McLaren (yes, the supercar brand) release an e-MTB which it claims to be the world’s most powerful street-legal electric mountain bike
McLaren has launched its first electric mountain bike range which it claims "embodies the defining qualities of McLaren’s iconic supercars to deliver McLaren design DNA and performance".
Although McLaren is best known for its supercars, the brand has a subsidiary Lavoi who makes electric scooters and recently bought bankrupt Dutch e-bike maker VanMoof.
McLaren's range of "hyperbikes" was designed by the same team responsible for the Artura hybrid supercar and consists of four e-MTBs. The Extreme 600 and Extreme 250 both feature RockShox suspension with a 160mm Lyrik up front and 145mm of rear suspension controlled by a Deluxe Select+ shock. The full-sus bikes come with a mullet setup (29in front wheel and 27.5in rear wheel), while the Sport 600 and Sport 250 are 29in wheeled hardtail e-MTBs. All the bikes come in three sizes – small, medium and large.
McLaren says its best e-MTBs, the Extreme 600 and Sport 600, "vie for the title of the world’s most powerful street-legal electric mountain bike". The bikes feature an unbranded motor that can deliver up to a huge 852W of peak power and 161Nm of torque, with a top speed of 20mph/ 32kph. In comparison, the Bosch Performance Line CX, one of the most popular e-MTB motors, delivers 600w and 85Nm of torque.
Whether the McLaren Extreme 600 can match the ludicrous specs of the Optibike Riot remains to be seen. It could be close though as the Riot has 750 watts of continuous power, 190Nm of torque, and boasts a range of up to a claimed 290km from its massive 1,630Wh battery.
The wild-looking handlebars feature an integrated digital screen that displays riding stats, inspired by the dashboard of a car. The full-color integrated LCD panel displays speed, battery life, and range. Under the handlebar is an integrated front light.
Specs details of the bikes are currently pretty limited, with McLaren saying that the Extreme bikes feature a wireless SRAM XX Eagle AXS drivetrain, while the Sport models have a SRAM mechanical GX Eagle version. Both Extreme and Sports bikes come with Pirelli tires.
Compared to electric mountain bikes from other top motor brands, pricing is hefty but not quite at supercar level. $12,000 will get you the full-sus Extreme 600, while the Extreme 250 comes in at $10,950 / £9,600. You can pick the Sport 600 hardtail for $8,950 and the Sport 250 for $7,950 / £7,200.
Availability of McLaren e-bikes is limited and the most powerful 600w versions are only available in the US. If you want one to mount on the roof of your P1 supercar, head over to Mclarenbikes.com.
