Moustache Dimanche 28 Road & Dimanche 29 Gravel

Are vintage moustache handlebars still known today? They were the namesake for the founding of the Moustache company. To mark the publication of two bikes, the company invited people to the unofficial unveiling of the new Dimanche 28 Road and Dimanche 29 Gravel in April, in the heart of Provence, southern France.

Naturally, we wanted to get a first sneak peek and review the bikes. Hidden behind the model names of the leading French e-bike manufacturer are true "Smiling Machines" with many Vosges characteristics, foremost among them charm, liveliness, and joie de vivre. For "Dimanche" means Sunday in French, and the Vosges are the birthplace and seat of the company as well as the home of the workshop. The company philosophy is to carry out production as much as possible at home in the Vosges, following the principle of "ride local." What that means, I was able to see for myself during a Sunday ride on my Sunday test bike in the hilly rolling Alpilles region.

The Dimanche models impress with a comfortable geometry and an elegant, unobtrusive design with an appealing paint job. The design of the Dimanche models is probably not for the showy birds among cyclists; almost an understatement, the branding is deliberately simple and calm. Of course, this is a desired effect in the sense of "quiet luxury", but at first glance, the frames could potentially also be mistaken for off-brand bikes. And despite or perhaps because of the discreet color choice, the elegant Dimanche frame in "firgreen glossy" has won me over completely. The other bikes in the Dimanche family are named after the color descriptions "sand storm mat" and "pebble grey glossy.

Rudy Megevand (R&D) and Clément Bonneau (Media & PR) present the new Dimanche bikes at the Press Camp

The components could not be more compact and sleekly integrated; visually, the Dimanche bikes appear bundled and clearly structured. From the wheel to the seat post to the mudguard, Moustache manufactures its parts in-house and demonstrates a high standard of quality, beauty, and attention to detail.

My Dimanche test bike is smooth-running and easy to control. The integrated Bosch Performance Line SX motor doesn't jerk, pulls strongly on climbs, and offers various modes for different support needs, namely: Eco, Tour+, Sport, and Sprint. Within the first few kilometers, I'm already zapping through the available modes using the handlebar remote. In Sprint mode, a nervous "Whoa" slips out briefly and I have to smile. What was that? Smiling Machine, right... I feel a bit like a Gym Bro on his bench press, doing his reps while his spotter helps him a bit too generously and shouts "It’s all you, buddy!" – 12+W/kg, all me!

The frame of the E-road bike, made from high-quality 6061 T4 T6 aluminum, offers agile handling and absorbs vibrations thanks to flexing seat stays. The carbon fork ensures precise steering and high damping on uneven roads.

The integrated Bosch Performance Line SX motor impresses with its low weight, strong performance, high efficiency, and powerful support with a torque of 55 Nm and a maximum power of 600 W. The 400-Wh battery allows for long rides, which can be further extended with the optional 250-Wh range extender. The motor, cables, and battery are seamlessly integrated into the frame, which also accommodates tires up to 45 millimeters wide.

Tech Specs Dimanche 28.6

* Manufacturer's specification

The E-Gravel is characterized by a high-quality aluminum frame that can be recycled multiple times. To ensure a simple design, the motor, cables, and battery have been cleverly integrated into the frame. Additionally, the frame provides ample space to accommodate tires up to a size of 700x50, making the bike especially versatile.

Tech Specs Dimanche 29.6

* Manufacturer's specification

The geometry of the Dimanche models is sporty (though I wouldn't call it aggressive) and offers both beginners and experienced riders a comfortable seating position. Stack and reach are at the lower end of the usual scales. My very wide handlebars and the smooth running of the bike gave me the confidence in the winding descents during the notorious Mistral winds of Southern France not to be blown away immediately. On narrower gravel roads, however, I paid more attention to the group around me, as the evasive maneuvers were less direct - which was also probably because the frame was almost too big for me.

Geometry Road & Gravel

The bikes are available in various sizes from XS to XL and are available both as diamond and trapeze frames. With my height of 158 cm, I tested the smallest diamond frame in size S, which according to the manufacturer is recommended for a height between 155 cm and 170 cm.

The comfort is not compromised even in the most affordable version with a dropper seatpost and its own Moustache Anti-Shock Suspension stem with 20 mm of travel. Without fatigue and numbness, it is indeed easier to smile on the Smiling Machines.

The Dimanche model from Moustache impresses with a combination of elegant, unobtrusive aesthetics and powerful technology. The comfortable geometry and high-quality integration of components, especially the Bosch Performance Line SX motor, ensure a pleasant and reliable riding experience.

The drawbacks relate more to the daily struggles of smaller cyclists - it's hard to find small frames with specific geometries - and probably reflect less the needs of the average rider.

Overall, the Dimanche presents itself as a successful choice for cyclists of various professions, and with various tweaks and adjustments in terms of budget requirements, geometry, terrain, and usage, it satisfies pretty much every rider - so that in the end, everyone really leaves the car in the garage.