During my most recent trip to China, I had the opportunity to meet with several micromobility companies and was fortunate enough to spend a day with Tromox, an innovative electric motorcycle manufacturer. I was privileged to join an elite group of Westerners as one of the first-ever riders to experience the inaugural journey on Tromox’s innovative MC10 TrailX.
As the US market debut of the bike approaches, I’m excited to reveal that this innovative factor will send shockwaves through the Sur Ron and Talaria enthusiast communities with its remarkable blend of power and compact design, delivering impressive performance in a miniature package.
At Tromox’s invitation, I ventured onto a motocross track to assess the MC10 TrailX, having already exceeded its intended capabilities as a bike.
This isn’t a dust bunny. The motorcycle has gained a powerful 12.5 kW peak-rated motor, complemented by a sophisticated four-bar rear suspension system that’s perfectly harmonized with an inverted front fork design. While this bike isn’t designed for airborne stunts, its true purpose lies in navigating rugged trails and off-pavement adventures. I explored the off-road prototype intended for navigating terrain at speeds up to 90 km/h (56 mph), in addition to a separate road model optimized for daily commutes.
The concern seems to be whether this product would be suitable for a leap of faith in a park setting, suggesting its versatility extends to tackling regular terrain, such as local trails or woodland excursions that enthusiast riders might typically encounter.
Here’s how you should actually experience the thrills: Let’s take a journey together as we explore the world.
There I once was, a seasoned road cyclist, securely fastened and prepared to navigate unexplored terrain with ease.
While owning a Sur Ron is a thrilling experience, to be truthful, I must admit that my own Sur Ron has proven to be an exceptional bike for indulging in spirited off-road adventures. I’m not a motocross rider by any means.
If my two tires suddenly leave the earth’s surface on an average day, something extraordinary has clearly veered away from the norm. As a seasoned road cyclist, I’m more accustomed to sharing the asphalt with semis than risking a scrape with a tight turn. I’m not about to pass up the chance to get my hands dirty riding a motorcycle like this, despite my lack of experience being a concern.
As the primary threat materialized before my eyes, I uttered a decisive “screw it” and opened up the engine.
The Sur Ron-like bike feels marginally larger than its predecessor, weighing in at 220 kilograms or 100 kilograms, but its energy output is significantly more potent. Does it pack around twice the height’s energy, and does it come online? Although I rarely engaged my vehicle’s full energy mode, as spinning the rear tire on loose dirt wasn’t exactly effective.
While the exact difference may be unclear, conserving the bike in a lower power setting yields an abundance of dirt-tossing torque while simultaneously extending run times. While equipped with 72V 30Ah batteries, which provide roughly double the capacity of my existing Sur Ron setup, I was not concerned about runtime. Unlike traditional backup solutions, this innovative approach eliminates the need for separate storage or manual switching, seamlessly integrating with your primary power source.
Someone had filled the bike’s tire with air before I arrived, and despite my efforts, the tire still had roughly half a tank remaining when I departed at the end of the day?
Not knowing how to hit jumps as a non-motocross rider, I find myself unsure about the correct technique. I’m aware that knowing just enough to remember that there’s a right way to accomplish this, and realizing that my previous approach wasn’t it.
As I repeatedly misjudged the distance and landed awkwardly on my entrance tire, applying enough force to catapult my chest further over the bars than I ever intended, I decided it was wise to stick with my tried-and-true wheels-on-the-ground approach instead.
Although the excellent news is that the suspension felt pleasant, even after being asked to perform tasks a more experienced rider wouldn’t have attempted.
As I focused on preserving the rubbery texture, I discovered that leveraging the hill-climbing prowess of that central motor could still prove beneficial, allowing me to conquer inclines with the same ease as if they were flat terrain. As I ascended the leap ramps at a deliberate pace to prevent takeoff, I was convinced that the velocity would visibly change; yet, the Tromox MC10 continued its steady ascent without hesitation or lift-off. The facility’s consistent performance still astounds me – no signs of diminishing returns in sight.
If your usual terrain features numerous inclines, this bike is the perfect choice for tackling those hills.
As I rode the berms, I was determined not to deviate from my straight trajectory, yet I did try to lean in as far as my comfort level allowed. As I rode the bike, its suspension expertly absorbed the bumps and ruts, instilling a sense of confidence with each smooth turn.
The track was visibly roughened by numerous sharp turns, possibly due to intermittent rainfall throughout the day. Despite the rough terrain, the suspension effectively absorbed the bumps, keeping me firmly on course.
The application of this type of usage lies beyond the intended scope of what the MC10 TrailX is engineered to accomplish. Designed for rugged terrain, this e-bike boasts a prime velocity of 90 km/h (56 mph) and 4.3 kWh of battery capacity, making it an ideal companion for navigating varied surfaces, including heartland roads, single-track trails, and dirt paths.
The observation confirmed my suspicion: navigating the best route to suspension management proved surprisingly straightforward for MC10’s implementation. With its ability to climb steep inclines, the facility posed no limitations in real-world hill climbing, where slopes are typically much gentler than those encountered in this loose terrain.
With its unique blend of snug sizing and modern styling that diverges from traditional designs in this class. Compared to other motorbikes, I believe the MC10 TrailX is better suited for leisure and enthusiast riders alike.
The uncertainty surrounding pricing upon entering the US market could be a crucial factor in determining how effectively it will compete with existing Sur Rons and Talarias, potentially making it a make-or-break issue.
In a performance-based problem, I can assure you that there will be no downside compared to the standard suspects.
