Moustache’s burly Clutch e-enduro has just been put through an extensive hard-riding test, and the results shed light on one of the more distinctive drivetrain choices in the current e-MTB market. Instead of a conventional mid-motor and derailleur setup, the French brand — based in the Vosges mountains — builds the Clutch around the Pinion E1.12 MGU, a motor-gearbox unit that combines the drive motor with an integrated 12-speed transmission offering a 600% gear range.
The bike itself is unapologetically descent-focused: 170 mm of travel up front and 160 mm at the rear, a mullet wheel setup pairing a 29-inch front with a 27.5-inch rear, and a sturdy aluminium frame rated for a 150 kg total system weight. A removable 780 Wh battery supplies the range. At 27.9 kg in size XL without pedals, it is no lightweight — but testers noted that the centralised mass of the gearbox unit and reduced unsprung weight help the bike handle more nimbly than the numbers suggest.
The Pinion drivetrain also brings practical benefits for rough terrain: shifting works under load and at a standstill, service intervals are long, and there is no rear derailleur to bend or rip off. Thoughtful details round out the package, including a mini-tool integrated into the head tube, a factory-fitted Fidlock bottle mount and an integrated rear light. Pricing for the Clutch range spans roughly €5,999 to €8,499.
Source: eMTB-News.de