MAXX

Racemaxx ELS 2023

Discontinued✎Full Power · Cross-CountryLegacy · 0.4/10iFreshness 0.4/10
How current the bike is — newer chassis, motor and battery score higher. 10 = brand-new, 0 = legacy.

Full-power alloy hardtail with big battery range for long climbs

Motor

Shimano EP8 (DU-EP800) · 85Nm · 500W↗

Battery

Shimano down-tube 726Wh

Travel F/R

120mm / —

Wheels

29F / 29R✎

Frame

Aluminium✎

Weight

—✎

Price

£0✎

View the MAXX Racemaxx ELS on MAXX’s site

MAXX Racemaxx ELS 2023

The MAXX Racemaxx ELS is the full-power hardtail in the boutique Bavarian brand's e-mountain bike line. It pairs a Shimano EP8 mid-motor (85Nm) with a fully integrated, removable 726Wh down-tube battery, and runs roughly 100 to 120mm of fork travel on a relaxed 68 degree head angle and 73 degree effective seat angle chassis. The rear is rigid, so this is a true e-hardtail.The frame is welded from MAXX's own 6061-T6 aluminium custom tubing with the distinctive eight-sided Octatube down tube, a Boost 12x148mm rear axle and a twin-layer powder coat. MAXX pitches it as a multitool: XS and S sizes roll on 27.5in wheels while M and up take 29in or optional B+ tyres up to 75mm wide, and the bike can be set up as a sporty trail e-MTB or as a touring ATB with rack, mudguards and kickstand. The size run is unusually broad, spanning eight frames from XS to 4XL for riders from about 1.50m to 2.12m.As with every MAXX, this is built to order through the configurator, so equipment, ergonomics and finish are specified per customer rather than sold as a fixed off-the-peg model. The 2023 page does publish a standard class specification, which is captured here: a Shimano XT M8130 1x11 drivetrain, Magura MT5 Trail brakes on 203/180mm rotors, SunRingle Duroc 30 rims and Schwalbe Nobby Nic tyres. The suspension fork is still chosen through the configurator rather than fixed, so no fork brand is listed.This is a low-volume German hand-built bike with no meaningful pool of owner feedback, and it has since been superseded in the MAXX range, so it is now a discontinued model.

EMTB Forums verdict

The MAXX Racemaxx ELS is the full-power hardtail in the boutique Bavarian brand's e-mountain bike line. It pairs a Shimano EP8 mid-motor (85Nm) with a fully integrated, removable 726Wh down-tube battery, and runs roughly 100 to 120mm of fork travel on a relaxed 68 degree head angle and 73 degree effective seat angle chassis. The rear is rigid, so this is a true e-hardtail.

The frame is welded from MAXX's own 6061-T6 aluminium custom tubing with the distinctive eight-sided Octatube down tube, a Boost 12x148mm rear axle and a twin-layer powder coat. MAXX pitches it as a multitool: XS and S sizes roll on 27.5in wheels while M and up take 29in or optional B+ tyres up to 75mm wide, and the bike can be set up as a sporty trail e-MTB or as a touring ATB with rack, mudguards and kickstand. The size run is unusually broad, spanning eight frames from XS to 4XL for riders from about 1.50m to 2.12m.

As with every MAXX, this is built to order through the configurator, so equipment, ergonomics and finish are specified per customer rather than sold as a fixed off-the-peg model. The 2023 page does publish a standard class specification, which is captured here: a Shimano XT M8130 1x11 drivetrain, Magura MT5 Trail brakes on 203/180mm rotors, SunRingle Duroc 30 rims and Schwalbe Nobby Nic tyres. The suspension fork is still chosen through the configurator rather than fixed, so no fork brand is listed.

This is a low-volume German hand-built bike with no meaningful pool of owner feedback, and it has since been superseded in the MAXX range, so it is now a discontinued model.

Geometry read

What the numbers mean on the trail

Computed from this bike's geometry, spec and build kit — reach, wheelbase, chainstay, head and seat angles, travel, motor, weight and the fork/tyre/brake spec — and worked out per size, because a fixed chainstay can make an S and an XL feel very different.

Size

Wheels

Descending

Steeper 68° and shorter travel — happiest descending smooth, flowy trail rather than properly rough or steep terrain.

Playfulness

A fair bit of pop, but happiest on flowing trail rather than trials moves.

Size balance

Rear-long with a planted front in L (FC:RC 1.54) — easy to weight the front and quick to turn, though it can feel light at the back at real speed.

Technical climbing

Shimano EP8 (DU-EP800) and a steep 73° seat angle keep the weight planted over the front — a proper winch. 500W of peak power and 85Nm of torque — a strong full-power motor.

Best suited toAll-round trail riding across mixed terrain.

No single standout trait — a balanced, versatile bike.

Watch out forNot built for serious descending — happier on flow than in the rough and steep.

Fine at trail pace; it'll feel out of its depth on properly rough, steep tracks.

How it stacks up vs other Full Power · Cross-Country bikes (from 130 bikes in the database)

Battery726 Whabout average capacity

Motor torque85 Nmabout average torque

Computed from geometry + spec, not a paid review. Scores are guidance, not gospel.

Paste into any thread to embed this live, interactive panel.

Geometry · hover a row to highlight the measurement on the bike

	XS	S	M	L	XL	XXL	3XL
Reach	412 mm	427 mm	421 mm	428 mm	445 mm	462 mm	479 mm
Stack	600 mm	600 mm	652 mm	661 mm	670 mm	679 mm	689 mm
Seattube	360 mm	400 mm	440 mm	480 mm	520 mm	560 mm	600 mm
Chainstay	452 mm	452 mm	468 mm	468 mm	468 mm	480 mm	480 mm
Headtube Angle	68°	68°	68°	68°	68°	68°	68°
Seattube Angle (eff)	73°	73°	73°	73°	73°	73°	73°
Wheelbase	1129 mm	1144 mm	1178 mm	1189 mm	1210 mm	1243 mm	1264 mm
Headtube	135 mm	135 mm	145 mm	155 mm	165 mm	175 mm	185 mm
BB Height	305 mm	305 mm	314 mm	314 mm	314 mm	314 mm	314 mm
Front Centre	677 mm*	692 mm*	710 mm*	721 mm*	742 mm*	763 mm*	784 mm*
FC:RC	1.50	1.53	1.52	1.54	1.59	1.59	1.63

Trims · 1

	Base £0
Motor	Shimano EP8 (DU-EP800) · 85 Nm
Battery	Shimano down-tube 726Wh · 726 Wh
Travel F/R	120/? mm
Frame	6061-T6 aluminium, Octatube (8-sided down tube) MAXX Custom Tubing, twin-layer powder coat
Fork	Suspension fork, 100-120mm travel on M and up (XS/S 80-100mm). No fork brand/model published in the 2023 Class Specification - the fork is a configurator selection.
Headset	Oversized tapered headset.
Stem	MAXX MTB 0 or 7 degree
Handlebar	MAXX Rizer 35 MTB
Grips	Handlebar race grip with bolt, 130 mm, black
Saddle	Selle Italia Man Flow
Seatpost	MAXX Premium
Brakes	Magura MT5 Trail Sport 4/2 piston disc 203/180 mm
Rear derailleur	Shimano XT RD M8130
Crank	Shimano SMCRME80 Boost 34T
Shifters	Shimano XT SL M8130
Cassette	Shimano CS LG700 11-50, 1 x 11
Chain	Shimano 11-speed CNHG601
Drivetrain	Shimano XT RD M8130; Shimano SMCRME80 Boost 34T; Shimano XT SL M8130; Shimano CS LG700 11-50, 1 x 11; Shimano 11-speed CNHG601
Wheels	SunRingle Duroc 30, 32H, SV, black
Tyres	Schwalbe Nobby Nic Performance folding 60-584 (27.5x2.35) on the XS/S standard build; M and up run 29in or optional B+ up to 75mm (3in).
Price	£0

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