You might have missed it were you not a motorcycle aficionado, but just recently was the EICMA Milan Motorcycle show. For most in the light electric vehicle world, this wouldn’t be cause for great excitement. Truth be told, there are a limited number of quality electric motorcycles out there (that is, until Harley-Davidson releases theirs in 2019). The reason why we’re excited about the EICMA show this year is because Ducati, the famed maker of high-end motorcycles, debuted their newest product: the MIG-RR, a beautiful and elegant electric mountain Bike.
A History of Design Success
This isn’t the first time the manufacturer has dipped their toes into the e-bike world and to understand the world’s excitement, you’ve got to understand the company’s successful e-bike history.
Over the past couple of years they, in conjunction with famed bicycle manufacturer Bianchi, have released a series of well-received street e-bikes.
Each of Ducati’s electric bicycles feature 250W motors, paired with a wholly capable battery of up to 500W. Models are aimed at both commuters and off-road riders, with Bosch’s Performance Line CX on the top. Amazingly, their battery packs include the highest energy density on the market (190 Wh/Kg), with the lowest weight and volume, at 2.6 Kg or less.
So when the company announced they would be releasing another electric bicycle, you can understand why we were excited!
The Ducati MIG-RR Electric Mountain Bike
Much like they did with their previous e-bikes and Bianchi, Ducati decided to make the MIG-RR with assistance from Italian electric bicycle designer Thok e-bikes. Ducati would handle all of the design and Thok would build the bikes with their history of expert work.
As Ducati put in their press release, “E-mountain bikes let cyclists take on climbs that, without the motor boost, wouldn’t be possible and, at the same time, they allow everyone to live off-road on two wheels in total freedom. E-mountain bike sales are booming worldwide. Ducati has now entered this market segment relying on the experience of a specialized company, Thok Ebikes, born from the passion of the BMX and Down Hill champion Stefano Migliorini.”
What makes this e-bike so unique is that both sides—the electric side and mountain side—of the bike function great together so lets take a closer look at both.
The E-Bike Side
The Ducati MIG-RR is a necessary advancement to Thok’s current MIG line of electric mountain bikes. The MIG-RR features a 250 W Shimano Steps E8000 mid-drive. The motor is capable of 70 Nm (51.6 ft-lbs) of torque.
For most e-bike riders, 250W sounds like it won’t get you much drive especially when trying to climb steep hills. But this e-bike is different. It’s not like the stock 250W hub electric bicycles you might buy off Amazon. Though those bikes are great, they can’t compare with the high torque and mid-drive gearing of the MIG-RR.
For power, Ducati’s new e-bike relies on a 36V and 14 Ah (504 Wh) underslung down tube battery. That should help keep the weight lower than conventional battery packs that sit on top of the down tube.
Therefore, as an e-bike, the MIG-RR is well equipped. But of course, this isn’t just and e-bike. It needs to function like a mountain bike as well!
The Mountain Side
Suspension is achieved with a Fox 36 Float 29 Factory Series Kashima fork featuring 170 mm of travel in the front and a Fox DPX2 Factory Series shock with 160 mm of travel in the rear. Combined with a carbon handlebar, dropper seat post, 4-piston Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and 11-speed Shimano XT gear set, the MIG-RR is ready to hit the trails with plenty of fanfare and style.
Ducati added a bit of their own design flare by equipping the MIG-RR with non-matching wheels. Up front, the 29” wheel will help you get over large obstacles easier and the 27.5” rear wheel will help with speed.
The Ducati MIG-RR isn’t the lightest bike at 22.5 kg (49.6 lb), which is a bit heavier than your average mountain bike but quite a bit lighter than most electric bikes.
How to Buy
Unfortunately, for us in the United States, we’ll have to wait a bit to get our hands on one—perhaps until late 2019 but European customers can order the MIG-RR online right now order The bike will see distribution via Ducati’s existing dealer network starting in early spring 2019.
The Ducati MIG-RR will likely be the new industry-standard for top of the line electric mountain bikes. We can’t wait to see what Ducati comes up with next!
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