Serial 1 SWITCH/MTN: Harley Davidson’s Serial 1 Launches First eMTB
Jun 17, 2022
0 Comments
Share
Serial 1, the electric bike brand built on Harley Davidson’s legacy and engineering, announced on Friday its latest foray into the world of electric mountain bikes with a model that promises off-road performance accessible to all riders.
The new eMTB, called the Serial 1 SWITCH/MTN, is built around the backbone of the brand’s riotously successful /CTY models but with off-road specific geometry and a component suite chosen for performance in dirt. Like all of Serial 1’s other e-bikes, the new SWITCH/MTN is built on the Brose S Mag mid-drive motor that makes 90Nm of torque and offers 410% support at peak power. It also uses a 529Wh battery integrated into the lower portion of the frame for good looks and a low center of gravity.
Though Serial 1 has recently been releasing a series of special edition and otherwise one-off e-bikes, the SWITCH/MTN will be a permanent fixture in the brand’s e-bike lineup. It will be priced at $4,499 MSRP and is expected to begin shipping in early August of this year.
The all-new Serial 1 SWITCH/MTN eMTB.
“The vast majority of our world is unpaved,” said Aaron Frank, Brand Director at Serial 1, in a release announcing the new e-bike. “Fire roads, Jeep trails, singletrack paths, terrain parks, ski hills, state forests—there are so many great destinations to explore on two wheels and SWITCH/MTN, with its powerful motor, large-capacity battery, fully adjustable front suspension, and wide-ratio 1×12 drivetrain, has the all the performance and capability to take you anywhere you want to go.”
READ MORE: Our one-on-one interview with Serial 1’s Aaron Frank
Electric Bike Report had actually been invited to attend a special press event this week at the Bentonville Bike Fest in Arkansas, so I’d planned on having some first ride impressions ready for you. Unfortunately, a bout with COVID-19 derailed those plans so a first-glance spec review will have to do until we get the Serial 1 SWITCH/MTN in for full review.
Sponsor
Sponsor
Serial 1 SWITCH/MTB: Specs and Details
Though it looks strikingly similar to Serial 1’s existing on-road RUSH/CTY SPEED model — with the same general frame shape and the brand’s signature elevated chainstays — Serial 1 says the SWITCH/MTN is a new bike from the ground-up. The geometry of the hydroformed aluminum frame has been tweaked to be more nimble and to give the rider confidence and control over variable terrain.
They’ve also added some uniquely mountain bike-y componentry, such as the capable SR Suntour ZERON35 BOOST AIR with 120mm of travel and a TransX dropper post. The drivetrain is the SRAM SX Eagle entry level 12-speed groupset, which strikes a good balance between cost-effectiveness and reliability (and can be upgraded piece by piece, if you so choose), and braking is handled by a set of Tektro Slate T4 hydraulic disk brakes with powerful four piston calipers and 203mm rotors front and rear.
Though the frame looks similar to the existing Serial 1 RUSH/CTY SPEED model, the SWITCH/MTN is a new design with new off-road geometry.
The Brose S Mag mid-drive motor makes 90Nm of torque and up to 410% assistance at peak power.
The battery is hidden low inside the downtube of the frame for a low center of gravity.
Rounding out the build is a set of 2.6″ Michelin E-Wild E-GUM-X tires mounted to 27.5″ wheels and a fairly standard looking flat bar eMTB cockpit. The bike, according to Serial 1, weighs in at 53 lbs for a size large, which is in the ballpark of most performance eMTBs on the market.
The Brose S Mag motor is a Class 1 unit with four levels of pedal assistance, all of which are capped at a maximum motor assisted speed of 20 mph. Those modes are Eco, Tour, Sport and Boost modes.
In lieu of a full-size LCD screen on the handlebars, Serial 1 has opted for the more discreet Brose Remote handlebar control that allows riders to toggle through the assist levels, turn the bike on and control the integrated headlight. Should you want a display, Serial 1 has an app for that. In fact, that app functions as much more than a display.
Seral 1’s Google Cloud-based app, among other things, integrates with Google Maps, can display all your relevant ride metrics and even has security features allowing users to monitor, track and digitally lock their bikes. It also, of course, can be mounted to the handlebars as a display.
The SWITCH/MTN weighs in at a claimed 53 lbs, a competitive weight among performance eMTBs.
Serial 1 may be its own entity, but there is no denying its Harley Davidson roots.
The handlebars and integrated front headlight.
Though the SWITCH/MTN is situated squarely in the eMTB category, Serial 1 did include some basic comfort and convenience features that make the bike a bit more versatile, such as an integrated front and rear lights and a removable kickstand. All the cabling is also internal, protecting them from the elements and making for a sleeker look.
Sponsor
Serial 1 SWITCH/MTN: Full Spec Sheet
- Frame: Hydroformed aluminum, welded construction, internal routing
- Fork: SR Suntour ZERON35 BOOST AIR suspension fork
- Motor Type: Brose S Mag, mid-drive mounting
- Torque: 90Nm/66 ft. lb.
- Battery: 529Wh, integrated, removable
- Range: 30-95 miles/48-153 km – Depends on mode and terrain
- Charge Time: 0-75% charge = 2.6hrs, 75-100% charge= 2.1hrs
- Maximum Assistance Speed: 20 mph (US)/ 25 km/h (EU)/ 32 km/h (CAN)
- Drivetrain: SRAM SX Eagle 1×12
- Final Drive: Chain, 11-50 cassette
- Brakes: TRP hydraulic four-piston disc brakes front and rear, 203mm x 2.3mm rotors
- Wheels: 27.5 x 35mm alloy rims and Sapim stainless steel spokes
- Tires: Michelin E-Wild E-GUM-X 27.5 x 2.6-inch
- Front Light: LED headlight
- Rear Light: Integrated LED taillights with brake light
- Signature Light: Illuminated headtube light
- Connectivity: Available through the Serial 1 App
- Integrated Device Charger: Integrated USB-C plug capable of charging mobile devices(up to 10W, depending upon mobile device)
- Controller: Brose Remote
- Seat Post: TranzX dropper seat post
- Frame Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 53.0 lb/24.0 kg (Size Large)
- Kickstand: Rear-mounted, adjustable length
- Color: Wasatch Green/Gloss Orange, Uinta Gray/Gloss White
- MSRP: $4,499
Sponsor
