Let's be honest, this is a bike for kooks. Tech bros and lawyers who would spend 11k for the name brand on their bike. If trek, canyon, etc tried selling a bike that expensive (with an embarrassing build spec) that looked that ridiculous they would get ripped apart, McLaren deserves no special treatment.
This video is yet another example of why this channel is the gold standard for mtb/emtb reviews. It's authentic. I love that we can see Drew using notes (as he has in other videos). There is nothing pretentious about Drew and his team. They are like the rest of us. They say it like it is and are 100% honest. They are real and keep everything real. No BS. I'm not interested in this ebike but the video like always was fantastic. Thank you guys!
Thanks for watching. As reviewers we choose to try and be as helpful as we can by offering examples of where and for who the products will be sub-par or appropriate for. We thought we were pretty clear in saying that if this bike is meant to compete with Levos, Pivot Shuttle LTs, and others, they did a bad job. But, saying it's just a "piece of junk" wouldn't help the consumer who may just want a bike to ride around their neighborhood, cruise to a coffee shop or ride a mellow fire road or dirt path in their community. We're not trying to make people feel bad who have or want to buy a product, rather we're trying to help folks make educated decisions and know where the product works and what its shortcomings are. It would be really easy for us to just make videos that say, this thing kicks ass, or this thing sucks based on a couple personal examples. But there's a lot more detail and things to consider than that. Thanks again for watching and commenting, we appreciate it!
I think Drew was being very diplomatic in his review but I do look forward to see how it stacks up against the competition in the 2025 EMTB shootout!!😂
A thumbs up is deserved for the incredible effort to not completely trash the bike while giving it honest criticism, and frame the experiment as an overall positive for the sport
Only thing I like about this is it comes with a light that integrates well with the look of the bike. Putting a night riding setup together - especially for the winter months is a chore and the best setups have those bulky external batteries. I wish more e-bike makers from the traditional bike companies put a bit of thought into offering bolt on lighting systems that integrated with the bike battery. It seems like an easy win.
I think the spec’is very ordinary considering the price,I would expect Ohlins suspension,industry 9 hubs and rims.and Hope brakes as a minimum and I totally agree the cockpit is a deal breaker,if I cannot change the stem or bar width or rise you lost me immediately .
the saying "there's no such thing as bad publicity" comes to mind. I'd like to think that McLaren know what they are doing. Are people really going to buy this bike, or is it something that a salesman will throw in as a sweetener when selling a car? Reminds me of the BMW-badged Gen1 Levos back in 2017.
If you can afford a McLaren you’re probably loaded. The bike would look cool in the garage next to it. However, as the old saying goes “money can’t buy class” 😅. No hate though, the market needs competition.
The target market for this will be storing it in a separate airtight bubble in their climate-controlled garage as an investment to be sold along with the car someday, like the bespoke fitted luggage or tourbillon watches that get sold alongside high-end sports cars.
BTW, this may seem VERY strange, but you should smell the bark of the trees in the background (I.e. the ones that drop the large/long needles). It smells sweet.
Looks like a dogs Dinner, That Front head tube is bad,So For 11K You just get there frame,For that price with there name it should have suspension and a gearbox MGU made by them and an alloy frame would be cheaper.
I’ve thought of this as more for the guy with the Garage-Mahal with a super car and wanted a bike to cruise around in the gated community or to ‘the club’.
Just wanted to note that it looks like the written article quotes this as a 250w motor when it seems they offer both a 250w and 600w model here. Looks like the battery sizes are also different. Any word on weight? Looks heavy.
You would be correct on that. The size large 250 we had, was just over 56 lbs, i recall correctly. And if we go off the claimed weight differences on Mclaren site, the 600 would be about 2lbs heavier.
Other than the cockpit the design reminds me of my Giant Trance X E+. What I don't get is how much these auto companies probably budget for a project like this and seem to leave out an actual MTB/eMTB rider that would avoid obvious mistakes like the brake choice.
Oh you kept the comments open, bold move! Honestly speaking of this same category, eMTB made by companies that dont make MTBs usually. Id be very curious to actually see a review of the yamaha moro something or other. All jokes aside, it seems similar. Its well specced and has an upgraded motor. And yet might have trail geometry from 10 years ago. Im sure there are other companies that also deserve an honest review as well .... Ford broncos eMTB maybe? 😂
The Yamaha Moro is half decent and capable enough, we had one in our emtb shootout a couple years ago. The moto brands do a little bit better job making mountain bikes than what these automotive companies do. The Bronco eMTB might be worse (definitley looks worse) than the Mclaren and can't legally be ridden on trails since its a class 3.
@@TheLoamWolf when I glanced at the Moro at a local moto dealer (Moro 05 or 07 I can't remember) it was surprisingly well specced. Not sure on the geo exactly but if it had an angle adjust headset..... It could be a ripper.
in automative world one of ma fav brands, but for the MTB its like nobody from MTB involve for designing and parts selecting for this bike. so many things not match with the bike with parts or look. at least its good for a start, but for next version they really need to get the feedback from REAL MTBikers
If this bike would've been better, I'd buy one. Just to say: "I just bought a McLaren" "Wanna see my McLaren?" "Oh, what am I doing this weekend? Just cruising in my McLaren"
I really love your videos/reviews. But I don't remember the last time I saw you talking about a bike or something, trying to be nice/correct. While telling it like it is. I would say you are ready for a career in politics. :) The fact remains that you guys, are doing a very good job.
Look at that thing... They are getting closer and closer to motorcycles... I keep seeing more people riding with modified ebikes so they don't have to pedal at all. They just "whirr" all through the bikepark
This looks like something Bulls or Haibike would release, especially with that bulky frame. I wonder if this bike is listed as an accessory when you buy one of their cars, kind of like with Ferrari where you can add on luggage and wearable swag, lol.
@@TheNovaks47 Yeah. LOL. As good as Bulls and Haibikes are, they kinda look like ass. LOL. Which is something some people like, I suppose. Horses for courses.
This bike is for people who call every full sus a "downhill bike" and will brag about having the most powerful drive motor. Absolutely fine with me these folks don't ride where I ride 😂
This makes me happy, the more manufactures that are getting into the mountain bike game, will help the technology improve and add more competition to make products better and cheaper.
Very honest review, rare these days over Internet, more power to you.
Thank you we appreciate that.
Looks just like the bike I got for Christmas in 1975.
🤔
Let's be honest, this is a bike for kooks. Tech bros and lawyers who would spend 11k for the name brand on their bike. If trek, canyon, etc tried selling a bike that expensive (with an embarrassing build spec) that looked that ridiculous they would get ripped apart, McLaren deserves no special treatment.
Ducati although not a car manufacturer is the only non bike manufacturer I'd consider getting.
We'd maybe look at the GasGas before the Duck.
This video is yet another example of why this channel is the gold standard for mtb/emtb reviews. It's authentic. I love that we can see Drew using notes (as he has in other videos). There is nothing pretentious about Drew and his team. They are like the rest of us. They say it like it is and are 100% honest. They are real and keep everything real. No BS. I'm not interested in this ebike but the video like always was fantastic. Thank you guys!
Thank you so much Tyler! That means a ton to us and we greatly appreciate you being a part of this community.
Surprisingly honest review, yet you managed to tiptoe around flat out calling it an extremely expensive piece of junk.
Thanks for watching. As reviewers we choose to try and be as helpful as we can by offering examples of where and for who the products will be sub-par or appropriate for. We thought we were pretty clear in saying that if this bike is meant to compete with Levos, Pivot Shuttle LTs, and others, they did a bad job. But, saying it's just a "piece of junk" wouldn't help the consumer who may just want a bike to ride around their neighborhood, cruise to a coffee shop or ride a mellow fire road or dirt path in their community. We're not trying to make people feel bad who have or want to buy a product, rather we're trying to help folks make educated decisions and know where the product works and what its shortcomings are.
It would be really easy for us to just make videos that say, this thing kicks ass, or this thing sucks based on a couple personal examples. But there's a lot more detail and things to consider than that.
Thanks again for watching and commenting, we appreciate it!
@TheLoamWolf that's the best reply on the Internet this week 🫡😁
Thank you! 🙏
“For a mtb’r it is not idea “ that about sums it up 😂😂😂
I think Drew was being very diplomatic in his review but I do look forward to see how it stacks up against the competition in the 2025 EMTB shootout!!😂
Haha. We had to send it back already, so you won’t be seeing it in the shootout. Sorry to share the bad news.
very polite constructivism criticism to say the least, fair play to him.
If this thing wouldn’t come in dead last in the shootout, I would be surprised You can tell Drew was being very hard to be diplomatic.
😂@@TheLoamWolf
A thumbs up is deserved for the incredible effort to not completely trash the bike while giving it honest criticism, and frame the experiment as an overall positive for the sport
Thank you. We tried.
Only thing I like about this is it comes with a light that integrates well with the look of the bike. Putting a night riding setup together - especially for the winter months is a chore and the best setups have those bulky external batteries. I wish more e-bike makers from the traditional bike companies put a bit of thought into offering bolt on lighting systems that integrated with the bike battery. It seems like an easy win.
E mtb has officially jumped the shark!
The summary starting around 15:40 with “the bike will go” is awesome. Shout out for the honest review.
Glad you liked it!
I think the spec’is very ordinary considering the price,I would expect Ohlins suspension,industry 9 hubs and rims.and Hope brakes as a minimum and I totally agree the cockpit is a deal breaker,if I cannot change the stem or bar width or rise you lost me immediately .
Very polite. McLaren should be pleased.
Walking on egg shells with this review.
the saying "there's no such thing as bad publicity" comes to mind. I'd like to think that McLaren know what they are doing. Are people really going to buy this bike, or is it something that a salesman will throw in as a sweetener when selling a car? Reminds me of the BMW-badged Gen1 Levos back in 2017.
If you can afford a McLaren you’re probably loaded. The bike would look cool in the garage next to it. However, as the old saying goes “money can’t buy class” 😅. No hate though, the market needs competition.
The target market for this will be storing it in a separate airtight bubble in their climate-controlled garage as an investment to be sold along with the car someday, like the bespoke fitted luggage or tourbillon watches that get sold alongside high-end sports cars.
Excellent review!!
Thank you kindly!
I already get laughs about my socks, why would I want to add to the humiliation with that thing 😅
But I appreciate car manufacturers building bikes
BTW, this may seem VERY strange, but you should smell the bark of the trees in the background (I.e. the ones that drop the large/long needles). It smells sweet.
Interesting! Will give it a try next time!
Looks like a dogs Dinner, That Front head tube is bad,So For 11K You just get there frame,For that price with there name it should have suspension and a gearbox MGU made by them and an alloy frame would be cheaper.
Even if I had the money it's still a no for me. Despite their heritage this isn't their territory and it shows.
It looks like a Snuffleupagus.
I’ve thought of this as more for the guy with the Garage-Mahal with a super car and wanted a bike to cruise around in the gated community or to ‘the club’.
Wow, that's a huge oversight, those brakes. I would've gotten maguras or something.
What is the drive unit weight?
Just wanted to note that it looks like the written article quotes this as a 250w motor when it seems they offer both a 250w and 600w model here. Looks like the battery sizes are also different.
Any word on weight? Looks heavy.
You would be correct on that. The size large 250 we had, was just over 56 lbs, i recall correctly. And if we go off the claimed weight differences on Mclaren site, the 600 would be about 2lbs heavier.
Other than the cockpit the design reminds me of my Giant Trance X E+.
What I don't get is how much these auto companies probably budget for a project like this and seem to leave out an actual MTB/eMTB rider that would avoid obvious mistakes like the brake choice.
Just because you put syrup on 💩 doesn’t make it pancakes 🥞 lol
Oh you kept the comments open, bold move!
Honestly speaking of this same category, eMTB made by companies that dont make MTBs usually. Id be very curious to actually see a review of the yamaha moro something or other. All jokes aside, it seems similar. Its well specced and has an upgraded motor. And yet might have trail geometry from 10 years ago. Im sure there are other companies that also deserve an honest review as well .... Ford broncos eMTB maybe? 😂
The Yamaha Moro is half decent and capable enough, we had one in our emtb shootout a couple years ago. The moto brands do a little bit better job making mountain bikes than what these automotive companies do. The Bronco eMTB might be worse (definitley looks worse) than the Mclaren and can't legally be ridden on trails since its a class 3.
@@TheLoamWolf when I glanced at the Moro at a local moto dealer (Moro 05 or 07 I can't remember) it was surprisingly well specced. Not sure on the geo exactly but if it had an angle adjust headset..... It could be a ripper.
in automative world one of ma fav brands, but for the MTB its like nobody from MTB involve for designing and parts selecting for this bike. so many things not match with the bike with parts or look. at least its good for a start, but for next version they really need to get the feedback from REAL MTBikers
We agree.
If this bike would've been better, I'd buy one.
Just to say:
"I just bought a McLaren"
"Wanna see my McLaren?"
"Oh, what am I doing this weekend? Just cruising in my McLaren"
Haha. We definitely texted several friends and said, "Well, we got a McLaren to test."
It’s for showing off on the school run with a big motor for towing the kid trailer
The only thing missing from this bike is the sweater tied around it's shoulders.
I guess the designers are more fire trail and pavements than bike park and technical trails.
I really love your videos/reviews.
But I don't remember the last time I saw you talking about a bike or something, trying to be nice/correct. While telling it like it is.
I would say you are ready for a career in politics. :)
The fact remains that you guys, are doing a very good job.
It looks like Quasimodo.
Also, good luck looking for and paying for a new stem shroud when it gets wrecked in a crash.
Look at that thing... They are getting closer and closer to motorcycles... I keep seeing more people riding with modified ebikes so they don't have to pedal at all. They just "whirr" all through the bikepark
It started that tree on fire
FAST AS FUCK BOYYYYYYYY
This looks like something Bulls or Haibike would release, especially with that bulky frame. I wonder if this bike is listed as an accessory when you buy one of their cars, kind of like with Ferrari where you can add on luggage and wearable swag, lol.
Both Bulls and Haibike make better bikes than this, at a better price point.
@@RoxlimnI know, I meant more along the lines of cosmetics, it looks like it could be one their bulky frames.
@@TheNovaks47 Yeah. LOL. As good as Bulls and Haibikes are, they kinda look like ass. LOL. Which is something some people like, I suppose. Horses for courses.
Next do the Ford bikes...
I am a Ford fan, but even if they gave us a Raptor I don’t think I could like that bike. 😂
@@TheLoamWolf good answer!
I think this is one of the few times a McLaren MTB will actually ride a real trail.
We certainly tried!
This bike is for people who call every full sus a "downhill bike" and will brag about having the most powerful drive motor.
Absolutely fine with me these folks don't ride where I ride 😂
It's very rare in this day and age to see a rig, and without riding it, you know it's complete and utter 💩 😂
❤😂🎉😢😮😅😊awesome
Total miss in every aspect
A very expensive pile of junk.
it looks like one of those bikes from china with all the stuff tacked on like a cup holder etc.
This makes me happy, the more manufactures that are getting into the mountain bike game, will help the technology improve and add more competition to make products better and cheaper.
Pretty cool but that frame is hideous
For a company that builds beautiful cars, this is one fugly eye sore.
I hope they don’t make too many of these at 10k give it a few year it will be sale sale sale $2250 😂
Participate in the sport? The price is prohibitively high, that doesn’t even make sense…
That frame is ugly, like Haibike ugly.
Dumb looking….I’m out
For a company makung such beautiful cars, this is unacceptably ugly.
An 11k sculpture to display next to your W1. No real cyclist who wants to buy an e-bike is purchasing this.
🚩 I rather get a trek rail. McLaren should stick to cars!🤦😒
those handlebars... oof
Perfect bike for rich folks who have no taste! LOL
Wow that’s exceptionally ugly. Probably a collector’s item though, since it’s likely the only
one that will ever be made. Hopefully.
In other words: this ain't it
Wow awseome bike
What aspects of the bike excite you the most?
It's 10k 🤦
That's an ugly bike from a brand that produce stunning looking cars...
That is 1 ungy front triangle! Yuk
Almost 20 minutes just to imply it's shit
This is a joke😄
Silly bike
That thing is ugly!
Performance aside, it looks awesome. Could use a dual crown setup visually, though.
Ohhh we hadn’t thought of that. Could look kinda cool!
@@TheLoamWolfis it possible to run doom on that display? Otherwise it’s useless.