Our Editors independently research, test, and rate what we feel are the best products. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases.
Moots is best known for its titanium road, gravel, and mountain bikes. Starting today, the Steamboat, Colorado-based company is shifting gears with the introduction of the Express e-gravel bike manufactured from carbon and constructed overseas.
Related: A Beginner’s Guide to Gravel Cycling
Moots Express Highlights
- Carbon fiber frame
- Class-3 e-bike 28pmh max speed
- Clearance for a 29×2.1 tires
- Suspension corrected for use gravel suspension forks
- Shimano EP801 drive unit – class 3 (28mph pedal assist)
- Shimano 504wH battery
- Shimano XT Linkglide 11-speed drivetrain w/Ultegra Di2 Shifters
- Claimed range: up to 100 miles
- Claimed weight: 33lbs
- MSRP: $9,999 and up
- Sizing: S, M, L, XL
- Available now
Unlike Moots’ other models, which are crafted in-house, the Express is manufactured overseas. According to Moots, the Express is designed and assembled in Steamboat Springs. The composite components, the frame, fork, handlebar, stem, and seatpost, are manufactured by two of the company’s long-term partners based in China and Taiwan. Moots notes that these partners have produced Moots-branded components for over ten years.
Moots took note of the shortcomings of other e-gravel bikes when developing the Express and focused on three areas of improvement: range, speed, and weight. According to the company, the goal was to try and mitigate any range anxiety for the user when they set out and turn down a new road that is a little longer than expected. Moots claims riders managed to get over 100 miles during product testing. A ride-ready medium comes in at a claimed weight of 33lbs. As a Class-3 e-bike, the Express has a maximum assisted speed of 28mph, which should allow Express riders to keep up with spirited group rides.
From Moots:
“We have taken our expansive history in gravel and brought forward a more capable and powerful version of anything we have ever made. The Moots Express is a Class-3 pedal assist e-bike all rolled up into a composite chassis. It starts off with a fully integrated cockpit via our MOD series stem, handlebar, and fork allowing all hoses and wires to be concealed neatly with the frame.
“The heart of the Express hinges around a state-of-the-art Shimano EP801 drive unit which has the ability to keep adding assist all the way up to 28mph. Power comes from a 504Wh Shimano battery, so you can be confident that it will be safe, serviceable, and available for many years to come. The drivetrain consists of Shimano XT Linkglide components, specifically built for e-bikes and specced for the gear range needed for gravel riding.
“The brakes/shifters are upsized Shimano Ultegra flat mount units that also operate the electronic shifting and assist control. Carbon, 25mm internal Shimano GRX wheels are wrapped with Panaracer 50c SK+ tires with room to spare. The Express has integrated fender mounts front and rear along with two bottle mounts in the front triangle, one being a three-pack variant and two three-pack mounts on the fork. One on each leg.
“The battery can be charged within the frame via the charging door on the seat tube as well as the battery is easily removed out of the down tube through the one-bolt battery access door. We tried to think of it all, keep it clean in the process, and make the user experience very intuitive along the way.”
A New Direction for Moots?
So what does this mean for the future of Moots and its in-house production of titanium frames? Does this signal a shift in direction? I’ve reached out to Moots for comment and will report back.
Visit https://moots.com/bikes/gravel/express/ to learn more.
Notice:
OutsidePursuits.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. OutsidePursuits.com earns fees from products sold through qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.com. Amazon offers a commission on products sold through their affiliate links.
