Luna X2 Enduro
Luna Bikes, known for pushing the boundaries of electric bike technology, has introduced a machine that seems almost too good to be true – the Luna X2 Enduro. This 58-pound carbon-fiber full-suspension mountain bike boasts a Bafang M600 motor paired with a 48V 18.5Ah battery, somehow delivering a staggering 2.5kW of power. Priced recently at an attractive $4,000, this mountain bike offers near moto-like speeds, capable of exceeding 30mph even on dirt trails.
Having personally ridden the Luna X2 with the $350 Ludicrous upgrade for nearly a year, I’ve developed a strong appreciation for this e-bike, though it comes with a few important considerations that potential buyers should be aware of.
Luna Bikes X2 Ludi: Blurring the Lines Between E-bike and Moto
Luna Bikes has a reputation for creating exceptional electric bikes and even venturing into electric motos. The X2 Ludi, sitting in a unique space between these categories, perfectly exemplifies this approach. At its core is the Class 3 500W-rated Bafang M600 motor, advertised to produce 120Nm of torque. However, Luna’s engineering prowess pushes this motor to output more than four times its rated power, reaching peaks of 2500W.
Image of Bafang M600 motor on Luna X2
This immense power translates into remarkable advantages, most notably the incredible acceleration, even on steep inclines. Yet, this power boost also introduces challenges. The most obvious concern is motor overheating. Running a motor far beyond its specifications in terms of voltage and amperage should logically lead to overheating. Luna Bikes, however, is renowned for their expertise in hot-rodding Bafang motors, particularly the M600. They have implemented sophisticated heat dissipation solutions with their custom-designed controller. After a year of rigorous riding, the system surprisingly works, for the most part, effectively managing the extreme power output.
Another critical issue arises when combining 2.5kW of motor power with human pedaling input. Suddenly, standard mountain bike sprockets and chains, designed for under 1kW, are subjected to forces far beyond their intended limits. Experiences with other high-power e-bikes have shown the potential for damage, like melting sprockets when shifting gears under heavy load uphill. While careful gear management has prevented catastrophic damage on the Luna X2 Ludi, occasional slippage in high-torque scenarios is noticeable. Despite pushing the bike hard for a year, including on significant climbs, no component failures have occurred, which is a testament to the bike’s robustness.
The sheer power also affects handling, especially when climbing. The front wheel frequently lifts off the ground on steep ascents due to the intense power delivery, requiring active management to maintain steering control and prevent unintended wheelies.
Managing Overheating on Luna Bikes X2
During an initial steep hill climb, the Luna X2’s performance was impressive, maintaining speeds above 20mph. However, about two-thirds of the way up, power abruptly cut out, accompanied by an “Error 10” message. Cycling the power restored functionality after a brief pause. Further investigation revealed that the motor had overheated and triggered a shutdown.
While reducing speed to around 15mph and lowering power output extends ride time, understanding the thermal dynamics is key to maximizing performance. Maintaining a high cadence during steep climbs is crucial for motor cooling and reducing amperage demand. Many experienced Luna X2 riders utilize the VESC tool, an Android application, to fine-tune the bike’s settings for optimal performance and thermal management.
VESC app interface on Android
Luna Bikes utilizes the VESC app for customizing the Ludicrous controller. While the app is available for purchase on both Android and iOS, a slightly older version is accessible through Luna’s website. This app connects to the bike’s controller, providing real-time data on vital parameters. Although the app’s setup can be somewhat complex, it offers invaluable insights into the bike’s operation and allows for creating custom rider profiles to adjust speed and power characteristics. The real-time readouts, however, can be small and challenging to view while riding, potentially requiring a larger Android tablet for better visibility.
The most critical readout within the VESC app is the motor heat sensor, located in the bottom right corner of the display. During high-power hill climbs, the temperature reading climbs rapidly. Reaching 100 degrees Celsius triggers an orange indicator, signaling the need to reduce throttle and pedal assist levels immediately. Due to a slight lag in the heat sensor, the motor is likely nearing its 120-degree Celsius cutoff point when the orange warning appears, necessitating prompt power reduction.
To mitigate overheating, limiting the motor output to its stock 500W and 120Nm specification is effective. This still provides ample power for hill climbing, albeit not at speeds exceeding 20mph. 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 was initially challenging. However, after a few minutes of riding, the battery and controller warmed up, and performance returned to normal. Notably, the Maxxis Minion tires are well-suited for snowy conditions, making the Luna X2 capable in winter environments once operating temperature is reached.
Learning to manage these thermal characteristics unlocks the Luna X2’s full potential.
Rider climbing Bromley Mountain on Luna X2
For example, the Luna X2 effortlessly climbed Bromley Mountain in Vermont, a 1,334-foot ascent without bike lifts or designated trails. Using pedal assist level 2, the climb was completed without approaching overheating limits, either for the bike or the rider. The combination of a lightweight frame and potent motor made the ascent enjoyable and remarkably fast for a climb.
The absence of bike lifts and the limited climbing power of conventional mountain bikes meant the trails were deserted, offering the opportunity to explore less-traveled paths, which proved to be incredibly rewarding.
Impressively, four separate ascents of the mountain were achieved on a single charge, showcasing the battery efficiency even under demanding conditions. Luna Bikes is known for their battery technology, and despite the high-power Ludi setup and aggressive tires, ranges exceeding 20 miles were consistently observed. Switching to smoother tires for road use could potentially extend the range to 40 miles at 20mph.
Luna X2 rear view
Luna Bikes X2 Specifications: Quality Components Throughout
The Luna Bikes X2 boasts a selection of high-quality components that almost justify its $4000 price tag, even without considering the battery and motor:
- Front Fork: Rockshox Debonair Yari 160mm
- Rear Shock: Rockshox Deluxe Select+ 210mm x 55mm
- Cassette: Sram Eagle SX 12-speed (standard HG driver)
- Brakes: Sram GUIDE 4 piston hydraulic, 200mm front, 180mm rear rotors (6 bolts)
- 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 (length 180mm, 1.75 pitch)
- Travel: 160mm front, 140mm rear
Luna X-2 review showing carbon frame
A notable aesthetic feature of the Luna Bikes X2 is its carbon fiber frame with a distinctive metal flake galaxy paint finish, affectionately nicknamed the “glitter bike.” This striking paint job enhances the bike’s visual appeal.
To the untrained eye, the X2 closely resembles a traditional acoustic mountain bike. The 820Wh (48v 17.5Ah LG) battery is cleverly concealed within the downtube, and the Bafang M600 motor, along with its heat sink, is discreetly positioned behind the pedals.
However, for those familiar with electric bikes, the prominent “Luna” logo is a clear giveaway. Luna Bikes has consistently prioritized performance and pushing technological limits, often exceeding legal classifications. The X2 perfectly embodies this philosophy, as described 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 available in three frame sizes to accommodate a range of riders.
Luna X2 size chart
Electrek’s Final Thoughts on Luna Bikes X2
The Luna Bikes X2 is truly a remarkable and somewhat “ludicrous” mountain bike. It offers the lightweight and high-performance characteristics of premium carbon fiber mountain bikes, competing with more expensive brands like Specialized Turbo Levo and Trek E-Caliber, and in many aspects, surpasses them in component quality for the price.
The standout feature of the Luna X-2 is undoubtedly its drivetrain. Having access to 2.5 kW of power, even in short bursts, transforms the mountain biking experience. It’s akin to momentarily converting your mountain bike into a high-speed electric moto like a Talaria or Sur Ron, capable of blasting across dirt roads at speeds exceeding 30+mph. This level of power in a lightweight mountain bike frame feels almost unreal.
The high speed and power capabilities even made the X2 a viable option for daily commutes, particularly when speed was a priority or when tackling steep hills en route to the coffee shop.
The potential downsides of high power, such as increased stress on the chain and sprockets and motor overheating, can be effectively managed with rider awareness and learning the bike’s operational nuances. Luna Bikes has recently reduced the price of the X2, making it available for under $4,000, with the Ludicrous controller as an optional upgrade.
Luna X2 VESC app speed and power
For riders seeking to avoid overheating concerns and are willing to accept a slightly heavier bike, Luna Bikes 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. More details on the differences between the X2 and Z1 can be found in this video featuring Eric Hicks, CEO of Luna Bikes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDIxieV8Sko
Overall, the Luna Bikes X2 feels like the hot rod of electric mountain bikes, offering exhilarating performance and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in an e-MTB.
