We got wind of a new e-bike from Kinesis on the morning of the 2019 NEC Cycle Show and the new Rise hardtail e-mtb didn’t disappoint. With a lightweight Fazua motor, 29er wheels and some pretty progressive geometry, we liked the look of the brands first foray into the electric mountain bike market.
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Kinesis says that this bike was born from their love of a trail hardtail with the lightweight Fazua drive system used to make a bike that ‘naturally’ assists with the 400W motor and a 250Wh battery. They reckon you can eek out up to 55km range and about 1000m of climbing on this bike using a range of the three modes, but this will vary with terrain and rider weight just like any other e-bike.
Power modes operate pretty much like any other e-bike, there are three to choose from: Breeze mode giving up tp 125W of power, River mode (!?) with up to 250W of power and Rocket mode benefiting from the full 400W of power.
The battery and part of the drive system can be removed from the downtube in one package too and replace this with a blanking plate if you rather go under your own steam on occasion. The bike weighs in at 18.85 with the battery in place and a claimed 16kg without it. Kinesis has another trick up their sleeve too, this is the first bike with a Fazua motor that has the power mode buttons integrated into the bike frame. Rather than use a rather cumbersome looking handlebar remote the power modes on the Rise are controlled by a small back unit on the top tube. This does mean you’ll have to take your hands off the bars in order to alter the mode but Kinesis says they reckon tidying up the bars by removing that remote was of more importance with this bike.
The hardtail gets a 130mm fork and some pretty progressive geometry too, think a 485mm reach on a size L3 (large equivalent) with a short 440mm seat tube, 75.5 degree effective seat angle and a 170mm dropper post to match (150mm on the L1 bike). As you can see Kinesis have followed the likes of Specialized and done away with using small. medium, large etc to describe the size of their bikes, using L1, L2 and so on. We like this system, it means riders won’t categorise themselves as a person who rides a small or a large bike, they’ll choose to ride the bike that fits them best and suits their riding style depending on reach and seat tube length.
There will be two specifications of bikes available, one with GX Eagle for £3,500 and one with Shimano SLX for £3,200. All bikes get room for 2.6″ tyres, specced with Maxxis DHF WT and a Maxxis Aggressor WT front and rear respectively. Both specs of the bike get the same X-Fusion E-Slide 24 fork with a 44mm offset all dropper posts are X-Fusion Manic ones and brakes come courtesy of TRP with the Slate T4’s used on both bikes.
Bikes will be available to pre-order in October with delivery in December, click here for more information – www.kinesisbikes.co.uk
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