Mustache Bikes Saturday 27 Xroad FS 7: Review, price and specification – Electric bike

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The Saturday 27 Xroad FS 7 is the most advanced "versatile" model in the Mustache range. It is an all-terrain bike that is intended for both the city and the countryside, like the Friday 27 FS which it takes most of the characteristics. We therefore find a 6061 aluminum frame similar to those of the brand's mountain bikes, but lowered for more comfort when stepping over the bike. Special feature of the FS series models (Full Suspension), they are fully suspended, for optimal comfort and traction.

On the engine side, Mustache trusts Bosch and has chosen the best engine from the supplier, the Performance Line CX 2020 (MY20) which offers a maximum torque of 75 Nm and also equips the manufacturer's VTTAEs. This is powered by a PowerTube battery built into the frame, with a capacity of 625 Wh, the highest available today in the range of Bosch batteries. A Kiox on-board computer with color screen and Bluetooth connectivity takes care of everything.

The other equipment is not to be outdone, the Xroad FS 7 taking advantage of 180 mm disc brakes at the front and rear, a Suntour Mobie 25 Air fork, an 11-speed Shimano XT transmission, luggage rack, aluminum mudguard and 27.5 "Hutchinson Python tires.

Less fanciful in its design than the Saturday 28.1, the Saturday 27 Xroad FS 7 still retains a certain personality with its curved upper tube.

Question colors, it is only available in "British Racing Green" with metallic finish. Too bad that other colors are not offered, especially since we find in the catalog the same frame in red and blue, respectively on the FS 5 and FS 3.

The manufacturing quality is impeccable, in line with the high-end positioning of the bike: polished welds, careful assembly, cable routing in the frame … there is really nothing to complain about. The integration of the battery is also well done, the down tube is not disproportionately wide, or even too long despite the use of a large 625 Wh battery. Mustache managed to position it as close as possible to the engine, thus lowering the center of gravity of the bicycle. The result is more discreet than on the O2Feel iSwan N5E Di2 and Granville E-Excellence 40 city bikes that we also tested, for example.

The engine is also discreet. It must be said that this is the 2020 version of the Performance Line CX, with significantly reduced dimensions compared to the first engines in this series. We notice quite quickly that the bike is motorized, but the massive appearance of the first generations with central motor and integrated battery is no longer as significant.

In terms of comfort, it is of course the rear suspension with 100 mm travel which is most appreciable here, silently absorbing the roughness of the road, potholes and other bumps.

The same can be said of the Suntour Mobie 25 Air fork, which offers the same travel, which is more than enough in town – most urban e-bikes are usually content with half as much. It is possible to lock the two suspensions with a simple latch, which allows to gain a little in yield, without losing too much comfort when driving on the road. Indeed, the large 2.1 "Hutchinson Python tires alone provide good absorption of irregularities in the road surface, in addition to offering good grip. The choice of whether or not to block the suspensions is then a matter of personal preference, to balance performance and comfort. We will also choose according to our desire to drive above 25 km / h or not, since it must be said that with or without blocked suspension, the engine easily allows to maintain a speed of 25 km / h without forcing too much on the pedals.

Although it is not specifically geared towards comfort, we found the Royal Shadow Ergonomic saddle quite pleasant. Above all, it offers the right compromise between softness and efficiency during a slightly more sporty practice. Same bell sound on the side of the so-called "ergonomic" handles, which keep a fairly classic shape. They are mainly made of a fairly thick and non-slip rubber, pleasant in hand, but without the comfort of "real" ergonomic handles designed for a city bike. The hanger is in the same spirit: curved just enough to avoid betraying its name mustache, it knows how to use more "all-round".

Question equipment, Mustache has not forgotten all the paraphernalia of the urban bike, equipping his Saturday 27 Xroad FS 7 with beautiful mudguards in black aluminum, rigid enough to face the projections of gravel on the paths and descending low enough to avoid to spray our beautiful shoes too much (if you take care not to roll too fast in large puddles). A real luggage rack is also installed, compatible with QL3 bindings and the MIK system. There is also a crutch offering good stability. Pants bottoms, for their part, will avoid rubbing against the crankset and chain thanks to elegant protections that do not alter the design of the bike.

Let's finish with the lighting, left to the care of a Supernova E3 V521 front Led lamp. Its power of 235 lumens is concentrated on a fairly narrow beam, but which allows you to see far enough and particularly well on the first meters (comparison with a Hermans lamp below).

At the back, the Spanninga Presto2Guard lamp is quite small, but also very bright. Both are directly powered by the bicycle battery.

We were eager to evaluate the Bosch Performance Line CX during a full Review and we were not disappointed. Despite a 48% decrease in volume, this engine remains discreet and powerful, retaining the same torque of 75 Nm as the previous models that were used since 2014. Assistance can climb up to 340%, which is very significant for climb the steepest ribs while maintaining a good pace.

It is obviously on more or less stabilized trails that we take the full measure of the capacities of this engine, which helps with crossings and makes it possible to get out of situations which could be delicate with a classic bike. We were able to cross the muddy tracks of our reference loop without any problems, despite the wheels largely driven into the mud. Note, however, that Saturday 27 is not an ATV and that its original tires do not work miracles on rough terrain.

The little boost needed to get out of the slush without setting foot on the ground is nonetheless provided without harm by the engine, especially if you use the eMTB mode which adapts the power supplied to the force exerted on the pedals. Coming from the small world of VTTAE, this eMTB mode offers real comfort in use, since we no longer have to worry about changing assistance modes. It is then enough to focus on the speed changes to modulate your effort and adapt to the conditions of the ground, the assistance intervening only to give a boost.

The eMTB mode also lets us force a little on the pedals (up to a muscular power of 200 W, according to what the on-board computer displayed during our tests) before providing the maximum assistance equivalent to the Turbo mode .

Enough to understand easily that you have to switch to a lower speed if you want to save money, even if it means driving a little slower. Thanks to the excellent Shimano XT transmission, switching from one gear to another is a breeze anyway; it is a pleasure to use the 11 speeds offered.

It remains of course possible to switch to a Turbo mode if you are too tired, for example, or conversely to prefer a Tour mode if you want to pedal a little harder without having too much assistance. Eco mode, for its part, just compensates for the mass of the bike so as not to drag too much. Everything is controlled via the control located to the left of the hanger.

Without assistance however, it is another story, the large tires and the 25 kg of this 27 Xroad FS 7 being clearly felt. Conversely, no problem to exceed 25 km / h on the flat, the 50 km / h bar can even be reached on long descents without having to wind up at full speed (little more, this is not a race bike !).

We appreciate being able to rely on Shimano MT400 double piston hydraulic disc brakes, combined with 180 mm discs at the front and rear. Enough to easily stop the 110 kg launched at full speed (bike + pilot + accessories). This stops in less than 3 m during emergency braking at 25 km / h. In normal use, the progressiveness and endurance of the braking are reassuring.

Despite large tires and a fairly powerful engine, the Saturday 27 Xroad FS 7 proved to be enduring during our tests, thanks to its large 625 Wh battery. We were able to drive for about 70 km on the road, then a dozen or so kilometers in the forest to finish draining the battery before seeing the assistance cut off. There remained 6% of battery, which the on-board computer undoubtedly preserves in order not to damage the cells, on the one hand, and to allow to maintain the electronics of the bicycle as well as its active lighting.

It then took 4 h 20 min (compared to 4.9 h announced) to fully recharge the PowerTube 625 battery with a Bosch Standard 4 A charger (the one supplied during our Review). The Saturday 27 Xroad FS 7 is however sold with a Fast Charger in normal times, ensuring according to Bosch a 100% recharge in 3.7 h (50% in 1.4 h).

The battery is guaranteed for 2 years or 500 cycles (even if it should in principle last longer, its autonomy gradually decreasing). It is currently sold for around € 800.

Strong points

• Progressive and powerful assistance, which is forgotten.

• EMTB mode which automatically doses the assistance level.

• Very good comfort.

• Quality transmission.

• Nice integration of the engine and the battery.

• Good autonomy.

• Powerful lighting.

• Removable Kiox console with smartphone connection.

• Locking of the optional motorization (anti-theft).

Weak points

• Only one color proposed for this model.

• Well-filled wallet required.

Conclusion

Remarkably comfortable, powerful and well equipped, the Saturday 27 Xroad FS 7 is a real all-rounder. If you will not go all the way to take pure mountain bike trails, long hikes are perfectly possible on your handlebars. This all-terrain aspect does not penalize it in the city, its equipment being suitable for urban use and its engine easily compensates for its overweight and large tires. Unfortunately, this versatility is paid for, its price corresponding to that of the brand's excellent mountain bikes. But as long as your budget allows and you want to benefit from efficient electric assistance both during the week and at weekends, this Saturday 27 Xroad FS 7 remains a safe bet. 

• Comfort and ergonomics

• Conduct

• Autonomy

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