Husqvarna Hard Cross 6 Review

As a component giant, Shimano is mostly known for its dominant position in bicycle gears. But with the EP8, the Japanese are clearly showing that they can look beyond their own plate too. The natural motor control and the harmonious power output characterise the character of the Shimano motor. The average range can become a problem especially for long mountain bike rides.

The good SR Suntour chassis absorbs even larger roots with the calmness of a Buddhist monk. The mid-range brakes from Tektro do their job but could be a bit firmer. The power of the four pistons setup is only average. The drivetrain and components have a subordinate but not to be neglected importance when it comes to EMTB. Even the bike brand product managers know this and don't aim too high with mostly average components. The moderate head tube angle provides a good compromise between stability and agility when going downhill. The reach is also right there in the middle ground. The low bottom bracket height will likely be a sticking point for trail riders, as it negatively affects handling. Oh boy, with the geometry you have to be ready to make compromises from our perspective. The most important measurements and angles fall slightly out of the grid of good bikes.