Gas Gas MXC 5

The Gas Gas MXC 5 is a notable entry in the world of e-bikes, combining rugged performance with the convenience of SRAM’s Powertrain Motor and premium suspension. As part of the Spanish motor bikes brand Gas Gas’s entry into the electric Mountain bike market, the MXC range aims to bridge the gap between their traditional gas-powered off-road machines and the evolving and growing electric bike market. 

The MXC 5 sports a design that reflects its off-road DNA. With its full carbon frame offering super clean lines and size-specific rear triangles, its clear Gas Gas have done their homework working with the design team at international design agency Kiska to reduce production cost along with waste. What this means for the buyer is an outrageous and long forgotten concept in cycling: value for money or bang for buck. This is seen in both the Gas Gas MXC and ECC range where the same frame is used with different builds on it to create a varying price point. 

The MXC and ECC ranges both feature a distinctive Gas Gas red style livery (as a nod to the companies moto roots; a removable protective cover over the top tube), giving it a striking appearance that stands out on the trail as well as a little added protection. This is represented across all sizes with the style being called Swoosh. Kiska produced a second livery option for Gas Gas that I personally love called Blade, and would not be surprised if it was to come out as an aftermarket option down the track along with decal kits to keep things looking clean fresh and individual just like the moto world.

The build quality is commendable on the MXC 5, with attention to detail evident in the high-end parts spec including a collaboration with in House Moto Suspension brand WP and boutique brand DVO. Using chassis from DVO in the form of an Onyx fork and Topaz shock the team at WP set to work putting their cone valve technology into these units and creating the first line of WP e-bike suspension. The cone valve technology helps you sit higher at the start of the travel while still offering you small bump absorption, which—given the added weight of an e-bike—is great for performance and handy with setup. The MXC5 also features a whole array of components from SRAM including GX Eagle Transmission allowing unrivalled shifting under power and in any gear. 

This is matched with the very thing that makes the MXC an e-bike, SRAM’s new Powertrain motor. Putting out 90NM of torque, a 250w drive unit with the juice for this coming from the smaller 630wh battery uses an increased cell-density to reduce volume and weight, and helps lower the centre of gravity and create the lively and playful feel of the MCX range.

The Powertrain unit its self is pretty special and offers all sorts of customisation including coast shift so you can shift any time you want, braking, rolling….yep not even pedalling! There is also an auto shift mode that uses rider input to shift much like an automatic car does, we will go in these features and many more on the SRAM Powertrain unit in a dedicated story about it. 

My time so far on the MXC 5 has been extensive….and what I have discovered is that the bike is surprisingly fun and balanced. We have pushed the bike, it’s tyres, suspension and motor to its limit, so stay tuned for the full review coming soon in issue #210.