Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC5 on test: Stylish all-mountain bike with motorbike DNA?

Husqvarna's e-mountainbikes have always been independent. In 2018, the brand with a bike with a mobile battery into the E-MTB business. And with the latest generation of Husqvarna bikes the motor was apparently docked directly onto the down tube and only covered by a massive motocross-style underride guard. Not everyone liked it, but it was definitely an eye-catcher. The credo right from the start: The engine should not be hidden, but should play a prominent role in the design language of Husqvarna bikes.

The new MC (abbreviation for Mountain Cross) is the first carbon frame to be added to the product portfolio in 2022. And it too is anything but ordinary. A dominant second strut reinforces the connection between the main frame and seat tube and supports the straight lines. The perforated plastic under the head tube logo and the decorative mouldings on the main frame are reminiscent of Husqvarna motorbikes. The geometry of the MC avoids extremes, but the bike benefits from the more powerful Shimano EP801 drivetrain and remains comparatively light for a modern e-mountainbike. Enough qualities to convince us in our big highlight test "Readers Most Wanted"?

You have chosen which bikes we should test: Readers most wanted - the most popular E-MTBs of the year! Under this motto, we have selected the most exciting e-mountainbikes from our readers' suggestions. Exotic specialists, absolute blockbusters or cheap discounter bikes? All of them had to face the objective EMTB test in the lab and in practice. Your favourites from Alutech, Bulls, Cube, Haibike, Husqvarna, Olympia, Rockrider and Scott. The following have already been published:

• Test of the Alutech eFanes Nextgen AXS: Brushed e-bike jewel
• The Bulls Sonic EVO AM SL1 on test: How good is the affordable lightweight after the update?
• The Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 SLT on test - Cube e-mountainbike with Bosch CX on a diet course
• The Haibike Nduro 8 Freeride on test: A clear edge for rough daredevils
• Testing the Olympia Hammer CC04: Italo underdog as an e-bike high-flyer?
• Rockrider E-EXPL 520S test: Does Decathlon build the best e-bike fully for under 3000 euros?
• Scott Patron ST ERIDE 900 Tuned on test: The new Scott - the ultimate all-mountain E-MTB?
• An overview of the test of our readers' dream bikes can be found here

The facts about the Husqvarna MC5

• Motor: Shimano EP801, 85 Nm max. torque
• Battery: 720 Wh (removable)
• Frame material: Carbon
• Suspension travel: 150 millimetres
• Wheel size: 29 / 27.5 inch (Mullet)
• Frame sizes: M, L, XL
• Price: 6999 Euro
• Weight: 23.5 kg (test bike in size L, EMTB measurement, without pedals)
• Permissible total weight (manufacturer's specification): 130 kilograms

New with Shimano EP801: Motor and battery in the Husqvarna MC5

Shimano presented the new EP801 drive at Eurobike 2022. But exactly what the Japanese motor can do after the update only gradually became clear. On the one hand, there is a noticeable increase in performance compared to its predecessor, On the other hand, the new motor comes with new electronics. This means that the EP801 is also compatible with Shimano's new electronic shifting systems. In practice, the drive is powerful and easy to modulate, but Shimano still has to admit defeat to the best on the market when it comes to coasting and dynamics. The riding noise was rather loud on our test bike.

One of Husqvarna's specialities is its own battery, which was developed in collaboration with Simplo. It is inserted into the down tube from below and can be removed without tools. Unfortunately, the locking screw for the battery cover is a little stiff. In our test bike, the battery also rattled a lot, as the specially developed clamping mechanism allows the battery to play considerably in the down tube. At 4445 grams, the 720 watt-hour battery on the Husqvarna is also heavier than a Powertube 750 from Bosch (4.3 kg) and significantly heavier than a 726 battery for the Shimano system from Darfon (3.9 kg). The range of the bike is good with 1648 vertical metres in our standard test procedure and high average speed, but despite the heavy battery, the Husqvarna doesn't come close to the Bosch bikes with often 2000 vertical metres.

The geometry of the MC5 - good-natured and tour-orientated

Husqvarna's Mountain Cross has always been an uncomplicated bike with touring-orientated rather than overly aggressive geometry. Despite the newly designed carbon frame, the bike remains true to itself here. At 1250 millimetres, the wheelbase is on the compact side, while short chainstays (444 millimetres) should make the Husqvarna easy to handle. A low bottom bracket favours good cornering, while the steering angle of 65.4 degrees, which is steep by modern standards, ensures direct steering behaviour.

EMTB measurements at a glance (frame size L)

• Seat tube length: 452 mm
• Wheelbase: 1250 mm
• Reach: 472 mm
• Stack: 650 mm
• Steering angle: 65.4 degrees
• Seat angle: 76.4 degrees
• Chainstay length: 444 mm

The features of the Husqvarna MC5

We would also have liked to have asked our readers to test the top model, the MC6, which was at the top of their wish list for this test. However, due to a lack of availability, Husqvarna was only able to supply the MC5, which still has a proud price tag of 6999 euros. However, true high-end components in this price region are reserved for classic price-performance brands. The following applies to the Husqvarna: The Fox suspension from the Performance series is rock solid, but the older G2 brakes from Sram and the mechanical GX Eagle in particular still leave room for improvement in this price range. The Newmen wheels, on the other hand, are high-quality and the Schwalbe tyres are proven touring classics, even if they don't offer much traction at the limit.

• Fork / shock: Fox 36 Performance / Float Performance
• Gear system: Sram GX Eagle (mechanical)
• Brakes: Sram G2 R
• Wheels: Newmen E.G 35 Evolution SL
• Front / rear tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evo Supertrail Soft / Speedgrip

Practical test: How the Husqvarna MC5 rides

The hips are not too far forward, the upper body is slightly stretched: on the Husqvarna you sit as you would on a classic touring bike. This is pleasant on longer and flatter routes, for which the comfortable saddle is also suitable. On steep climbs, however, you might want to be a little further forwards. Especially as the front end of the Husqvarna with its short chainstays quickly becomes light on steep ramps, causing you to get off track. The rear end is very stable uphill without pumping or sagging. However, the bike doesn't offer much grip on the rear wheel, which is partly due to the moderately profiled Nobby Nic tyres from Schwalbe. This means that the Husqvarna reaches its limit quite early, especially on nasty climbs, but it is more in its element on less technically demanding tours.

In terms of riding fun, however, the bike is convincing. The Husqvarna benefits from its short chainstays and low bottom bracket. The bike is easy to handle on flat trails and small jumps are easy to master. The MC5 is balanced and uncomplicated to steer through the terrain. The nastier the terrain gets, the harder you have to apply the brakes on the Husqvarna. The compact geometry with a steep steering angle doesn't exactly provide a lot of confidence on demanding trails, and the tyres can't contribute enough to traction and smoothness either. The rear suspension is very progressive and can't absorb bumps as comfortably as other suspension systems in this travel class. Large obstacles are sometimes clearly passed through to the rider. Despite the soft setup, we were barely able to utilise the stroke of the shock. A more linear and comfortable rear suspension would suit this touring-orientated bike better. The Nobby Nic tyres roll well, but only have mediocre grip off-road, and the G2 brakes from Sram require too much manual force on steep and long descents. The loud battery rattling also dampens the joy of the fun handling.

EMTB review of the Husqvarna MC5

Strengths

• Riding fun on moderate trails
• Uncomplicated handling
• Independent look

Weaknesses

• Little driving safety in difficult terrain
• Battery rattles
• Rear triangle too progressive

The EMTB conclusion

With the MC5, Husqvarna has succeeded in creating a bike with an appealing look and fun riding characteristics for tame trails. However, the Mountain Cross is not in its element in difficult terrain and on demanding uphills. The loud battery rattling of our test bike is annoying and doesn't match the bike's premium claim. - Adrian Kaether, EMTB Magazine test and technology editor