Marins all-new Alpine Trail E Bosch electric mountain bike use Boschs full-power Performance Line CX motor and run a mixed wheel (29in front, 27.5in rear) setup as stock.Like its non-electric counterpart, the Series Four aluminium frame is all-new, with travel boosted up to 160mm compared to the previous generation Shimano-powered Alpine Trail.Moving from Marins standard MultiTrac 2 linkage-driven single pivot suspension to the LT version, it now uses a Horst-link design.The Bosch integrated top tube display looks tidy. - Marin BikesFlip chips adjust bottom bracket height and chainstay length, while headset cups adjust the head angle between 62.4 degree and 64 degrees.At launch two models are available the Alpine Trail E2 and E1. The top-spec E2 retails for 6,385 / $6,599 / 7,249 / CAN$8,799 and the more affordable E1 costs 5,515 / $5,699 / 6,299 / CAN$7,599.Head to our full review of the new Marine Alpine Trail E2 to hear how the bike performs on the trails2024 Marin Alpine Trail E Bosch frame, suspension, motor and batteryThis 160mm travel bike is ready for gravity-fuelled rides. - Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesThe Alpine Trail E Bosch uses Marins Series 4 aluminium with a chunky straight downtube and more svelte top tube and seat- and chainstays.Cables enter via rubber ports on the downtube, which are held in place using a small hex bolt. The ports membrane is punctured to allow the cable to pass through. This forms a tight seal around the cable to reduce rattle and improve weatherproofing, according to Marin.The seat tube diameter is up from 30.99mm to 34.9mm. This is claimed to boost frame strength.Theres plenty of chain slap protection. This is made from a fibreglass-infused nylon.The bike now uses SRAMs UDH standard, so the bike is SRAM Transmission groupset compatible.There's plenty of chain slap protection. - Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesUnderside protection is also fitted. This clips and bolts in place, and needs to be removed to access the bikes battery. Drain ports let any moisture escape the frames tubes.Headset cups are used to adjust the bike's head angle. - Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesAngle-adjusting headset cups are also included as standard. The upper cup offsets the forks steerer tube at an angle relative to the head tube to adjust the bikes head angle.To make the head angle slacker, the cup offsets the forks steerer to the rear of the headtube, and to make it steeper it does the opposite, offsetting it to the front of the headtube.The lower cup uses a nylon doughnut to accommodate the angle of the tube; when the headset is tightened the doughnut lets the bearing angle within the metal cup, mirroring the position of the upper headset cup.Suspension designThe frame is made from aluminium. - Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesMoving to the brands all-new MultiTrac 2 LT design sees a shift from the linkage-driven single pivot design to a Horst-link system. This comes with a corresponding increase in travel from 150mm to 160mm.According to Marin, moving the pivot from the seatstay to the chainstay provided designers more freedom to reduce anti-rise to improve suspension performance while braking. It also increases mid-stroke support and bottom-out resistance.Additionally, the new design helped Marin implement its adjustable chainstay flip chips.Motor and batteryBosch's Performance Line CX motor is fitted. - Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesFitted with Boschs 85Nm Performance Line CX motor, this offers up to 340 per cent assistance.The inbuilt top tube controller has Boschs usual ten-stage battery and colour-coded mode indicators. Its paired with the wireless Mini Remote, fitted to the handlebars.A 750Wh Powertube battery is fitted within the bike's downtube. - Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesA 750Wh Powertube battery powers the motor. This slides into the bikes full-circumference downtube via a port at the bottom bracket. The rail system used on a lot of Bosch bikes uses a single clip to keep the battery in place.2024 Marin Alpine Trail E Bosch geometryIt's got progressive, adjustable geometry. - Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesThe 2024 Alpine Trail E Boschs geometry can be adjusted depending on rider needs and trail types.The head angle can be adjusted from its standard 63 degree position 0.75 degree in either direction.Flip chips adjust the bottom bracket height and chainstay length. - Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesThe chainstay flip chip adjusts chainstay length (CS) and bottom bracket (BB) height.High: BB 352mm, CS435mmLow: BB 347mm, CS 443mmAlthough the two adjustments work independently, the chainstay adjustment affects the head angle. In its slackest, longest and lowest setting the bikes head angle is 62.4 degrees.A chunky head tube permits angle adjustment. - Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesElsewhere figures are standard for an aggressive gravity-focussed electric mountain bike. However, a three size-range (medium to extra-large) may limit smaller riders from swinging a leg over the Alpine Trail E Bosch.Reach figures span from 454mm (medium) and 485mm (large) up to 515mm (extra-large).Seat tube angles are functionally steep, hovering around 78 degrees regardless of the bikes geometry settings.Elsewhere, stack heights start at 637mm, lift to 464mm and then settle at 650mm on the XL bikes.Together the figures look cohesive and progressive, and the adjustability is welcome addition so people can adjust their bikes according to their own needs. MLXL Seat tube angle (degrees)78.478.378.2 Head tube angle (degrees)636363 Chainstay (mm)443443443 Top tube (mm)594.92627.59660.36 Head tube (mm)115125130 Bottom bracket height (mm)345345345 Wheelbase (mm)1255.661290.121322.36 Standover (mm)706.29715.1726.28 Stack (mm)637.22646.31650.92 Reach (mm)454.84484.91515 Edit Table 2024 Marin Alpine Trail E Bosch models, prices and specificationsThe underside cover can be removed to access the battery. - Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesTwo models debut in the new Alpune Trail E Bosch range.The more expensive 6,385 / $6,599 / 7,249 / CAN$8,799 Alpine Trail E2 Bosch is fitted with Foxs Performance Elite 38 fork and DHX2 coil-sprung shock.Elsewhere, theres a Shimano SLX/XT 12-speed drivetrain mix and TRPs DH-R EVO brakes with 203mm rotors front and rear.Bosch's Wireless Mini Remote is used to change between modes. - Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesMarin-branded wheels are clad in Vee Tire Cos Attack HPL rubber, also fitted with CushCore inserts from the factory.At 5,515 / $5,699 / 6,299 / CAN$7,599 the E1 is more affordable. Up front is a Marzocchi Z1 fork and CR coil shock.Shimanos CUES 6000 10-speed drivetrain is fitted, along with TRPs Slate EVO brakes. Vee Tire Attack HPL tyres are still fitted, along with CushCore inserts.2024 Marin Alpine Trail E2 BoschMarin Alpine Trail E2 Bosch - Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesFrame: Series 4 Aluminium, MultiTrac 2 LT 160mm suspensionMotor and battery: Bosch Performance Line CX and 750Wh PowertubeShock: Fox DHX2 Performance EliteFork: Fox 38 Performance EliteDrivetrain: Shimano SLX/XT mixBrakes: TRP DH-R EVOWheels: Marin wheelsTyres: Vee Tire Co Attack HPL tyres and CushCore insertsPrice: 6,385 / $6,599 / 7,249 / CAN$8,7992024 Marin Alpine Trail E1 BoschMarin Alpine Trail E1 Bosch. - Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesFrame: Series 4 Aluminium, MultiTrac 2 LT 160mm suspensionMotor and battery: Bosch Performance Line CX and 750Wh PowertubeShock: Marzocchi CR CoilFork: Marzocchi Z1Drivetrain: Shimano CUES 6000Brakes: TRP Slate EVOWheels: Marin wheelsTyres: Vee Tire Co Attack HPL tyres and CushCore insertsPrice: 5,515 / $5,699 / 6,299 / CAN$7,599

Julian Alaphilippefinished 12th at the French championships this Sunday in Saint-Martin-de-Landelles. An anecdotal result for the former world champion who nevertheless gave everything in the final, attacking the peloton numerous times, but to little effect. Alone against the swarm of Decathlon AG2...

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast deputy editor Jack Luke is joined by senior technical editor Warren Rossiter and senior technical writer Simon von Bromley to discuss the new SRAM Red AXS groupset.Priced at 4,090 / $4,090 / 4,135, the groupset is said to be the lightest electronic road disc groupset on the market, saving 154g compared to the previous generation.The team talk you through the performance upgrades including its enhanced braking, smoother shifting and bonus button and SRAM's inclusion of the new Hammerhead Karoo bike computer in the groupset package. Warren also shares his thoughts on the groupset, having already put it through its paces. Remember, we'd love to hear your opinions on anything discussed in this episode drop us an email at podcast@bikeradar.com with any questions or comments.How to subscribe to the BikeRadar PodcastThe BikeRadar Podcast takes you to the heart of the issues that matter for bike riders, whether you're a roadie, mountain biker, gravel rider or commuter.From the latest tech news, reviews and debates, to interviews with the biggest and most interesting personalities in cycling, the podcast is your direct line into the BikeRadar team.To make sure you dont miss a future episode, you can subscribe viaApple,Spotifyor wherever you get your podcasts.

In a bid to ascertain the limits of a gravel bike, Steve Shrubsall heads to North Wales to tackle Cycling UKs recently opened, 125-mile Trans-Snowdonia route

McLaren Automotive has announced its return to two-wheel transport with a new electric mountain bike range.The flagship Extreme 600 and Sport 600 feature a 600W motor providing 161Nm of torque. McLaren says this makes it the most powerful electric mountain bike.Four models will be available across two platforms. The Sport is a hardtail and the Extreme is a 145mm travel trail-focussed eMTB.Only US residents can purchase the 600 series bikes equipped with the 600W motor. The rest of the world can access the 300 series bikes, which use a restricted 300W motor.In the UK, you can only have an electric bike with a maximum power of 250W before you are required to have a licence.The new bikes inherit design features from the brand's supercars, with the handlebars incorporating an LCD panel mimicking an instrument cluster.McLaren says the bikes are available in limited numbers and can only be ordered through its website. Prices are yet to be confirmed.This isnt the first time weve seen McLaren entering the cycling sphere. The brand partnered with Specialized in 2009 to create a limited number of Tarmac and Venge models. The relationship lasted until 2018.From track to trailThe battery looks to be removable from the bike. - McLaren AutomotiveAll models feature a hand-laid carbon fibre construction. Like its supercars, the McLaren Extreme and Sport use a mid-mounted motor.Mid-mounted electric bike motors provide better handling characteristics than hub-drive motors. This is because the weight is positioned more central and lower to the ground improving corning ability and reducing unsprung mass from the wheels.McLaren hasnt revealed much about the motor, including who manufactures it, but the flagship models claimed 161Nm of torque should make for punchy acceleration on steep terrain.Thats nearly double the 85Nm peak torque of Boschs Performance Line CX motor.This is one of the larger eMTB screens on the market. - McLaren AutomotiveThe bikes have five power modes Off, Eco, Trail, Sport and Race. The latter offers 852W of peak power and a top speed of 20mph for the 600W motor.These modes are selected via the digital display on the integrated one-piece cockpit, which also displays speed, battery life and range.The Extreme appears to have internal headset cable routing for a clean finish. - McLaren AutomotiveA front light mounted under the cockpit appears to be powered by the bike's battery.McMulletA raw carbon and orange colourway is reminiscent of the F1 team's livery. - McLaren AutomotiveThe Sport hardtail model will run on 29in wheels, while the full-suspension Extreme model will use a mullet setup.Mullet, or mixed wheel setups provide better cornering ability thanks to the smaller wheel out back, while still having the fast rolling ability of a larger wheel on the front.The Extreme has 145mm of rear wheel travel matched to a 160mm fork.McLaren hasnt released any battery size or geometry data for the bike.Extreme models will be supplied with SRAMs XX Eagle AXS Electric Transmission, which weve found to be very good for eMTB application, while the Sport models will come with SRAMs mechanical GX drivetrain.RockShox Deluxe Select provides control to the rear suspension. - McLaren AutomotiveFrom the images provided, it appears the Extreme model will feature a RockShox Lyrik Select+ fork up front and a Deluxe Select+ in the frame.In keeping with the Formula 1 theme, the bike appears to be rolling on Pirelli Scorpion tyres, a name used across Pirelli's car tyres and mountain bike tyres.

Fasted training is often considered a shortcut to improved endurance, but is almost cracking all it's cracked up to be?