Mark2 Scrambler C eBike Review

Last updated on March 5th, 2023 at 10:14 am

Intro, Price, Options and Verdict

Introduction

Since 1993, there has been a continuous increase in the number of cyclists on UK roads. Not only are more people cycling – those on the road are also cycling further, by as much as 36% more than they were in the year 2000. In the big cities, those numbers have exploded. As we approach another jubilee for the Queen, it’s worth noting that in 1977 there were 27,000 riders in the heart of the capital every day. In comparison, that figure is now closer to 180,000. The average annual mileage for cyclists across the UK was way under 100 miles in 2019 and most of those people would have been using something designed for smooth tarmac.

We’ve looked at ebikes designed for the city in the last, but this time we’ve got something a little different. Something that has been designed from the ground up – to deal with rough terrain. This British designed ebike is the Mark2 Scrambler C and, as you can probably guess from its name, it’s been created with off-road cycling in mind. The team behind it claim that this is the most torque available on any ebike of its kind for the price.

We took a pair of these ebikes (alongside another model with a 50Nm motor, for comparison) and headed off to Trent Park in north London to put those claims to the test. The black version had a standard saddle and the yellow had an upgraded saddle with extra cushioning.

Price and Options

Once the first shipments have been dispatched, this eBike will be £2,199 – which places it smack in the middle of the ‘affordable price range’ for modern electric bicycles. At the time we went to press, you could still get it for £1,849 with an ‘earlybird' order.

The latest batch of these bikes will be shipping to customers in March 2022 and they can be reserved with a £200 deposit. It’s important to note that Mark2 will only bring in a limited quantity with each shipment.

As well as the eBike with the powerful motor, that price also includes a comprehensive warranty and a 14-day money back guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with your purchase. This includes an interchangeable 375Wh battery.

The Scrambler C comes with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes as well as a 10-speed Shimano derailleur and gear set. The bike itself is available in two sizes – 430C and 480C. The 430C would normally be suitable for those with an inside leg measurement up to 35in and the 480C will cater for you up to 37in. Both models will carry a rider up to 120kg – which is just under 19 stone.

The standard battery will give you assistance as far as London to Reading, but you can upgrade to a 460Wh powerpack for an additional 20% more range, should you so wish.

Plugging the battery or eBike into a standard socket for 3 hours will give you close to 100% range, so there aren't many situations where a second battery would be needed – but you can buy one if you choose.

As with the X-Cross 450 we previously reviewed, there are some options available to help you customise the Scrambler C to your needs – including the chance to fit a much fatter / more padded saddle. The Scrambler C will be available from specialist stores like County E-Bikes, who can advise you on storage bags, security locks and other add-ons. The rack mounting points are standard.

Note that Mark2 bikes are available direct from the manufacturer's website here.

Design, Ride Comfort and Storage

Design

This is a solidly designed bike, built using a lightweight aircraft-grade aluminium (6061) alloy and that frame comes with a five-year warranty. Even with the high-torque motor fitted, the Scrambler C still only weighs 22Kg.

The front suspension is easily switchable, giving you flexibility and a more comfortable ride when the off-track terrain gets rough, while letting you switch to fixed-forks in town, so the transfer of power from the motor to the tyres is more assured. You can manually adjust the suspension using the rotary control on top of the suspension forks.

Alongside the suspension, another feature that catches the eye is the addition of Shimano disk brakes. According to Mark2, these offer superior stopping power in the rain. The front disk is slightly larger, giving you more 'emergency stopping power', when needed.

There is also a Shimano 10-speed derailleur and gear set, which is useful if you decide to pedal the bike manually. Testing on a rough track meant that we tended to keep the ebike in mid-gear, which makes it really easy to pull away. It is possible to start peddling uphill in the toughest gear, but it's a lot more comfortable on an easier setting. You can also use the walk function to start things off, which engages the motor at walking speed.

Ride Comfort

The pull from the 90Nm motor is something to experience. We swapped back and forth with another eBike that had a smaller 50Nm motor and the difference was huge. Shooting up hills is effortless.

The Mark2 Scrambler C includes a special motor to provide that 90Nm of torque – almost double what you might expect. The Promovec motor was designed in Denmark and is powered with a removable powerpack, which has its own management system, and both come with a 3-year UK warranty. The higher torque is achieved with the same 250 watts of power as a regular motor, so this eBike remains street-legal.

As mentioned, this eBike has switchable front fork suspension as standard, which we left on most of the time. The set-up and ride position are natural and the solid feel gives you confidence when heading off track. No matter how hard you accelerate with the motor, you still feel balanced and in control. That's due in large part to the central position of the motor – as opposed to it being fitted to the hub of the rear wheel.

The Scambler C is fitted with RST Blaze RL front fork suspension to make downhill riding more comfortable – and that comes with a preload adjuster allowing for 10cm travel – as opposed to the 7cm of travel that a regular street cycle suspension might offer.

There's no kickstand fitted as standard, as this can cause issues with foliage when riding in forests, but it is something you can have added if you're more likely to be riding in town.

It could be an age thing but, having tried both options, we definitely preferred the ‘suspension gel saddle' upgrade (shown below). It is very comfortable and there was no noticeable fatigue, even after peddling for an hour at a time. The saddle has a quick release mechanism, so changing seats is easy.

Given the variable weather you can experience in the UK, it might be an idea to opt for full-sized mud guards.

It would be interesting to see how this eBike might handle if the UK laws around power-assisted cycles changed to allow for faster speeds.

Storage

While it could be possible to integrate a basket (or similar) at the front, it's hard to imagine needing more than a standard rack at the back for carrying loads. You can add saddle bags etc later if that's something you need.

Controls

The main LED display is water-proof, centrally mounted and easy to see while riding. The big blue display gives you the information you need most, namely how much assistance is being provided and how much battery power you have left. Unlike an electric car, draining your battery completely on an eBike is not a complete disaster – as you can carry on cycling the conventional way, until you reach a 13-amp wall socket.

The display also tells you speed and distance, which can be switched between miles and kilometres.

The left grip includes an up-down control that lets you set the assistance level from one (minimum) to five (maximum). It also lets you control illumination. Where the rubber grip meets the handlebars, there is a ‘throttle' that lets you add in an electrical assistance ‘boost' when needed. So you could ride the Scrambler C in manual mode, then twist the throttle when needed. We were told by Mark2 that this was a common way for riders to use this kind of hybrid technology. This gives them the best workout possible most of the time, but kicking in the power when needed – for example on a hill or in traffic.

Performance, Running Costs, Range, and Safety

Performance and Riding

You can try a Scrambler C at one of Mark2's official resellers – for example County eBikes. It's something that we would recommend. No matter how we explain it, the experience is likely to be much more fulfilling. Autumn was in full flow in Trent Park during our off-trail testing – with branches, piles of wet leaves and conkers everywhere. We specifically targeted the steepest hill in the park and had no problems powering up it without breaking a sweat.

As mentioned, the pull from a 90Nm motor on a 22kg eBike is quite something.

Range and Charging

The quoted range is 22 to 50 miles (36 to 80km), which, as we have mentioned, is more than enough for most cyclists. If you are the kind of person who wants to use two wheels to get from London to Reading or Milton Keynes, then you're likely to be riding something with a fundamentally different design. The mechanism for removing the battery is really similar to the other Mark2 eBike we tested. You can see this in detail in our video.

Running Costs

Our calculations show that a full charge will cost around 6 pence on a normal tariff in the day, but you could get it for less at night and free if you can charge at work or in a restaurant, store etc.

Safety & Warranty

Designed in the UK and manufactured in Europe, the Mark2 Scrambler C comes with a five-year warranty on the frame, three years on the motor and battery (to 70%) and, outside of warranty, it can be serviced by any good cycle store. There's also a 14-day money back guarantee in case you change your mind (while the eBike is still in original condition). You can easily fit LED lights front and back.

Key Specifications

*based on electricity costs of 14p per kWh