The Luna X2 Enduro electric mountain bike emerges as a compelling option in the e-MTB market, boasting specifications that initially seem almost too good to be true. This carbon-fiber, full-suspension marvel weighs in at just 58 pounds while packing a potent Bafang M600 motor and a 48V 18.5Ah battery. This combination delivers an astonishing 2.5kW of power, propelling this marked-down $4,000 mountain bike to speeds exceeding 30mph even on flat dirt trails, rivaling light motorcycles in terms of sheer velocity.
Having personally ridden the Luna X2 with the upgraded $350 Ludicrous option for nearly a year, I’ve developed a genuine appreciation for its capabilities. However, it’s crucial to approach this e-bike with a clear understanding of its strengths and limitations, which we’ll delve into in this comprehensive review.
Luna X2 Enduro
Luna X2 Ludi: Bridging the Gap Between E-bike and Moto
Luna Cycle has carved a niche for itself by producing distinctive electric bikes and even electric motos. The Luna X2 Ludi, sitting at the intersection of these two categories, arguably exemplifies their innovative approach. By taking the Class 3, 500W-rated Bafang M600 motor, known for its 120Nm of torque, Luna has pushed its performance boundaries, injecting over four times its rated power, peaking at 2500W.
Close up of the Bafang M600 motor on the Luna X2 Ludi e-bike, highlighting its compact design and integration within the carbon frame.
This power infusion translates to breathtaking acceleration, especially on inclines, a significant advantage for any mountain biker. However, this immense power also introduces challenges. The most immediate concern is motor overheating. Operating a motor far beyond its intended voltage and amperage specifications naturally raises thermal concerns. Luna, renowned for their expertise in modifying Bafang motors, particularly the M600, has implemented ingenious heat dissipation solutions with their custom controller. After a year of rigorous testing, the system largely holds up, a testament to Luna’s engineering prowess.
Nevertheless, pushing 2.5kW of power through a drivetrain designed for sub-1kW output inevitably tests the limits of components like the mountain bike sprocket and chain. Personal experience with the Frey CC e-bike, where aggressive gear changes under high torque resulted in melted sprockets, underscores this risk. While careful gear management on the X2 Ludi has prevented similar damage over a year of riding, occasional slippage in high-torque scenarios is noticeable. Crucially, unlike the Frey CC incident, no component failure has occurred on the Luna X2 even during demanding hill climbs.
The sheer power also manifests in another intriguing way: a tendency for the front wheel to lift off the ground during steep ascents. While exhilarating, this “wheelie” effect can compromise steering control and requires rider awareness to manage effectively, especially on technical trails.
Overheating Management: Understanding the Limits
During initial rides up a local 800-foot hill, the X2 Ludi effortlessly maintained speeds above 20mph. However, about two-thirds of the way up, power abruptly cut off, accompanied by an “Error 10” display. Cycling the power restored functionality after a brief pause, but forum research revealed the culprit: motor overheating leading to a safety shutdown.
While reducing speed to around 15mph and employing lower power settings extends ride duration, understanding the nuances of heat management is key to maximizing performance. Maintaining a high cadence during steep climbs is crucial for motor cooling and reducing amperage draw. Avid users often employ the VESC tool, an Android application, for fine-tuning and real-time monitoring of the system to optimize performance and prevent overheating.
Screenshot of the VESC Android app displaying real-time vitals of the Luna X2 Ludi e-bike, including motor temperature, speed, and power output.
Luna leverages the VESC app to configure the Ludicrous controller, available for a nominal fee on both Android and iOS platforms. An older version is also accessible through Luna’s website. This app facilitates pairing with the bike’s controller, providing near-instantaneous readouts of critical parameters. Although the app’s initial setup can be slightly complex, its wealth of information, particularly for monitoring speed and vital signs, proves invaluable. Customizable rider profiles within the app allow users to tailor speed and power characteristics to different riding conditions and preferences. However, the app’s display elements can appear somewhat small during rides, especially for users requiring reading glasses.
Within the VESC app’s data displays, the motor heat sensor, located in the bottom right corner, becomes a crucial indicator. During high-power hill climbs, this temperature reading escalates rapidly. Reaching 100°C triggers an orange warning, signaling the need to reduce throttle input and pedal assist levels. Due to a slight lag in the heat indicator, the motor is likely nearing its 120°C cutoff temperature when the orange warning appears, necessitating immediate power reduction.
To mitigate overheating, limiting the motor output to its original 500W, 120Nm specification provides a viable solution. This power level remains ample for hill climbing, albeit at reduced speeds compared to the Ludicrous mode. The bike operates optimally within the 80-100°C temperature range.
Conversely, extremely cold temperatures can also affect performance. On freezing days, achieving even half of the bike’s peak power output proved challenging initially. Fortunately, after a few minutes of riding, the battery and controller generate sufficient heat, restoring normal performance characteristics, which is beneficial considering the Maxxis Minion tires excel in snowy conditions.
Mastering heat management unlocks the Luna X2 Ludi’s full potential.
Rider skillfully maneuvering the Luna X2 Ludi e-bike uphill on a natural trail, showcasing its climbing prowess and lightweight frame.
For example, conquering Bromley Mountain, Vermont, with its 1,334-foot elevation gain and no bike lift or designated bike paths, was effortlessly achieved using level 2 pedal assist without encountering overheating issues. The bike’s lightweight frame, combined with its potent motor, made climbing genuinely enjoyable and swift.
The absence of a bike lift and the limited climbing capabilities of conventional mountain bikes resulted in having the mountain trails virtually to myself, uncovering hidden paths that enhanced the riding experience.
Impressively, four separate ascents of the mountain were completed on a single charge, demonstrating Luna’s battery expertise. Even with the energy-intensive Ludicrous mode and aggressive tires, ranges exceeding 20 miles were consistently observed. Switching to smoother tires and road riding could potentially extend the range to 40 miles at 20mph.
Side profile of the Luna X2 Ludi highlighting its mountain bike geometry and carbon fiber frame construction.
Luna X2 Specifications: Premium Components Meet Ludicrous Performance
The Luna X2 is equipped with a selection of high-quality components that, even without the electric drive system, almost justify its $4000 price point:
- Front Fork: Rockshox Debonair Yari 160mm
- Rear Suspension: Rockshox Deluxe Select+ 210mm x 55mm
- Cassette: Sram Eagle SX 12-speed (standard HG driver)
- Brakes: Sram GUIDE 4 piston hydraulic brakes (200mm front, 180mm rear rotors)
- Tires: Maxxis Minion 27.5×2.8-inch
- Headset: 44 56 non-integrated
- Rims: Double wall alloy 40mm 27.5-inch
- Seatpost: Dropper seat-post with internal routing
- Cable Routing: Internal throughout the bike
- Hubs: Thru-axle (15×110 Boost front, 12×148 Boost rear)
- Travel: 160mm front, 140mm rear
Luna X-2 review showcasing the overall bike build and carbon frame design in a studio setting.
An aesthetic highlight is the Carbon Fiber frame with a distinctive metal flake galaxy paint finish, affectionately nicknamed “glitter bike.” This finish enhances the bike’s visual appeal, making it resemble a traditional acoustic mountain bike to the untrained eye. The 820Wh (48v 17.5Ah LG) battery is seamlessly integrated within the downtube, and the Bafang M600 motor and its heat sink are subtly concealed behind the pedals.
However, for informed observers, the prominent “Luna” logo immediately signals its high-performance electric nature. Luna has a long-standing reputation for engineering electric bikes that prioritize pushing technological boundaries, often exceeding legal classifications. The X2 epitomizes this philosophy, as highlighted on Luna’s website:
This bike features our brand new Luna Controller the Ludi v2 which is a game changer. This controller will put out up to 60 battery Amps (2500 watts) As most Luna fans know, Luna has been hot-rodding Bafang motors for years with great success and this controller is sporting the heritage from our mighty BBSHD v2 controller. The Ludi v2 is 72V-rated controller which makes it extremely reliable at 48V and balances the user-adjustable buttery smooth pedal assist with the raw torque of 100 phase Amps readily available at the throttle. It even spins faster than any other M600 thanks to the Field Weakening and smoothly protects the motor from thermal overloads.
The Luna X-2 is offered in three frame sizes, catering to a range of rider heights.
Size chart for the Luna X2 e-bike, illustrating the three available frame sizes and corresponding rider height recommendations.
Electrek’s Verdict: A Ludicrously Fun E-MTB
The Luna X2 Ludi truly lives up to its “ludicrous” moniker. It’s a remarkably lightweight carbon fiber mountain bike that competes favorably with more established and expensive bike shop brands like the Specialized Turbo Levo and Trek E-Caliber, often surpassing them in component specifications for the price.
The X2 Ludi’s powertrain is its defining feature. Having access to 2.5 kW of power, even in short bursts, transforms the mountain biking experience, temporarily emulating the performance of electric motos like the Talaria or Sur Ron, effortlessly accelerating across dirt trails at speeds exceeding 30+mph. This level of power integrated into a lightweight mountain bike frame creates an almost surreal riding sensation.
The X2’s high-speed capabilities extended its utility beyond trails. It became a preferred option for daily commutes to the coffee shop, especially when time was limited or when tackling steep local hills was desired.
While the high power output introduces concerns regarding chain and sprocket stress and potential overheating, these can be effectively managed with rider awareness and a learning curve to understand the bike’s operational characteristics. Luna has recently reduced the X2’s price, making it available for under $4K, including the Ludicrous controller upgrade.
https://lunacycle.com/z-1-enduro-ebike/
Overall, the Luna X2 Ludi embodies the spirit of a high-performance hot rod within the mountain bike category, delivering an exhilarating and unique riding experience.
VESC app icon and Luna logo side-by-side, representing the software and brand associated with the Luna X2 Ludi e-bike.
It’s worth noting that for riders prioritizing consistent power delivery without overheating concerns and accepting a slightly heavier (~8lbs) motor, Luna offers the Z1 model. The Z1 features a Bafang Ultra (m620) motor, which, while not hot-rodded, still delivers a substantial 1.6kW of power. For a detailed comparison, Eric Hicks, CEO of Luna, provides further insights in this video:
