2200W Custom Trailblazer: Built for a Former Motocross Racer
The short version: This week's build went to one of our sponsored racers — a former motocross competitor who never lost the appetite for horsepower and hard braking. His HPC Trailblazer is built around a custom-tuned V2 2200W motor system making 200+ Nm of torque, a 2027 DVO Diamond fork with an all-new damper, a Shimano Linkglide Deore XT 11-speed drivetrain, an 811Wh (52V 15.6Ah) battery, Magura Gustav Pro brakes, hand-built Spank Vibrocore wheels wrapped in Continental Kryptotal rubber, a 29"/27.5" mullet setup, OneUp aluminum pedals, and Ethirteen Sidekick hubs. Below, we break down every upgrade over the stock Trailblazer and exactly why it matters on the trail.
A stock Trailblazer is already one of the hardest-hitting carbon enduro e-bikes we build — Bafang mid-drive power, factory-tuned DVO suspension, and a chassis that's equally happy climbing fire roads or dropping into a rock garden. For a rider who spent years racing motocross before switching to two wheels with a battery, that platform was the right starting point. It just needed more of everything: more power, more stopping force, a drivetrain that could take the abuse, and a wheel and tire package built to put all of it down.
Here's every upgrade on this particular Trailblazer — and why a former racer specced it this way.
Spec highlights of this featured build. The stock Trailblazer starts at a Bafang 750W mid-drive — already a formidable trail bike in its own right — see the full comparison below.
V2 Motor System, Custom Tuned to 2200W
Why it matters
The stock Trailblazer already runs a Bafang mid-drive with HPC's custom controller and firmware across 750W, 1200W, and 2000W factory tiers. This build steps beyond even the top factory tier with HPC's V2 motor system, custom tuned to 2200W — roughly 10% more power than the standard 2000W tune, and enough to produce 200+ Nm of torque at the crank. For a rider who came from motocross, that's the number that matters most: it's the twist that launches the bike off the line and keeps pulling through a berm the way a dirt bike does, not the polite, tapering assist of a lower-power system.
The result is a bike that accelerates hard, keeps its power on tap deep into a long climb, and never feels like it's asking permission to go faster.
Good to know: HPC now offers custom-tuned motors above our standard 2000W system for riders who want this level of output. These builds run outside the factory tune, so motor systems configured above 2000W do not carry a warranty, and custom power tuning above 2000W is not available through the online configurator — it's phone-order only. Call our team directly and we'll walk you through the specifics before you order.
2027 DVO Diamond Fork, All-New Damper
Why it matters
The stock Trailblazer already runs a factory-tuned DVO Onyx E2 fork, which is a genuinely good piece of kit. This build steps up to the 2027 DVO Diamond fork, built around an all-new damper for this model year. A more refined damper circuit means more consistent, controllable compression and rebound across the stroke — less spike on square-edge hits, better small-bump sensitivity, and more predictable support when you're loading the front end hard into a corner.
For a rider coming off a 2200W motor and a mullet front wheel built for roll-over speed, that matters: the fork is doing more work, more often, at higher entry speeds. A damper that stays composed under repeated hard hits keeps the front wheel tracking the ground instead of skipping across it, which is exactly what lets a motocross-trained rider carry speed with confidence into rough terrain.
Shimano Linkglide Deore XT 11-Speed Drivetrain
Why it matters
The stock Trailblazer already runs a genuinely strong 1x12 group — Shimano SLX (M7100) shifter and derailleur with a Hyperglide+ 10-51T cassette and a KMC E12 e-bike-rated chain. It's a proven, capable setup. This build simply steps up to Shimano's Linkglide Deore XT 11-speed group to handle the extra torque. Linkglide uses reinforced cogs, thicker chain plates, and wider engagement tolerances specifically engineered to survive the shock loads and constant torque of a high-power e-bike.
The trade-off is a slightly narrower gear range in exchange for dramatically longer service life — Shimano rates Linkglide drivetrains for roughly 3x the durability of a standard Hyperglide+ cassette under e-bike loads. For a rider putting 200+ Nm through the drivetrain on every hard launch, that durability is the difference between a chain and cassette that last a season versus one that's stretched and worn out in a few hard rides.
52V 15.6Ah High-Drain Battery System
Why it matters
The stock Trailblazer already ships with a USA-made, quick-change 48V/52V pack starting at 10Ah, and can be stepped up to 20.25Ah at the configurator. This build goes further still with the 52V 15.6Ah high-drain battery system — an 811Wh pack built on high-drain 14S cells so it holds voltage under hard acceleration instead of tapering off exactly when you need full power.
On a lower-power bike, a smaller pack is a range question. On a 2200W build, it's also a performance question: a pack that can't sustain high current will let the motor's output droop mid-pull, which is the opposite of what a rider who wants motocross-style acceleration is looking for. The 52V 15.6Ah system keeps voltage — and therefore power — consistent from the first pedal stroke to the last mile of the ride.
Magura Gustav Pro Braking System
Why it matters
The stock Trailblazer already runs Magura MT4 dual-piston brakes with metallic pads and 180mm rotors front and rear — a genuinely solid, trusted trail brake. This build goes further with the Magura Gustav Pro — originally engineered for downhill racing and now a favorite on high-power e-bikes, producing some of the strongest, most consistent hydraulic braking force available on two wheels.
For a rider with a motocross background, big, fade-resistant brakes aren't a luxury — they're what let you carry speed into a corner with confidence instead of backing off early. On a 2200W bike capable of real acceleration, the Gustav Pro is what makes that speed usable instead of intimidating.
Spank Vibrocore Hand-Built Wheels
Why it matters
The stock Trailblazer already rolls on a solid wheel package — WTB i35 rims (35mm inner width) laced with Phil Wood spokes to HPC's own alloy, sealed-cartridge-bearing hubs. For a 2200W motor putting a lot of force through the wheels, both accelerating and braking, this build steps up to hand-built Spank Vibrocore wheels. Vibrocore rims are injection-filled with a proprietary foam core that adds structural rigidity while damping the high-frequency chatter that causes rim fatigue and rider fatigue alike.
Hand-built means every spoke is tensioned and stress-relieved individually rather than machine-laced, which keeps the wheel true longer under the repeated hard hits a powerful e-bike puts them through. The foam core also quiets the ride — less buzz through the bars and pedals on rough terrain, so you can hold a faster line for longer.
Continental Kryptotal Tires
Why it matters
The stock Trailblazer rolls on Kenda Nevegal II Pro tires, 27.5x2.8 front and rear — a solid, reliable all-rounder. This build swaps to Continental Kryptotal tires, developed with enduro and downhill racing in mind: an aggressive, widely-spaced knob pattern that bites hard under braking and holds a line through loose corners instead of washing out.
For a rider used to the grip and predictability of a motocross tire, a soft, race-oriented compound like the Kryptotal is the closest a mountain bike tire gets to that feel: confident under hard braking, stable at speed, and predictable right up to the edge of traction.
Mullet Setup: 29"x2.4" Front / 27.5"x2.6" Rear
Why it matters
The stock Trailblazer runs matched 27.5x2.8 wheels front and rear — the HPC carbon frame is built to accommodate 27.5+ or 29" — and this build takes advantage of that flexibility with a mullet configuration: a larger 29"x2.4" wheel up front paired with a smaller, wider 27.5"x2.6" wheel out back. The big front wheel rolls over roots, rocks, and braking bumps more smoothly and holds a straighter line at speed, which matters a lot when a 2200W motor gets you to that speed quickly.
The smaller rear wheel keeps the back of the bike quick and playful, tucks in tighter through tight corners, and puts the rider in a lower, more centered stance for cornering leverage — closer to the feel of a motocross bike's rear end than a full 29er. It's the same logic top enduro and downhill racers use: big wheel for roll-over up front, small wheel for agility out back.
OneUp Aluminum Pedals
Why it matters
The stock Trailblazer ships with Wellgo B087U pedals — a solid, reliable platform pedal. This build steps up to OneUp aluminum pedals: a thin, wide platform with a deep pin pattern. The thin profile reduces pedal strikes on technical terrain — a real concern on a bike this capable of getting into tight, rocky lines — while the wide platform and aggressive pins keep your feet locked in place under hard acceleration and braking.
On a bike built around motocross-style power delivery, foot retention isn't a comfort feature, it's a control feature. A pedal that lets your foot shift under load is a pedal that costs you precision exactly when the bike is asking the most of you.
Ethirteen Sidekick Hubs
Why it matters
This is the upgrade most riders have never heard of and the one that changes the ride the most. The stock Trailblazer's HPC alloy rear hub (sealed cartridge bearings, custom steel driver) is a durable, standard pawl-and-ratchet freehub. Ethirteen's Sidekick hub is, in Ethirteen's own words, the only hub system that fully disconnects the drivetrain while coasting. A patented clutch mechanism decouples the freehub body from the drive components the instant you stop pedaling, rather than staying partially engaged like a standard pawl-and-ratchet design.
The result is a short list of upgrades that each solve a real problem: Sidekick eliminates pedal kickback at the source instead of masking it, delivers near-zero freewheeling drag so coasting speed carries further, and runs near-silently with no ratchet buzz through rock gardens. It also features a tool-free adjustable deadband, so the engagement feel can be tuned to preference in seconds, trailside, with no tools.
Paired with a 200+ Nm motor, a 2027 DVO Diamond fork, and a full-suspension chassis, a hub that removes kickback and drivetrain drag has an outsized effect: smoother suspension response over chatter, better traction under power, and less fatigue in the feet and legs by the end of a long descent.
Stock Trailblazer vs. This Build
| Component | Stock Trailblazer | This Featured Build |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | Bafang mid-drive, custom HPC controller/firmware — 750W / 1200W / 2000W | V2 system, custom tuned to 2200W (phone-order only) |
| Torque | Up to ~185 Nm at the 2000W factory tier | 200+ Nm peak |
| Front fork | DVO Onyx E2, 160mm travel | 2027 DVO Diamond, all-new damper |
| Rear shock | DVO Topaz T3, 185x55 Trunion | Same DVO Topaz T3 shock |
| Drivetrain | Shimano SLX 12-speed (M7100 shifter & derailleur), Hyperglide+ 10-51T cassette, KMC E12 chain | Shimano Linkglide Deore XT 11-speed |
| Battery | USA-made, quick-change 48V/52V — 10Ah / 15Ah / 17.5Ah / 20.25Ah | 52V 15.6Ah / 811Wh high-drain |
| Brakes | Magura MT4 dual-piston, metallic pads, 180mm rotors (F&R) | Magura Gustav Pro |
| Wheels | WTB i35 rims (35mm inner width), HPC alloy sealed-bearing hubs, Phil Wood spokes | Hand-built Spank Vibrocore |
| Tires | Kenda Nevegal II Pro, 27.5x2.8 (F&R) | Continental Kryptotal |
| Wheel sizing | Matched 27.5" front and rear (frame accommodates 27.5+ or 29") | Mullet — 29"x2.4" / 27.5"x2.6" |
| Pedals | Wellgo B087U | OneUp aluminum |
| Rear hub | HPC alloy, sealed cartridge bearings, custom steel driver, 32h | Ethirteen Sidekick |
| Weight | 51 lbs (750W / base battery) | Varies with build spec |
Stock specs pulled directly from HPC's published Trailblazer spec sheet. The stock Trailblazer is already a genuinely formidable, factory-tuned carbon enduro platform — Bafang power up to 2000W, Shimano SLX drivetrain, Magura MT4 brakes, and real DVO suspension. This build pushes every one of those systems a tier further. Note that the custom-tuned 2200W motor does not carry a warranty and, unlike every other upgrade listed here, is not available through the online configurator — it's ordered by phone directly with our team.
Build Yours
Want a Trailblazer Like This One?
Most of the upgrades on this build — drivetrain, battery, brakes, wheels, suspension, and pedals — are available straight from the configurator. The custom-tuned power system above 2000W is the one exception: it's phone-order only, so give our team a call and we'll walk you through it before you order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this Trailblazer build different from a stock Trailblazer?
The stock Trailblazer already ships with a Bafang mid-drive (up to 2000W / ~185 Nm), a Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain, Magura MT4 dual-piston brakes, DVO Onyx E2 / Topaz T3 suspension, and a USA-made 48V/52V battery from 10Ah to 20.25Ah — a formidable trail bike on its own. This featured build pushes further with a custom-tuned V2 2200W motor system (200+ Nm), a 2027 DVO Diamond fork with an all-new damper, a Shimano Linkglide Deore XT 11-speed drivetrain, a 52V 15.6Ah (811Wh) high-drain battery, Magura Gustav Pro brakes, hand-built Spank Vibrocore wheels, Continental Kryptotal tires, a 29"/27.5" mullet wheel setup, OneUp aluminum pedals, and Ethirteen Sidekick hubs.
Does the 2200W custom-tuned motor come with a warranty, and can I order it online?
No to both. HPC's standard motor warranty covers our factory-tuned systems up to 2000W — custom-tuned motors configured above that threshold, like the 2200W system on this build, run outside the factory tune and are not covered by warranty. Custom power tuning above 2000W is also not offered as an option in the online configurator; it's available by phone order only, so our team can review the details with you directly before you order.
What is the 2027 DVO Diamond fork and how is it different from the stock fork?
The stock Trailblazer runs a factory-tuned DVO Onyx E2 fork. This build upgrades to the 2027 DVO Diamond fork, which is built around an all-new damper for that model year. The refined damper circuit delivers more consistent compression and rebound control, better small-bump sensitivity, and more support under hard, repeated hits — useful on a build with this much power and speed on tap.
What does an Ethirteen Sidekick hub do that a normal hub doesn't?
A standard freehub, including the Trailblazer's stock HPC alloy hub, uses a pawl-and-ratchet system that stays partially engaged even while coasting. Ethirteen's Sidekick hub fully disconnects the drivetrain the moment you stop pedaling, eliminating pedal kickback at the source, cutting freewheeling drag to near zero, and running nearly silent. It also has a tool-free adjustable deadband so the engagement feel can be tuned trailside.
Why run a mullet setup instead of matching wheel sizes?
The stock Trailblazer runs matched 27.5x2.8 wheels front and rear. A larger 29" front wheel rolls over obstacles more smoothly and tracks straighter at speed, while a smaller 27.5" rear wheel keeps the back of the bike quick and easier to maneuver through tight corners.
Why upgrade to a Linkglide drivetrain instead of the stock Shimano SLX group?
The stock Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain with a Hyperglide+ cassette is already strong and proven. Shimano Linkglide drivetrains use reinforced cogs and wider tolerances built to handle the higher torque and shock loads of e-bikes, rated for roughly three times the durability of a standard Hyperglide+ drivetrain under those conditions.
Can I build my own Trailblazer like this one?
Yes. The Trailblazer is built to order, and most components on this build — drivetrain, battery, brakes, wheels, suspension, tires, and pedals — are available directly from the configurator. The custom-tuned motor above our standard 2000W system is the exception: it's phone-order only, and our team will walk you through the warranty implications before you order.
Explore More
Specifications describe this featured custom build and available options for the Trailblazer. Power, torque, and range figures vary with configuration, terrain, rider weight, and local class regulations. Motor systems custom tuned above HPC's standard 2000W tier, including the 2200W system shown here, do not carry a warranty and are available by phone order only — not through the online configurator. High-power configurations may not be legal for use on all public paths — ride responsibly and in accordance with local e-bike laws.
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