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E-bike motors put to the test

Uli Frieß

 · 24.07.2018

E-bike motors put to the testPhoto: Markus Greber
E-bike motors put to the test
Which engine suits which rider? Test runs on our roller dynamometer and driving tests provide the answer. The performance curves of the motors show the characteristics and the ideal working ranges of the drives.

Brand name, maximum power and range usually determine which drive is chosen. However, you should not lose sight of other criteria. This is because there are clear differences in riding behaviour between the drives. If the drive delivers a lot of power to the rear wheel even with little pedalling force and a low cadence, riders who primarily want to save energy when riding are most likely to be happy with it. Drives whose power increases slowly and proportionally to the pedalling force and which only deliver their maximum power at high cadences are best suited to sporty riders.

E-bike motors on the MYBIKE test standPhoto: Markus GreberE-bike motors on the MYBIKE test stand

We put the motors through their paces with test runs on our roller dynamometer and measured their power output at different pedalling powers and cadences. Measurements were taken at 15 km/h with cadences of around 60, 70, 80 and 90 rpm. We simulated 100, 130, 160, 190, 220 and 250 watts as the rider's pedalling power. The deviations in the cadence gradations are due to the different gear ratios of the test bikes.

Bosch Performance CX

The Bosch Performance CX delivers an even power delivery at all cadences, and even at a pedalling power of 100 watts it pushes 300 watts onto the rear wheel. The maximum power output is at around 70 revolutions and pedalling power between 160 and 190 wattsPhoto: MYBIKE OnlineThe Bosch Performance CX delivers an even power delivery at all cadences, and even at a pedalling power of 100 watts it pushes 300 watts onto the rear wheel. The maximum power output is at around 70 revolutions and pedalling power between 160 and 190 watts
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Brose Drive S

The Brose Drive S delivers its maximum power even at low pedalling power of 100 watts and low cadences. However, it is not so fond of high cadencesPhoto: MYBIKE OnlineThe Brose Drive S delivers its maximum power even at low pedalling power of 100 watts and low cadences. However, it is not so fond of high cadences

Impulse Evo RS

Impulse Evo RS: With a pedalling power of 100 watts, less than 250 watts of motor power is available; with an increase in pedalling power, it rises linearly to just under 450 watts. So if you pedal with little power, you get comparatively little motor powerPhoto: MYBIKE OnlineImpulse Evo RS: With a pedalling power of 100 watts, less than 250 watts of motor power is available; with an increase in pedalling power, it rises linearly to just under 450 watts. So if you pedal with little power, you get comparatively little motor power

Panasonic Xo

Although the maximum power of the Panasonic X0 lags noticeably behind the competition, it delivers its power very evenly. It doesn't matter how fast you pedal. The maximum power is already reached at a pedalling power of just over 100 watts; pedalling at over 160 watts is not very usefulPhoto: MYBIKE OnlineAlthough the maximum power of the Panasonic X0 lags noticeably behind the competition, it delivers its power very evenly. It doesn't matter how fast you pedal. The maximum power is already reached at a pedalling power of just over 100 watts; pedalling at over 160 watts is not very useful

Shimano E8000

The Shimano E8000 delivers its power extremely evenly. No matter how hard you pedal, full power is always available in the highest support level at cadences of 70 revolutions and abovePhoto: MYBIKE OnlineThe Shimano E8000 delivers its power extremely evenly. No matter how hard you pedal, full power is always available in the highest support level at cadences of 70 revolutions and above

Yamaha PW-X

Yamaha PW-X: From a pedalling power of 100 watts, a little more than 300 watts of motor power is available at all sensible cadences, the maximum is reached at 130 watts of pedalling power and then remains almost constant. The drive doesn't like high cadencesPhoto: MYBIKE OnlineYamaha PW-X: From a pedalling power of 100 watts, a little more than 300 watts of motor power is available at all sensible cadences, the maximum is reached at 130 watts of pedalling power and then remains almost constant. The drive doesn't like high cadences
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