There’s a fair bit of cross over between motorcycling and bicycles. They’re both on two wheels. Motorcycle racers are often keen cyclists to stay race it. And middle-aged motorcyclists trying to regain their fitness also commonly embrace Lycra instead of leather. Plus everything is coming together as everything switches to electric power. So it makes sense that you can now pedal way on the new Ducati MIG-RR electric mountain bike.
So the new Ducati MIG-RR electric mountain bike will let you pretend to be Andrea Dovizioso (or Danilo Petrucci from next season) as you pedal around a race circuit or paddock. But the bike itself should be pretty capable, as it’s been produced by Italian pushbike specialists Thok. Presumably named for the sound you make falling off when you’re exhausted.
Like a motorcycle, the MIG-RR is full of trick bits. Which include FOX Factory Kashima suspension, carbon fibre Renthal handlebars, Mavic wheels, 4-caliper Shimano Saint brakes and an 11-speed Shimano XT gear set. It also has different wheels and suspension set-ups at each end to make it a proper, high-end enduro mountain bike. Rather than just being a branded novelty. So there’s a 29″ wheel with 170mm travel at the front, and a 27.5″ wheel and 160mm travel at the rear.
Then there’s the small matter of the electric power. Apparently Thok ebikes launched the first European electric mountain bike for the European market. And it was developed by a former BMX world champion and international Down Hill pro named Stefano Migliorini.
So the new Ducati MIG-RR electric mountain bike comes with a Shimano Steps E8000 motor putting out 250 watts of power, and 70N of torque from a 504 Wh battery. Not quite V4 Panigale levels, but enough to take on climbs and terrain that might otherwise stop you.
Finally there’s the design. The Ducati Design Centre has been involved in the look of the new bike. And there’s also a further motorcycling link as Thok electric bikes have been designed by Aldo Drudi and his D-Perf studio. And if you recognise the Drudi name, it might be because he’s previously designed every helmet worn by Valentino Rossi. Along with various other motorcycle products, and indeed the entire Burasca 1200 concept motorcycle, a carbon fibre boat and more.
So the new Ducati MIG-RR Electric Mountain Bike won’t be for casual cyclists. But if you’re looking for something relatively high-end for enduro cycling, and you’re a bike fan, then it could well be perfect. You’ll be able to order it via Ducati dealers in Spring 2019. Or from the official Ducati website from January 2019.
Leave a Reply