Full-suspension bikes are no longer reserved for sporty off-road riding; they are increasingly becoming part of everyday urban life. With its Mardi 27.4 FS, Moustache has launched a model that consistently embodies this very approach. From the first glance, the bike stands out from the typical city and trekking bike designs, appearing both distinctive and technical. Yet the eye-catching appearance is not just for show, but serves a clear functional purpose. Our test shows how the concept performs in everyday use.
Design
We are already familiar with the basic design of the Mardi FS from the 2023 Moustache J. What’s astonishing is that even today, the design language still looks just as iconic and clean as it did at its launch. Alongside the sleek, low-step frame, the suspension swingarm with the rear wheel – which houses the entire drive system – naturally stands out. The mid-drive motor sits directly in this swing and is surprisingly inconspicuous there, whilst the battery is neatly integrated into the frame tube and can be removed for charging.
The matt black finish also contributes to the bike’s sleek overall look, giving it an almost monolithic appearance. Many details are thoughtfully integrated – such as the headlight, elegantly incorporated into the front, or the minimalist rack on the rear wheel. Despite its clean lines, the Mardi is by no means fragile; rather, the wide tyres give the bike a decidedly powerful and confident appearance.
It is also interesting to note that, whilst the cast aluminium frame has hardly changed in appearance compared to the J model, it has nevertheless been significantly refined. Thanks to optimised production processes, the frame has been made around 600 grams lighter whilst simultaneously increasing its stiffness. Furthermore, the frame is now compatible with various drive systems from Bosch’s current range, enabling a more attractive price point overall.
Equipment
The Mardi 27.4 FS isn’t just fully equipped when it comes to suspension; in almost every other respect, too, the bike is well-suited for everyday use. Let’s start with the drive system: it features Bosch’s new Performance Line PX motor, which has been specifically designed for urban and touring use – yet still delivers impressive power. The motor delivers a powerful 90 Nm of torque and is powered by a removable PowerTube battery with a 600 Wh capacity. The smart drive system is operated via the compact Purion 200 unit, which combines a colour display and buttons. Visually, the system remains pleasantly unobtrusive on the handlebars, yet still provides all the key information at a glance.
The mechanical drivetrain also proves itself well-suited to everyday use. It features Shimano’s 5-speed Nexus 5e hub gear, which has become a real favourite of ours. Despite its modest number of gears, it offers a perfectly adequate range of 263 per cent and performs particularly well in everyday use – but more on that later in the ride review. The hub is driven by a Gates belt, the advantages of which are well known: quiet running, minimal maintenance, no chain oil and, overall, very clean operation.
A key feature of the bike is, of course, the suspension. Up front is an SR Suntour XCM32 suspension fork, whilst at the rear is Moustache’s own Magic Grip Control 115 shock absorber. With 100 millimetres of travel at the front and 115 millimetres at the rear, the Mardi offers plenty of reserves that are more than sufficient not only in the city but also on longer rides. To match this, 60-millimetre-wide Schwalbe Super Moto-X tyres in 27.5-inch format are fitted. Braking is provided by hydraulic disc brakes from Shimano’s MT200 series – a tried-and-tested, reliable brake system, without being particularly outstanding.
The bike also comes with a comprehensive range of everyday features. The double-walled aluminium mudguards house the rear light’s wiring, protecting it from damage. The rear light is from Spanninga, whilst the AXA front headlight, which is seamlessly integrated into the stem, offers 80 lux of light output. Furthermore, the stem is height-adjustable and the handlebars are slightly curved backwards. The ergonomic package is completed by a Vario seatpost with 150 millimetres of drop.
Another handy feature is the frame lock, which is mounted directly on the suspension fork. For transport, the minimalist pannier rack on the rear wheel can accommodate two panniers and comes with matching QL3 mounting points. The luggage rack can now also be fitted with an optional, discreet MIK adapter: this allows you to attach a box or basket with just one click, and the adapter also features a small storage compartment – for an extra folding lock, for example.
If you want to carry more, you can optionally fit a front rack with a load capacity of 10 kg or go straight for the large version of the rack. This one is fixed to the frame and is therefore also suspension-mounted. It also features a MIK HD interface, for example for attaching a child seat. Visually, however, this solution is considerably bulkier. The maximum permissible weight of 135 kg is not entirely insignificant in this context – as the bike itself already weighs in at a good 29 kg. Whilst this is understandable given the extensive equipment and full suspension, it is still no lightweight.
Operation
The Bosch control system has become one of the established solutions on the market and, as usual, is straightforward to use. It is quick to get to grips with, whilst also offering numerous customisation options. Using Bosch’s eBike Flow app, you can configure different riding modes and save your preferred settings. The Purion 200 on the handlebars impresses with its responsive feel and can be operated comfortably with your thumb. Although the display is on the small side, it is bright and has a pleasingly high resolution. This means that all the important information can be easily read whilst riding.
We also like how easy it is to remove the battery: Moustache uses a sturdy plastic cover that’s simple to take off; the battery itself can be removed and reinserted just as intuitively, with the dedicated strap provided by Moustache proving helpful. Those who prefer to charge the battery directly on the bike can, of course, do so as well: the charging port is located directly on the motor and is sealed by a simple rubber cap – nothing special, but functional.
The gearshift is just as straightforward, allowing you to easily select the desired gear using a twist grip and a small indicator showing the selected gear. The Vario seatpost, meanwhile, is operated via a thumb button on the left of the handlebars. A single press lowers it, or it rises again as soon as you briefly stand up from the saddle. Suspension can be precisely adjusted to the rider’s weight, and the rear shock absorber also features a small lever with two settings – for riding with cargo or without an additional load.
Ride impressions
The riding position on the Mardi FS is pleasantly upright and perfectly suits the bike’s comfort-oriented character. Thanks to the adjustable stem, however, the riding position can be tailored to your personal preferences – depending on whether you prefer a more relaxed or slightly more active ride. Combined with the ergonomically shaped handlebars and Ergo grips, this ensures a very comfortable riding position even on longer journeys.
Bosch’s Performance Line PX motor is the key to a dynamic riding experience. The assistance responds sensitively, engages smoothly and disengages cleanly at the 25 km/h limit. The Auto mode is particularly impressive in everyday use, providing the perfect level of assistance in almost all situations – thereby making it largely unnecessary to switch between other riding modes in day-to-day use.
Also, the combination of a powerful motor and Shimano’s Nexus 5-speed hub gear works a treat. Thanks to the electric assistance, the modest number of gears is more than adequate for everyday use, and even steeper climbs can be tackled with relative ease. Gear changes are delightfully direct, even if this is sometimes accompanied by slightly louder noises when under load. During normal riding, however, the drive remains virtually inaudible, thanks to both the quiet freewheel and the Gates belt. Although the PX motor is audible, its rather deep, resonant sound is never intrusive.
The real highlight, however, is the ride comfort. The suspension responds sensitively and absorbs everyday bumps with remarkable ease. Cobblestones, kerbs and potholes are no longer a cause for concern, whilst the chassis still has plenty of reserves for gravel or forest tracks. It is precisely this all-round comfort that you quickly learn to appreciate.
The suspension means you sit slightly higher up, which gives you a good view of the traffic. This makes the Vario seatpost particularly handy at traffic lights: the saddle can be lowered quite a bit, allowing you to reach the ground safely with both feet despite the bike being relatively tall and heavy – which is where the comfort frame really comes into its own. Whilst riding, however, the weight is much less noticeable – here too, the performance of the powerful drive system pays off.
Conclusion
With its Mardi 27.4 FS, Moustache offers an exceptional comfort bike that stands out favourably from many other models. Its distinctive design is combined with a high level of riding comfort and features that make it fully suitable for everyday use. The combination of a powerful motor, a toothed belt and robust hub gears works particularly well. The system simply works together very harmoniously and fits perfectly with the bike’s straightforward character. Given the wide range of luggage rack options, however, a higher maximum load capacity would have been desirable, especially as the bike itself isn’t exactly light. Overall, though, it’s a compelling package for 4,799 euros – certainly not a cheap bike, but well worth the price for a full-suspension everyday companion of this kind.
You can find more information about the bike here on the Moustache website, where you can also see other versions of the model – the top-of-the-range Mardi 27.6 FS with the Enviolo continuously variable transmission, or the more affordable Mardi 27.2 FS.
