We have tested these e-bike motors:
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The test overview
Be honest: Who has never wondered which electric motor would be the fastest to conquer the Uphill at home? Or how big the differences really are between a Bosch CX and a Shimano EP8? We're putting an end to half-cooked, regulars' table wisdom. For our motor challenge, we send eight e-MTB motors onto the race track. Armed with measuring equipment and bikes with standardised tyres, we're going all out. We don't want to depict a mindless mountain sprint - because that would only be about the maximum power of the motors. And we regularly determine this in our extensive motor tests in the laboratory. Instead, we want to depict a real-life uphill challenge, the ideal area of use for sporty e-mountainbikes. Incidentally, this skirmish between the power packs is not intended as buying advice.
intended. After all, e-motors have to offer more than just the best uphill time in everyday trail and touring use. Unless, of course, the new e-mountainbike is intended to be used as a racing machine to mercilessly beat competitors or bike mates.
The favourite: Bosch Performance CX Race
So into the fun. The only engine explicitly designed for racing is the logical favourite for the challenge. Bosch's Performance CX Race. If you look at the results lists of the E-Mountainbike World Cup, this drive seems hard to beat at the moment. In our challenge, the grey-red drive unit pushes the black and gold Stevens E-Inception AM 9.7.1 up the mountain. As soon as you switch on the Race mode - the exclusive support level of the Swabian racer - you feel like you're riding an over-motivated racehorse. One tap on the pedal and the motor is already plucking nervously at the chain. In contrast to the classic Bosch Performance Line CX in E-MTB or turbo mode, the race level gives full throttle even with low pedalling force. Perfect for a speed record. Equally helpful: the engineers have given the Super mode a particularly long overtravel. This means that if you pedal hard before difficult passages and then keep your legs still, the motor pushes a little further with emphasised power. This is an enormous relief, especially on steps and root fields where there is a risk of pedal contact. Difficult uphill sections thus become a playground. This characteristic allows a completely new riding style.
In terms of maximum power, however, the Race version is no more powerful than the well-known Performance Line CX. The advantage in our challenge, where we pedalled hard with a specified average power of 285 watts, is therefore not huge.
What's more, the key sections on our test track are so engraved in my brain that I'll soon be able to ride them blindfolded. And for the final result, we only count runs that are completed smoothly and without errors anyway. Otherwise driving errors and lack of concentration would distort the result.
The only motor explicitly designed for racing is the logical favourite for the challenge. Bosch's Performance CX Race. If you look at the results lists of the E-Mountainbike World Cup, this drive seems to be hard to beat at the moment.
Only 3 seconds slower: Bosch Performance Line CX
Nevertheless, the Bosch CX Race has an advantage over its more solid brother. This is because it continues to accelerate in those moments when the rider is not able to pull away fully due to the terrain. In total, the racing expert gains three seconds compared to the classic - with a riding time of just over three minutes. Less than many would have expected. To save the race model's honour, it has to be said that the more demanding the track, the greater the chance that the Bosch CX Race will get you through without making any mistakes where you would get stuck with other motors. In addition, the stoic thrust saves power in the long run, which can be converted into more propulsion elsewhere. Incidentally, the CX Race didn't make it to the top spot in our Challenge.
Lightweight: Shimano EP8
But before we get to the winner, let's take a look at the other end of the field. Unsurprisingly for our test team, one drive unit falls well short: the Shimano EP8. It is the lightest motor in the test - but not at the top in terms of maximum power. The motor loses a full 27 seconds to the Bosch CX Race. Anyone who has to compete in an uphill race with this drive has only moderate chances. This is also confirmed by a look at the E-MTB World Cup. Fortunately, however, the Japanese have just launched a successor on the market. The Shimano EP801 can distance itself from its predecessor by twelve seconds - with the same weight. However, the new Shimano is not in contention for victory either.
And the winner is...
The victory goes to an underdog - not entirely unexpected for connoisseurs. Rocky Mountain's Dyname 4.0 is an absolute powerhouse, and the manufacturer's specification of 108 Newton metres alone suggests that it packs quite a punch. So victory goes to Canada, a full ten seconds ahead of Bosch's CX Race. The motor of the Powerplay e-MTBs clearly outclasses the competition. Immediately after the start, you can feel that you are
that you are flying up the mountain much faster. However, compared to the CX Race, the rider has to stay on the ball much more. This is because the Dyname motor has a very short overrun and the power delivery is progressive.
So if your legs let up a little for a moment, the brute thrust of the motor also lets up immediately. This means that the longer and more demanding the uphill becomes, the more Bosch's CX Race is likely to catch up. This is even more true for really long full throttle bursts. This is because the Rocky motor reacts early with a reduction in power because it simply gets too hot to handle. But that shouldn't detract from the joy - because the Dyname 4.0 won our challenge in the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay with aplomb. Congratulations to Canada!
Summary of the motor challenge by Florentin Vesenbeckh, EMTB test manager:
The acceleration and lively thrust of the Rocky Mountain is great fun on steep uphills. But when things get extremely tricky, Bosch's race motor with its crazy overtravel has the edge. But let's be honest: in the normal life of most e-mountain bikers, other qualities play a role. So: tear our results to shreds at the next regulars' round table, or boast about your knowledge. But don't use them as a decisive buying argument. Unless you want to be the fastest everywhere and at all times.
The test track
The bike park in Oberammergau is one of the very first test locations for the EMTB magazine. For the motor challenge, we took on an uphill root trail.
The bad news first: No, the bike park in Oberammergau does not (yet) have an official e-bike uphill trail. And the test trail, on which we have already covered countless metres of uphill
is only accessible downhill during the park's opening hours and absolutely TABU on the uphill! However, in consultation with the operators, we are allowed to ride the trail against the direction of travel outside of opening hours.
The mixture of steep passages, roots, bends and descents demands a complete e-MTB and an equally good motor. The trail puts power, modulation and traction to the test, as well as the suspension, climbing ability and control of the bike. With a good 600 metres in length and 96 metres in altitude, the data sounds rather puny - but every single metre is packed with action.
This is how we tested
Our challenge is not intended to be an academic treatise. Nevertheless, we want valid results. Accordingly, we meticulously monitored the conditions and kept them constant.
The eight engines in the speed ranking and brief portrait
EMTB ranking
- Rocky Mountain | 3:01 min
- Bosch CX Race | 3:11 min
- Bosch CX | 3:14 min
- Panasonic | 3:17 min
- Brose | 3:18 min
- Shimano | EP801 3:26 min
- Yamaha | PW-X3 3:27 min
- Shimano | EP8 3:38 min
Rocky Mountain Dyname 4.0
Wow, what a power pack! The difference in power compared to the competition is immediately noticeable. The power delivery is lively, the engine can always go one better when starting off.
one better. That's fun. However, you really have to keep at it to keep the Dyname going. If the pedalling force diminishes, the motor's thrust does too. The lack of coasting makes technical passages more difficult.
Info: 3:01 minutes | 3.22 kilograms | 108 Nm
Bosch Performance Line CX Race
Tap the pedal and shoot powerfully towards the summit - that's the motto of Bosch's Race mode. Even with little pedalling force, the bike takes off and the trail is extremely long. This makes steeper sections much easier. The set-up also saves power. In flat sections, you can take it easy and the Bosch Performance Line CX Race will still keep on shooting. An excellent tool for chasing uphill records.
Info: 3:11 minutes | 2.7 kilograms | 85 Nm
Bosch Performance Line CX
The maximum power is identical to the aggressive CX Race brother. The difference in time is due to the fact that with the Bosch Performance Line CX you have to stay on the ball much longer to get the full power. With the same average rider performance, the CX delivers less propulsion overall. Nevertheless, it is one of the fastest e-motors. Smoother in everyday use than the impetuous racehorse CX Race.
Info: 3:14 minutes | 2.96 kilograms | 85 Nm
Panasonic GX Ultimate
If the task in this challenge was to ride as fast as possible with little pedalling power, the Panasonic would have won. The GX Ultimate delivers its full power even with moderate pedalling. If the rider accelerates more, it can't gain any more. This makes its ride feel more bearish than lively. Nevertheless, it is one of the fastest drives in the test. With its enormous torque, it helps you over key sections.
Info: 3:17 minutes | 2.93 kilograms | 95 Nm
Brose Drive SMag
The Brose Drive SMag is the oldest motor in the test. Nevertheless, he has nothing to hide with his maximum performance. It keeps up with the leading group in our Challenge. In technical terrain, its consistent, powerful thrust with plenty of overrun helps. The Brose doesn't run out of steam at the top either. Off the racetrack, the quiet drive noise and the ride feel are impressive.
Info: 3:18 minutes | 3.07 kilograms | 90 Nm
Shimano EP801
The new Shimano EP801 still runs under the name EP8 at the manufacturer. We don't quite understand why. Because the successor has become significantly more powerful - and still remains the lightest drive in the test. Thanks to its good torque, you don't need to be afraid of key uphill sections, but even with the EP801, you're a little more comfortable on the road compared to the fastest bikes.
Info: 3:26 minutes | 2.63 kilograms | 85 Nm
Yamaha PW-X3
After the two Shimano drives and the Bosch Race, the Yamaha PW-X3 or Giant Syncdrive is the lightest motor.
Giant Syncdrive is the lightest motor. In terms of performance, it is on a similar level to the EP801. Its very reactive power delivery is pleasant and conveys a sporty riding sensation. This is reminiscent of the popular Bosch characteristics. If you get stuck on a steep step, no drive makes it easier to get going again.
Info: 3:27 minutes | 2.71 kilograms | 85 Nm
Shimano EP8
The Uphill Challenge makes visible what our countless practical tests have previously indicated: In terms of maximum power, Shimano's EP8 lands well behind the best in class. Its strengths: It is the lightest and most compact motor in the test. This makes Shimano bikes the lightest E-MTBs on the market. These advantages also apply to the EP801 - so we're looking forward to the changing of the guard.
Info: 3:38 minutes | 2.63 kilograms | 85 Nm
You can find more articles on the subject of e-bike motors here:
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
