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NCM make high-quality, but affordable electric bikes. In this review, I will explain why I believe the NCM Moscow is one of the best budget electric mountain bikes.
About NCM Electric bikes
NCM Bikes, founded in 2014, have quickly become one of the largest electric bike brands in Europe, the parent company, Leon Cycle GmbH is a German company based in Hanover. Their e-bikes are designed in Germany and manufactured in China.
This great e-bike is now available in the US with a higher power output 500w motor and a top speed of 20mph. The NCM Moscow Plus has a high capacity 48v 16ah battery, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and Suntour XCM forks with 100mm travel. This model uses the more advanced C7 LCD with increased functionality and has 24-speed gears with Shimano Crankset and Acera 8-speed rear mech. There is also a throttle fitted.
I have ridden the EU spec version and that was fairly nippy, so I would imagine with double the power on tap this US version is an absolute joy to ride!
EU Specification
The centrepiece of this Electric bike is the DAS-Kit X15 geared rear hub motor: This durable 250W rear electric hub motor is known for its efficiency and high torque output. It offers a reduction ratio of 1:5 and a maximum torque of 55 Nm, which is excellent for such a small motor. This German-designed hub motor punches above its weight and it is refreshing to see such a high-quality unit on an affordable e-bike.
48v13ah Lithium battery pack with USB charging port for mobile devices: Usually, electric bike battery packs take up a considerable amount of space in the frame, but the Moscow’s battery is integrated into the down tube of the bike, keeping the weight low and central, which helps to improve stability. The claimed maximum range of 75 miles seems a little optimistic, but possible if the pedal assist is used wisely. The total battery energy capacity is 624wh (watt hours), so if you were consuming 20wh per mile, your range would be 31 miles. My friend owns one of these bikes and gets an average range of around 40-50 miles.
This is a rugged bike built for the road less travelled: This is an excellent bike for weekend adventures on trails and gravel tracks. The Suntour XCT front forks have 100mm of travel, which is more than adequate for light off-road riding, and the excellent Schwalbe Smart Sam all-terrain tyres provide grip where it’s needed. The gel saddle is comfortable enough, and the Velo ergonomic handlebar grips not only look great but feel great too! Gearing is the dependable Shimano Altus 21-speed, and all the gears are indexed perfectly as expected.
Multi-function LCD: The Das-Kit LCD gives you all the information you would expect, including journey time and mileage. It also has 6 power levels of pedal assist, so you can fine-tune the power output to suit your needs.
Excellent build quality: One thing that has always impressed me with NCM Electric bikes is the consistency of the build quality. The NCM Moscow is no exception. It looks great, but there is no compromise on functionality and safety. The Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors provide predictable braking and the brake levers incorporate motor cut-off switches to ensure safe riding.
Summary
The NCM Moscow electric bike offers exceptional value for money. I have tested NCM’s other bikes and this one is no exception. They all offer a lot for the price. The specification is excellent and it is good to see a 48v battery fitted to a 250w bike. This battery is the same capacity as the Milano I reviewed previously and a realistic range of between 30-45 miles, or 31 miles using the 20wh per mile calculation, should be expected. The claimed range of 75 miles may be a little optimistic for everyday use – but it depends on how much you use the electric assist.
The Tektro Mechanical disc brakes provide adequate and predictable stopping power, while the Schwalbe Smart Sam tyres will provide sure-footed grip on a variety of surfaces, as well as a reasonable amount of puncture protection.
It is good to see an integrated battery pack on an e-bike of this price, it does finish the bike off nicely.
As far as electric mountain bikes go, the NCM Moscow is excellent. Not only is it well-made, but it has a decent battery and an excellent motor.
The Ride
I serviced one of these for a customer last Summer and had to take it for a short test ride. I was impressed with the way the small motor effortlessly handled the steep Cornish hills. The beefy 29er tyres handled the potholes and bumps of the back lanes with ease.
I had previously ridden the Milano model and there are a lot of obvious similarities. The Milano is made with the daily commuter in mind, whereas the Moscow is geared more toward the recreational rider, who will be venturing off-road more often. If I had to choose between the two, I would go for the Moscow, simply because it has that ‘go anywhere’ feel, and if you decided to use it as an everyday commuter bike, there are provisions to fit mudguards and a rack.
Conclusion
As with all the other NCM bikes I have reviewed, I rate this bike. It has to be the best-value electric mountain bike on the market at the moment.
The great thing about this bike is that the build quality is excellent. It feels very rugged and durable, although I would err on the side of caution when taking it off the beaten track. It is not a high-end mountain bike and isn’t designed to take the rigours of extreme downhill riding. The suspension forks are fine for rough surfaces and a few small potholes, but nothing too harsh like rocks and logs.
If you are in the market for an affordable off-road e-bike, then this ticks all the right boxes.
If you are looking for a more commuter-orientated bike check out my review of the Milano. If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to the NMC Moscow, It would be worth looking at the NCM Prague Electric Mountain Bike.
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Vrai 1er test aujourd’hui du NCM Moscow 48v 13 Ah 26″ 1ere génération :
Ballade prévue avec un copain : 55 km et 1000 de dénivelé, jusqu’au col de l’oeillon (massif du pilat – Loire) sur petites routes et chemin. Déjà fait avec VAE à 1000 eur et sa batterie de 500 W pour comparer. La batterie m’avait ramené alors pile à la maison, mais tout juste vidée (donc 55 km et 1000 m).
Malheureusement, aujourd’hui, la batterie de mon tout beau tout neuf NCM moscow 1ere génération m’a laché au bout de 32 km, 500 m avant le col. J’ai fait le retour au molet (heureusemnt 90% de descente au retour). Donc 6 barres de batterie au départ, 5 au bout de 12 km, 4 à 20 km, 3, puis 2 barres en qq km seulement. Les 2 barres restantes ont tenus les 5 derniers km. Pour moi, pas normal du tout. Je pèse 65 kgs et j’ai sollicité modérément l’assistance : essentiellement vitesse 2 et 3 dans les cotes.
J’ai sollicité le sav Decathlon aujourd’hui et j’attends sa réponse.
Donc difficile de noter ce vélo en l’état des choses, car par ailleurs, il possède qq atouts : solidité apparente, confort (j’ai qd meme mis une selle confort), prix, look, poignée confort, béquille et sonnette rigolote (mais ça, c’est pas cher à rajouter), mais aussi qq défauts : poids lourds 27 kgs, dérailleurs avt et arrière déréglés (pas si grave), disque avt très légèrement voilé (frotement), grincement du frein avant (sur 10 kms de descente, ça saoule), pneu ultra fin. J’ai eu le bonheur de créver à l’arrière (pas de pot qd même !), réparation sans pb, mais j’ai alors constaté la finesse de l’épaisseur du caoutchouc des pneus. Une simple epine l’avait traversé. Mais bon, il semblerait que c’est de la bonne marque.
Il manque réellement sur le web de vrai test sur la durée, en particulier sur l’autonomie réelle d’un VAE. Pour moi, sauf si le sav me confirme qu’il y a problème et remplace ma batterie, je ne recommande pas ce VAE pour de la rando de 50 Km, au risque de rentrer avec les mollets, sauf si plat.
Merci de partager vos expériences avec le NCM de Moscou, très apprécié.
Hello,
Je rentre de ma 1ere vraie sortie avec le NCM Moscow 1ere génération (blanc 26″, 48V 13 Ah).
55 km – 1000 m de dénivelé – Mon poids plume : 65 Kgs – Niveau d’assistance utilisé : modéré.
Points – :
– Niveau de batterie peu fiable. 1 barre en moins au bout de 15 km – 2eme barre à 20 km – 3 et 4 eme barre entre 25 et 30 km (!) – Les 2 dernières barres sont tombés ensemble à 32 km, en haut du sommet. J’ai fait le retour sans batterie, et c’est dur. J’ai signalé à Decathlon, qui j’espère fera le nécessaire auprès de Leon Cycles.
– Tous les réglages sont à reprendre : freins, dérailleurs. Mais bon, ça, c’est rien.
– 1ère sortie, 1 ére crevaison, à l’arrière. J’ai pu réparer sans problème sans démonter la roue. Juste sortir la chambre à air roue montée et repérer le trou. Mais ça m’a donné l’occasion de constater que les pneus sont ultra fins (pourtant vtt). Une simple petite épine à traverser le pneu. On va dire pas de chance.
Points + : le confort est là.
je mets pour le moment 3/10 pour la fiabilité. Si une nouvelle batterie règle le problème, j’aurai tendance à noter 7/10.
A voir dans le temps.
Hello, I have just purchased the NCM Moscow 26″ 1st generation. I am desperately looking for a rack that fits. Do you have a reference? Thank you in advance for your help.
Bonjour, je viens d’acheter le NCM Moscow 26″ 1erer génération. Je cherche désespérément un porte bagage qui s’adapte. avez vous une référence ? Merci à l’avance pour votre aide.
Hi,
I’ve seen the Topeak MTX Beam rack fitted to the Moscow. It clamps on to the seat post and is a good quality rack.
Regards,
Tony
Je réponds à moi meme pour ceux que ça interesserait : j’ai pu adapter mon porte bagage, en rajoutant des entretoises de 15 mm au niveau des vis coté moyeu arrière.
BOnjour,
Je pense sauter le pas et acheter le moscow, bien qu’il ne reste plus en ce moment que le 26″.
Souhaitant investir dans une tige de selle telescopique, pouvez vous me donner le diametre de la tige de selle svp ?
merci d’avance
Bonjour,
Le NCM Moscou a une tige de selle de 30,9 mm. La meilleure tige de selle à suspension est la Suntour SP-12 NCX.
Salutations,
Tony
I got my Moscow Plus last September and yesterday took it out for my 20th weekly ride from San Francisco across the bridge into the Marin Headlands, usually just over a 33 mile ride. I’m 71 and it is a work out but I don’t ride to work out. I ride to get out into nature. The seat crumbed under me within two months of getting it but some duct take fixed it perfectly. The fixture that has the key slot to use to fit in the battery came loose when I had a flat tire fixed but aside from being loose when the battery is not in it, still works perfectly. The tires handle the sharp rocks on some of the trails. The gas throttle, the bike’s gas pump, is dangerous at first. I learned to turn off the power before taking the bike down stair ramps and before wheeling it into my basement. The bike jumps out of your hands if you touch that throttle while your standing on the ground. Had a bad accident last November on a steep incline when I grabbed the handlebar to stop the bike sliding away under me and it shot off when I accidentally touched the throttle. Me, the bike and my iPad all fell and shattered in different directions. The rear derailleur was jammed into the back wheel so the wheels wouldn’t turn and I didn’t have a tool on me miles away from civilization. But 10 minutes later another cyclist with a mini tool saved the day. So carry that sack of tools they send to assemble the bike when you ride it. You never know when you’ll need them. Sharp turns are almost impossible for me on this bike but wow I love it!!! I can cycle up and down trails till the cows come home. Trails I never could cycle up before. Love that! A super great buy and I’m so glad I got it. And they had super great customer service to help me learn how to use the charger. Did I mention I’d never used an ebike before?
Hi Charlie,
Thanks for sharing your experiences, glad you’re out there enjoying your bike👍
All the best,
Tony
Bought my new Moscow bike from Amazon but not long before I had problems with coffee grinder noise and serious vibration, found the cable from the controller to the back wheel had been routed too close to the drive sprocket and had chafed through causing broken wires and short circuits. Leon cycles Germany took the wheel back, but no better, a new controller followed, no better, they then told me I needed a new back wheel and motor, or a rebuilt motor, but due to Brexit they could not help any more. I now have a bike which will run perfectly when running but can take 20+ attempts to get started without grating and vibrating. Can anybody help?
I know this is an old review but I thought I’d ask my question anyway. If it get a reply, good; if not, that’s OK too.
I bought a Moscow Plus late in 2020. It’s worked out very well for me. Now that I’ve owned it for a while and gotten the feel of it I’ve worked my riding stamina up to where I’m ready to ride farther and farther out.
I love to fish so at some point I hope to make the trek to my nearest trout fishing stream which is approximately 30 or so miles one way. The terrain to get there is generally flat ground with one long stretch of about a mile and a half being a good downhill grade.
For an earth-bound bike rider that’s as close to flying as I’m ever going to get but, I temper that with the knowledge that on the way back I’ll have to hump it a bit to get back up that hill.
All of that to ask; Has anyone that you know of ever ridden their Moscow Plus starting with a full charge, on battery power alone to see exactly how far it would take them on generally flat terrain?
I plan on purchasing a spare OEM battery latter on this year so I won’t be able to do this battery endurance test until I have that spare battery to get me back home. In the mean time I just though I’d ask if anyone has already done this type of test. I could save me the trouble of doing it myself.
Thanks.
Tim M.
Buying a new battery, if you can find one is £500.00 plus a bit, so if I were you I would stay close to home and do circuits for for a couple of hours at a time until the battery runs out of power, then walk back home using the walk mode ( there should be enough left in the battery to do that).