Bosch Intuvia and LED Controller: New display and control unit for the Smart System

​Bosch, the e-bike drive specialist, is unveiling two new products – the Intuvia 200 display and the LED controller – designed for value-for-money touring bikes and stylish city bikes.

Editorial assessment

Intuvia 200: Back to fixed installation

Alongside the new Hub Line hub motor (full details here) Bosch is also unveiling new batteries, a new display and a new control unit. With the Intuvia 200 display, Bosch is taking a remarkable step: whilst the industry has long relied on detachable displays, Bosch is now taking the opposite approach. The new 2.4-inch greyscale display features white lettering on a black background for a modern look, but remains permanently mounted on the handlebars.

The benefits are obvious: no risk of the bike being stolen, no scratches from carrying it in a rucksack, and no forgotten displays left at home. This is a sensible concept, particularly for everyday cyclists and commuters who lock up their e-bikes securely anyway. The price is also likely to be attractive. The one-piece casing design, with the display glass and LCD panel bonded across the entire surface, promises a long service life, though it cannot, of course, be repaired if it breaks.

A good alternative to Kiox and the like?

The Bosch display is operated using a separate control unit: LED Controller, System Controller & Mini Remote or LED Remote. This is the same as with all other Bosch displays. The Intuvia 200 is likely to be an affordable option above all else and, in terms of size, sits exactly between the more expensive colour displays, the Kiox 300 (2.4 inches) and the Kiox 500 (2.8 inches). What we’d still like to see is a two-arm mount for the Bosch displays. The single-arm design often sits at an angle and isn’t properly centred. On e-bikes costing several thousand euros, this could be sorted out more elegantly.

LED Controller: Minimalism with added value

The new Intuvia display is a logical evolution of its predecessor. The successor to the previous LED Remote, however, is a far more radical departure: the new LED controller is a remarkable 65 per cent smaller than its predecessor and is designed with minimalism in mind. Nevertheless, the slim control unit still accommodates five buttons with tactile and audible feedback, as well as an adaptive LED display for riding mode and battery level.

At first glance, the only drawback is that the LED controller only has one LED to indicate the battery level. So it seems unlikely that you’ll get a battery indicator accurate to 10 per cent, as was the case with the previous LED remote.

Focusing on the target audience

The LED controller is designed for cyclists who want their handlebars to look as sleek as possible, or who might choose not to have a large display for cost reasons. With smartphone apps or additional cycle computers, this minimalist solution can easily be expanded to suit your own preferences. The integrated USB-C port, with a charging capacity of no less than 10 watts, is a handy feature that offers flexibility when out and about.

Classification: A smart addition to your portfolio

With these two new products, Bosch is catering to different needs: the Intuvia 200 appeals to everyday cyclists who value ease of use combined with a wealth of information. The LED Controller is aimed at purists and style-conscious cyclists who want to keep their cockpit tidy.

Both products demonstrate that Bosch has recognised the diverse ways in which e-bikes are used. Not everyone needs navigation and a colour display – sometimes, targeted information at an attractive price is enough. As usual, the build quality and system integration are likely to be of a high standard.