Luna X1 Enduro E-MTB Quick Ride: Big Power and a Thumb Throttle

Quick ride on a new Luna X1 Enduro E-MTB today (thanks Jamie!). What a fun e-MTB! My regular e-MTB rides include a 2019 Specialized Levo Comp Carbon (47 lbs) and 2019 Specialized Kenevo Expert (54 lbs) both of which have 250 watt Brose motors and pedal assist to 20 mph. The X1 Enduro (55 lbs) has a 1000 watt Bafang mid drive motor with a thumb throttle and pedal assist. I went about 29 mph on a level gravel road on the X1 with pedal +throttle and could still feel some assist (not sure if there is an assist limit on the X1). This is my first ride on a pedal assist bike with a thumb throttle. The thumb throttle gives the X1 a different experience compared to other e-MTB's. ON the X1 you can stop pedaling and use the thumb throttle to maintain or increase speed. The thumb throttle does not feel as direct as a throttle on a motorcycle but more like a boost button to increase speed. The thumb throttle is another feature that blurs the line between mountain bikes and motorcycles.

Some other things I noticed on the X1: the brakes felt a little weak, the dropper post lever is not in a great location for easy use and the dropper range seems limited, the motor can feel a little abrupt when pedal assist kicks in (not sure if there is a tuning app available to dial in the motor assist characteristics - the Levo felt smoother with a more natural feeling pedal assist).

The Luna X1 offers a lot of performance for the money in an E-MTB. However the X1 does not feel as refined in terms of pedal assist as the Levo. Perhaps most importantly the X1 is just plain fun to ride!

Here is a link to the Luna Cycle page on the X1 Enduro

[mxgryan]

Bro no way, I have been searching high and low for someone I know who's ridden one of these in real life!

[sambananas]

Excellent informative video. I currently ride a 1500 Watt Luna Mid-Drive on an old FS Box store bike with upgraded fork and shock. I ride exclusively in the NJ Pine Barrens sugar sand and it is phenomenal even on a box-store FS clunker. I am interested in either building a Giant Stance with a 2500 watt BBSHD or purchase the X1 built. Where in the country are you riding? I am interested in experiencing those type trails, though I love the deep sand single track we have. Thanks and cheers. 60 and still pedalling when healthy enough.

[ArbitraryLifestyle]

After some research it seems possible and easy (if you have a BESST tool) to program the PAS and throttle to more favorable actions and speeds.

[John-epin]

Hi just wanted your opinion on this bike. I'm a dirt biker and used to ride lift access DH parks. I'm wondering if this video is the average pace which you can ride these things on flat trails. I test rode a 250W eMTB recently and was so disappointed with the power. Am I expecting too much from an eMTB to be able ride like a downhill bike or moto. Slamming over logs, braking hard into corners, sliding around etc? I want to have that kind of moto feel on the boring flat single track with something that still resembles a MTB so the cops don't get called, but I don't think it's possible.

[chrisprelot]

Hi do you think this eBike can do Enduro trail ride or Downhill safety? I mean not extreme ride but what about solidity?

[scottg]

Does the throttle have multiple power positions or it it simply no power / full power? ( I know there are level 1-5 settings in the computer, just asking regarding the thumb throttle)

[dalecannon]

How much did you pay for the Luna?? Also was it worth the price??

[gerrywong]

How would a race against your levo do against the x1 Ludacris?

[bwhohasthebigd]

How do you compare the X1 to the Sur ron for trail use

[poundcake]

Does the throttle work like a gas pedal (the harder you push it the faster you go) or is it just an on/off switch?