The Hustok Mahle Hybris is far more than just a fast design concept. All mountain bikes begin their life as a design on a developer’s computer. From there, individual parts are optimised, kinematics are devised, geometries are sketched and 3D models are developed. Eventually, an initial prototype arrives in the office and testing under real-world conditions can begin. Only when everything is just right is a bike unveiled to the public, ready for production and sale. The team behind Hustok Engineering are absolute experts in this complex process and help manufacturers achieve their goals. The Mahle Hybris is their very own interpretation of an e-mountain bike and is definitely an ambitious project.
Conclusion
Personally, I think it’s brilliant when small brands with bold designs shake up the status quo. With the Mahle Hybris, Hustok isn’t just producing yet another run-of-the-mill e-MTB, but a striking concept bike that sticks in your mind from the very first glance. Hustok is forging its own path, and that’s great to see, because, let’s face it: e-bikes are allowed to look unique too. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
The Hustok Mahle Hybris in detail
- Area of use: E-Enduro
- Suspension travel: 170 / 160 mm
- Wheel size: 29”
- Drive system: Mahle M40
- Weight: N/A
- Price: N/A (prototype stage)
- Key features: Open mould design, high-pivot rear triangle
Hustok Engineering
Hustok Engineering is a young Spanish design and engineering studio based in San Andrés del Rabanedo, in the province of León. The company was officially founded in 2024 and grew out of the combined experience of its founders, Iván Izquierdo and Alex Sanchez, who had previously worked for well-known cycling brands such as Mondraker and Sram, amongst others. Originally conceived as a development and design studio for the cycling industry, Hustok now combines product design, engineering and the development of its own products. The team has more than 30 years’ combined industry experience and works on a wide variety of projects – from e-bikes and traditional bicycles to components and braking systems. In addition to developing products for clients, the company also produces items under its own brands – Hustok Bikes, Hustok Components and Hustok Brakes – which reflect its own high standards of innovation and quality.
At the heart of the company’s philosophy lies the combination of design and technical functionality. Hustok sees itself not merely as a service provider, but as a development partner that supports clients from the initial idea right through to a market-ready product. Innovation should not be an end in itself, but should create tangible added value. At the same time, the company places great importance on sustainability: products should be designed to be durable and resource-efficient, use responsibly sourced materials and, where possible, be manufactured using local supply chains. The team’s own experience as active cyclists also plays a central role – products should be conceived and developed from the user’s perspective.
With 15 years’ experience in developing suspension components, Hustok Engineering helps companies and individuals, for example, to achieve the ideal custom tune for their mountain bike shock absorbers. Off-the-shelf products from major manufacturers can be tuned, or you can opt straight away for a bespoke solution, such as custom-made lever arms. Hustok is well versed in hydraulics. The company has even developed its own complete braking systems. But Hustok doesn’t shy away from building complete frames either.
Show what’s possible
The Hustok Mahle Hybris e-bike was developed with the aim of creating an exciting design without going too far. It is based on the Mahle M40 drive system, which delivers 105 Newton-metres of torque, a peak power output of up to 850 watts and weighs just around 2.5 kilograms. The Mahle Hybris was not intended to have the ‘pot belly’ typical of many e-mountain bikes, but rather to impress with clean lines and a look reminiscent of a classic MTB. To achieve this, the battery and cable routing, as well as the rear triangle’s cable routing, were integrated particularly compactly into the frame. This also allowed the motor to be positioned in a line extending from the down tube.
The positioning of the shock is intended to give the Hustok Mahle Hybris a centralised weight distribution without compromising the installation space for a range extender. The rear end features a high-pivot system with chain derivation to give the suspension the characteristics of a race enduro. Development of this extraordinary e-bike took around two years. The Hustok Mahle Hybris was designed as a so-called ‘open mould’, meaning the design can be licensed and used simultaneously by various manufacturers.
So far, there are only a few bikes ready to ride, and Hustok is keeping a low profile when it comes to specific details of its e-MTB design. Early prototypes feature a rear suspension system dubbed “Magic Carpet”, offering 160 to 170 millimetres of travel and interchangeable dropouts. According to Hustok, the head angle is 64 degrees. Images are circulating showing both carbon and aluminium frames, the CNC-machined halves of which are bolted together. So far, the Mahle Hybris is primarily a showcase project intended to demonstrate what is possible with clever industrial design.
What do you think: do you like Houstok Engineering’s design approach, or do you prefer a classic look? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Jan Timmermann
Editor