The technical developments on mountain bikes are largely mature. Engineers therefore have to find a new playground where they can let off steam - integration. The dream of a mountain bike without visible cables is within reach for Magura. Because the new concept bike from Bad Urach has only one visible cable.
The Swabians first presented their approach to system integration to us in October 2019. Back then, we installed the wireless MCi cockpit ("MCi" for Magura Cockpit integration) on a Bold Unplugged with integrated shock. Why did we do this? We wanted to know what the bikes of the future might look like. Six months later, Magura shows us its own future bike with just one visible cable coming out from under the stem and leading down to the brake mount on the fork. The rear brake cable, on the other hand, runs completely integrated via the handlebars, stem and headset directly into the frame. An XC hardtail has never been so tidy.
A bike with only one visible cable. How does that work?
But to build a bike on which you can only recognise one cable from the outside, it takes more than just integrating the brake lines. Thanks to the wireless Magura Vyron eLECT Vario seat post and the AXS drivetrain from Sram the remaining components of the control centre do without cables or wires. The MCi system conceals the brake cables. The handlebar for the internal cable routing is manufactured by the German carbon specialist All Ahead. The frame comes from Müsing. When ready to ride with pedals, the bike weighs 9.6 kilograms according to our measurements.
How Magura's MCi system works
The MCi system works like a retrofittable hydraulic clutch for motorbikes and uses a pull cylinder at each end of the handlebar in the grip area, which contains the piston and expansion tank. From there, the lines run via the handlebars into the stem. The front brake cable drops through a hole at the bottom of the stem down to the brake calliper. In contrast to the first version of the MCi cockpit that we fitted to the Bold, the rear brake hose does not come out from under the stem together with the front brake hose and only then disappears into the frame. No, Magura routes the rear line directly into the frame between the upper bearing shell and the steerer tube.
To achieve this, Magura uses an upper bearing shell with an oversized diameter, which allows the cable to be routed between the steerer tube and the bearing. A reducing sleeve creates space to route the cable invisibly into the frame. This type of cable routing is already possible with some headset and bicycle manufacturers.
Service and maintenance on the MCi cockpit
The hydraulic unit inside the handlebars also changes the service procedure, doesn't it? Well, bleeding still works with the proven Magura Easy Bleed technology via a bleed screw at the end of each handlebar. All you have to do is lay the bike on its side. During maintenance, the cables of the cockpit unit can be decoupled from the lines inside the frame or on the fork via an EasyLink line coupling. This means that the hydraulic unit can be pulled out of the handlebars without any problems.
As the levers on the MCi cockpit are firmly bolted and the lever angle cannot be adjusted, Magura optimises the lever angle specifically for the geometry of individual bike models. The reach adjustment is still infinitely variable on the brake lever.
Availability
We will see the first MCi cockpit units on the first production bikes from the mountain bike and urban segment this summer. In future, Magura wants to act as an MCi system supplier and optimise handlebars, stems and cable guides for individual models in collaboration with bike manufacturers. For the time being, Magura will not be selling its MCi system individually.
First ride test with the MCi concept bike
The quiet beeping when shifting gears, the electronic whirring of the dropper post and the futuristic look of the cockpit exude a touch of science fiction when riding. While Magura expects the new system to improve aerodynamics and protect the hydraulic components, the bike rides like any other race hardtail in this class on the trail. Both the dropper post and the Sram AXS drivetrain work reliably and without dropouts. The brakes reliably bring the rider to a standstill like any other Magura MT brake. In addition, the hydraulic unit is protected inside the handlebars in the event of a fall. Nevertheless, we were also able to recognise some disadvantages of the new system. Firstly, the brake levers are locked in place and their angle cannot be individually adjusted. According to Magura, the lever angle on each bike model is individually adapted to the respective geometry. Nevertheless, many riders will miss the fine optimisation of the lever angle. On the other hand: EasyLink line clutch or not, screwing on the disc brakes will certainly not make the system any easier.
Max Fuchs
Editor
