Bosch boast better biking
Bosch have added a new element to their Performance CX line, for a more consistent ride experience with their eMTBs.
Photos: Dan Milner and Stirling Lorence
Bosch are one of the leaders in eMTB technology, as that part of the mountain bike market grows, manufacturers are needing to keep up. With Bosch, Yamaha and Shimano all creating motors, each brand needs to make sure they stay at the front. Bosch believe they have done that with their new eMTB mode on their motor.
E-bikes won't ruin mountain biking.
The eMTB mode replaces the Sport mode, which is one of four modes that Bosch have on their motor. With a maximum torque of up to 75 Nm, the motor boosts the rider’s performance dynamically between 120 and 300 percent. The motor provides the eMountain biker with ideal power at all times, even at low cadence, without the rider having to change the support levels. It also means the rider has to use their gears more, as opposed to changing support levels.
The amount of assistance is dependent on the pedal pressure, starting with light pressure and increasing to maximum support from the drive unit as required and as the degree of pressure is increased. The system responds almost instantaneously and the rider continues to experience the "natural riding sensation", whether starting off or accelerating. Some riders have found their experience on eMTBs to be too jerky, and too removed from the normal riding feel. the eMTB mode aims to change that.
As soon as the pedal pressure decreases, the power assistance is smoothly regulated downwards, thus the rider has much greater control when riding through narrow, winding sections of trail, where it can otherwise feel ungainly on a heavy eMTB that can surge ahead with light pedal pressure.
Riding with the eMTB mode
I rode the new Trek Powerfly FS at the launch of the bike, with the new settings from Bosch. I can clearly say it was a much improved experience. As a bonus, the eMTB mode also helps preserve the battery life. My previous eMTB experience, with Bosch power, had focused on using Turbo to accelerate then switching it off and trying to pump the bike to maintain speed. As above 25km/h, there is no assistance anyway.
The only downside I found was climbs out of the saddle, on smoother terrain. This isn't typical mountain bike, or eMTB territory, but as you don't spin and push consistently on the pedals when out of the seat, the motor still surges. The work around? Put it in the Tour setting. I personally found I preferred the lowest Eco setting when descending, as the extra weight of the bike kept it moving, and I was happy to keep the assistance for longer climbs.
Upgrade your Bosch
The eMTB mode will be available from retailers in the form of a software update from July 2017 onwards. All eBike models with the Bosch Performance Line CX can access the eMTB mode.
Not into eMTBs? No worries! But if you have something to get off your chest about it, why not write in for our Speakers' Corner page in the next AMB? 600 words are yours to get your point of view across eloquently – amb@nextmedia.com.au
