It's simple on paper. Modern E-bike motors deliver a nominal 250 watts with around 85 newton metres of torque according to the factory specification. In practice, however, the power output of the motors differs considerably. This is because the official test scenario, in which 250 watts of nominal power must be maintained, has little to do with off-road practice on the bike.
For the current EMTB motor test the standard e-MTB drives from the top dogs Bosch, Shimano and Brose were pitted against the latest power packs from Rocky Mountain, Panasonic and Yamaha. We packed a comprehensive range of test equipment and set off to test the bikes.
Performance, range and character of the E-MTB motors in the test
The six test candidates had to compete against each other in a sophisticated driving game under exactly comparable conditions. This revealed which engine produces how much Performance actually delivers - and for how long. With comparably sized batteries, we also determined the Reach heightand can tell you for which drivers which Motor character might be the best fit.
Our test procedure for the e-bike motors
Our test procedure is a clearly defined load profile that reflects various situations on a real e-MTB tour under comparable conditions. We start straight away with a hill climb: We complete the steep ascent of 440 metres in altitude with the highest support level and a pedalling power of 200 watts. The power packs need between 12:39 minutes and 15:20 minutes for this uphill sprint, which reveals the power of the motors. We complete the descent into the valley with the motor switched off. We continue in touring mode with moderate rider power (150 W) and medium motor support of around 275 watts. After 535 metres of moderate elevation gain and a few flat sections, there is a long descent on which the drives can recover. All batteries now have around 45 per cent remaining capacity. After a moderate start, the second uphill stage follows with 298 steep metres of climbing. This simulates a crisp uphill section where the motor and rider are once again fully challenged. This means maximum support and 200 watts of rider input. What power can the drives still deliver in the "counted state"? Then we continue in moderate mode until the battery is empty.
Reach ranking
- Brose 2009 hm / 50 km / 14.9 km/h / +47 hm emergency run
- Bosch 1962 hm / 49 km / 15.2 km/h
- Panasonic 1904 hm / 46.5 km / 14.5 km/h
- Shimano 1896 hm / 47.8 km / 14.4 km/h / +32 hm emergency run
- Giant 1795 hm / 45.3 km / 14.4 km/h / +197 hm emergency run
- Rocky Mountain 1733 hm / 44.5 km / 16.1 km/h / + 179 hm emergency run
The test setup in detail
The calculation
We use pedalling power, speed, total weight and height gain to calculate the instantaneous power of the motor, averaged over one minute in each case. This allows us to visualise the motor power over time under real conditions. The central calculation parameter for the climbing work is the weight. Before the ride, we levelled each system consisting of bike, rider and equipment to exactly 121.5 kilos - this corresponds to a body weight of around 95 kilos. In order to put more strain on the motors, we deliberately added extra weights.
Support levels and rider power
On the two full-throttle climbs, where we put the power and load capacity of the drives to the test, we selected the highest possible support level and a pedalling power of 200 W. In the intermediate phases, a moderate 150 W from the rider and around 275 W from the motor. In the intermediate phases, a moderate 150 W from the rider and a standardised motor output of around 275 W. We determined the right setting for each drive in a pre-test using the fine adjustment function in the app.
Teamwork battery and motor
The e-bike motor does not act in isolation over the course of the motor output. The battery management of the battery influences the power output and therefore also the performance behaviour of the motor. In order to create comparable conditions, we tested all drives with battery sizes between 726 and 750 watt hours. Bosch, Panasonic and Rocky Mountain only offer the tested batteries in this size.
Maximum power
Our test procedure does not necessarily reveal the maximum performance of all drives, as this may be due to a different operating point. In real full throttle situations, however, e-mountain bikers need full power with the rider input we selected, which makes the values determined absolutely relevant in practice.
We have tested these current E-MTB motors
Bosch Performance CX Smart - the trail performer
The Bosch Performance CX in the new Smart System is regarded by many bikers as the benchmark when it comes to the Climbing the steepest and trickiest climbs goes. The Swabian power unit pushes powerfully, especially when the biker is pedalling at high power, while remaining very sensitive and can also be extensively networked with the mobile phone thanks to the new Smart System. For example, riding data from the Bosch motor can be analysed via an app, or the Eco and Turbo support levels can be adjusted to the rider's preferences.
- Weight: 2.96 kg
- Battery / weight: Powertube 750 / 4.35 kg
- Torque: 85 Nm
- Support levels: Eco, Tour+, eMTB, Turbo
Performance: Only delivers its full power when the rider pedals hard. Then the performance is absolutely top. Still pulls strongly even at a high cadence, giving it a lively, sporty character. Average power reduction over the course of the battery life.
Brose Drive S Mag - the quiet pedal
The visually inconspicuous e-bike drive from the automotive supplier from Coburg is being developed in Berlin and is particularly appealing in practice due to its acoustic properties. low volume and the low frequency. The Brose Drive S Mag hums comfortably rather than buzzing loudly.
- Weight: 3.07 kg
- Battery / weight: Rotwild 750 Wh / 3.52 kg
- Torque: 90 Nm
- Support levels: Eco, Tour, Sport, Boost
Full support can also be called up with less effort from the rider. Especially high-end brands such as Specialized (e.g. the Turbo Levo) and Red deer rely on Brose for their e-MTBs and use the open system to implement their own battery and display solutions.
Performance: The Drive SMag really comes into its own at low cadence. Even with a low pedalling impulse, the motor pushes really hard. The power output is constant, even over the course of the battery charge level.
Giant Syncdrive Pro2 - Yamaha hardware in Giant guise
In contrast to its bulky predecessor, the new Giant Syncdrive Pro2 small and light and now also reacts much more dynamically to the rider's pedal pressure. Sometimes almost a little too dynamic: when stationary, the e-bike motor pulsates clearly when only the foot is on the pedal, but the idle travel is minimal when setting off. Incidentally, the hardware does not come from Giant itself but from Yamaha. The identical Yamaha motor called PW-X3 can be found in Haibike and R Raymon bikes, among others.
- Weight: 2.71 kg
- Battery / weight: Giant Energy Pak 750 / 4.27 kg
- Torque: 85 Nm
- Support levels: 5 + automatic
Performance: Similar to Bosch, the modes of the new Syncdrive Pro2 are also very progressive. The motor only releases its full power with strong rider input. This is a drastic change compared to its predecessor. The power is not excessive in the test comparison, but it is fully sufficient. In the course of our test cycle, however, it decreased significantly. In the second power increase, last place in the power ranking.
Panasonic GX Ultimate Pro - the great unknown
The e-bike motor from Panasonic is currently only available in E-MTBs from the Swiss brand Flyer. However, as the drive already looks powerful in the car park test, we definitely wanted to include it in this comparison. This is also supported by the high torque of 95 Newton metres with a nevertheless relatively normal size. You can now read about the actual performance of the tested e-bike motor from Panasonic and how it performs in direct comparison with the competition in the test article as a PDF at the end of the article.
- Weight: 2.93 kg
- Battery / weight: Flyer FIB 750 / 4.35 kg
- Torque: 95 Nm
- Support levels: Eco, Standard, Auto, High
Performance: Achieved top performance in our test runs - and at an absolutely competitive weight. Pushes very powerfully in every situation, even at low cadence and pedalling power. Power galore. Chapeau!
Rocky Mountain Dyname 4.0 - the powerhouse from Canada
Even the Rocky Mountain e-bike motor of the last generation, which is used in the Canadians' Powerplay E-MTBs, was known as a powerhouse. The new Dyname 4.0 should not detract from this, but has become even more refined in terms of modulation and manners. Special feature: Rocky Mountain is the only major e-MTB manufacturer to develop its own e-bike motor for its own bikes.
- Weight: 3.22 kg
- Battery / weight: Rocky Mountain, 726 Wh / 3.6 kg
- Torque: 108 Nm
- Support levels: Eco, Trail, Trail+, Ludicrous
Performance: The extraordinary Dyname drive from Canada is an absolute powerhouse. However, it demands a high level of commitment from the rider in order to deliver its full power. Even at over 200 watts of pedalling power, it continues to increase. This clearly distinguishes it from its predecessor. Got very hot under continuous load in our test.
Shimano EP800 - small and light
With the colloquial term EP8 e-bike motor has Shimano one particularly lightweight E-MTB drive in the programme. The displays are minimalist, and tuning the individual support levels via app is old hat for Shimano. The open battery system ensures variance on the market. In addition to Shimano's own batteries, batteries from other manufacturers are also installed, giving the designers more freedom in the frame layout. In addition, the Shimano motor can still be used with particularly short chainstays which favour a playful riding behaviour of the bike.
- Weight: 2.63 kg
- Battery / weight: Darfon, 726 Wh / 3.8 kg
- Torque: 85 Nm
- Support levels: Eco, Trail, Boost
Performance: Shimano's EP8 delivers the lowest maximum power in the test procedure. A result that confirms our impression from numerous bike tests. On the other hand, it delivers the most consistent power - with typical Shimano precision. At low pedalling power and cadence, the motor is already very powerful, but when the rider accelerates, the motor can no longer increase.
You can read all the measured values for the six e-bike motors, including weights, reach height and power as well as our assessment of the character of the drives in the EMTB test article as a PDF below.
Conclusion on the test of the 6 E-MTB motors
The power engines, to which the test candidates must be categorised in contrast to the light category, must be measured by their performance. And this is where the candidates show clear differences. Our measurements over the course of time reveal that some e-bike motors show off their power at the beginning, but are no longer available to the rider when they really need it. However, even the weakest e-bike drives in the test have enough punch to fulfil all the requirements of an e-mountain biker's life. So when choosing your next e-MTB, the sheer power of the motor should by no means be the sole deciding factor. Test ride!
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Adrian Kaether
Editor
