Magura brings the "almost" wireless bike

What will the mountain bikes of the future look like? After presenting the first brake fully integrated into a handlebar, Magura is now showing an optimized concept bike that manages almost 100 percent without external cables and lines.

In spring 2019, Magura presented the world's first hydraulic brake to be fully integrated into a flat bar. Without external lines, the "Magura Cockpit Integration" (MCi) offers a tidy design, better aerodynamics and greater protection for the hydraulic components. The second step is now a close-to-production concept bike that almost completely dispenses with external lines and cables.

The MCi concept bike

As a preview of the design language of future bikes with MCi, Magura is already showing an example of optimum integration. In addition to the MCi, a special feature of the cross-country hardtail is an optimized stem and an innovative headset, which together enable invisible cable routing.

Starting from the MCi cylinder inside the handlebars, the cables run completely hidden through the handlebars and stem. The front brake line then passes through a prepared hole in the stem directly to the cable routing on the suspension fork and to the brake calliper. The rear brake line is routed through the headset system into the frame. The diameter of the upper headset bearing is oversized to allow the cable to be routed between the tapered steerer tube and the bearing. A reducing sleeve provides a guide hole for the cable and thus an invisible transition into the frame. This type of cable routing is already available as standard from some headset and bicycle manufacturers.

The use of the MCi, a wireless gear system and the wireless Magura Vyron-eLECT seat post gives the bike a particularly clean design. The cross-country bike can be ridden without restrictions and is particularly weight-optimized at under nine kilograms. The prototype handlebars were designed in cooperation with the German carbon specialist "Bike Ahead Composites". The frame was manufactured by Müsing-Bikes.
In order to increase user-friendliness during service and maintenance, Magura's Easy-Link-Tube cable clutch is already used on this bike.

Details on the Magura MCi

The heart of the MCi is a cylinder that is concealed in the grip area of the handlebars. The dimensions of the reservoir and piston diameter correspond to the dimensions used in the Magura MT series. This gives it the same stability and braking power as the conventional Magura MT brakes. The brake lines are also completely internally routed: special holes allow them to run invisibly through the handlebars and stem. All parts of the cockpit are specially designed for use with the Magura MCi.

Only the brake levers are visible from the outside. The result is a tidy look that also improves functionality and offers effective protection against falls and mechanical damage. Depending on the handlebars and stem, the system is equally suitable for mountain biking or urban use. Thanks to the lever bearing point close to the handlebars, it provides a more direct braking feel than all previous Magura brakes. In addition, the ratio of lever travel to braking force is designed to be more progressive, which refines the dosage of the brake.

The lever angle of the MCi is individually adapted to each bike model and optimized for the optimum riding position. Special handlebar grips with a fixed core can also allow a protrusion of up to two centimetres at the end of the handlebars. The grip width is infinitely adjustable on the brake lever.

Maintenance and user-friendly

In addition to the clean cockpit integration, the focus of the development was on user-friendliness during service and maintenance. The MCi is therefore the first Magura product to use the new Easy-Link-tube cable clutch

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This coupling is a special plug-in connection that connects the cockpit unit and the cable. In the event of servicing, the cockpit unit can be easily disconnected from the line in the frame. The brake is bled using the tried-and-tested "Magura Easy Bleed Technology" via a bleed screw at the end of the handlebars.

First series introduction

Initially, the MCi will only be available to OE partners. Magura will act as the MCi system supplier during development and will specify the components such as handlebars, stem and cable routing together with the respective bike manufacturer. An aftermarket version is not planned for the near future.

www.magura.com