Deviate Cycles has built a loyal fan base from its home in the heart of Scotland, centred around a small range of high-pivot idler bikes. The launch of its first e-bike – the Kurgan – is a big deal for the brand, and a project with a long tail, that has developed and evolved over six years. So what has this extended gestation period delivered? Deviate Kurgan need to know Deviate’s first e-bike is Bosch CX powered Bosch Performance CX motor has 750W and 100Nm with 400% support 800Wh internal battery is removable 180mm travel fork with 165mm at the rear MX wheels on all three frame sizes Bosch Kiox 400C colour display sits in the top tube Full carbon frame and high-pivot idler suspension design Space for a Bosch 250Wh range extender and a water bottle Weight for Elite model 25.25kg Two models – Factory and Elite – at £9,999 and £7,999 respectively Availability December 2025 For the most part, Deviate has sensibly stayed well within its lane for the Kurgan, sticking to a high-pivot idler design and burly 180/165mm travel, safely paired with one of the best motors on the market – Bosch’s latest Performance CX – and a big 800Wh internal battery. But it has also stepped out of its comfort zone with a completely new twin-link suspension layout – both the Claymore and Highlander use single-pivot designs. The Kurgan is available in two builds, with the range-topping Factory version coming with Fox Factory suspension and Shimano XT/XTR wireless Di2 drivetrain for just shy of £10k. For this test Deviate lent me the marginally less fancy Elite model with Performance Elite level suspension and Shimano Deore/XT build priced at £7,999. I rode the bike for a day on Innerleithen’s fabulous Golfie trails – shout out to the Tweed Valley Trail Association for building and maintaining this superb network – as well as at home in the Surrey Hills to see how it stacks up against the best e-bikes on sale. Frame Deviate’s full carbon frame cuts a distinctive profile thanks to a pronounced S-bend down tube and hunched top tube. Throw in the high-pivot idler and twin-link suspension and there’s a lot for the eyes to take in. If I’m being honest, I wouldn’t consider it a beautiful design, but it’s certainly striking. There are reasons for the exaggerated curves though. The fully enclosed down tube makes abrupt kinks to allow the battery to be slid out the bottom, and the top tube arcs upwards to create enough space for a water bottle and Bosch PowerMore 250Wh range extender to be run simultaneously. Cables run through the frame along guide clips and enter the side of the head tube via separate ports with clamps to prevent rattle. Moulded rubber protection swathes the driveside stays to damp chain rattle, and there’s a huge battery door/sump guard at the base of the down tube. Given the harsh Scottish winters this bike has been developed in, it’s great to see …Continue reading »

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