Since the start of 2026, Cycling Electric has been on a mission to review more of the kinds of e-bikes most UK shoppers default to, the do-it-all builds, like the best-selling Moustache Xroad ES, that are reliable, capable on varied terrain and can double up for the odd commute. By the end of this group test, I have started to look at e-bikes like this as not just charming, but actually highly appealing as get-around vehicles.
This train of thought comes from many places. First of all, the UK bicycle buyer has a long history with the hardtail mountain bike, many people decide to buy into this space over a purebred commuter bike, simply because some versatility is arguably better than limited versatility. Sure, it’s a jack of all trades, master of none approach, but it does the job. Besides, who has the money for multiple bikes in this economy?
The thing is, electric bikes meeting this brief are more refined nowadays. Jack of all trades, master of none is no longer fair, because of the many models like the Moustache Xroad that we have had for review, especially those perched above £2,000, the results have been extremely pleasing. More than being just a do-a-bit-of-everything build, some e-bikes are starting to master the craft; and at accessible price points. As before, in this economy, with fuel prices ripping and train fares guaranteed to rise above inflation, e-bikes that offer both commuter efficiency and cost-saving, plus leisure enjoyment hold incredible value.
Before you read our Moustache Xroad ES review, bookmark our guides to both the best hardtail electric mountain bikes and the similar, but more practical, best SUV-style electric bike guides, if this style of bike appeals most. If you’d like to compare and contrast, reading these guides is a must, and if you’d like to try e-bikes like these for yourself, why not attend our in-person Demo Day test events around the country?
Moustache Xroad ES review: The headline details
£2,499 | View offer
Pros
Excellent attention to detail
Broadly high standard
Great value
Well built
Comfortable on multi-terrain
Efficient ground coverage
Cons
Small rattle in fork on choppier paths at speed
Wheelset felt basic
Specifications
Stated weight: 25.9kg
Stated range: Up to 125km
Frame material: Aluminium
Motor: Bosch Performance Line
Battery: Bosch PowerTube 500Wh
Drivetrain: Shimano Cues 9-speed
Brakes: Shimano MT200 hydraulic discs
Saddle: Selle Royal Essenza
Tyres: Schwalbe Smart Sam
Suspension: Suntour XCM32 suspension fork
Included accessories: Metal mudguards, suspension seatpost, 27kg ready MIK HD pannier rack, adjustable kickstand, AXA wired-in lighting
Who is the Moustache Xroad pitched at?
The Moustache Xroad is well matched to anyone who likes the appeal of a low-slung frame that’s easy to get on and off, though you can also buy a traditional higher step over version of the e-bike too.
It’s designed for leisure and commuting alike, with a low rolling resistance, but high volume tyre that copes well with both tarmac riding, but also gravel path exploration. It’s not quite ready for more lively trail riding, but it will cope with cross country adventures in the countryside.
A front suspension for and a really comfortable geometry, paired to a swept back handlebar makes this a joy to ride over longer distances.
A quick look at the spec sheet
One thing that was immediately impressive with the Xroad was the all-round base level of quality on each of the specced components, including some which had an attention to detail that really stood out.
An example of this is the Selle Royal Essenza saddle, which is flanked by two strips of anti-abrasion material . This says to me that the designers are thinking about the small details, seeing where customers most often damage their bikes and adapting. Despite the adjustable kickstand’s presence, there are occasions where a bike is leaned against a wall, so this detail, along with that adjustment in the kickstand, are two minor things that really add value.
That’s the theme throughout the bike and another example is the AXA front light, which is a cut above for an electric bike at this price point. Given the time of year, I often rode as night set in and this light has both a long enough throw to see ahead on pitch-black trails, as well as a wide enough spread of the light to properly gauge the foreground.
It’s Bosch’s entry-level Performance Line motor between the cranks, yet I have to say I was pleased with this system’s performance. Though it is not as refined as the more powerful SX mid-tier motor, it’s still got 75Nm in the tank and I found that enough to climb 20-degree grass hills, so long as I was in a low gear.
Of course, with Bosch you have access to the suite of eBike Flow functions and a sticker on the frame reminds that you have security features to play with above and beyond the included physical Abus wheel lock. These small touches add real-world value, though they are individually small touches.
Other big selling points that do feel a cut above what you might normally encounter is the quality of the mudguards, which are both aluminium and of a very good surface area, covering the tyre very effectively.
Moustache Xroad ES review: How does it ride?
From a comfort perspective, though there is no rear suspension here, this is one of the more comfortable mountain bikes I have ridden. The package feels as though it has been considered as a whole, and, by that, I mean the geometry is first and foremost really conducive to riding in an upright position where your back is straight and even on longer rides, you don’t feel the gradual creep of strained muscles.
This is aided by the subtle, but really welcomed support of a short shock-absorbing suspension seatpost that lets you hit speeds on gravel paths without worrying about sudden shocks to your lower back. These are eaten up very well considering the price point and what I would typically expect from shock posts at this price.
Add to this, the swept-back handlebars and ergonomic grips are really pleasant and lend themselves to that upright riding position. Attached to the handlebar, though shielded by a cover that blends the frame’s clean lines, is an adjustable position stem, which helps you fine-tune the angle and reach of the cockpit position. That almost means bespoke levels of comfort and the ability to share the bike in your household across a broader height range on one frame size.
The dropped pad on the grip is supportive of your forearm, so that’s another lot of fatigue managed as you cover ground, all of which adds up to making this a bike that’s really comfortable maintaining momentum over longer distances in comfort. I would say that, as pure efficiency goes, I covered ground on this bike nearly as well as on last year’s E-bike of the Year – the substantially more expensive Riese & Müller Delite5.
To give some insight into just how well this bike covers ground, one of my more regular rides is a 7-mile round trip across a valley, taking in first tarmac, then rough gravel paths, then a long and steady climb on the other end. It’s a ride that I tend to budget 20 minutes one-way for, but on the Moustache Xroad like-for-like review test I made it in 15 minutes. That’s only achievable on a bike that doesn’t fear a 15mph average cruising speed on rugged ground.
The almost unanimously above expectations standard at this key price point left me looking for holes in the design and I could only really pick out two things I could have been happier with.
One is that the wheelset rolls on quick-release skewers, where many now opt for a thru axle. This actually has a small advantage in that you could whip the wheels off faster for transportation or puncture repair, but the downside is that thieves could do so just as quickly. My second minor complaint was that when things got a bit choppier, the fork reached its limits a bit too quickly and had the odd clunk, but this only really occurred when I was pushing the bike’s limitations.
On the whole, there are far more reasons to be impressed and some of those are unseen here. Moustache actually sent me a rather large front rack that I had intended to mount to the headtube, but, truth be told, the 27kg MIK HD rear rack proved ample for shopping trips with a pair of pannier bags. The fact that you can pivot this bike’s build in either direction – urban utility, or leisure agility – is really what’s important. As I said at the beginning, this is no longer a jack of all trades bike; it masters its brief.
Aside from my fondness for having a bike that just satisfies so many trip briefs, thus reducing my exposure to the current fuel crisis and saving me money, I can’t help but feel that £2,499 represents one of the best value price tags for a bike of this standard in some time.
How about the competition?
Finished reading our Moustache Xroad ES review and still have an appetite to browse? Here are three other e-bikes that we have tried, tested and think you’ll love. Plus, don’t forget we are providing four test ride events again in 2026, for which you can get tickets here.
Giant Explore E+ 0 – £4,999 (Range begins £2,499)
Dennis Stratmann
Read our Giant Explore E+ 0 review.
Merida eFloat cc 400 EQ – £3,250 | VIEW OFFER
Read our Merida eFloat cc 400 review.
Megamo Reach HT 10 – £3,999 | View offer
Richard Peace