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A Monegasque brand, Stajvelo offers a diverse lineup to suit every riding style. Released in 2020, the Mirabeau is a high-performance road e-bike with sleek lines and a classy design. With its high-performance Polini motor and components tailored for hybrid riding, this is the ideal road companion to overcome the challenges of a route when fitness, age, elevation changes, or simply a lack of time take their toll. A first look at the brand and a test ride through the hills of the French Riviera.
By Pierre-Maxime BRANCHE – Photos: 3bikes.fr and Stajvelo
The Monegasque bicycle and e-bike brand Stajvelo won’t be offering you all-inclusive trips, as you might—phonetically—imagine. Instead, it will speak to you of love, innovation, comfort, and sustainability, led by its founder, Thierry Manni. Love, because the name is derived from the initials of the members of his close-knit family: his wife Stéphanie, himself, and his children Andrea and Jules. Innovation, because Thierry is the son of the founder of Mécaplast, a Monaco-based company specializing in the production of plastic automotive parts. The entrepreneur drew on Mécaplast’s expertise, honed over more than four decades, to bring to life—in late 2016—the object of his dreams and passions: the RV01, a name paying tribute to his brother Hervé, who passed away far too soon, but above all, the first electric bicycle made of advanced injection-molded composites, manufactured in Monaco, equipped with a Continental motor featuring an integrated automatic transmission, a carbon belt, and interchangeable wheels. An elegant, unisex bike that’s easy to ride and maintain.
The RV01 is a hit. The order book is filling up, opening the door to endless possibilities. Very soon, the Beau Rivage—a “muscle road bike” based on a handcrafted Italian carbon-composite frame—makes its debut: fully customizable, made to order, and including a complimentary posture analysis. Next came e-bikes (the Nomades and the slightly sportier Nomades R) for enthusiasts of eco-friendly urban commuting. Then came an e-gravel bike, the MontAgel, designed to capture that spirit of freedom—the freedom to ride and discover new paths during a single outing, whether on the road, in the forest, or in the mountains. The only thing missing was a high-performance e-road bike: the Mirabeau was born.
Conquering Steep Gradients to Extend the Ride's Enjoyment
Released in July 2020, it’s designed for those who need a little extra boost to keep the fun going. Because that’s what really matters. This electric road bike lets you conquer the steepest gradients, expanding the possibilities for cycling enthusiasts—regardless of skill level, age, or fitness level. According to the manufacturer, “the assistance from the Polini EP-3 motor doesn’t take the magic out of the ride. On the contrary, it enhances it by focusing solely on the fun.” Aesthetically, it draws on the design cues of the Beau Rivage, Stajvelo’s traditional road model. Made from ID 800 carbon, the monocoque frame provides rigidity and stability. Special attention has been paid to the design: with high-quality paint and elegant detailing, the Mirabeau exudes undeniable elegance. Designed in Monaco, its optimized lines seamlessly integrate the battery—positioned in the down tube—for an aerodynamic profile. The integrated cables and motor give it a sleek, modern look.
Peak power of 500 watts…
Weighing just 2.85 kg, the Polini EP-3 motor is one of the most compact of its generation. With assistance limited to 25 km/h, it can tackle any grade. This assistance can be adjusted with a simple click on the console mounted on the handlebars. It features five modes that allow the motor to reach peaks of 500 W for the steepest inclines. You can pair your phone or heart rate monitor via the built-in Bluetooth to access all your personal data. According to the manufacturer, the range reaches up to 220 km on the first assistance level and 180 km on the second, allowing you to tackle the highest mountain passes during long mountain rides—regardless of your fitness level, of course.
Assistance levels and range according to the manufacturer’s specifications: Assistance Level 1 – 30% – 180–220 km |
To recharge the battery, a small key provides access to the battery, which is well-hidden inside the down tube. A quick turn to the right and unscrewing a small screw allow you to remove the cover and simply plug it into a power outlet.
Wheels designed for hybrid riding
In terms of components, the Mirabeau is equipped with DT Swiss HE 1800 Spline 32 wheels (160 mm disc brakes). These wheels feature components specifically designed for road e-bikes to withstand intense stress and strain. This is particularly true of the hubs, which are engineered to provide greater stability, and the spoke patterns, which are designed to support bikes weighing between 15 and 25 kg.
It also features an 11-speed Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain with a 50-34 compact crankset. A SRAM Force AXS version is also available in the catalog. FSA components (handlebars + stem), a Fizik saddle, and 28 mm Pirelli P-Zero Velo tires. Available in three sizes (S, M, and L); a few XS and XL units are still available off-catalog upon request. Two striking color options: a predominantly silver finish with black accents or a predominantly black finish with gold accents. The bike weighs 14.9 kg without pedals in size M, and the price is 6,950 euros.
On the road
The first few pedal strokes inevitably require more power. To get the 15-kilo Mirabeau moving—without assistance, and especially if you’re in a medium gear—you’ll need to really engage your quadriceps and hamstrings to build up speed. This lasts only a few seconds, and once you get past this initial phase, the riding experience quickly feels very similar to that of a traditional road bike. You quickly forget about the weight, which is, after all, twice that of your usual bike. On flat roads, still without assistance, the Mirabeau is very pleasant to ride and stands out in particular for its smooth ride. You can easily cover kilometer after kilometer without needing to engage the motor. Of course, small hills and mandatory stops here and there remind you of the Mirabeau’s nature and require more strenuous accelerations. But overall, it’s entirely possible to go on a flat ride—focusing on basic endurance—without pushing yourself harder than necessary, allowing you to enjoy the ride with friends.
Then the hills came along. Being the adventurous types that we are, we obviously couldn’t resist the urge to push the motor to its limit right from the start to see what the Mirabeau was capable of. It was inevitably fun and exhilarating, as the power of the Polini motor propels you at a steady 25 to 27 km/h. It feels like unleashing the power of a Julian Alaphilippe or a Mathieu van der Poel when they make their move and try to force a decision in the final stretch of a classic or a stage race. But here, without straining—just by letting the motor complement your pedaling. So much so that you even have to brake behind cars on winding stretches. Even at full power, the motor remains relatively quiet. It’s also extremely responsive to various inputs and changes in assist levels, and runs very smoothly, consistently, and without any jerks. Tackling steep gradients at speeds unattainable through muscle power alone is obviously not the goal. And once the thrill of discovering the maximum power wears off, the enjoyment fades almost immediately. The fun is short-lived. On the other hand, if you imagine yourself at the end of a long ride, feeling very tired, you realize that the ride home will be a breeze. And that provides mental and physical comfort—and thus a valuable sense of security—for any cyclist.
An easy-to-use control console
The five power levels are well-spaced. The assistance is progressive and cuts out just before 27 km/h, at 26.7–8 km/h. Let’s say it provides assistance up to 25, then gradually decreases and cuts out at 27, so as not to suddenly leave the rider hanging and give them the impression of hitting a wall. The calibration between assistance levels is customizable. While riding, the control is easily accessible, and its buttons are large enough to quickly change the power level without having to try several times.
The screen is also large enough to clearly read and view information such as your speed, the level of assistance, and—most importantly—the remaining range. This is essential for effectively managing your ride. The display is currently black and white, but a color analog version is in development. It may be a minor detail, but this console is far from stylish and could benefit from some serious design and ergonomic work to match the Mirabeau’s class.
Who is it for?
In terms of feel, “the first level of assistance helps take the weight off the bike,” explains Marvin Gruget, Stajvelo’s marketing manager. That’s certainly true, but based on our own experience, it goes even further than that. With this first trigger, the assistance is already very noticeable and significantly reduces the strain on your muscles—and thus your heart. Let’s just say it lets you climb at your usual pace, but without straining. That’s huge! The second trigger makes things even easier. You find yourself riding with an unusual ease, especially on steep inclines. There’s (almost) no sense of physical exertion left. You can talk or sing without any trouble. The next trigger settings (3–4–5) feel more like riding a scooter than a bike. This is where the question of the Mirabeau’s target audience—which you probably suspected would come up as soon as you received the bike—resurfaces. For experienced, regularly trained cyclists or couriers, the fun quickly gives way to frustration over physical and athletic performance, as well as the desire for a challenge. So who might buy it?
With its Mirabeau model, Stajvelo is targeting several customer profiles: 1. Older riders who need that famous “little boost” to keep up with friends on flat terrain or tackle rugged and mountainous routes; 2. overweight individuals who are turning to exercise for health reasons and who could also tackle varied terrain without “struggling”; 3. Hardworking professionals, such as business executives, who don’t have time to train during the week and want to pursue their passion on the weekends with scenic rides featuring elevation changes without pushing themselves too hard; 4. Commuters who want to break a light sweat before arriving at work—even on hilly roads—and who want a road bike for the weekend. We could add a fifth category: newcomers who have no cycling background and may not necessarily be accustomed to the physical and mental effort that cycling requires, but who want to discover the joys of cycling.
Downhill fun, too
If this sounds like you, there’s no doubt that the Mirabeau will be the perfect riding companion. Especially since it handles descents flawlessly. And yes, once you’ve cleared the top of a hill or pass, you’re usually in for a descent. At 15 kg, you might imagine it would be a nightmare to handle once speeds pick up and the turns come one after another. That’s not the case at all. The Mirabeau is a model of stability; it holds its line perfectly. You can also easily correct poorly negotiated turns despite its heft, because this extra weight is well distributed between the down tube and the bottom bracket, which stabilizes the bike-rider combination. The disc brakes are powerful enough, and the Pirelli P-Zero tires offer plenty of grip. It’s really on descents that you forget it’s an e-bike. The feel and handling are very similar to those of a classic road bike. Despite the weight, you feel very safe and can tackle corners without hesitation. The only differences are the initial braking response (obviously, you’re not riding a bike that weighs just 7 kg!) and the acceleration out of corners, but you adapt very quickly.
At the end of this wonderful experience, it’s clear we’re not the target cyclists for Stajvelo Mirabeau—at least not today. It’s still an option worth keeping in mind, though, because life is full of twists and turns that change our habits, schedules, and physical fitness. Whether to pursue your passion as time goes on, to tackle high mountains during active vacations, to keep up with friends who are in better shape, to commute to work while protecting the environment, or to enjoy yourself on the weekends, the Mirabeau is a great option. The personal satisfaction of physical exertion will then come from using the electric assist sparingly to preserve a certain sense of adventure.
The STAJVELO MIRABEAU at a glance… Rating: ***** PROS: powerful and responsive assistance, comfort, stability, and handling on descents FRAME: UD 800 Monocoque Carbon One-Piece Frame – FORK: UD 800 Carbon Mono Fork, flat mount – WHEELS: DT Swiss HE1800 Spline 32 mm – TIRES: PIRELLI PZero Road 28 mm – DRIVETRAIN: SHIMANO Ultegra Di2 11-speed Disc – CRANKSET: POLINI e-Bike with FSA 50-34 double chainrings – CASSETTE: Shimano Ultegra 11-speed 11-28 – BRAKES: Shimano Ultegra, 160 mm – HANDLEBAR: FSA ACR System aluminum with integrated cables – STEM: FSA – SEAT POST: Mono UD 800 Carbon, aero – SADDLE: Fizik Vento Argo R5 – MOTOR: Polini EP-3 250W, 70 Nm torque – BATTERY: POLINI EP-3 500 Wh, 13.8 Ah – CONTROLLER: POLINI Dot Matrix – SIZES: 3 (S/52, M/54, and L/56) – COLORS: Silver/Black or Black/Gold – WEIGHT: 14.9 kg (size M, without pedals) – PRICE: €6,950 CONTACT: https://www.stajvelo.com/fr/ |
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