After breaking out of the niche product realm and into the mainstream in 2014, the electric mountain bike is bound to remain one of the top cycling trends of the coming year.

To step up its presence in this segment, the French company Matra, a leading name in e-bikes, has introduced a model it describes as halfway between a bike and an off-road motorcycle.

The brand’s i-force will include a lightweight frame in hydro-formed aluminum alloy 7075, full suspension with 140mm travel, 200mm Magura MT4 hydraulic disk brakes, a 10-speed Shimano XT transmission, a Bosch Performance central motor, a 400Wh lithium ion battery and 27.5-inch wheels and tires.

Matra will launch the new bike in spring 2015, priced from €3,199 in the French market. The model will be officially presented on October 9 at the Roc Azur, the annual off-road cycling competition held in Fréjus, France.