In the summer of 2016 Shimano with the Steps E8000 for a revolution in the e-mountainbike market. It was not values such as the maximum power of the motor or an extreme range that stood out. The first Shimano drive was particularly small and light - and thus ensured that e-mountainbikes took on a sportier character. Because all other E-bike drives at the time drastically limited the design options available to e-MTB developers. In the meantime, other motor manufacturers have followed suit, in particular Bosch with the new Performance CX drive. But Shimano has gone one better with the new EP8.
The facts about the Shimano EP8
- 85 Newton metres max. torque
- 2.52 kg (measured in the EMTB laboratory), manufacturer's specification 2.6 kg
- Three support levels Eco, Trail, Boost (adjustable via app!)
- Battery capacity up to 630 Wh with Shimano battery, more with batteries from other manufacturers
- Q-factor: 175 mm (corresponds to E8000 and a classic Shimano XT crank)
- Availability unclear: delivery of series engines delayed
Small and light: The secret of the Shimano EP8
The EP8 has shed over 350 grams compared to its predecessor. The newcomer even undercuts its two major competitors from Bosch and Brose by over 400 grams. Even if these gram values may seem rather puny in the overall E-MTB system, they are an important step towards counteracting the trend towards ever heavier E-MTBs. In terms of the motor, a weight reduction of almost ten per cent is enormous and the performance of the developers must be rated accordingly high.
And how do the developers achieve this slimming down? For one thing, the housing of the EP8 is made of magnesium, which saves weight. Secondly, the motor has also become smaller. The front underside in particular has been made more compact. This makes it easier for bike manufacturers to integrate the drive even better into the bike. The EP8 has also become narrower. If you hold the EP8 in your hand together with a current Bosch Performance CX, the smaller volume of the Shimano drive is clearly noticeable.
Range and batteries
Back in May, Shimano New, larger batteries presented. Until now, however, there have been no bikes with the 630 batteries. This will now change with the EP8, as most new bikes will be produced for the large battery. This fact alone will increase the range of most Shimano bikes. The Intube batteries with 504 or 630 watt hours have almost the same dimensions as Bosch's Powertubes and are just a few grams lighter (504: 2855 grams; 630: 3511 grams). Bike manufacturers also have the option of using batteries from third-party suppliers. This means that significantly higher capacities can be realised.
According to Shimano, the efficiency of the motor has also been improved. According to our initial findings, the range in turbo mode remains comparable to the E8000 with the same battery. Over the next few weeks, we will be analysing efficiency and range in more detail. You'll find the results in our next print edition!
Shimano EP8: Display and remote
The new engine also comes with a new display and a new shifter. Here too, the Japanese remain true to their line: discreet, functional and without frills. The EP8 remote lever is slightly larger than the E7000, which was the most commonly used in recent years. The reason: The slightly larger buttons with a hollow are intended to give the rider more haptic feedback and therefore more control. The buttons are easier to feel, but the super discreet look suffers somewhat.
At first glance, the display is barely distinguishable from its E8000 predecessor. The display remains largely the same, only the speed is now displayed even more accurately with one decimal place. Blue for Eco, green for Trail, yellow for Turbo - the practical colour coding remains the same, as do the three support modes. However, one significant change is hidden in the EP8 display. If you click through the menu, you will find the "Set support" item. Here you can choose from two different profiles. In these profiles, the support levels can be customised via the app. But more on this in the next paragraph.
The new Shimano E-Tube Project app
Adjustable support levels are nothing new at Shimano. But with the new E-Tube Project app, the Japanese company is taking customisability to a new level. Previously, the support level of the three modes Eco, Trail and Boost could each be set to three levels. Now, e-bikers have three different parameters per mode and a larger setting range at their disposal. The percentage support, maximum torque and acceleration can all be changed.
The app also works with the "old" Shimano drivetrains, but the extended setting options can only be used in combination with the EP8. The new E-Tube Project app will be available in the App Store and Play Store from 1 September.
E-Tube Project in practice
Before the EP8 was released, we were only able to test the new app very briefly in a beta version. Connecting via Bluetooth worked without any problems on every attempt and the operating logic was simpler than in the previous version. We were excited about the extended setting options for the support levels, as we have come to appreciate this feature as a real added value on other systems, such as the Mission Control app from Specialized.
There are no surprises when it comes to setting the power. There are ten levels to choose from, although not all of them are available in every mode. The differences are clearly noticeable. If you reduce the power, you get less support from the motor and save energy when travelling.
The limitation of the maximum torque is a little more difficult. The maximum power output of the motor is not limited here, but - logically - only the maximum torque. However, as this is only available at low cadences, the difference is only noticeable at a low cadence. If you power up a steep climb with the pedals whirling, the motor releases its full power despite the torque being limited. Here too, the differences are clearly noticeable, but only at lower cadences. We were unable to experience the great added value of this controller in the short time available for testing.
The third variable is the acceleration, or the driving characteristics at the start. Here, the application of engine power can be varied from fast to mild. The whole thing in five stages. In our short test, however, we could hardly feel the differences between mild and fast. Was it the faulty popometer? Or a bug in the beta version of the app? Detailed test rides in the coming weeks will show. It would be too early to make a clear judgement after the short test session. Until our detailed test report in EMTB 5/2020 we'll know more, I promise!
We can already clearly celebrate another function of the app: the two profiles that every e-biker can select directly on the display. One setting for commuting, one for the trail? Or one range setup, one extreme mode? The choice of two presets provides real added value. However, you have to click your way through the menu to get to the change option. And operation is only possible when stationary.
By the way: With the EP8, bike manufacturers have the option of customising these profiles as they wish. An EP8 from manufacturer one can therefore ride completely differently ex works than the EP8 from manufacturer two. After the purchase, the customer always has the option of customising everything according to their wishes.
Practical test: The Shimano EP8 on the trail
The most exciting part of the test was before we even set off. Put your foot on the pedal. Press the on/off switch. Waiting anxiously. Lo and behold, the EP8 starts up without a murmur. Why is that so special? Because previous Shimano drivetrains could only be switched on with the pedals completely unloaded. Get on, roll off and then switch on? The E8000 acknowledged this with an error message. Thanks to EP8: No problem. At last.
But now to the really important things in the life of an e-mountainbiker. Over the past few weeks, we have been able to ride several EP8 drives on different bikes and in different terrain. One clear difference is quickly noticeable: The EP8 has become quieter. Comparing the noise of different drivetrains is difficult, as the same motor can produce completely different noises on different bikes. But the difference to the E8000 is clearly recognisable. However, the EP8 is definitely not silent either. A Brose Drive SMag in a Specialized Levo, in our eyes the reference in terms of quiet riding, is clearly quieter.
But now let's turn our attention to other senses. How does the EP8 feel off-road? Anyone expecting a completely new way of driving might be disappointed. The basic characteristics and driving feel of its predecessor have been retained by the latest Japanese model. This is not meant in a negative way, as the riding experience of the E8000 was very popular. If you roll off in a relaxed manner, you may hardly notice the major differences. However, in direct comparison to the E8000, the EP8 has optimised many small details. The motor power is applied more smoothly and the newcomer is also smoother at the 25 km/h limit. And the extra torque? Sure, you can feel it. At a low cadence and especially when the rider is not exerting too much force, the EP8 pushes uphill with much more power. We are currently analysing the new drive in our test laboratory and are also planning further extensive comparison rides. How the motor performs in a duel with the Bosch Performance CX then stands detailed in EMTB 5/2020.
Unfortunately, the EP8 has also taken a step backwards compared to the E8000. It has copied an annoying problem from Bosch's Performance CX: If you roll over roots or other obstacles, you hear a rattling sound from inside the motor. Similar to a chain slap with inadequate strut protection and chain tension that is too low. Not excessively loud, but clearly audible. When you pedal, it's quiet. All of the motors we tested had this phenomenon, although none of them are yet in final series production. We are not familiar with this noise from the E8000. Will Shimano get to grips with this problem? We will see. With the competitor Bosch, the rattling still persists more than a year after the Presentation of the Performance CX. Sometimes more, sometimes less clearly, depending on the engine and bike.
Bikes and availability
Unfortunately, there is one catch with the new EP8 drive from Shimano: It will be some time before the bikes with the new motor are in the shops. Although many manufacturers are already presenting their new e-MTBs with Shimano drive, the availability of the series motors is delayed. A concrete delivery date is still pending.
For an overview of the products presented so far E-MTBs with EP8 can be found in this article!
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
