Speed, 4 Assist Levels, Battery Voltage, Odometer, Estimated Range, Clock, Max Speed, Average Speed, Trip Time
Display Accessories:
Independent Button Pad
Drive Mode:
Advanced Pedal Assist
(Combined Torque, Cadence and Speed), (Eco 50%, Tour 120%, Sport 190%, Turbo 275%)
Top Speed:
20 mph (32 kph)
Written Review
The Grace MX II Trail is a hardtail cross country style electric bike with excellent hardware, a beautiful look and top of the line drive system from Bosch. To date, this is one of the most affordable Bosch powered electric bikes I’ve tested, coming in around $3,700. It’s available in two sizes for improved fit and comes stock with front and rear LED lights that are really well done (powered by the main battery, mounted out of the way of your cockpit and seat post). The only questionable aspects of this bike are the smaller 26″ wheels verses 27.5″ or 29er which would provide more surface contact for improved traction and better spanning ability on bumps and cracks encounter on the trail. Still, 26″ wheels are known for being maneuverable and tires and tubes tend to be less expensive to replace since they are the dominant standard.
The motor powering the MX II Trail is a second generation Bosch mid-drive offering 350 watts of power. It’s low, central and very durable (zero maintenance schedule). And while it’s not the quietest motor around it’s also not super loud and it’s smart enough to shut off whenever you pull the brake levers or shift gears. This thing senses your pedaling torque, pedaling speed and bicycle speed for near-instantaneous activation and stop which is critical in some off-road environments. It only offers pedal assist (no throttle mode) but is extremely efficient with 50+ miles of range in its lowest level, even on a bike like this with knobby tread.
Powering the motor and lights on the MX II Trail is a standard Bosch Powerpack 400 battery which offers 36 volts of power and 11 amp hours of capacity. It’s sleek, relatively light weight, can be charged on or off the frame and uses an integrated lock that’s pretty secure (lock core made by ABUS). The cells inside the battery pack are 18650 size with Lithium Manganese Cobalt chemistry that’s light weight and durable for 1,000+ charge cycles. Given the mounting point of this pack, unfortunately there isn’t a lot of room for a water bottle cage on the downtube or seat tube but the seat post is fairly open (thanks to the low profile of the rear LED light) and you could opt for a CamelBak or other backpack style hydration system as well.
I love the cockpit / handlebar setup on the Grace MX II because it’s extremely clean but still very functional. The grips have lockers so they won’t spin when you really bear down, the trigger shifters are clean and stay out of the way and the LCD panel and associated button pad work just like any Bosch System… they’re big, easy to use and easy to reach without taking your hands off the grips. The display panel is removable (there’s a set screw so you can either keep it more permanently on the bike or not) and it’s backlit for nighttime use. As mentioned before, there are also LED lights that are powered by the main battery and activated through the Bosch system. I love that the headlight sits above the fork on the head tube but doesn’t mount directly to the handle bar. It’s positioned very well to be effective but also avoid damage and distraction.
This bike is exciting to me because it brings the best technology to a more affordable platform that still looks amazing. 2015 is the first year that Grace bikes will be officially distributed in the USA and while not a lot of shops will have them right away, I’m sure that change grow over time. The MX II Trail is my favorite in the line because I love suspension and occasional off-road use but mainly use ebikes for commuting. With a lockout fork the bike can ride nearly as efficiently as a more city oriented ebike (reduced bobbing) and given the light, balanced weight and easy access to wheels for truing and changing flats this ebike is very functional. I’d recommend it for many types of riding and as a good upgrade or premium first ebike that will last.
Pros:
One of the most affordable electric bikes with the Bosch Gen2 Centerdrive motor
Beautiful aesthetic, clean lines, integrated wires and a crisp minimal logo make this ebike professional
Front suspension has lockout so this bike can ride more efficiently on hard pack or city terrain and double as a commuter
Capable high-end components that can withstand cross country and light trail use
Mid-drive system is efficient for climbing, extremely durable and makes changing tires, fixing flats and truing wheels easier
Pedalec system is extremely responsive (measuring pedal torque, cadence and bicycle speed) cuts out quickly which is important when riding off-road terrain
Built-in LED lights are powered by the main battery pack and are attached in thoughtful, well protected spaces (front light doesn’t crowd the cockpit / handlebar area and rear light is tucked under saddle)
High quality saddle from Ergon offers improved ergonomics for riding and also looks great
Double leg kickstand stows well to one side but provides great stability when bike is parked, great for when you’re using the bike to commute
Hydraulic disc brakes provide excellent stopping power while minimizing hand fatigue in off-road environments
Excellent weight distribution with motor and battery pack located low and center on the frame, offers improved balance
Rack and fender mounting points included on the rear seat stays for added utility and customization
Cons:
At the time of this review distribution on Grace electric bikes in the US was limited, this can make the bike harder to find and test ride in person or get service support for down the line
No throttle mode available here, this is a pedalec only and requires rider pedaling input to activate the motor
No room for a water bottle cage on the downtube or seat tube due to the mid-mounted battery pack
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Hello Carolyn, the price quoted by Grace USA (the importer of the MX II Trail to the United States) is between $3,600 and $4,000 depending on the version you choose (there is a standard 20mph or a speed pedelec that can reach 28mph). This is the first year that they are being offered in the USA so I’m keeping an eye out and I appreciate your question here :)
Sort of, the Interbike show floor and outdoor test track was very loud and my time was limited so I’m planning a road trip to visit BH near LA later this year (probably November) to spend some more time on reviews. I’ll also be visiting Currie and some other manufacturers :)
Thanks for the speedy reply Court. 2015 BH E-motion range arrives in Australia within the next 2 weeks, and I’ve scheduled a test ride of the Cross, Race & Carbon versions as my introduction to e-bikes. Cheers.
Carolyn
10 years agoNice review Court. I have not seen such low pricing on this bike. Is this a new price point from Grace?
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoHello Carolyn, the price quoted by Grace USA (the importer of the MX II Trail to the United States) is between $3,600 and $4,000 depending on the version you choose (there is a standard 20mph or a speed pedelec that can reach 28mph). This is the first year that they are being offered in the USA so I’m keeping an eye out and I appreciate your question here :)
ReplyArnold Marsupial
10 years agoAny 2015 BH Emotion info/reviews pending?
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoSort of, the Interbike show floor and outdoor test track was very loud and my time was limited so I’m planning a road trip to visit BH near LA later this year (probably November) to spend some more time on reviews. I’ll also be visiting Currie and some other manufacturers :)
ReplyArnold Marsupial
10 years agoThanks for the speedy reply Court. 2015 BH E-motion range arrives in Australia within the next 2 weeks, and I’ve scheduled a test ride of the Cross, Race & Carbon versions as my introduction to e-bikes. Cheers.
Reply