Bosch now has seven drive units in its range, some in different versions, including a race version of the Performance Line CX. In the current test, we looked at less powerful models from the Swabian manufacturer: The Bosch Performance Line and the Bosch Cargo Line, which is specially designed for cargo bikes. With the Performance Line, Bosch is targeting trekking and all-round pedelecs. However, bike manufacturers mainly use the drive in the city and everyday segment. With a maximum torque of 65 Nm and an assistance output of 300 per cent, it is very well suited to this bike class. The significantly reduced noise level of the Performance Line compared to previous generations of the drive is a perfect match.
Bosch's Cargo Line is designed to fulfil the special requirements of cargo bikes. First and foremost, this includes the highest possible starting torque as well as a potent but always controllable power delivery. This much can be said in advance: The drive was able to fully fulfil both requirements during our tests. The Cargo Line even slightly exceeded the maximum torque of 85 Nm specified by the manufacturer on our test bench.
Wide range of battery and display options
There is a wide range of different sized energy sources for Bosch drive systems. Ontube batteries for mounting on the frame tubes or on the pannier rack are available between 300 and 500 Wh; even larger versions with 545 and 725 Wh are excluded from pannier rack mounting due to their design. The frame-integrated Powertube batteries are available from 400 to 750 Wh. The range of available displays and operating instruments is similarly extensive. It ranges from the simple Purion instrument cluster to the tried-and-tested Intuvia display and the smart Kiox and Nyon on-board computers. Various operating satellites and remote controllers and a smartphone solution that can replace the display round off the portfolio.
Both drives in our test, Performance Line and Cargo Line, can also be integrated into Bosch's Smart System in the future. This raises the motors to an even higher level in terms of both software and hardware. With the Performance Line, the maximum torque even increases by 10 Nm to 75 Nm. With the Ebike Flow app, tour and fitness data can be recorded and riding modes customised via smartphone within the smart system. The app uses a Bluetooth connection to keep the entire motor system up to date via the internet. Bosch's new ABS can also be integrated into the drive system on request.
Bosch Performance Line
There is no need to mention characteristics such as start-up or switch-off behaviour with Bosch motors, they have always been flawless. The Performance Line is no exception, the motor reacts sensitively to pedal pressure, starts smoothly when pedal pressure is applied and reduces power just as gently when you reduce leg power. The riding experience remains natural, no matter how hard you pedal or how fast the crank turns. The motor output is around 400 watts at normal everyday cadences of around 70 revolutions, which is easily sufficient even on steeper climbs. The power delivery can be sensibly adjusted depending on the situation via well-differentiated support levels.
How much power the Performance Line delivers to the rear wheel depends on the cadence up to around 70 crank revolutions. Until then, the power output remains almost constant, regardless of whether you are pedalling at 100 or 180 watts. Only from cadences of over 70 does the motor power increase with the pedalling power and reaches its maximum of a good 500 watts at around 90 crank revolutions. So if you want to give the Performance Line a sporty touch with a progressive increase in power, you shouldn't crank too slowly. The torque curve is impressive, remaining at a pleasingly high level right up to high cadences. We were able to verify the manufacturer's specification of a maximum of 65 Nm on our test bench.
Test bike with Bosch Performance Line: The I:SY E5 ZR RT
- Price: 3849 Euro
- Frame: Aluminium
- Motor/battery: Bosch Performance/500 Wh
- Gear hub: Shimano Nexus 5, 1x5
- Tyres: Schwalbe Pick-up Addix E Reflex 60-406
- Weight: 22.9 kilos
Bosch Cargo Line
Riders of heavy cargo bikes need a lot of power when starting off. Drives for transport bikes should therefore provide strong support even at low cadences. Once the heavy load is in motion, the motor must react powerfully but also smoothly to pedal pressure. If the engine surges forwards impulsively, the large mass may be difficult to control. The Cargo Line can do both very well, and its high starting torque in particular suits cargo bike riders. With a maximum continuous power output of well over 500 watts, the drive also pushes a lot of weight over steeper climbs. We did not notice the motor overheating on our test bench, even when travelling at full throttle for long periods.
Even at low cadences, the Bosch Cargo Line delivers a good 300 watts to the rear wheel. If the crank turns faster, the motor output quickly increases to 400 watts. Up to a cadence of just under 50 pedal revolutions, the power delivery is independent of the pedalling force. This prevents an unwanted jump in power when increasing the pedal pressure when travelling slowly. Only at higher cadences does the motor progressively increase its power with increasing pedal force. We measured a maximum torque of 90 Nm, which remains at a very high level up to a cadence of 64 revolutions. This effectively helps cargo bike riders when starting off and on hills.
Test bike with Bosch Cargo Line: Moustache Lundi 20.3
- Price: 5999 Euro
- Frame: Aluminium
- Motor/battery: Bosch Cargo Line/1,000 (2 x 500) Wh
- Circuit: Shimano Deore, 1x10
- Tyres: Kenda Kid Block 62-406
- Weight: 34.8 kilos
This is how we tested it:
Ride test of the two Bosch motors
Not everything that a drive can do can be measured on a test bench. How sensitively an engine reacts to pedal pressure and how strongly it accelerates can only be seen on a test drive. This also applies to response and cut-off behaviour. The drive must be controllable and start up as quickly as possible when travelling uphill. When you stop pedalling, the motor should switch off immediately and not push on.
Test bench test
We measured the maximum continuous power of the motors on our test bench. It varies to a greater or lesser extent depending on the pedalling frequency (cadence). Measurements were taken at 20 km/h and, depending on the gear gradation, at different cadences between around 30 and 90 revolutions per minute. We simulated the rider's pedalling power with 100, 120, 140, 160 and 180 watts. The curves on page 42 show the power curve as a function of cadence and pedalling power. We measured the torque at 20 km/h and 140 watts of pedalling power.
