Unno talks IKKI: A lightweight enduro e-MTB

Barcelona-based Unno has been making distinctive mountain bikes for some time now, and the recently launched IKKI is no exception. The one major difference for Unno: IKKI is a lightweight, enduro-focused, e-MTB.

Looking at the familiar Unno silhouette you’d be hard-pressed to know it is an e-MTB. The brand rightly points out that the bike’s downtube is “only 2mm more than its non-electric sister, the BURN. Even with a built-in battery, the IKKI downtube maintains a width of 81mm at its thickest point.” So far, so very Unno.

Since the IKKI launched in late December of 2023 it’s fair to say things have changed quite radically in the e-MTB space. One extremely well-known drone manufacturer has launched their first e-MTB, and a certain auto industry supplier known for its gearbox prowess has also launched an e-bike motor.

Both of these arrivals posed big questions. How light does an e-MTB need to be? How much power should an e-MTB have?

As an industry, the format has been SL and full-power focused until recent new arrivals started to challenge this narrative.

For the IKKI – pitched as an enduro bike – the stats are impressive:

• 170/160mm travel.
• 18.5-18.9kg, spec depending.
• 50Nm of torque from the TQ HPR50 motor.
• Battery capacity 360Wh, with an optional 160Wh range extender.

What’s arguably most visually impressive is the way the brand has packaged the TQ motor (and battery), integrating this into the uniquely Unno design language.

Taking those numbers and factoring in a VPP suspension platform (featured here as an e-bike-specific dual-link suspension system) that has routinely won plaudits from testers and industry veterans alike, it is easy to see the appeal for riders looking to take their enduro rig on bigger days out, which is surely the sweet spot for a lightweight e-MTB.

No talk of style over substance here either, as the design and engineering team has included a dedicated, in-house designed, motor plate to ensure the TQ motor is safe from rock strikes.

On a bike designed to shred, this might seem obvious, yet this attention to detail still makes the Ikki stand out from the crowd: No need for customers to find and fit their own ‘upgrade’, post-bike purchase.

Sticking with this ‘small details’ theme, the IKKI also sports “specific rear triangle protectors are attached with bolts instead of conventional glue. Thanks to its flat lip, the chain slaps flat on the stays.” The brand claims these “perform silent(ly)”, which is another welcome bonus, above and beyond being shaped to perfectly match the stays, and being bolted in place.

In light of recent developments in the space, is IKKI too light, and maybe a little underpowered?

If it is an almost analogue feeling ride paired with enough assistance to make a noticeable difference, then IKKI is going to be the tool for the job.

If more power and more assistance on big days with big climbs is the primary focus, then Unno also has a bike for this: The MITH.

Ultimately, riders will decide what meets their needs and wants. When it comes to Unno, the distinctive way the bikes look means they will already stand out from the crowd.