e-MV Agusta's ABT City Sport R Is More Than Just an Urban E-Bike, Has Gravel in Its Blood

Ladies and gents, earlier this year, we got word that MV Agusta; pardon me, e-MV Agusta - the famed Italian brand's off-shoot name - is joining the e-gravel game. You may remember the article on the Gravel R, and if you don't, feel free to check it out. But now, e-MV Agusta has announced another machine to join their growing family: the City Sport R. Oh, and just we're on the same page here, ABT Sportline, the famous Bavarian tuning powerhouse with history running back to 1896, is also part of this venture, and the reason why the City and Gravel both bear the ABT logo.

Now, kicking things off for this electrified two-wheeler, we'll be looking at the frame. According to Agusta's website, for this ravishing creature, nothing other than aluminum has been called upon. With this alloy, e-MV Agusta and ABT go to town infusing it with some properties often reserved for mountain bikes, a trend we're seeing in this day and age.

If it's not obvious enough, I'm talking about that wicked slant in the top tube, giving riders precious clearance during mounting and dismounting, but also because of the fact that the two teams behind the City Sport also aimed to create an e-bike that can break away from the confines of city streets; this one can also be equipped to handle rough and rocky gravel roads. Still, that slant is way more pronounced than any gravel bike I've seen before and has me curious as to how it'll respond on rougher rides. Do take note that the City Sport's frame mimics an existing lineup from e-MV Agusta: the Amo class.

Part two of the frame's magic is its sleek and slender look. Remember, this is an e-bike, but we see no visible pack. Well, one of the beauties of our advances in technology is the ability to mount a battery pack with 248 Wh of juice into the downtube, sometimes even bigger. This leads to a fine and slender e-bike that should feel a whole lot like a regular bicycle. There's nothing to get hung up on, either.

Completing the frameset is the fork, and unlike the frame, this one has been custom-made out of nothing but good old carbon fiber, bringing vibration-dampening to your urban rides, even though it's a stiff fork, the magic of carbon fiber. This is also where we encounter the City Sport's gravel-taming abilities.

According to the landing page for this two-wheeler, e-MV Agusta also has a gravel variation in store for future possible owners, and it includes a Fox 32AX Factory TC suspension fork with up to 40 mm of travel (some versions of this fork offer up to 50 mm), a stroke that's longer than what we've been used to in terms of gravel suspension forks; typically, 30 mm has been the industry standard. With this much travel, I can understand why the top tube has been dropped so much; some riders are sure to aim to catch some airtime with this one. Did you notice the Kashima coat on the stanchions? Juicy!

But no matter which of the two versions you go for, the electrical kick behind your rides will stay the same. In the case of City Sport, Mahle is the team chosen to give you a boost when you need it, a brand whose systems I have personally tested. If there's one thing I can say about what Mahle has achieved with their drivetrains, it's that you'll be looking at a ride that's as natural as can be.

Sure, there's a clear electric kick coming out from the rear wheel, but the minimal yet notable 40 Nm (29.5 lb-ft) of torque is accessible only when you really need or want it: during takeoffs and up hills. The rest of the time, you'll be riding an electrified beast that's as natural as ever. The motor is also rated at 250 W, so once it's coupled with the battery I mentioned, up to 75 km (46.6 miles) of range is possible. That is in optimum conditions, so expect the real world to see a drop in that number for sure, especially if you're tackling hills and the like.

Finally, allow me to shed light on the presence of 42C tires, giving urban riders a plush buffer between the rim and bike, and Pirelli is the name providing these rubbers. As for the gravel variation, 45C is the chosen cross-section for your adventurous rides. Top that off with a Shimano 10-speed setup, Magura brakes, cargo mounts all over the front triangle, and seat stays, too, a Fizic Antares saddle, and we're looking at an e-bike that weighs up to 15.5 kg (34 lbs) for the gravel version. The standard City Sport only weighs 14.5 kg (32 lbs), nearly half of the weight of your average e-bike.

If you like what you see, there's really only one thing to do: sit around patiently until the City Sport R hits the streets. Be sure to check out the Kickstarter campaign going on now. Although, aside from gauging interest, I don't see why such big brands would be running such a campaign. Oh, and as for pricing, nothing on the matter just yet, but if it's anywhere near the price of a Gravel R, be ready with the big bucks; the Gravel R sold for €9,000 ($9,500 at current exchange rates) during its launch.