Rapcon ePinion Ultimate 2025

The Simplon Rapcon ePinion Ultimate 2025 is an Austrian-built carbon enduro eMTB built around Pinion's MGU (E1.12) motor-gearbox unit, the most distinctive drive system in eMTB. It runs 170 mm of fork travel and 160 mm rear on a 4-bar Horst Link chassis, with a removable 720 Wh FIT Ultracore battery and a claimed 24.7 kg system weight. Headline numbers: 85 Nm of torque, 600 W peak power, a 65 degree head angle and reach growing from 435 to 506 mm across four sizes. £9,200 for the single Ultimate trim. Community verdict: a beautifully engineered Austrian carbon chassis with a genuinely novel motor-gearbox-belt drive system that promises low maintenance but ships with V1.0 caveats.

Drive system and range. The Pinion MGU E1.12 is a 12-speed gearbox-motor unit that integrates electric drive and internal gearing into one sealed system, with belt-drive output replacing the usual chain. It produces 85 Nm of torque and 600 W of peak power. The unit weighs 4.1 kg, considerably heavier than the Bosch CX (2.8 kg) or DJI Avinox M2 (2.65 kg), but the elimination of chain, cassette and derailleur means the bike's drivetrain maintenance window stretches to thousands of kilometres. The 720 Wh FIT Ultracore battery is removable. Pinion firmware updates push through the Pinion app, although the user interface and noise levels have been flagged as significant ownership compromises.

Geometry and handling. A 65 degree head angle is bang on the modern enduro norm, slightly steeper than the slack 64 degree rivals like the Marin Alpine Trail E. Reach grows from 435 mm in S to 506 mm in XL, a useful 71 mm spread. The 447 mm chainstay is identical across sizes, on the playful side of the enduro market. Wheelbases run 1204 to 1285 mm, on the shorter side which suits tight, technical singletrack. 29-inch wheels across the range. The MGU's central mass keeps the bike well-balanced compared to traditional motor placements.

Build and value. One Ultimate trim, £9,200. The build includes the Pinion MGU E1.12 motor-gearbox, the 720 Wh FIT Ultracore battery and Simplon's premium carbon chassis with high-end suspension and finishing kit. The standout strength is the chassis-and-drivetrain integration: belt-drive output, integrated gearbox and low-maintenance ownership window are unique to MGU platforms. The questionable note is the single-trim price ceiling at £9,200 for what owners describe as a V1.0 product.

Community-verified strengths. Long-term owners of MGU-equipped bikes confirm the maintenance reduction is genuine: belt drives last thousands of kilometres compared to chain-cassette systems. The mass-central placement of the motor-gearbox unit gives a balanced ride feel that traditional bike layouts cannot match. Pinion as a brand have decades of pedigree in gearbox systems, so the underlying engineering is mature.

Caveats and known gripes. The MGU has well-documented V1.0 issues. Owners have reported belts snapping due to worn rear snubbers below the rear sprocket, with a community fix involving replacing the snubber with stainless steel bearings to prevent recurrence. The MGU has historically been called loud with a hideous screen interface compared to the Bosch Smart System or DJI Mimo ecosystems. Earlier 800 Wh battery batches had documented failures requiring full replacement. Some owners have reported motor whistling/squeaking noises traced to internal seal water egress, with full MGU exchange under warranty as the resolution. Simplon Rapcon Pmax (older Bosch-powered models) had documented carbon frame quality issues with multiple replacements under warranty, which casts a shadow over the brand's frame durability even on the new MGU platform.

Verdict. The Rapcon ePinion Ultimate 2025 suits the early-adopter enduro rider who wants the unique mass-central feel and low-maintenance promise of a Pinion MGU drivetrain, in a properly engineered Austrian carbon chassis. Riders who prioritise motor reliability, user-interface polish or the latest Bosch CX Gen 5 or DJI Avinox power should look at the Marin Alpine Trail E, the Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon or the Mondraker Zendit. Production status: current.