There has always been something epochal about Shimano presenting new products. First rumours are deliberately spread, then prototypes are spotted. And by the time they go on sale, the components often have cult status. P1 to P5 refers to the five successive prototype stages that Shimano's new Steps E8000 motor went through from its first presentation in spring 2016 to series production in early 2017. During this phase, experts were full of speculation, assessments and initial ride reports. However, the fact is: Seriously testable series motors have only been available since the beginning of 2017.
You can find these drives in the test:
- Bosch Performance CX
- Brose
- Panasonic Multi Speed
- Shimano Steps E8000
- TQ-Systems TQ120s
- Yamaha PW
Small, light, compact and made by cyclists for cyclists - Shimano is also receiving advance praise from bike manufacturers. The Steps E8000 is more compact than the German competition and offers more design freedom. With shorter chainstays and a narrower Q-factor, geometries that are much closer to the classic mountain bike are now possible thanks to Shimano. The Far East motor also weighs a good kilo less than the Bosch CX. Furthermore, as a complete supplier, Shimano can optimally adapt the motor to the shifting logic of its own Di2 shifters. Bosch, Yamaha and the like cannot offer any other components of their own and always remain third-party suppliers with just the motor. These are all arguments why many bike manufacturers are already switching from Bosch to Shimano in the year of the market launch of the Steps motor - despite the lack of long-term experience with the new motor.
Has Shimano's new bike deserved all the praise? We put the first production models of the new Far East drive system to the test against the tried and tested systems. In addition to the top seller Bosch CX, the test field included the Panasonic Multispeed with integrated two-speed gearbox, the multi-talented Brose integration system, the potent TQ120s and the tried and tested Yamaha PW. For the evaluation, we defined test criteria that we tested on standardised off-road events.
Performance and elasticity
"In the long run, only power will do" - as hackneyed as this phrase may be, it applies to the E-MTB motor. The TQ is the king of power - the Bavarian motor outperforms all its competitors. Bosch, Panasonic and Shimano are roughly on a par in terms of maximum power. Yamaha delivers noticeably less power and Brose brings up the rear.
There are also differences in elasticity. This term describes how much the drive power drops as the cadence increases. If you accelerate strongly and build up speed before a steep section in classic mountain bike style - without shifting gears - you often have the feeling at the start of the climb that someone is pulling on your jersey from behind. Yamaha loses the most power here, and the effect is also clearly noticeable with Panasonic and Brose. Even with Bosch and Shimano, we would like to see more pressure at the top end of the rev range. Although there is a tie on points, the performance characteristics of the two rivals are fundamentally different. The Bosch turbo mode feels a little more powerful than the Shimano boost stage. However, if you switch to trail with Shimano, the newcomer reveals a completely different side: Extremely sensitive to even the slightest change in pressure on the pedals, the Steps E8000 adapts to the rider's pedalling habits. The more aggressively you pedal, the more additional power the unit provides. And if it weren't for the distinct howling noises and the noticeable engagement and disengagement when pedalling again and when exceeding the 25 km/h mark - you could easily forget that you're on an e-MTB.
The fight against resistance
Everyone knows how difficult it is to switch from an e-MTB to a non-motorised bike. You feel like you're riding with an invisible handbrake. But riding with the motor switched off is even worse. In this case, you are not only carrying a lot of excess weight around with you, but with some motors you are also pedalling against a more or less large internal resistance. This is caused by friction losses in those motors that are directly coupled to the drive. However, the internal resistance is not only a problem if you have to pedal home with an empty battery. Even if you are often travelling above the 25 km/h threshold, this criterion should have a significant influence on the purchase decision. If you are travelling in the low mountain ranges, where the ups and downs tend to be flat, you should opt for a bike with a motor without this peculiarity. Brose and TQ play in the top league here. Bikes with these motors can be pedalled without any resistance. Yamaha and Shimano also deliver decent values. Bosch and Panasonic prove to be problematic in this discipline. Both units build up high resistance without motor support and make pedalling a feat of strength.
Support levels and operation
How many support levels you need has almost become a question of faith. There is the group that would prefer to forget about their motor and always ride at the same level. Others change the speed often - whether to save power, to adapt the speed to non-motorised fellow bikers or to change the handling of the bike in difficult terrain. We are of the opinion that more support levels do no harm. We would even unanimously like to see infinitely variable power control.
We have not rated the number of support levels - opinions are too individual. However, if you belong to the group of frequent switchers, TQ and Bosch are the best choice. Both offer a sensible gradation and a good feel to the controls. Brose and Yamaha also have less power at the highest level, which is why we rarely changed the support levels here.
Panasonic delivers the full programme in terms of display and control. There is hardly a feature that cannot be found in the menus of the large colour display. However, there is a noticeable delay when changing gear inside the transmission.
Shimano offers the best concept in terms of operating logic: the small Di2-like display sits perfectly protected on the underside of the handlebars. There it shows the most important information. The switch for the support levels has the ergonomics of a Rapidfire gear lever and is easy to operate. The three levels range from the power-saving Eco mode to the powerful Boost mode. In between is the Trail mode, which should not simply be understood as a medium-strong level, but rather has its very own characteristics (see above).
Pushing aids come of age
What do you do when the trail gets so steep and blocked that you can't go any further in the saddle? A powerful pushing aid should be mandatory here. But until the last generation of motors, they were hardly usable: too weak and, above all, completely unergonomic to operate. But with the new motors and controls, some manufacturers have done their homework. Shimano has naturally analysed the mistakes of the competition in detail. It's hardly surprising that the Japanese are two steps ahead with their E-MTB debut. You switch to Walk, hold down the lever and the motor pushes hard - regardless of the gear selected. But Bosch has also improved, at least with the new Purion display. The finger acrobatics of the old Intuvia system are a thing of the past and the Walk mode is now much more ergonomic. There is still room for improvement in the other systems. Tiny switches, hardly any power - no system can hold a candle to Shimano in terms of power and ergonomics. The push assist on the TQ motor could not be tested. In this case, the test bike was a prototype that did not have the push assist.
Battery capacity and range heights
How high can you go with a battery - the crucial question cannot be answered by simply looking at the drives. This is because the rolling resistance of the tyres, efficiency of the kinematics, weight and several other factors play a role here. However, the battery capacity has the greatest influence on the range - comparable to the petrol tank capacity of a car. With 432 watt hours, the range of the Panasonic drive on the Flyer is quite limited. Bosch and Shimano offer a maximum of 500 watt hours. Brose offers up to 680 watt hours. Regardless of the drive, you shouldn't expect much more than 1400 metres in altitude. A removable battery in your rucksack is therefore essential for long tours. Due to their compact design, the Bosch and Shimano batteries are our first choice for touring. Both weigh around 2600 grams. That's not a little, but it's reasonable on tour. The larger and usually heavier batteries of the competition, on the other hand, can hardly be stowed in a rucksack.
Conclusion by Dipl.-Ing. Stephan Ottmar:
Ultimately, the motor comparison comes down to a duel between the tried-and-tested Bosch Performance CX system and the new Steps E8000 drive from Shimano. In some disciplines, the small Japanese motor comes dangerously close to the German challenger, and in some it can even overtake it. With its compact shape and low weight, the Far East drive will cause a furore, especially in the high-end sector. This is because it makes it possible for bike manufacturers to build compact, manoeuvrable and significantly lighter bikes. It also offers lively, intuitive riding behaviour in trail mode, which comes very close to the natural biomechanics of biking. However, it cannot outclass the proven Bosch system. With its four sensible support levels, you can precisely select your individual additional power. And in powerful boost mode, the CX is beyond reproach.
DISPLAYS
1 + 2 Bosch
The new, small Purion handlebar display (1) with integrated control unit is well protected on the outside of the handlebars. The shortcoming is the operability of the shifting levels, which offer little feedback. Compared to the larger Bosch Intuvia (2), the digits are naturally smaller. The Intuvia switch next to the grip provides much better feedback when changing gear.
3 Mini display for Brose
Brose's open electronics interface allows bike manufacturers to connect a wide variety of displays. Bulls and Rotwild use an extremely minimalist display. The display for the current speed and the selected support level glows under the toggle switch. This creates an extremely tidy look on the handlebars.
4 Panasonic
...relies on a very large, well-equipped display. It sits prominently in the centre of the handlebars and provides a wealth of practical information, including wattage measurement. It is controlled with the thumb via a control unit with vibration feedback at the end of the handlebars. However, handling is complex due to the large number of options and buttons.
5 Shimano
...has understood the needs of mountain bikers. The display sits on the underside of the handlebars, optimally protected from falls and stone chips. The one-button operation is simple and offers setting options via Bluetooth. Shift levels and shift assist are activated via an extremely ergonomic lever that utilises the space freed up by the left shifter.
6 Yamaha
...mounts a clearly structured display. It sits relatively exposed in the centre of the handlebars. A small control unit near the thumb switches the three drive levels. The on/off switch and the push assist are also located here. This basically works well, but the buttons give too little feedback in our opinion.
E-KNOWLEDGE
Rated continuous power
This value is 250 watts for pedelecs up to 25 km/h. Differences in power result from the short-term peak power. For some drives, this is above 600 watts.
Reach height
The range varies greatly during measurements, as there are too many variable factors involved. We have therefore introduced the range altitude. We determine how many metres in altitude the drive climbs with one battery charge. If you then calculate the value independent of the battery size, you get the drive efficiency.
Q-factor
The distance between the pedals seen from above. Conventional e-drives have a larger Q-factor than classic bikes due to the wide installation space of the motor.
THE TEST RESULTS
RATING
Number of levels: Number of assistance levels (without zero and push assistance)
Power: Power of maximum support at low cadence
Elasticity: Power of support over the entire cadence range
Comfort: How much do you feel the drive switch on and off?
Starting on the mountain: How well does starting on steep terrain and loose ground work?
Short overrun: All boxes black mean: virtually no overtravel. Caster is a matter of taste
25 km/h cut-off: How comfortable does the drive behave at the assistance limit?
Internal resistance: How much pedalling resistance does the drive offer the rider when the system is switched off?
Power pushing aid: How much support does the pushing aid provide?
Bosch Performance CX
Bosch has opened up the motor-driven mountain bike market and last year upped the ante with the Performance CX for sporty bikes. All competitors still have to be measured against this system. The drive achieves a maximum torque of 75 newtons with its 250 watts of rated power. The manufacturer is silent about the short-term peak power, but it is likely to be well above 600 watts. This means that the drive is very powerful at lower pedalling frequencies - the turbo mode delivers a maximum of 300% of its own muscle power. If the rider pedals above 70 crank revolutions per minute, the motor loses some of its power. In terms of comfort, the drive is well tuned, but does not play in the top league. Switching on the assistance is signalled by a slight jerk. The same applies to switching off when the pedalling motion is interrupted or the 25 km/h limit is reached. The lower the selected gear level, the less noticeable this effect is. The coordination of the four support levels is pleasing and fulfils all requirements for short-term high maximum power and energy-saving tours. If you want to ride with low consumption or accompany non-motorised bikers, the Eco mode is ideal.
There is a choice of three displays: Purion, Intuvia and Nyon. Particularly advantageous for travelling by plane: All Bosch frame batteries are compatible and are now available for hire in many places. You can leave your own battery at home.
PLUS - Powerful drive - Sensible gear ratios - Widely used system - Compact battery
MINUS - High internal resistance - Requires a lot of installation space
Weight drive unit / battery (500 Wh) <4000 gram / 2600 gram
Power duration / peak 250 / k. A. Watt
Torque max. 75 Nm
Support levels 4 (Turbo 300 %, Sport 210 %, Tour 120 %, Eco 50 %)
Pushing aid Yes
Battery capacity 500 Wh (alternatively 400 and 300 Wh available)
Charging time (approx.) 4.5 hours (500 Wh)
Price replacement battery 859 Euro (500 Wh)
Support until 25 km/h / 45 km/h (as Performance Line Speed)
Switch identification Yes
Possible translations 1 chainring with 15/18/20 teeth at the front, variable at the rear
RATING
Number of steps 4
Power 5 out of 6 points
Elasticity 4.5 out of 6 points
Comfort 4 out of 6 points
Start on the mountain 4.5 out of 6 points
Short overrun 5 out of 6 points
Switch-off 25 km/h 3.5 out of 6 points
Inner resistance 3 out of 6 points
Power pushing aid 3 out of 6 points
Brose
According to Brose, the maximum torque is a high 90 Newton metres - in a direct comparison, however, its power lags slightly behind the other drives. The drive system from the automotive supplier is built in Berlin and gives bike manufacturers a lot of freedom when it comes to tuning. Bulls, Rotwild, BH and Specialized, for example, use the mid-motor in mountain bikes according to their own specifications. The drive can contribute up to 320% of the pedalling power input at maximum. The adjustment of the support levels is left to the bike manufacturer. With Specialized, the rider can even set them themselves using the Mission Control app. The drive unit can be combined with various displays. Batteries with capacities from 400 to 680 watts are used in e-MTBs. Brose specifies the tightness of the housing as IP 67: By definition, the drive remains sealed even when completely submerged. Depending on the manufacturer, it is even approved for cleaning with a steam jet - an advantage not to be underestimated for mountain bikes.
What the drive lacks in maximum power, it makes up for in smooth running. It stops and starts smoothly and makes little noise thanks to its belt drive. If you want or need to pedal without assistance, you don't need to overcome any internal resistance. Apart from the weight, the bike is just as easy to pedal as a bike without a motor. Visually, bikes with a Brose drive are very compact, as the fat battery packs are usually integrated into the down tube.
PLUS - Space-saving design - Low driving noise - Long range depending on battery - No internal resistance
MINUS - Comparatively low maximum force - Weak pushing assistance - Inconsistent assistance with little pedalling impulse
Weight drive unit / battery (500 Wh) 3400 grammes
Power duration / peak 250 / k. A. Watt
Torque max. 90 Nm
Support levels 3 with max. 320 %, freely selectable by the bike manufacturer
Pushing aid yes (depending on equipment)
Battery capacity Current systems offer between 400 and 680 Wh
Charging time (approx.) depending on the battery (e.g. Bulls approx. 5 h for 650 Wh)
Price replacement battery k. A.
Support until 25 km/h / 45 km/h
Switch identification no
Possible translations 1-,2-,3-fold front, rear variable
RATING
Number of steps 3
Power 4 out of 6 points
Elasticity 3.5 out of 6 points
Comfort 5 out of 6 points
Start on the mountain 4.5 out of 6 points
Short overrun 5 out of 6 points
Switch-off 25 km/h 5.5 out of 6 points
Inner resistance 6 out of 6 points
Power pushing aid 1 out of 6 points
Panasonic Multi Speed
The Japanese have integrated a new feature into their drivetrain: it has an internal two-speed gearbox, comparable to two chainrings at the front. In combination with the rear derailleur, this results in an enormous spread. The chain remains well guided, but the internal gear change takes a long time. On the drive side, the set-up for starting off was impressive: If you put your foot lightly on the pedal, the drivetrain already pulls gently on the chain. More pressure delivers well-dosed propulsion. Steep starts on gravel - no problem. The maximum power is high at the beginning, but drops too low as the engine speed increases. The lack of elasticity forces the rider to use a low cadence: this is a problem in demanding terrain during manoeuvres that require short-term acceleration without changing gear. The equipment is of high quality, but in some respects does not appear to be fully developed. Five clicks are required to activate the push assist from the highest support level - just as many back to high.
The large, easy-to-read colour display sits prominently on the stem. It provides a wealth of information. The wattage measurement would be a real plus, but it only delivers dancing numerical values. The controls (five buttons and a mini joystick) are operated with the thumb of the left hand - a challenge in terms of coordination. In terms of efficiency, the drive is on a similar level to the competition. However, we feel that the only type of battery available to date has too little capacity. It is not yet enough to play in the premier league on a mountain bike, but the potential is there.
PLUS - Very smooth and prompt engagement - High maximum power - High gear spread due to gearbox
MINUS - Low reach height - High internal resistance - Weak push assistance
Weight drive unit / battery (500 Wh) 4900 grams / 3100 grams (Smart Integrated battery)
Power duration / peak 250 / 600 Watt
Torque max. 75 Nm
Support levels 3 (High, Std, Eco) max. 300%
Pushing aid yes / depending on equipment
Battery capacity 432 watts (Smart Integrated battery)
Charging time (approx.) 80 % in 3, 100 % in 5.5 hours
Price replacement battery 879 Euro (Smart Integrated Battery)
Support until 25 km/h / 45 km/h
Switch identification Yes
Possible translations 2 integrated at the front, variable at the rear
RATING
Number of steps 3
Power 5 out of 6 points
Elasticity 3 out of 6 points
Comfort 5 out of 6 points
Start on the mountain 6 out of 6 points
Short overrun 4 out of 6 points
Switch-off 25 km/h 4.5 out of 6 points
Inner resistance 3 out of 6 points
Power pushing aid 2 out of 6 points
Shimano Steps E8000
While the Steps drivetrains of the past were still limited with the addition "only for light mountain bike use", Shimano has released its new Steps E8000 fully for the trail. As soon as you look at the cockpit, it becomes clear that the Japanese have implemented many approaches well. The well thought-out left shifter switches the three support modes of the drive and activates a powerful and ergonomically excellent pushing aid without any detours. The small display is easy to read and the levels are differentiated by colour. It is perfectly protected on the underside of the handlebars. Shimano has its own philosophy when it comes to step changes. Boost provides the most power and delivers plenty of performance. In Trail mode, the support is significantly lower. However, a high level of power elicits significant reserves from the system. If you want to make an effort without sacrificing the comfort of the drive, this is the perfect choice. However, the testers wished for a level in between. Eco provides a small amount of assistance to increase the range.
We found the rough switching on and off of the power to be the biggest shortcoming of the current state of development. While other systems barely noticeably regulate, the E8000 engages and disengages harshly. This is particularly annoying when you briefly stop pedalling or are riding close to the 25 km/h cut-off limit. The values of our range measurements are at a good level, and in a direct comparison the Shimano is right at the front.
PLUS - Bicycle feeling in trail mode - Compact design - Key overall system with Shimano Di2
MINUS - Noticeable jerking when starting and stopping - Abrupt coasting from 25 km/h
Weight drive unit / battery (500 Wh) 2880 gram / 2650 gram
Power duration / peak 250 / k. A. Watt
Torque max. 70 Nm
Support levels 3 (Boost, Trail, Eco) max. 300 %
Pushing aid Yes
Battery capacity 504 watts (standard battery)
Charging time (approx.) 80 % after 2.5 and 100 % after 5 hours
Price replacement battery 699 Euro
Support until 25 km/h
Switch identification no
Possible translations 34 or 38 teeth at the front, variable at the rear
RATING
Number of steps 3
Power 5 out of 6 points
Elasticity 4 out of 6 points
Comfort 3 out of 6 points
Start on the mountain 4.5 out of 6 points
Short overrun 5 out of 6 points
Switch-off 25 km/h 3 out of 6 points
Inner resistance 4 out of 6 points
Power pushing aid 5 out of 6 points
TQ-Systems TQ120s
Actually, we should have extended our scale upwards, the power of the TQ drive is in a different league. Despite its compact design, the TQ drive delivers a maximum of 920 watts and 120 Newton metres of torque. This gives the bike a good push in the highest of five support levels. The power is superior to all other systems across the entire speed range. The set-up remains surprisingly comfortable - the power fades in with good control without the rear tyre losing traction. We had the opportunity to test the TQ120s in a prototype version. At the start, this engine needed a few degrees of crank angle to engage.
The special feature of the system lies in the gearbox, which realises a transmission ratio of 1:37 in one stage in a small installation space. This reduces the housing diameter to 14 centimetres. The drive can be operated with different displays and batteries.
If you are often travelling on rough terrain and are above the 25 km/h mark, this drive is particularly recommended: Without motor assistance, you can pedal without any internal resistance.
The fly in the ointment is that the TQ120s is still hard to buy. It can only be found in Spitzing and Sterzing from M1 Sporttechnik. According to the manufacturer, this is set to change for the coming season. Good thing, because it seems to be ideal for powerful mountain bikes.
PLUS - Most powerful drive in the test - Good modulation - No internal resistance - Small installation space
MINUS - Low distribution on the market - Large battery
Weight drive unit / battery (500 Wh) 4400 gram / 4500 gram
Power duration / peak 250 / 920 Watt
Torque max. 120 Nm
Support levels 5 (freely selectable)
Pushing aid yes / depending on equipment
Battery capacity 880 Wh
Charging time (approx.) 80 % 2 h, 100 % 3.5 hours
Price replacement battery k. A.
Support until 25 km/h / 45 km/h / open
Switch identification yes, with switching sensor
Possible translations 1-, 2-, 3-fold front, rear variable
RATING
Number of steps 5
Power 6 out of 6 points
Elasticity 6 out of 6 points
Comfort 5 out of 6 points
Start on the mountain 4 out of 6 points
Short overrun 4 out of 6 points
Switch-off 25 km/h 5 out of 6 points
Inner resistance 6 out of 6 points
Power pushing aid not tested
Yamaha PW
The Yamaha PW drive is already a few years old. A performance-optimised version for mountain bikes is about to be launched on the market, but was not yet available for this test. The PW series delivers a lot of power in the lower speed range. However, as the crank speed increases, the drive runs out of steam noticeably at the top. In technical terrain, this means pedalling slowly. The new PW-X drive should eliminate these weaknesses and deliver higher torque over a wider speed range.
The rest of the set-up of the current PW is good, and it cuts an excellent figure in terms of ride comfort in particular. The drive system barely noticeably regulates the assistance up or down, and even if you are often travelling at the 25 km/h limit, you hardly notice the fade-out. On the climbs, only the Panasonic was more controlled. The electronic control of this system is excellent. The controls are clearly understandable via a small panel next to the handlebar grip. However, to our taste, the buttons give too little feedback and are not easy to operate when wearing gloves. The display on the large LCD screen in the centre of the handlebars is clearly laid out. Haibike, Giant (as its own brand Syncdrive) and the Spanish brand BH in particular fit the drive unit to their mountain bikes.
Yamaha is already showing the first pictures and information about its successor, the PW-X, on its website. The control unit and display look promising, and if the power output is strong, a top drive can be expected.
PLUS - Smooth starting and stopping - Good starting characteristics
MINUS - Fiddly operation of the switches - Unbalanced support levels - Low elasticity
Weight drive unit / battery (500 Wh) 3500 gram / 3000 gram
Power duration / peak 250 / k. A. Watt
Torque max. 80 Nm
Support levels 4 (High 280 %, STD 190 %, Eco 100 %, Eco+ 50 %)
Pushing aid yes / depending on equipment
Battery capacity 400 Wh
Charging time (approx.) 4 hours
Price replacement battery n.a.
Support until 25km/h
Switch identification Yes
Possible translations 1-,2-,3-fold front, rear variable
RATING
Number of steps 3 or 4
Power 4.5 out of 6 points
Elasticity 2 out of 6 points
Comfort 6 out of 6 points
Start on the mountain 5 out of 6 points
Short overrun 5 out of 6 points
Switch-off 25 km/h 6 out of 6 points
Inner resistance 4.5 out of 6 points
Power pushing aid 2 out of 6 points
