At the Eurobike 2023 in Frankfurt, the Brose has already unveiled its new Drive³ Peak e-bike drive. And even back then, the successor to the somewhat outdated Drive S Mag was actually overdue. But after the trade fair, things became very quiet for the Berlin-based company. In the meantime, the automotive supplier has lost much of its relevance in the sporty e-bike market and has largely left the field to its competitors. The Drive S Mag is still installed in some Rotwild models, and it also forms the Basis of the Specialized drive in the Turbo Levo and also of the Sram drive system Eagle Powertrain.
Methuselah: the Brose Drive S Mag
The Brose Drive S Mag is a true Methuselah among the sporty e-MTB motors. The powerful e-bike motor has been rolling off the production line virtually unchanged since 2019. One small exception: a software update was carried out in 2020 after customers complained about broken drive belts. The update was able to tame the powerful motor's torque somewhat and reduce the frequency of damage. Since then, however, the drive has remained unchanged and has had to assert itself in an increasingly competitive market: with competitive performance data, but also a somewhat clunky design and a rather heavy weight.
Brose Drive³ Peak: good things take time
Now, however, Brose is making a new attempt and wants to launch the Drive³ Peak in the middle of the year. The system consists of the new motor, two batteries (Battery InTube 800 and 650) and the Control Allround operating unit. Brose wants to combine new achievements with the tried and tested virtues of the Drive S Mag. The tried and tested virtues include: high torque, natural power delivery, low noise, high heat resistance and zero pedalling resistance. The most important key figures that Brose presented for the Drive 3 Peak at Eurobike 2023 suggest that the Berlin-based company orientated itself on the benchmarks in the motor market at the time: Although the 410 per cent pedal assist and the maximum power (the EMTB test spit out 565 watts for the Drive S Mag) have remained the same, at 2.9 kilos the unit is said to be lighter and, at 95 Nm, even more powerful than its predecessor.
48-volt technology
Another striking feature of the Brose motor is that the technology is based on a 48-volt system. The theoretical advantage over systems with 36 volts, as used by most competitors: Reduced heat development, as the higher voltage means you can manage with lower amperage at the drive unit. However, the main advantage for Brose is probably the fact that 48 volts is standard in the automotive sector. This allows the Berlin-based automotive experts to utilise available in-house technologies. Brose's bicycle division is likely to benefit from synergies with the automotive departments, particularly in the development of batteries and displays.
Above all, however, the new Brose motor is much more compact in its design, giving bike manufacturers more design freedom. Nevertheless, the motor market has evolved over the past year and a half. The Bosch CX has been made even lighter and quieter and better, automatic shifting has found its way into E-MTBs, a completely new technology has been added with the Pinion motor-gearbox unit, and with DJI and ZF, two completely new players have celebrated sensational premieres. We will therefore have to wait and see where the Drive³ Peak and its key figures fit into the growing motor market.
Therefore with Waldbike: small but nice
Why has Brose teamed up with the small e-bike manufacturer Waldbike? Brose has been supplying the e-bike manufacturer with its drive system since Waldbike was founded in December 2022. The Swabians stand for high-quality products that are made by hand in their glass factory in Calw.
Thanks to 85 per cent European components and cooperation with regional partners, Waldbike is almost CO2-neutral. The company also organises an annual campaign in which a new tree is planted for every e-bike sold. In terms of image, Waldbike is therefore a good partner, and it can be assumed that a small partner also brings efficiency benefits during testing and tuning phases.
Priority: Quality and sustainability
"The partnership with Brose offers a strong foundation for innovation and market success," says Waldbike Managing Director Jan Jochens: "As a young OEM, we value the trusting cooperation, which is characterised by innovative approaches and offers room for joint growth. Together we design solutions that will shape the mobility of tomorrow. The introduction of the new bikes with Brose technology not only creates unique riding experiences, but also contributes to our commitment to sustainability and family friendliness." And Daniel Wolde-Giorgis, Head of Brose E-Bike, points to similarities in the companies' focus: "The corporate philosophy, which is centred on quality and sustainability, fits perfectly with us and our products manufactured in Germany. All of this makes Waldbike an ideal partner for the market launch of the new Brose system." Waldbike Managing Director Jan Jochens also sees the cooperation as a win-win for both sides: "Waldbike made a conscious decision in favour of the Brose system because it perfectly reflects the values and aspirations of our company: outstanding quality made in Germany, natural riding dynamics, innovation and sustainability. Our collaboration is based on a shared vision and a clear value match."
The fact that the market launch has nevertheless taken a little longer may be due to the fact that the Berlin-based company has set "the highest standards in terms of reliability, riding experience and user-friendliness" when developing its new e-bike system. Brose will start production of the core components in June 2025, which according to the manufacturer are the particularly quiet and powerful motor, the InTube batteries with 800 and 650 Wh and the Control Allround. The aim is to then "gradually integrate additional components into the system".
Waldbike gets sporty
The new generation of forest bikes with the Brose system will be launched in late autumn 2025. There are plans for touring e-bikes (hardtail, fully and step-through) and an e-mountainbike (hardtail). The company also wants to expand into the sporty segments and offer full-suspension models in the all-mountain and enduro categories. According to the manufacturer, the new Waldbike platform will be characterised by a high permissible total weight (up to 180 kilograms), a focus on ergonomics and individual customisation options. The trailer certification is also intended to maximise customer benefits.
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
