Nox Hybrid Enduro 7.1 Pro under test: 180mm suspension for the speed rush?

Test: The Nox Hybrid Enduro 7.1 Pro makes it clear with its bright yellow color: A lack of self-confidence is not an issue here! The Fox chassis with Fox 36 in orange and Kashima coating as well as the fat steel spring damper at the rear underline this, just like the angular shapes. More Mercedes G-Class than Porsche Macan, more Thor than Aquaman. They say dogs that bark don't bite. We tested whether the Nox Hybrid Enduro 7.1 Pro snapped shut in practice.

We tested the Nox Hybrid Enduro 7.1 Pro in size L. With the testers being around 175 to 187 cm tall, that was fine with everyone. As an experienced mountain biker, you can feel as soon as you get on the bike that this is a playful and agile e-bike. The rather short top tube and the compact 27,5″ wheels are the main reasons for this. Incidentally, the bike is also available with 29 inches at the front and slightly different components.

Adjusting the Fox 36 Factory with the current Grip 2 cartridge takes time. Because both high-speed compression and rebound and low-speed compression and rebound must first be adapted to the driver. The same applies to the Fox DHX2 Factory steel spring damper in the rear. But once the right setup has been found, you are carried over hill and dale like on a sedan chair. Alternatively, you can also adjust the chassis so that you get good feedback and don't get bogged down in the spring deflection in berms.

The enormously sensitive response behavior runs like a red thread through all types of terrain. The Fox DHX 2 Factory shock absorber also supports uphills with a lock against annoying seesawing when climbing. However, this is not absolutely necessary - not only because the motor compensates for the loss of power, but because the rear end of the Nox Hybrid Enduro 7.1 Pro gets nice and tight under tension. If you are completely unfamiliar with the various options for setting up the chassis and don't want to familiarize yourself with the subject, you may be happier with an equipment variant with a simpler chassis - or have the fork and damper adjusted accordingly by an experienced specialist.

Nox Hybrid Enduro 7.1 Pro: Driving Impression – Natural Magnesium Heart

In the various test rides, we ventured into more and more technical terrain, both uphill and downhill. On the first few kilometers on asphalt, the Brose Drive-S supports you in a barely audible and cleanly dosed manner. With all four support levels, the power is deployed exactly when you need it. This means that steeper terrain is also easily manageable with "Eco" and "Tour".

If things get technical and blocked on the climbs, you can get the last reserves out of the Brose Drive-S mag with the "Sport" and "BoostFX" modes. But here, too, there is a pleasantly natural response. The engine somehow just feels right, it's still cycling, although with a lot more power, but at no point does it have that motocross feeling that you know from one or the other competitor.

But there is a point deduction for the control unit. On the one hand, the Brose display in combination with the trigger of the Fox Transfer seat post is not really optimal. In order to be able to release the seat post cleanly, the display must be mounted turned strongly upwards. The alternative would be to change your grip while driving, which, however, entails risks, especially off-road.

Handling the Brose control unit is somewhat error-prone, especially off-road, due to the small buttons and the spongy pressure point of the buttons. From time to time you press directly adjacent buttons (light) as soon as you want to change the support level on a technical climb. It is also not easy to choose the right level in technical terrain. One of our testers was really unhappy with it, others got along just fine.

Thanks to the 630 Wh BMZ battery, you are also equipped with the necessary power reserves for long-lasting tours. In our case, the small power plant withstood a tour of 30 kilometers and 1400 meters in altitude in the Sport (70%), Tour (20%) and BoostFX (10%) levels. If the battery is empty or you deliberately switch off the drive, the Brose drive system decouples and you pedal without additional resistance.

A real plus point is the ability to mount a bottle cage, which many riders appreciate. A side stand can be mounted on the rear triangle if you want or need it. Unnecessary for real off-road use, some buyers with touring ambitions will certainly take advantage of the option. Incidentally, there are two possible wheelbases to choose from, the rear wheel axle can be mounted in two positions. The front remains the same length, the length of the rear can be varied.

Nox Hybrid Enduro 7.1 Pro: Driving impression – Manoeuvrable bracket Iron Aluminium

We also moved the Nox e-bike downhill through a wide variety of terrain to get a comprehensive impression of the ride. The steel spring-damped bolide feels just as comfortable on flowing trails as it does on root carpets or rock gardens. This is where the massive spring travel reserves of 180mm at the front and rear come into play. The Continental tires are inconspicuous in a positive sense. The e-bike has plenty of spring travel and the two Fox elements are perfectly matched to each other and for the desired use. If you have to rein in the load, the Magura MT7 brake system does the job extremely well.

The Nox Hybrid Enduro 7.1 rides very safely over rough rocky passages, but it can happen that the chain and the internal cable routing cause small background noises. This is not only audible, but also clearly visible on the chainstay after less than 140 km on the clock. Here is improved. The protection of the engine also took a hit when it hit the ground, but the part is still from the 3D printer and will give way to tougher material in the series. These two updates will certainly look good on the well thought-out bike.

The bike can be moved remarkably quickly, but is also playful in very technical passages. When it comes to smooth running, the 650B wheels and the short reach have small disadvantages. These are somewhat leveled out by the low center of gravity, which is typical for e-bikes. Nevertheless, it is a playful bike that does not prefer the most direct line, but instead brings fun and driving pleasure when searching for a line. This is exactly what we miss on many other e-MTBs, which often plow over the trails like cumbersome tanks.