Bafang is a well-known motor manufacturer from China. E-bikes have been equipped with these inexpensive units for years. However, the powerful mid-drive motors have hardly played a role on e-mountain bikes to date. Due to a lack of market-relevant bikes, no Bafang drive has been included in our test pool. Exception: The light motor of the Forestal bikeswhich is the result of a co-operation between Bafang and Forestal.
It's high time to finally welcome the classic E-MTB motor from Bafang to the EMTB lab. Especially as the Bafang M510 has just been relaunched. With the new Vitus E-Mythique LT there is finally a matching hanger. The new E-Enduro relies exclusively on the Chinese powerhouse and is available immediately. How does the new motor with 630cc Intube battery perform in the test?
The facts about the Bafang M510
- max. 95 Nm torque (manufacturer's specification)
- Weight: 2.94 kg (EMTB measurement)
- Five support levels: Eco, Eco+, Trail, Boost, Race
- Modes customisable via app
Visually, the M510 integrates quite inconspicuously into the E-Mythique LT, the test bike in which we were able to ride the new motor extensively. The design and dimensions are comparable with a Bosch Performance CXas well as the weight of 2.94 kilos. Compared to its predecessor, the M510 expansion stage significantly heavier predecessor M500 clear advantages. With 95 Newton metres maximum torque, the motor is nominally even more powerful than the classics from Bosch, Shimano, Brose and Yamaha.
Bafang has also gone one better with the support levels. Instead of the usual three to four modes, there are now five levels to choose from. Eco, Eco+, Trail, Boost and Race. The levels can be set via the Bafang app. On the Eurobike 2023 in Frankfurt Bafang also presented new display solutions and control elements.
The controls of the Bafang M510
Our test bike from Vitus was fitted with simple controls reminiscent of the classic Shimano combi. Our first impression of the display and remote was very impressive. A slim remote with three buttons is located directly on the handlebars, along with a colour display that is well protected behind the handlebars. It provides the most necessary information in a clear and easy-to-read format, including a Percentage accurate battery display. The remote can be used to scroll through various values in the display. For example, the daily kilometres, cadence or the speed ridden. Fun fact: The speedometer display on our test bike ended at 60.0 km/h. If you ride faster than this, you can at least check the maximum speed display. Bafang also offers other display and remote variants. At Eurobike 2023, for example, the Chinese company presented a screen embedded in the top tube.
The Bafang battery
In the E-Mythique LT, an integrated Bafang battery with 630 watt hours for energy. It can be easily and quickly folded forwards out of the down tube and sat rattle-free on our test bike. Vitus has firmly screwed the cover to the battery, which makes it even easier to remove. At 3.5 kilos (including the cover), the battery does not set any weight records - but it is not noticeably heavy either. There are various other batteries in the Bafang portfolio with up to 960 watt hours that bike manufacturers can combine with the M510. It is also theoretically possible to use batteries from third-party manufacturers.
Bafang M510 - the support levels
In our test bike from Vitus, the M510 has a tune customised by the British manufacturer. Five support levels are available: Eco, Eco+, Trail, Boost and Race. Maximum power is released in the two highest modes. In Race mode, this happens from a low rider power of 137 watts. Trail mode is not linear, but progressive.
Where is the Bafang M510 produced?
The Chinese manufacturer Bafang is based in Suzhou/China, near Shanghai. Bafang recently opened a new plant in Poland specifically for the production of mid-drive motors. The M510 is produced both at this European site and at the headquarters in Suzhou.
Practical test: How the Bafang M510 rides
The first riding impression of the Bafang motor is one thing above all: really powerful. Even with low rider input, the M510 pushes very hard. This immediately gives the impression of striking power on the first test ride. And this fact was also confirmed during our standardised test rides. With a moderate rider output of 150 watts, the M510 destroyed an asphalt climb with 412 metres of elevation gain in just 13 minutes and 9 seconds in Race mode. By comparison, a Bosch Performance CX, which only delivers its maximum power when the rider pedals hard, takes just over 14 minutes on average under identical conditions. A Shimano EP8 is just as fast as Bosch under these conditions. In terms of power, the Bafang unit definitely has nothing to hide from the competition. Pleasingly, even in summer temperatures, the motor did not derate under continuous hard use.
Soundscape
But striking performance is by no means the only quality feature of an E-MTB motor. Let's move on to the soft skills. The M510 is not a whisperer. The drive noise is not noticeably annoying, but all testers found the volume to be slightly above the level of a Bosch Performance CX or Shimano EP8. Downhill, the tide turns: although the Bafang M510 also rattles, the motor on our test bike from Vitus was significantly quieter than the average of the Bosch and Shimano candidates. However, we are reluctant to make a final judgement, as we have only been able to ride one test bike so far. Experience has shown that the background noise of a motor differs significantly from bike to bike.
Power development and modulation
As already mentioned, the character of the Bafang motor is very "bearish". Even with low rider input and a low cadence, it pushes hard. This character takes some of the dynamism out of the M510. This is because when the rider accelerates and the cadence increases, the motor cannot increase any further. Its power delivery then seems somewhat sluggish and inhibited. This makes it almost impossible to accelerate just before a steep passage or a key section.
However, another trait helps in key technical sections: in the two upper modes, Boost and Race, the motor has a noticeably long overrun. This means that if you can no longer pedal, for example on a root section, the motor continues to accelerate for a short distance despite the pedals being stationary. This allows the Bafang to push the bike over difficult steps or root passages in an uncomplicated and relaxed manner. In some situations, however, this can be a little unharmonious.
This also applies to the application of the motor power, which is not as sensitive as possible but happens in bursts. The modulation is absolutely decent, but the Bafang M510 cannot keep up with the best drives on the market in this discipline. Unfortunately, this also applies to the response behaviour: When you start pedalling again after the pedals have come to a standstill, the Bafang allows itself a second to think before it also starts to push. This is not ideal in tight bends or on technical terrain and is also annoying when starting uphill. However, once you have bridged the idle distance when starting off, the motor power is successfully applied. The Bafang initially delivers its power very carefully in this scenario, effectively preventing the rear wheel from spinning at the start in steep and slippery sections.
Conclusion on the Bafang M510
Powerful, reliable, not too heavy: The M510 presents itself as a serious alternative to the classic drives on e-MTBs. Especially as it should be attractively priced for manufacturers. More of them are welcome, because Bafang is providing a refreshing change in the E-MTB market.
Pro
- Very powerful, even with low driver input
- Pushes stoically over key points
- Fully competitive size and weight
Contra
- Quite loud drive noise
- Less lively power delivery
- Modulation not at top level
- Only available in a few E-MTBs
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
