Deliberately unsensible – Reviewing the singlespeed Serial 1 MOSH/CTY ebike

Beefy look, relaxed riding position and a powerful motor: the Serial 1 MOSH/CTY must be the most accurate embodiment of the traits that the parent company Harley-Davidson are known for. We put it to the test to find out whether the ebike can combine the best of both worlds.

The MOSH/CTY certainly doesn’t hold back, boasting 2.8″ wide Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires, a matt black finish and an illuminated Serial 1 head badge, clearly standing out from the crowd of ordinary ebikes. Given the relationship to motorcycle legends Harley-Davidson, this doesn’t come as a big surprise, though it’s still more radical and unique looking than the RUSH/CTY STEP THRU that we tested previously. And it’s not just with the look, but also with the motor and drivetrain that they’re making a statement, combining the 90 Nm Brose S Mag motor with a GATES CARBON DRIVE belt and no gears. Yes, the MOSH/CTY is a singlespeed bike. While the bike’s motor is positioned rather conspicuously in the lower part of the frame, Serial 1 have hidden the 529 Wh battery inside the down tube.

Synergy effect – How much Harley-Davidson is in the MOSH/CTY

Without a doubt, the basic frame shape of the MOSH/CTY is reminiscent of a motorcycle and the thick weld seams of the workmanship underline this raw look. The brace on the top tube is an interesting detail, which makes it a little easier to lift the bike, tipping the scales at just over 21 kg. In addition, the elevated chain stay lets Serial 1 run a belt without needing a break-away in the rear triangle. While we’re at the rear of the bike, you’ll find specially developed tail lights integrated into both dropouts, which also function as brake lights. The illuminated Serial 1 head badge only functions as a daytime running light, but there’s a full-fledged head light on the handlebar, providing plenty of visibility..

On the handlebars, you’ll also find the levers of the Tektro brakes, which use four-piston callipers and are paired with big 203 mm rotors, evoking more of those motorbike memories. The cockpit is completed by the Brose display/remote to control the motor, consisting of a compact set of buttons and LEDs – the Serial 1 MOSH/CTY doesn’t have a classic display. Overall, the cockpit looks very tidy as a result, which is underlined by the internal cable routing. The flip side to this pure and cool look is that practical accessories such as mudguards or a rack are sought in vain on the MOSH/CTY. As such, the bike is more of an impractical fair-weather cruiser.

Power in abundance – Riding the Serial 1 MOSH/CTY

Fittingly for a fair-weather cruiser, the riding position aboard the MOSH/CTY is relatively upright and comfortable, which makes it easy to control. The fat tires provide a lot of cushioning, keeping the handling stable and rolling over rough roads and cobblestones with ease. However, the bike also feels very direct due to its low centre of gravity and rather narrow handlebar. The moment you turn the handlebar, the bike turns, letting you weave around obstacles and through corners. All in all, the MOSH/CTY offers a good compromise between composure and agility, allowing anyone to get along well with the bike, even if you don’t ride that frequently.

Thanks to the powerful brakes, it can be brought to a halt reliably while offering easy modulation, though we would have preferred it if they had a little more bite. The fact that the bike belongs to the cruiser rather than the race bike category is mainly owed to the low gearing ratio of the drivetrain. This results in an astonishingly versatile singlespeed bike when combined with the powerful motor as the MOSH/CTY is capable of mastering climbs that will bring other singlespeed bikes and riders to a grinding halt. The bike surges on stoically without appearing to reach the motor’s limits. However, the low gearing ratio will quickly have you pedalling at an uncomfortably high cadence at higher speeds. As such, the bike performs best at speeds of up to 25 km/h, letting you glide along comfortably. The luxury of not having to shift is just as pleasant as the barely audible motor and GATES CARBON DRIVE belt. It would be great if regular motorcycles could be this quiet: the loud rumble and pop of a combustion engine in the city is an outdated thing.

You can control the electric motor via the Brose display/remote on the handlebar, letting you select one of the four clearly distinct support modes. It also displays the battery level and lets you switch on the head light. Overall, it’s simple yet completely sufficient for the intended use, providing an intuitive interface. Our only gripe is that the LEDs could be a little brighter since they become difficult to read in direct sunlight. In case you can’t read the display, there’s an additional charge indicator on top of the battery. When you need to recharge, it can either be removed or charged on the bike via the integrated port. However, the cover of the charging port is somewhat fiddly to handle.

Tuning-Tipwider handlebar for even more of a Harley feeling | denim waistcoat to match the look 😉

Reason doesn’t always win – Our conclusion on the Serial 1 MOSH/CTY

You’d be wrong to just dismiss the Serial 1 MOSH/CTY as a somewhat exaggerated poser bike offhand. During our tests, the concept of this ebike proved to be surprisingly successful overall. While the MOSH/CTY is a fair-weather cruiser aimed at a very narrow target group, it serves them well and delivers a generous helping of fun while doing so. Considering the components, it certainly isn’t the most sensible bike you can buy, but it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

Who is and isn’t this bike for?

• perfect for fair-weather riders who just want to have fun
• the drivetrain makes it more suitable for short-hauls in the city
• if you want to stand out, this is the bike for you
• there are better bikes for long-distance or all-weather use

More infos about at serial1.de

Words: Oliver Gibler Photos: Benjamin Topf