bike at 29.3 kilograms.
Operation
Despite the bulky MGU unit in the bottom bracket area, the bike’s overall operating concept appears pleasantly tidy and clearly structured, without overwhelming the rider with too many controls. A compact colour display is integrated into the top tube, which looks modern and clearly displays all relevant information such as speed, assistance level, battery status and gear position.
The system is controlled via the simple Remote Pure thumb switch on the left side of the handlebar, which allows you to intuitively select the Eco, Flow, Flex and Fly assist modes as well as an additional boost function without having to take your hand off the handlebar. Gears are changed using a separate thumb switch on the right-hand side of the handlebars, whose feel and operating logic are very similar to conventional mechanical gear shifts and are therefore quick to get used to.
The position of the display in the top tube requires you to look down, which can be slightly distracting while riding – but this only really becomes noticeable when you want to dig deeper into the more extensive system settings. The system offers a number of these, most notably the Auto.Shift automatic mode, in which the transmission changes gears automatically. The desired cadence can be finely adjusted in increments of five, and manual intervention is still possible at any time in automatic mode by operating the gear lever. The app can also be used to configure other useful functions, including Start.Select, which sets a defined starting gear for setting off, and Pre.Select, which automatically selects a suitable gear after rolling passages, thus avoiding idling.
The charging port is easily accessible above the bottom bracket and is protected by a sturdy, high-quality cover. Although the battery can be removed from the frame, this requires a considerable amount of effort – first, a cover below the motor must be opened and then a retaining bolt loosened, which is best done with the bike upside down. For commuters, this solution is only of limited practical use in everyday life, which is why it makes sense to be able to park the bike as close as possible to a charging point.
Riding impressions
Despite its clearly sporty genes, the Clutch surprises with a very comfortable seating position, as you would expect from Moustache, which does not cause fatigue even on longer journeys. The wide cockpit provides a high degree of control at all times, while the overall seating position is pleasantly upright, making it ideal for both everyday use and longer tours. In addition, the long wheelbase contributes to very stable handling and gives the bike outstanding long-distance qualities without making it feel sluggish.
The motor of the MGU intervenes powerfully and, especially in Fly mode, provides very direct and very strong support that can handle even steep climbs with ease. In everyday use, however, the adaptive Flow and Flex modes prove to be much more harmonious, as they adapt more sensitively to your own pedalling power and thus provide a more natural riding experience.
In terms of noise, the MGU is certainly one of the louder systems on the market, but it remains surprisingly quiet in the middle and higher gears. Only in the lower gears under high load does the noise level increase significantly, which, however, rarely plays a role in normal commuting. This is because the overall rather long gear ratio ensures that these gears mainly only need to be used on very steep inclines.
The MGU’s automatic transmission quickly becomes a real comfort feature, especially on asphalt, as it shifts so reliably and predictably that you hardly feel the need to intervene manually. Once you get used to it, classic shifting seems almost outdated. Off-road, however, the automatic function shows its limitations, as it does not always find the optimal shift point when there are sudden changes in gradient or surface. In such situations, manual intervention is no problem, and the electronically executed gear changes are impressive in their high precision and speed.
The suspension responds sensitively and offers plenty of reserves, which provides a high degree of safety, especially at higher speeds on rough terrain. This is also true for the braking system, which works reliably throughout and brings the bike to a controlled and easily controllable stop even at high speeds. Here, too, you’ll appreciate the adjustable seat post, which allows you to comfortably reach the ground with your foot at traffic lights. Its benefits are also apparent on fast off-road descents, where it provides the necessary freedom of movement to lean far back in the saddle.
With their coarse treaded profile, the tyres generate quite a lot of rolling noise on asphalt, but offer good traction on loose surfaces. And although all attachments are high-quality and mounted without rattling, you can still hear small stones being thrown up between the aluminium mudguard and the tyres when riding off-road. These are compromises that have to be made with a bike like this, and they also highlight the versatile character of the Clutch – it deliberately refuses to commit to just one role, whether everyday riding, touring, or off-road use, and instead aims to cover all of them.
Conclusion
The Moustache Clutch SUV 150.7 EQ is an extremely impressive and well-balanced package, aimed primarily at commuters who travel all year round, in all weather conditions and on varying surfaces. Especially in this usage, the low-maintenance drive system shows its strengths with its powerful and always-available assistance, ensuring a confident riding experience. The automatic transmission is particularly impressive when riding on the road, as it significantly reduces the need for manual gear shifts and makes everyday riding noticeably more relaxed. Added to this is a high level of riding comfort, which is particularly beneficial on longer journeys and on rougher surfaces.
The biggest drawback is undoubtedly the high price tag of 8,299 euros. However, anyone who uses the bike regularly for its intended purpose and enjoys its cutting-edge technology will probably be able to get over this – as long as their budget allows.
In addition to the Dune Matt finish of our test bike, the Clutch SUV 150.7 EQ is also available in Slab Grey Glossy. Further information about the bike can be found here on Moustache’s website.
