Just over a year ago, I was riding laps at the Besakih Bike Park in Bali with Patrol Mountain bikes on the 691 and E-Six. What a difference a year makes. It looks like it will be a while before getting back to similar adventures, but the news of their updated E-Six model reminded me of good times.
Besakih Bike Park is located on the slopes of a volcano, which means it’s very steep. Without a chair lift, the only realistic way to get back to the top is to throw your bike in the back of one of their shuttle vehicles and hitch a ride – unless you have an e-bike. Using minimal assist, or even completely turning it off on the way down, the Patrol E-Six was a blast, even once you got to the bottom and had to pedal back up. Now, that same E-Six model has gotten even better with the introduction of Shimano’s EP8 drive system.
Like many other e-MTBs this week, the E-Six gets a huge bump in performance with Shimano’s newest e-bike system. The new motor offers more torque in a lighter, more compact package that includes narrower q-factor and an updated E-Tube app for further customization of the power. Patrol pairs the EP8 with their SMP 640Wh battery which should provide an impressive range with the new system.
Still packaged in an aluminum frame with 29″ wheels and 150mm of rear travel, the frame geometry looks almost identical to the previous version with four sizes and a fairly modern geometry. New for the 2021 model is the addition of the new Fox 38 E suspension fork with 160mm of travel for even more precise handling at the front of the bike.
The 2021 E-Six will be offered in two builds, the E-Six and E-Six S. Pricing and availability is TBA.
