2025 M1 Sporttechnik EN 8.0 review

The M1 EN is one of four M1 models built on the same frame. Well, it’s actually six models, but I’m overlooking the “GT” SUV bike and the “FG” gravel bike. M1 Sporttechnik takes an interesting approach with their new emtb. They’ve got just one frame, and you choose whether you want it set up on the burly or the lighter side. Then you get to pick between the light Bosch SX or the strong Bosch CX motor. Finally, you select the battery size you prefer.

Introducing the M1 EN​

The M1 WorldCup has the most travel, but also steeper geometry. If you want the burliest M1 version, I would look at the M1 EN. EN is of course short for “Enduro”. But is it really an enduro bike? With a 170 mm travel Fox Factory 38 FiT4 fork and a Fox Float X Factory shock offering 160 mm rear travel, it sure looks that way.

The burly suspension is matched with the powerful Magura MT7 brakes. Our test bike in size L has a price tag of €10.490. M1 opted for Shimano XTR 12s mechanical gears. Some might prefer wireless shifting, but I quite like the precise and mechanical feel of the XTR-shifter. All models come as mullet bikes with a smaller 27.5 rear wheel, except for size Small. These are fitted with 27.5 front and rear.


Before receiving the M1 demo bike, we had a look at the various options. We hoped M1 would send us an EN model with the new Bosch Performance CX gen5 motor and the 600 Wh battery. And that was what we ended up getting. Also, we got the PowerMore 250, the 250 Wh range extender. Read more about Bosch Performance CX gen5 here.

Lightweight with a detachable battery!​

We weighed the bike to 22,6 kg. That’s without the range extender, but with pedals. This really is very good for a long travel, full power emtb. I get the impression we’re seeing fewer emtbs with detachable batteries on new Bosch powered emtbs launched these days.


There are some advantages to buying a bike with an internally fixed battery. It keeps weight and cost down. But some need to remove the battery, perhaps for charging, or to keep it warm before a freezing cold winter ride. This is a great advantage for M1, and it makes the low bike weight even more impressive.

M1 EN geometry​

Is it possible to have just one frame and make it work on the 150 mm travel M1 CC and the 170 mm M1 EN? Well, the geometry data for the EN looks sorted. Mind you, I’m focusing on sizes M to XL, the Small frames do look a tad steep. All M1 bikes come with 445 mm chainstays. That’s quite short for the enduro category, but nothing unusual.


I enjoy riding a bike with around 64.5* head angle, which is basically what’s on the M1 EN. It’s quite slack while maintaining a fast steering response. When the chainstays are marginally short and the head angle isn’t super slack, the wheelbase ends up being moderate. Don’t get me wrong, 1.268 mm for size L isn’t short. But all-out enduro bikes can be longer

The seat angle is on the slack side, measuring 74*. The seat tube seems nice and straight, giving the impression it can fit a long seatpost. But the M1 EN comes fitted with a 150 mm dropper seat post. And I guess that’s long enough for many of us, allthough we're seing many bikes with 170-200 mm droppers these days.

On the trails​

We tested the M1 EN in November and that brings challenges. All of our trails are wet, slippery and covered in leaves. This means we can’t see many of the slippery roots and rocks and we risk riding straight into them. But hey, at least they aren’t covered in snow like November of last year.

Part of the reason for the low weight of the M1 EN demo bike is found on the rear wheel. The light Schwalbe Hans Dampf Speedgrip tyre isn’t well suited for these conditions. This lighter carcass tyre hasn’t got much damping in the sidewalls, making it less able to track the surface. The Soft compound Magic Mary up front does much better.


Riding drier and less slippery trails, the light rear tyre has its advantages. The M1 has a light ride feel, especially for a 160/170 mm travel emtb. The rear suspension provides a nice pop and it’s easy positioning the light rear end.

When riding flat or low speed trails, the M1 feels nimble and light. This lightweight bike is inspiring and fun. The M1 EN doesn’t really come across as a long travel, burly enduro bike. But it’s got the suspension travel to take on the jumps we encountered.

Climbing​

With a relatively slack 74* seat angle and 445 mm chainstays, this was never going to be a climbing specialist. But it’s not a big deal to us. Most climbs were easily covered just by moving slightly forward on the saddle. And the gen5 Bosch CX motor is strong enough to get up any climb while being easy to control in the challenging sections.

Descending​

An enduro bike should shine in the gnarly and fast descents. We took the bike down some seriously steep descents, some so steep you can’t stop. The bike was taken off some nice jumps too. And the M1 EN did well. Having a milder frame geometry in combination with the low weight makes the EN handling so quick on light. At the same time, the extra suspension travel will handle hard hits.


As speed increased on the slippery trails, we were held back a bit by the light rear tyre and hard rubber compound. Sure, we can’t hold that against the bike. These are difficult conditions; the tyre also makes the M1 EN a fast-rolling bike with nice grip in drier conditions.

We’re left with the impression that the M1 EN we rode isn’t an all-out, burly enduro bike. The rear suspension feels more poppy than stable. And while the Fox Factory 38s are great, this FiT4 version seems a tad harsher than the Fox Grip forks. The slightly short frame combined with the suspension characteristics and low weight makes the M1 EN come across as more of a highly capable All Mountain bike. But M1 offers options, chances are this bike can be configured to be more enduro.

Silent and lightweight?​

The New Bosch CX motor is so pleasant to ride and it’s much more silent than the milder SX motor. M1 allows us to configure a lightweight bike that is also silent. Take the M1 EN with a claimed staring weight of 19,9 kg and fit it with the Bosch CX 85 Nm motor and the 400 Wh battery. This should leave you with a bike weighing well below 21 kg. That’s comparable to many other Bosch SX powered SL bikes. And you get a detachable battery too, which is rare on the SL bikes.

So far, I haven’t seen any other brands offering the combination of the CX motor and 400 Wh battery. And Bosch warns me there are downsides to this combination. You aren’t getting the most of the CX motor running the smallest battery. Benedikt Kellermann from Bosch estimates you will only have access to maximum motor power down to about 80% state-of-charge, then the motor will start derating.


Still, I think this is an interesting combination. It makes sense dialing down the Turbo and possibly the emtb mode a bit in the app. Where else can you get what is basically a Bosch-powered SL bike that has very little motor noise? And a detachable battery?

Heavy and stable?​

If you want the burliest and most capable version of the M1 EN, buy it with the 800 Wh battery and possibly the range extender. Based on previous experience, we expect the added weight would make it a more stable bike. Combine this with burlier tyres like the new radial Schwalbe Magic Mary Soft for a more settled, stable and composed rear end. And possibly the Ultra Soft compound on the front. These are heavier and more compliant tyres, but they most likely won’t completely kill the poppy nature of the bike.

How do I buy an M1?​

Is M1 just one of those small direct-to-customer brands? Manuel Küspert of M1 says they changed their sales to “Click and collect” just over a year ago. In Europe, you can order the bike online and select a local dealer where the bike will be delivered. As of now, their website only lists dealers in Germany, Austria and the northern part of Italy.

People living elsewhere can talk to their local bike shop and ask if they are interested in selling you the bike. I would imagine they are since it should be an easy process. You just order the bike directly from M1 and supply the contact info to your chosen dealer. M1 will reach out to them and handle everything. You might notice the M1 website is currently available in German only. Their website is brand new, and they’re working on an English version.

Conclusion​

The M1 EN 8.0 is a well specc’ed and surprisingly light bike. The bike we rode came across more as a highly capable trail bike rather than an all-out enduro machine. This is a good thing for my riding. But with a bigger, heavier battery and heavier tyres, it should become a more stable and confidence inspiring high-speed descender. The weight, detachable battery and possibility to mix and match Bosch motor system components sets the M1 bikes apart.