The Spanish brand MMR is probably best known to racing cyclists and cross-country bikers. No wonder, because: The name of the brand is an abbreviation for "Machines made for Racing". A motto that the brand from Asturias has already been able to back up with an Olympic bronze medal and a European Championship victory in mountain biking.
Ambitious e-MTBs, on the other hand, have not been in the programme for so long. But now MMR surprises with a new bike with Bosch's Performance SX light motor and - how could it be otherwise - a very sporty approach. With 140 millimetres of suspension travel, the Kaizen should still be no stranger to downhill fun. Weighing 16.7 kilograms according to the manufacturer, the motor and alignment are pretty much in the same league as the Macina Scarp SX from KTM or the new Bulls Sonic Evo AM SX. And to coincide with the launch of the new Light E-MTB, MMR also wants to strengthen its presence on the German market. The Belgian distributor Codagex is to make the bikes widely available.
The facts about MMR Kaizen
- Motor: Bosch SX, 55 Nm max. torque
- Battery: 400 Wh (permanently installed)
- Frame material: Carbon
- Suspension travel: 140 / 140 millimetres
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Frame sizes: S, M, L
- Price: 6699 to 10599 euros
- Weight: from 16.7 kg (manufacturer's specification)
- Special features: Space for two bottles or flasks and range extender in the frame
- Available from April
The Bosch Performance Line SX motor in the MMR Kaizen
In keeping with the company's sporty image, the MMR Kaizen relies on the new Performance Line SX from Bosch. With a continuous output of 400 watts and 40 Newton metres at its peak, it offers up to 600 watts and 55 Newton metres in boost mode. With its performance-oriented characteristics, the motor is particularly interesting for sporty riders with a high pedalling frequency and, with its weight of around two kilograms, enables lightweight bikes on a par with the Fazua Ride 60. Purion 200 display, which is also a mini screen, Bluetooth interface and motor remote.
When it comes to the battery, MMR relies on the Compacttube 400 from Bosch with 400 watt hours, which is usually combined with the SX drive. The battery is permanently installed in the down tube of the MMR carbon frame to reduce weight. However, if you want more range, you can use the Bosch Powermore 250 range extender (1.6 kg). A special feature of the Kaizen: the range extender and water bottle also fit together in the frame. This is otherwise only known from a few e-MTBs.
Strong climbing, neutral handling: the geometry of the MMR Kaizen
In contrast to many other light bikes on the market, the Kaizen from MMR favours a more traditional E-MTB geometry. You won't find short chainstays and super-slack head angles here. Instead, the rear of the Kaizen is rather long and the front is very low, which should have a positive effect on the bike's climbing characteristics. At the same time, the low front also ensures a very sporty riding position with a lot of pressure on the hands. With a steep steering angle of 66 degrees, the steering behaviour should be very neutral and direct. Please note: The Kaizen is only available in three sizes. The M is therefore rather small, while the L is very large.
The geometry of the MMR Kaizen at a glance (size M)
- Seat tube length: 457 mm
- Wheelbase: 1216 mm
- Reach: 450 mm
- Stack: 627 mm
- Steering angle: 66 degrees
- Seat angle: 76 degrees
- Chainstay length: 455 mm
Models and equipment of the MMR Kaizen
The top model of the Kaizen is labelled Kaizen 00. With Fox Factory suspension, carbon wheels from DT Swiss and Sram Eagle XX Transmission in the exclusive SL version and many carbon parts, it leaves nothing to be desired.
- Fork / shock: Fox 34 Factory Fit4 / Fox Float Factory
- Gear system: Sram XX SL Transmission
- Brakes: Sram Level Ultimate Stealth
- Wheels: Sram HXC 1501
- Tyres: Hutchinson Wyrm Rlab TLR, 29 x 2.4''
- Price: 10,599 euros
The MMR Kaizen model 10 is slightly cheaper at 7999 euros. Here, however, you have to make do with Fox suspension from the Performance range and HX 1700 Spline LS wheels from DT Swiss. The highlight is certainly the X0 transmission from Sram, but the GX cassette is a slight downgrade from the high-quality X0 version.
- Fork / shock: Fox 34 Performance / Fox Float Performance Elite
- Gear system: Sram X0 Transmission
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Wheels: Sram HX 1700 Spline
- Tyres: Hutchinson Wyrm Rlab TLR, 29 x 2.4''
- Price: 7999 Euro
The entry-level model in the Kaizen range is the € 6699 Model 30. Here, MMR also installs the Fox Performance suspension of its more expensive brother and the same powerful XT brakes, with Shimano XT gears, albeit only with a Deore cassette. Functional equipment that is only slightly marred by the in-house and probably somewhat cheap aluminium wheels.
- Fork / shock: Fox 34 Performance / Fox Float Performance Elite
- Gear system: Shimano XT
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Wheels: XCR-9800 Hybrid Boost
- Tyres: Hutchinson Wyrm Rlab TLR, 29 x 2.4''
- Price: 6699 Euro
The EMTB conclusion
With the Kaizen, MMR presents an exotic light bike that extends the product range a little further with Bosch SX. However, long chainstays and the traditional geometry will not appeal to everyone, and the prices are relatively high for the otherwise quite aggressive price-performance brand.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
