There’s a lot to like about the Haibike, but there's also a long list of component gripes, which hold it back on tough terrain.
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Haibike XDURO AllMtn 9.0 frame
The XDURO AllMtn uses a Horst link suspension set-up (a four-bar linkage with a pivot on the chainstay), but with a twist.
An idler wheel brings the chain up from the chainring and over the main pivot. This allows Haibike to position the pivot so that it gives a more rearward axle path (good for swallowing square-edged bumps), without suffering the pedal kickback that would otherwise result from this.
There’s 150mm of rear wheel travel, controlled by a Fox DPX2 air shock. A Bosch PowerTube battery is integrated sleekly into the down tube, and the Performance Line CX motor is the same as found on other similar bikes.
However, the way the rear mech and brake cables are routed from the top tube to the seatstays, means they bow outwards when the suspension compresses.
Haibike XDURO AllMtn 9.0 kit
Haibike has gone for 11-speed Shimano XT gearing, with a wide-range 11-46t cassette. Spec highlights include the Mavic E-XA Elite wheels, which have been purpose-designed for e-bike use, and the soft-compound 2.8in Schwalbe tyres.
The dropper post has an external cable, which sent me on a bit of a nostalgia trip, but it works fine. Unfortunately, the brakes, saddle, stem and fork let the 9.0 down.
Haibike XDURO AllMtn 9.0 ride impressions
In many situations, this is a great-climbing bike. The steep seat angle (75 degrees) lets you attack uphill sections with ease, while the 70mm stem creates a comfy rider-forward ascending position. Add the wide-range cassette and the Haibike is simply easier to ride when things get steep.
The idler pulley helps when things get rough, allowing the suspension to move up and over obstacles unimpeded by the tension of the chain. Combined with the grip of the Magic Mary tyres, this makes rooty singletrack climbs a breeze.
But, on flatter trails it's less impressive. The idler is noisy, especially in the lower gears. And the drag from the pulley, combined with the resistance from the Bosch motor, makes pedalling above the 25kmh assistance limit futile.
It’s hard work with the motor off too. On undulating trails, I had frequent pedal strikes, which I put down to the bike’s low bottom-bracket (335mm), long crank arms (175mm) and the way its rear end squats into its travel under power.
Firming up the shock until I had just 25 percent (seated) sag helped, but I would still have preferred shorter cranks.
The rear suspension performs beautifully in the rough, especially with the compression damping left open. There’s minimal feedback through your feet and it barely hangs up on larger bumps.
Unfortunately, this is undermined by the Fox 34 fork, which feels out of its depth on a heavy e-bike. The sample on my bike flexed so much that it would bind and become harsh in the rough.
Descending confidence is further undermined by the long stem, which makes it difficult to throw your weight around on steep technical terrain, and harder to manual or bunnyhop (the 467mm chainstays don’t help here either). It also slows the steering response, creating an awkward, upright feel when cornering hard.
I didn’t get on with the hard-edged saddle either, which dug into my thighs when descending. The flexy levers of the Magura MT5 brakes take a bit of getting used to too, and mine lacked power at the start of each ride. I also found the over-bar dropper remote, mounted on the right side of the handlebar, a little awkward to use.
Ultimately, the frame has potential — the rear suspension works well and the geometry isn’t bad — but the spec lets it down.
If I was spending this much, I’d want a stiffer fork, shorter stem, shorter cranks and a different saddle, post and brakes. The cheaper AllMtn 7.0 offers at least two of these — a RockShox Yari fork and TRP Slate brakes — for £1,000 less, but does without the Mavic wheels.
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX w/ Purion display, 250W
- Battery: Bosch PowerTube 500Wh
