"Now you start rolling, and at 25 km/h you hit the brakes hard. As hard as you can!" Reader Patrick looks at me with wide eyes. "Are you sure this will work?" he asks. I nod, Patrick swallows. "Let's see," he says sceptically and starts rolling. He doesn't seem entirely at ease, but on his second attempt he grabs it fully and comes to a halt moments later with a slightly stuttering front end. He looks puzzled for a moment, then it bursts out of him. "Sensational!"
Bosch E-Bike ABS: How the press reacted at the launch
Patrick is not the first person to be won over by the ABS at first sight. When Bosch presented its ABS last year, most experts were in agreement: "Game changer", "safety on a new level", "clear added value, even for experienced bikers", they said at the time, and our own tests were also overwhelmingly positive. Thanks to the trail setting in particular, the Bosch ABS proved to be absolutely suitable for off-road riding. In addition, the small box on the fork is unobtrusive and light, weighing just over 200 grams more.
This makes it all the more surprising that the success of Bosch's ABS e-bike has so far been very limited. At the moment, only three manufacturers offer e-mountainbikes with brake assist, a truly off-road fully is only available from Cube, fullys from Bulls are still to follow. Are the manufacturers simply being cautious?
Bosch E-Bike ABS: Why are there so few E-MTBs with the system so far?
The fact is: Prejudices against ABS persist in forums and social media. However, only a few opinion leaders can come up with real practical experience. The arguments against ABS are similar to those used decades ago in favour of ABS for cars and motorbikes. Today, ABS is standard in motor vehicles. However, it is also true that ABS was never able to fully establish itself in off-road vehicles and could at least always be switched off. This is certainly one reason why Bosch has also decided to make ABS switchable via the app or Kiox menu.
>> These bikes are currently available with ABS: In our overview article, we show you the most exciting models from Bulls, Cube and Canyon <<
The off-road riding situations and the often slippery surfaces place very special demands on the technology and cannot quickly dispel scepticism, especially among experienced bikers with advanced riding technique. However, it is also clear that hardly anyone can react as quickly as the ABS, especially when the friction values in the ground change quickly and significantly. During our first test, we were extremely impressed by the change from tarmac to slippery gravel with ABS - a situation in which even experienced bikers falter when braking hard. For less experienced bikers, the potential is indisputable anyway: the safety advantage is obvious, especially on confusing routes, sudden braking and changing surfaces.
How does the ABS perform on demanding trails?
How is the ABS received by the different target groups? To find out, we took two test bikes to our EMTB trail camp in Kaltern. Four participants had the opportunity to test the Bosch technology in special riding situations and for a whole day each in normal everyday touring. The exciting question: Can the ABS convince on tours and demanding trails? And last but not least: Would the testers choose a bike with ABS for their next bike purchase?
The EMTB reader testers introduce themselves
The starting position of our four testers is quite different: two of the four are real mountain bike veterans and have been travelling off-road on two wheels for over 20 years, while two are new to the sport. After 30 years of family-related mountain bike abstinence, tester Patrick is daring to take on narrow trails again for the first time. His mate Volker has also only been mountain biking for three years. However, the 55-year-old is ambitiously honing his riding technique and is a favourite with our Reader camp are already travelling in the black group. And it's not just these four reader testers who end up sitting on the two ABS test bikes: During short breaks or before the start of the tour, almost every participant in the EMTB trail camp wants to try out the ABS.
The expectations of ABS are as varied as the testers themselves. Some are primarily interested in the technology and functionality, while others profess a genuine need for greater riding safety. Reader tester Patrick Huber's initial scepticism was dispelled after just a few attempts. In the end, it was clear to him: "In my opinion, the system is simply perfect, especially for beginners and intermediate bikers. When I buy a new bike, I will definitely add the ABS."
Bosch E-Bike ABS: the facts
As with a car or motorbike, the e-bike ABS prevents over-braking of the front wheel. The Bosch system does not intervene at the rear. The ABS draws energy and computing power for the control processes from the Bosch drive system. Via the Kiox menu or the Bosch app, you can choose between Trail and Allroad mode, or switch off the ABS completely. The difference between the two modes: the braking distance is slightly longer in Allroad. But there is absolutely no skidding, the rear wheel always stays on the ground. Trail mode enables shorter braking distances, but the rear wheel can lift off slightly. Trail mode is therefore the better choice for off-road riding.
- Available with Magura or Tektro brakes
- ABS modes: Trail, Allroad, OFF
- Additional weight: 227 grams (manufacturer's specification)
- Only with Bosch Smart System
- Not retrofittable
- Surcharge for new bikes: 300 to 500 euros
This is how we tested
At our EMTB trail camp in Kaltern, everything that mountain biking is all about is on the programme: long tours with panoramic views, crisp trail descents in the mountains, flowing trails through dense forests, relaxed coasting in the vineyards around Lake Kaltern. The ideal test environment for our four reader testers to try out the ABS in a wide variety of situations. We selected the testers in advance via an application process. This allowed us to put together a good mix of bikers with different levels of experience and give each tester a whole day with the ABS. After a short demonstration and familiarisation in the car park, the testers were able to test the various ABS modes Allroad and Trail on their own. Finally, we tried out the brakes with and without ABS switched on again in the car park to make the differences as clear as possible.
To buy or not to buy? What the reader testers say
Gerhard Hoi
I felt that the ABS worked very well. The braking performance is rather better than with my own Magura, the ABS usually stays pleasantly in the background, and you dare to go further forwards off-road because you can't roll over so easily. Would I buy a bike with ABS next time? I don't know yet and first want to ride my bike without ABS in comparison.
Volker Muth
You quickly gain confidence and have the confidence to fully engage the brakes in any situation. When the ABS does regulate, it always feels smooth and never unharmonious. I even found the brake itself to be a little more biting than my own MT5. If in doubt, I would therefore opt for a model with ABS on my next bike. However, I would prefer shorter brake levers.
Holger Damm
It's crazy: the ABS provides so much safety that I hardly needed the rear brake for most of the day. However, it's only really fun if you dare to adopt an active riding position with a lot of pressure on the front, otherwise the ABS intervenes early and the braking distance becomes long. I also had to use a second brake finger on long descents. I don't know that from my Shimano XT.
Patrick Huber
For me, the ABS was sensational. I had more confidence in the bike and therefore more riding fun. In my opinion, the system is simply perfect, especially for beginners and intermediate bikers. So when I buy a new bike, I will definitely add the ABS. The small surcharge of a few hundred euros is definitely not an obstacle given the prices of modern bikes.
EMTB summary by Adrian Kaether
Two days later, the verdict of the reader testers is in. And the verdict is even more positive than that of our test crew last year. Only one tester remains undecided at the end, two would buy a bike with ABS next time, and for one it would even be a key selling point. There was broad agreement on the individual aspects of ABS. While all testers found the braking distance in the all-road setting too long, the trail mode was convincing. The brakes themselves were criticised: Not everyone liked the long Magura levers, and two out of four testers also criticised high hand forces on long descents. From the reader testers' point of view, however, these were only minor obstacles, which were clearly overshadowed by the huge increase in safety and self-confidence on the trail.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
