Moto brand GasGas embraces SRAM Eagle Powertrain with its new ECC e-enduro race MTB

By Neal Hunt
published

The first ground-up design from the moto specialist uses the latest SRAM Eagle Powertrain system and its WP suspension technology to create a formidable enduro e-MTB

Rider on e-MTB on downhill track through woods
The 170-160mm travel e-MTB is designed to deal with the toughest e-EDR courses (Image credit: GasGas)

You may have seen the ECC in our piece on SRAM's top-secret e-MTB motor from the Eurobike event earlier this year, and after the launch of the Powertrain Eagle system last week, Spanish brand GasGas has finally unveiled its new e-MTB enduro range that has been piloted to plenty of podium visits by its e-EDR rider Yannick Pontal. The latest SRAM Eagle Powertrain system is one of the best e-MTB motors out there and was developed with the SRAM GasGas e-EDR team, so it's no surprise to see the brand being one of the first brands to use it.

Like many of the best electric mountain bikes, the ECC is packed with tech, but the new e-MTB has a few things that really set it apart from its peers. As well as the latest SRAM motor with Auto Shift tech, the bike also features custom carbon frame with innovative fairings and DVO suspension with damping technology from the moto giant WP – it's a treasure trove of innovative kit.

Those of you familiar with the moto trials scene will be aware of the GasGas brand, which started building motorbikes in the mid-80s, first with trials bikes but eventually making trail and enduro products. Fast forward a few decades, and it moved into the growing e-MTB market as part of the Pierer group. Its first products were well-priced, decent trail and enduro e-MTBs, but these latest offering looks to have taken a quantum leap in terms of tech and capability.

Close up an MTB rear shock

GasGas have neglected to release any non-riding shots of the ECC as yet, but luckily the bike was hiding in plain sight at Eurobike (Image credit: Neal Hunt)

Like many of the best electric mountain bikes, the ECC is packed with tech, but the new e-MTB has a few things that really set it apart from its peers. As well as the latest SRAM motor with Auto Shift tech, the bike also features custom carbon frame with innovative fairings and DVO suspension with damping technology from the moto giant WP – it's a treasure trove of innovative kit.

Those of you familiar with the moto trials scene will be aware of the GasGas brand, which started building motorbikes in the mid-80s, first with trials bikes but eventually making trail and enduro products. Fast forward a few decades, and it moved into the growing e-MTB market as part of the Pierer group. Its first products were well-priced, decent trail and enduro e-MTBs, but these latest offering looks to have taken a quantum leap in terms of tech and capability.

Back of rider on e-MTB on track through woods

The ECC is a no compromise, race-focused machine (Image credit: GasGas)

Making the most of SRAM's motor system

GasGas is one of the first to launch a new bike using SRAM's latest Eagle Powertrain system, which makes sense on a hard-hitting race-developed enduro bike. The headline figures of up to 90Nm of torque with 680W of peak power are perfect for the techiest of climbs, and the system's simple layout and support levels combined with its revolutionary Auto Shift functions loved by our own Guy Kesteven should make for the perfect race bike, letting the rider get on with the job at hand.

Close up of the front end of an e-MTB

WP uses the chassis from a DVO Onyx with 38mm stanchions for the 170mm travel fork (Image credit: Neal Hunt)

A new frame with some moto-inspired touches

All of the ECC models use the same 160mm travel full carbon frame, in sizes S/M, M/L, L/XL, and all with size-specific rear triangles. The rear suspension uses a Horst-style four-bar linkage system and, interestingly, a full 29er wheel setup with no mullet options currently. Geometry looks ideal for e-EDR racing, hitting the sweet spot between stability and agility with a head angle of 64 degrees and reach for the M/L coming in at 475mm.

The brand's heritage is clear to see with its innovative use of a superlight protective plastics kit, much like the fairings on a motorbike. These protect the frame from the usual bumps and scrapes from riding off-road and can easily be replaced to freshen up your ride once it has a few battle scars. There’s also a full skidplate under the motor to protect it from rock and log strikes on technical climbs.

Group of people holding an e-MTB in front with mountains behind

The SRAM GasGas team played a pivotal role in developing the ECC (Image credit: Neal Hunt)

Motocross expert WP teams up with DVO

The other big news with the ECC is its use of WP suspension. The Dutch brand has been making motocross suspension since the mid-70s and has a long history of race-winning tech on KTM, GasGas, and Husqvarna. It is now working with DVO on the forks and rear shocks for GasGas e-MTBs. They use the chassis of existing DVO products with a 38mm stanchioned 170mm travel enduro fork and coil rear shock, but with WP’s well-established cone valve technology. It has externally adjustable high- and low-speed compression, and the damper is designed to keep the fork sat high in its travel but with plenty of control on hard impacts.

This has been in development since 2016, with the GasGas Motorex team refining the platform through the 2023 e-EDR season. The feedback from the team says the cone valve technology gives a very smooth ride with plenty of small bump compliance and grip but that it feels very controlled on bigger and faster hits, which is no surprise given its background in off-road moto racing.

The GasGas ECC range

The ECC is available in three different models – ECC 6, ECC 5 and ECC 4. All models share the same frame, and SRAM Eagle Powertrain, using the smaller 600Wh battery to keep the overall weight down, with the option for a 250Wh extender should range anxiety be an issue. The two top models use the DVO powered by WP suspension, with the ECC 4 running a RockShox ZEB fork with a Super Deluxe coil shock at the rear.

For more information, head over to GasGas.com.

Tech specs: GasGas ECC 6

  • Frame: Carbon frame with 160mm travel and size-specific rear triangle 
  • Motor: SRAM Eagle Powertrain Brose 
  • Battery: 600Wh with optional 250Wh extender
  • Fork: DVO Onyx D1CV SL powered by WP 
  • Shock: DVO Jadex CV coil powered by WP 
  • Rear Derailleur: SRAM XO Eagle T series
  • Shifters: SRAM XO Eagle T series
  • Stem: Newman Evolution 40mm 31.8
  • Bar: Newman Advanced 31.8 800mmm, 25mm rise
  • Crankset: SRAM Eagle XO
  • Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS
  • Saddle: Selle Royal Terra Ridon X5
  • Brakes: SRAM Code RSC 4-Piston 220/200mm rotor
  • Wheels: Newman Evolution SL EG30 
  • Tires: Maxxis Assegai and Maxxis Minnion DHR2 
  • Color: Electronic red
  • Sizes: S/M, M/L, L/XL
  • Weight: TBC
  • Price: £8,999 (US and EU TBC)

Tech specs: GasGas ECC 5

  • Frame: Carbon frame with 160mm travel and size-specific rear triangle 
  • Motor: SRAM Eagle Powertrain Brose 
  • Battery: 600Wh with optional 250Wh extender
  • Fork: DVO Onyx D1CV SL powered by WP 
  • Shock: DVO Jadex CV coil powered by WP 
  • Rear Derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle T series
  • Shifters: SRAM GX Eagle T series
  • Stem: GasGas 40mm 35mm
  • Bar: GasGas riser 35mm 780mm wide 20mm rise
  • Crankset: SRAM Eagle GX
  • Seatpost: GasGas Pro 34.9mm
  • Saddle: Selle Royal GND
  • Brakes: SRAM G2 RS 200mm rotor
  • Wheels: Mach1 rim with GasGas hubs tubeless ready 
  • Tires: Maxxis Assegai and Maxxis Minnion DHR2 
  • Color: Jet black
  • Sizes: S/M, M/L, L/XL
  • Weight: TBC
  • Price: £8,299 (US and EU TBC)

Tech specs: GasGas ECC 4

  • Frame: Carbon frame with 160mm travel and size-specific rear triangle 
  • Motor: SRAM Eagle Powertrain Brose 
  • Battery: 600Wh with optional 250Wh extender
  • Fork: RockShox ZEB select + 170mm travel
  • Shock: RockShox super deluxe select + coil
  • Rear Derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle T series
  • Shifters: SRAM GX Eagle T series
  • Stem: GasGas 40mm 35mm
  • Bar: GasGas riser 35mm 780mm wide 20mm rise
  • Crankset: SRAM Eagle GX
  • Seatpost: GasGas Pro 34.9mm
  • Saddle: Selle Royal GND
  • Brakes: SRAM DB8 RS 200mm rotor
  • Wheels: Mach1 rim with GasGas hubs tubeless ready 
  • Tires: Maxxis Assegai and Maxxis Minnion DHR2 
  • Color: Anthracite metallic/sangria red
  • Sizes: S/M, M/L, L/XL
  • Weight: TBC
  • Price: £6,999 (US and EU TBC)
Neal Hunt
Neal Hunt
Freelance Writer

Neal has been riding bikes of all persuasions for over 20 years and has had a go at racing most of them to a pretty average level across the board. From town center criteriums to the Megavalanche and pretty much everything in between. Neal has worked in the bicycle industry his entire working life, from starting out as a Saturday lad at the local bike shop to working for global brands in a variety of roles; he has built an in-depth knowledge and love of all things tech. Based in Sheffield, UK, he can be found riding the incredible local trails on a wide variety of bikes whenever he can