MAHLE x Ridley at Rad am Ring: a partnership that goes beyond the E-Grifn
A great partnership is about more than a strong product. It is about shared values, trust and the ambition to make each other better. That was beautifully demonstrated this summer at Rad am Ring, where the MAHLE SmartBike Systems team took on the legendary Nordschleife at the Nürburgring for 24 hours. Together with Ridley, the team tackled the Green Hell, one of the toughest circuits in the world. For us, it was a great opportunity to highlight a partnership we truly value.
Our partnership with MAHLE SmartBike Systems goes far beyond the drive system itself. With the E-Grifn as Ridley’s first performance e-bike, we found a partner in MAHLE that shares our vision: adding electric assistance to a bicycle without taking away from the sporting character of the ride.
The E-Grifn was built around that idea. Thanks to the lightweight MAHLE X20 system, the bike retains much of the feel of a conventional bicycle. The motor provides assistance when needed, but never takes over the ride. A torque sensor measures how much force the rider is putting into the pedals and adjusts the assistance accordingly. The result is natural support that feels more like a constant tailwind than a traditional electric drive system.
This philosophy perfectly matches the vision of MAHLE SmartBike Systems, which centres its technology around three key words: light, sport and smart. The X20 system combines low weight with sporty performance and smart technology. For the E-Grifn, we opted for a 350 Wh battery, which can be extended with a 171 Wh range extender. The X20 motor delivers up to 250 watts of additional assistance, making it possible to tackle longer and more demanding rides without compromising the bike’s natural riding feel.
Our partnership with MAHLE SmartBike Systems goes far beyond the drive system itself. With the E-Grifn as Ridley’s first performance e-bike, we found a partner in MAHLE that shares our vision: adding electric assistance to a bicycle without taking away from the sporting character of the ride.
The E-Grifn was built around that idea. Thanks to the lightweight MAHLE X20 system, the bike retains much of the feel of a conventional bicycle. The motor provides assistance when needed, but never takes over the ride. A torque sensor measures how much force the rider is putting into the pedals and adjusts the assistance accordingly. The result is natural support that feels more like a constant tailwind than a traditional electric drive system.
This philosophy perfectly matches the vision of MAHLE SmartBike Systems, which centres its technology around three key words: light, sport and smart. The X20 system combines low weight with sporty performance and smart technology. For the E-Grifn, we opted for a 350 Wh battery, which can be extended with a 171 Wh range extender. The X20 motor delivers up to 250 watts of additional assistance, making it possible to tackle longer and more demanding rides without compromising the bike’s natural riding feel.
E-Grifn
Go further, longer, and higher!The first sporty e-bike from the brand. Thanks to the Mahle X20 drive unit, the E-Grifn feels very natural. You can choose from three levels of bike assistance. The Mahle X20 motor provides up to 250 watts of additional support with a torque comparable to that of a 55 newton meter mid-motor. We opted for the battery with the largest capacity (350Wh), and there is the possibility to expand it further with a 171Wh range extender.
Discover the E-GrifnIn practice
That our partnership works not only on paper was demonstrated once again this summer at Rad am Ring. From 24 to 26 July, the MAHLE SmartBike Systems team travelled to the Nürburgring for one of the toughest endurance events on the cycling calendar. The Nordschleife, better known as the Green Hell, provided the setting for an exceptionally demanding challenge: riding lap after lap for 24 hours on a circuit best known for motorsport.
For MAHLE, the location was particularly symbolic. The company has more than 100 years of experience in automotive engineering, where performance, reliability and endurance have always been key. Today, MAHLE brings those same qualities into the world of e-bikes. At Rad am Ring, these two worlds came together in a particularly fitting way.
Together with Ridley, the MAHLE Racing Team took on the challenge on Ridley bikes. Beitske Visser was among the riders who took on the Nordschleife for 24 hours. In total, the team completed 25 laps, resulting in an impressive amount of climbing and an exceptionally demanding effort. Each lap featured around 560 metres of elevation gain, with a brutal 17% gradient towards Hohe Acht after the legendary Karussell. Top speeds reached as much as 105 km/h.
For MAHLE, the location was particularly symbolic. The company has more than 100 years of experience in automotive engineering, where performance, reliability and endurance have always been key. Today, MAHLE brings those same qualities into the world of e-bikes. At Rad am Ring, these two worlds came together in a particularly fitting way.
Together with Ridley, the MAHLE Racing Team took on the challenge on Ridley bikes. Beitske Visser was among the riders who took on the Nordschleife for 24 hours. In total, the team completed 25 laps, resulting in an impressive amount of climbing and an exceptionally demanding effort. Each lap featured around 560 metres of elevation gain, with a brutal 17% gradient towards Hohe Acht after the legendary Karussell. Top speeds reached as much as 105 km/h.
Bio powered
The contrast with MAHLE SmartBike Systems’ everyday activities could hardly have been greater. Normally, MAHLE is all about electric assistance and smart drive systems. At Rad am Ring, there was no motor to do the work: the riders were completely reliant on their own power. Or, as MAHLE put it so aptly: “Usually we ride electric. Today, 100% bio powered.”
For Ridley, it is great to see that our partnership with MAHLE goes beyond the technology we use together on the E-Grifn. We share the belief that electric assistance does not have to mean giving up the sporting character of cycling. Quite the opposite. The right technology can allow you to ride further, longer and higher while preserving the feeling of a true cycling experience.
That is exactly what we want to achieve with the E-Grifn. MAHLE X20 technology gives riders additional possibilities when they need them, without adding unnecessary weight or creating an unnatural riding experience. The result is a performance e-bike that does not try to replace a conventional bicycle, but instead comes as close as possible to the feeling of riding one.
That is why Rad am Ring was more than just another event for us. It was a great illustration of what this partnership stands for: performance, innovation, reliability and, above all, a passion for cycling. We are proud of what we have built together with MAHLE and look forward to taking this partnership even further in the years to come.
For Ridley, it is great to see that our partnership with MAHLE goes beyond the technology we use together on the E-Grifn. We share the belief that electric assistance does not have to mean giving up the sporting character of cycling. Quite the opposite. The right technology can allow you to ride further, longer and higher while preserving the feeling of a true cycling experience.
That is exactly what we want to achieve with the E-Grifn. MAHLE X20 technology gives riders additional possibilities when they need them, without adding unnecessary weight or creating an unnatural riding experience. The result is a performance e-bike that does not try to replace a conventional bicycle, but instead comes as close as possible to the feeling of riding one.
That is why Rad am Ring was more than just another event for us. It was a great illustration of what this partnership stands for: performance, innovation, reliability and, above all, a passion for cycling. We are proud of what we have built together with MAHLE and look forward to taking this partnership even further in the years to come.
