First Ride: Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition Motor

Sep 28, 2022
by Ralf Hauser  



Just before the final EWS-E race in Finale Ligure, Bosch seized the opportunity and officially presented their limited Bosch Performance Line CX Race motor to the press in sunny Italian weather. Not only did we get an opportunity for a first glance of the new CX Race version but were able to take it out for a spin, before mechanics got busy swapping out a bunch of EWS-E racers' motors for the new model ahead of rolling to the start line.

Bosch's commitment to e-bike racing has been a factor since the early beginnings of the e-bike racing movement. Apart from having sponsored and supported many teams and individual athletes in EWS-E-races and other e-bike racing series, they've played an active role in establishing framework conditions for professional e-bike races together with the UCI. Apart from that, Bosch is also campaigning for clean racing, with uniform regulations and active action against tuning.

Therefore, it shouldn't come as a real surprise that Bosch's development team has been working on a race-specific version of the Performance Line CX motor in close cooperation with athletes such as Jérôme Clementz, Tracy Moseley, Joris Ryf and other active racers who, among other things, provided direct feedback on various developments and setups at the annual Bosch development camp or directly at various races. The result is the Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition and while many elements of the CX Race hardware are very similar or identical to that of the normal CX motor, it's the new additional Race ride mode setup that cranks the performance of the CX series up to eleven.


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Photo Christoph Bayer
Photo Christoph Bayer

Photo Christoph Bayer
The new Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition

Motor & Software Details


While the magnesium housing and the structure of the motor itself have remained the same, the clearest visual distinctions are the particularly resistant graphite-grey metal finish and of course the logo badge. 150g of weight has been saved on the innards, bringing the CX Race motor down to a total weight of 2.75kg, although Bosch is quite tight-lipped on how exactly they achieved those weight savings.

While most base numbers like 85 Nm of torque remain the same, the Race mode will provide up to 400 % of rider input instead of the conventional 340 %. The Extended Boost feature has also been integrated into the Race mode (so far was only integrated into the eMTB mode), and the overrun time has also been extended to make it even easier to overcome particularly large obstacles.

Viewed as an overall package, the race setup ensures a more energetic response and faster delivery of maximum power in order to save valuable tenths of a second again and again on the trail, especially in situations such as accelerating out of corners. With races often being decided by small time differences it can make the difference between standing on the top of the podium or just a few steps below. Along with more constant thrust throughout challenging terrain provided by Extended Boost, when only being able to deliver short bursts of pedalling input, the rider basically benefits from the Race setup in all technically demanding sections.

Despite exhausting the technical possibilities, it was important for Bosch to mention that the CX Race version operates within all technical regulations and does not break any rules of the maximum permitted country-specific regulations.




Photo Christoph Bayer
The new Race ride mode is only available to the CX Race series motor.
Photo Christoph Bayer
Plenty of options for changing the base setup with the eBike Flow app.

Photo Christoph Bayer
Photo Christoph Bayer

In terms of software, all conventional riding modes from the conventional Performance Line setup are still available, but on top of that, the Race mode – with red color coding – can be selected as an extra option. This mode can also be fine-tuned in its strength of support, dynamic range in plus/minus five levels, maximum speed and maximum torque, using the Bosch eBike Flow app that can connect to the bike via Bluetooth.

Labelling the CX Race as a Limited Edition model isn't just marketing talk. Bosch works closely with bike manufacturers to ensure that the CX Race Limited Edition package is only available in certain quantities to each manufacturer and installed on bikes that technically provide a fitting platform for the product, meeting certain requirements for making a bike suitable for racing, or racing-like applications.

At least for now, Bosch clearly sees their Race adaptation as a special use case application for the racer type of rider and doesn't see the average biker as a target group for the added feature, as they might be overwhelmed by the sensitivity of the settings.







We didn't get a whole lot of time to get in a first ride with the Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition setup, but fortunately, Finale Ligure provides ingenious testing grounds even within a small area, which can usually only be replicated elsewhere, if at all, under a much greater investment of time.

Apart from that, it is pretty easy to notice the differences between the regular ride modes' behaviours and the Race mode anyway. With every acceleration, the motor pushes quite effortlessly and instantly, to reach its maximum power faster than what could be achieved in Turbo or any of the other modes. It's not as if you'd be sitting on an entirely new product, but it provides a nice punch to Bosch's CX repertoire. Naturally, this becomes particularly helpful when accelerating out of corners or when trying to climb towards the top speed in uphill sections as quickly as possible.

However, in my opinion, it feels like most riders of different skill levels should – at least in theory – not feel too overwhelmed by the extra power delivery. Bosch has by now skillfully mastered the control of the power delivery of its motors to the point that you don't have to worry about the rear wheel spinning wildly even when starting on loose ground (unless you force it to), or that any sort of pedal input would end in uncontrolled forward movement.

In combination with the slightly longer-lasting Extended Boost function, the system can especially play out its full strength when having to navigate sections plastered with bigger rocks or roots with delayed pedal strokes, or when having to overcome boulder-sized obstacles, in order to be able to maintain the rolling speed relatively easily.

In general, the Race mode is also beneficial in case you did not select the matching gear for any given situation or if an unexpected steep section is waiting for you behind a blind corner. It's just a shame that the CX Race motor also rattles like the regular version when idling.


Photo Christoph Bayer

After playing with the Bosch eBike Flow app a bit and varying the dynamics setting of the Race mode from -5 to +5, the behaviour changes in fine steps, adding another noticeable variation of the mode independently of the strength of support, which can also be adjusted. Assuming a standard setting of 0, the reduction has a stronger effect than an increase – as intended by Bosch, since the standard setting of the Race mode already allows for a fairly rapid increase in power.

A quick detour led me to Finale's 'Impossible Climb' – as the locals sometimes affectionately call the e-bike uphill trail Legnino – as it offers quite unique challenging conditions to evaluate extreme climbing capabilities for any kind of motor system. Although line choice seemed to have been widened and made easier with extra options for the last EWS-E event of the season, the original routing over trial-like sections inevitably showed how capable the Race mode was under said conditions. Massive power and yet smooth modulation were a guarantee for maximum traction and forward drive up the rocks. In this respect, too, the new setup deserves top marks.


Photo Christoph Bayer

Personally, only the thought of the limited availability might be a cause for concern. Even if it is not yet clear what price tags will be attached to bike models with the CX Race motor, it can be assumed that you will probably have to dig deep into your pockets to get to enjoy the new Race mode. Racers or not – and let's be honest, it's clear that at least for now the number of non-competing e-bikers still far outnumbers that of active e-bike racers – the Race riding mode is without a doubt a valuable addition to the modes already available on the regular Performance Line CX model. Once you experience the difference, it will most likely be missed on models with the standard CX variant. Time will tell whether only experienced riders will be able to experience both.


Photo Christoph Bayer


Author Info:
ralf-hauser avatar

Member since May 10, 2010
66 articles

225 Comments
  • 245 38
 Imagine if you didn’t have to compromise with the low energy density of batteries, but could put some sort of high energy liquid in there, which then could be utilized in an explosive manner.
You could then ride a much more powerful motorized bike on trails.
Which means you could ride even MORE trails in the same time frame, compared to an e-MTB.
  • 17 7
 All these different super powerful race modes, is there any point to them if the motor is regulated to 15 mph as in uk?
  • 93 15
 Pfft. Imagine if you could heat up a big tank of water using compressed dinosaurs then use the vapourised water to drive big f**k off pistons attached to the wheels! You could ride even MORER trails!!
  • 5 5
 @jimoxbox: before Brexit you probably adopted EU regulations - 25kmh as a limit for motor assistance. So every second person pay for some hacks to rise it to 45kmh usually. Then its maybe because scooters and small motorcycles manufacturers would be bitching about that there's no driving license needed for e-bikes and also many of their users are non-sporty people who really can't handle it well enough.
  • 4 2
 @jimoxbox: Was going to say exactly the same thing - On faster trails where there is a lot of pedaling out of corners the 15mph limit is a real shitter, I suppose the point here is to make the bike faster for the uphill parts of race stages.

For my own personal e-bike use I will be heading towards a lower powered, much lighter bike as it suits my riding better that is essentially a fire-road climb and techy, sub 15mph descent on the way down.
  • 18 2
 @HPdeskjet3630: If you put some metal beams on the ground then you could place your wheels on those and go even further and faster!
  • 5 0
 They obviously called it the Bosch Limited Performance Line CX Race Motor for a reason. Obviously.
  • 2 8
flag foespower (Sep 28, 2022 at 6:46) (Below Threshold)
 @jimoxbox: it's 20 mph
  • 1 0
 Thats was brilliant hahaha
  • 5 0
 @Ryawesomerpm: I bet you could really rail corners then!
  • 1 0
 @mashrv1: Lol, 'rail' corners
  • 2 0
 Ironically the cooling fins make it look like the cylinder head of a motorcycle ice.
  • 2 0
 But, could you do that with nearly zero noise?
  • 4 1
 @foespower: its not, its 15.5mph mate
  • 3 0
 Znarf's is the most drawn out "hurr durr it's a motorbike" comment I've seen yet.
  • 1 0
 so you mean the new crf 250?
  • 1 0
 people actually chip these things then go racing at your local ebike event , not sure what happens at EWS level, I know we have already been approached to do similar stuff to what we have done in the past for formula 1 and formula e but ill guarantee they will have to put a cap on spending , you could easily see 10k motors for teams with big pockets that wouldbasically make this look like a toy
  • 1 1
 you work for BMW?
  • 1 0
 @jimoxbox: just gonna cut out quicker not worth it in England really
  • 56 2
 Wow, they found a quicker way of destroying the already inadequate drivetrains on current eMTB's

Engage faster wear mode.

Maybe they could have a clippy style assistant on the display "It looks like you're in need of a new chain"
  • 2 0
 epicly true...
  • 3 1
 And this is why on an ebike you get to use the cheapest all steel drivetrains and save money when replacing parts. You do need to have a top line chain though. Replace XX1 $500, NX $100
  • 2 1
 For racing, who cares.. They burn through tyres and drivetrains like they should.
  • 2 0
 @V7V: True. Thats probably why its "limited" and none of us will be able to buy one.
  • 3 0
 if only they would put a gearbox of some sort in the motor housing and ditch the rear der completely and run a 7s chain
  • 3 0
 @DizzyNinja: You are talking about what Effigear is working on with Valeo ?
  • 2 0
 @nicoetsesvelos: No, I'm talking about all of them. The major complaint of gearboxes is they feel sluggish on regular bikes. Ebikes won't have that sluggish feel, so they should all put a +500% gear range trans in and run a 7s chain, of course Shimano won't but w/e, they'll still dominate the regular bike world with value priced 12s.
  • 3 2
 @Dlakusta: Lol, no. It's a balance. Replace X01 after 6-10k miles on a regular bike, replace NX after like 1k miles. Same reason you see people running X01 cassettes over GX or lower, because those setups die a death way too fast and end up costing you more than if you had just bought the nicer cassette.
  • 2 1
 @DizzyNinja: why do you need 500% when you no longer need a granny gear and your motor cuts out at 15mph
  • 1 0
 @hamncheez: why do current ebikes have 510% ?? maybe there's places to ride that still need the range even with an ebike? Just because the assist cuts out at that speed doesn't mean the brakes engage.............
  • 1 6
flag norona (Sep 28, 2022 at 11:38) (Below Threshold)
 @Dlakusta: actually the lower cost chains are stronger, you do not need to purchase a higher end chain.
  • 1 1
 @DizzyNinja: Its because they are spec'ed with regular drivetrains. The only real dedicated Ebike drivetrain was the Sram EX1, with a 436% range.
  • 1 0
 @DizzyNinja: because numbers on a bike getting smaller, except for weight and head tube angle which _must_ get smaller, is a threat to the entire fabric of spacetime,
  • 3 1
 @nickfranko: It's not the cassettes, it's the chains, really. GX and lower chains lack the hardening treatments that actually matter, and wear so unexpectedly fast that you can cook a chain _and_ cassette without even realizing it. A GX or NX cassette with an XO1 chain will last a good long while it'll just be quite heavier.

My GX cassette has gone 500 miles on a GX chain (that was pretty toasted after those 500), and then 1500 more miles on an XO1 chain, and that XO1 chain is just now starting to get to where I'll think about ordering another, while the cassette is still looking and feeling quite decent, likely enough to do another 2K miles with a good chain.
  • 1 0
 @hamncheez: okay.. make the gear boxes less than 500% so hamncheez feels better. You're missing the point entirely or being intentionally douchey
  • 2 3
 1800 miles on my drivetrain all turbo, no chain stretch yet
  • 1 1
 @DizzyNinja: The point is this already exists:

kindernay.com/product/product-landing-kindernay-vii

Pinion, the 14 speed Kindernay, Rolloff, etc, all use multi-stage gearboxes. If you reduce the range to under 450% then you can have single stage gearboxes, making them cheaper/simpler/lighter/stronger, all the things gearboxes need to be practical vs derailleurs.
  • 2 1
 @hamncheez: or shimano link glide
  • 6 0
 @slickrides: chains don't stretch but they do wear.
  • 1 4
 @stage-a: nope chain wear is measured by stretch there all tools for it
  • 2 2
 @slickrides: nope chains wear in the bearings between the links giving the illusion they have stretched when you insert the guage. If they stretched the side plates would elongated...which they don't..
  • 3 3
 @darkstar66: Chains EFFECTIVELY stretch. Individual links don't stretch, but the effect overall is the same. The industry refers to is as "chain stretch" so its the correct term to use.
  • 4 2
 @hamncheez: Nope it's wear, stretch is a physical deformation due to an applied load. Wear is the removal of material through a physical wear.
  • 1 0
 @Dlakusta: is an NX chain really $100? Are you sure it isn't 100 rubles?
  • 3 0
 @darkstar66: that's why they said "EFFECTIVELY". Yes, the plates don't stretch. Yes, wear is the actual cause. But also yes, it's perfectly fine vernacular to say "stretch" in this context.
  • 1 2
 @justinfoil: I think whats going on here is a difference between opinion and fact, your entitled to your opinion no matter how wrong but I'm quite happy to deal with the fact I'm right, deal?
  • 3 0
 @darkstar66: No, it's a fact that the vernacular usage of stretch is perfectly fine. Those with the technical knowledge know that it's not actually stretching anything, but the external effect is that the chain seems to have stretched. You just want to be able to correct people who don't have the same knowledge of technical details. I'm sure their are a billion technical details about computer and software engineering that you gloss over with vernacular terms every day, that I could easily dismiss as technically incorrect. That doesn't make your daily informal usage of those terms completely incorrect. Abstractions and approximations are everywhere, especially in living languages. That's also a fact.
  • 1 3
 @justinfoil: cool bro, your totally right, let me just sculpt that statue to the god of average where almost or possibly right are just darn right good enough! I'll get down and pray real good for you! I'll pray the fact away something but good for you boy!
  • 3 0
 @darkstar66: my totally right? If you're going to try to be a pedant despite being wrong, at least get f*cking "your" and "you're" correct. So dumb.
  • 1 3
 @justinfoil: it's generally accepted that people understand the different between your and you're regardless of incorrect use within a sentence. Case and point your last statement was pretty retarded in its composition and construction but even I understood the point you were desperately trying to make.....bro
  • 50 0
 I've heard there's a super special mode now available specifically for wet weather riding......its called "internal motor error"
  • 6 0
 Haha. I’ve heard about the ‘pressure washer protection’ mode too
  • 4 0
 They're both very efficient, won't ever need to charge your battery again
  • 47 4
 Could we mention how Bosh is a terrible company not caring for its users? it's a closed system, Bosh does not allow anybody to fix, or maintain their products and you can't buy a motor. I had a bosh motor dying on me with a software error ( on a used Trek), the battery was fine, the motor was fine, but Bosh was not able to fix it, they could only offer to replace the whole system ( even thru the battery and computer was diagnosed as OK, The Trek stores also offer to dispose a 7k bike and replace it with a new one with a whopping 15% off.
I won't mention how long the process has been.
I ended up buying a new motor on the grey market from another continent (which is not technically allowed by bosh) for a few hundred $ and got back on the trail happy instead of spending thousands and generating tons of waste.
I would like a company to produce a motor I can easily replace and maintain and maybe an open-source firmware I can tune to my liking.
The current motor manufacturers have a terrible business model for us riders, their customers are bike manufacturers so their motivation is to sell more bikes not to provide a good experience to the end users
  • 10 2
 I guess that's why a lot of manufacturers are going with Shimano?
  • 16 6
 The reason the Bosch (insert pretty much every single ebike MFG) system is so controlled is due to legal liabilities. If you give your end users the possibility to tweak your firmware/engine, you're also opening yourself up to potential lawsuits for allowing them to circumvent laws regulating ebikes.
  • 1 0
 @m47h13u: I thought the EU had really strong “right to repair “ laws that would prevent a closed system.
Legal liability exposure is an American thing?

Please note that I’m not a lawyer.
  • 10 0
 @m47h13u: I have a motorcycle (the fossil fuel kind), and I can modify the motor as much as I want. It is not the motorcycle manufacturers legal responsibility to ensure that their products can not be modified at all. You'd only have a valid point if a software modification/customization was a 'feature' of the product, and not an aftermarket mod: ala plug-and-play piggy back ecu's for motorcycles.
  • 1 1
 does any other manufacturer sell just a motor? What about frame mounts? Can you mount Shimano on used to be Bosh bike?
  • 14 0
 @m47h13u:
That's nonsense.
We can do all of this on motorcycles, cars and trucks now for decades.
That argument is just an excuse by manufacturers so they can produce more waste while playing the green washing card at the same time.
  • 1 0
 @OneTrustMan: Precisely. First thing I do to any car I buy is have it tuned.
  • 3 0
 Your story, will be most likely usual, when warranties are out! Trash... completly trash, and best way to burn money!
  • 2 0
 That's the exact model that Apple had for so many years until Microsoft bailed them out! It's exactly why anyone trying to do these stupid closed proprietary systems always ending going with along with standards and OEM in the end.
  • 1 0
 @Amukinado: but many are switching due to supply issues. both systems are great
  • 1 1
 Had the same issue with one of their hedge trimmers. It was cheaper to buy another brand's entire product than replace the broken part on the bosch trimmer, so I duly did. It's been way more reliable so won't be buying another bosch product.
  • 15 1
 I'm glad my comments got some good feedback, I would love for pink bike and other media to question a bit more the whole e-bike product cycle instead of just relaying their marketing. Ebike has a really questionable life cycle and their value is close to zero as soon as the warranty expires. It's maybe the norm for some industries but definitely not bikes. I can totally service and find spare parts for 30 years old MTB (or cars or motorcycle) but if I buy a 10k+ ebike today, I have no warranty I won't have a useless piece of equipment in 5 or 10 years..
So far all these manufacturers are totally irresponsible and have no plan to support realistically their product in the 5 or 10 years.
(I say realistic because offering overpriced repair more expensive than buying a new product like Apple does is not a reasonable approach)
I'd like to see e-bike tests to feature longevity and support and so far it would be 100% for most traditional mtb kitted with standard components and 0% for most ebike.
As a comparison, I'm building electric skateboards and I can totally pick the battery, BMS, ECS, and brushless motors of my liking and there is even open source firmware that let me tune the quality ride I want.

As a german company producing a product for the outdoor segment, I would expect a greener approach.
  • 2 3
 @m47h13u: Maybe the ebike motor people need to talk to the gun people. In the US, it's pretty hard to sue a gun manufacturer for laws broken with that gun by the purchaser. Why is it so easy to litigate against ebike makers for laws broken by the purchaser?
  • 2 1
 @max2max:
Completely agree with all your points.
Ebikes are becoming so fast obsolete.
More waste, but companies only care for their greed and control over their costumers.

I wish they would at least stop to pretend that they care about the environment.
  • 3 1
 @OneTrustMan: It's not just e-bikes that are being obsolete so fast. Basically, the whole bike industry has become that way because it's become like the clothing industry. It's the masses that buy into the marketing shit. It's a perpetual cycle to get people wanting to buy the latest stuff because, you know by next year, your current stuff will be considered outdated. E-bikes, along with the whole biking industry, has become the wild wild west. Everyone wants to get in and cash in. The motto for the last 10-15+ years is "who gives a shit about what you have last year, I need to get the latest and greatest!" Consuming and environment are basically an oxymoron - there's no better way to show this contradiction, Only marketing will show you how GREEN everything is.
  • 2 1
 @justinfoil: guns are constitutionally protected, hence special treatment.
  • 2 2
 @greenblur: owning and safely using guns is protected. Breaking the law with a gun is still breaking the law, but it's all on the gun user. Breaking the law by unrestricting an e-bike _after the sale_ is magically somehow also the fault of the manufacturer?
  • 6 4
 @greenblur: LOL, it's more like gun manufacturers are protected by the gun lobbyists and by the politicians that pocket the money from the lobbying group. The Second Amendment to the US Constitution only states the right to keep and bear arms in the United States. This has nothing to do with protecting the rights of any citizen of the US or anywhere in the word to sue these arms manufacturing companies from wrong doing. In fact, Remington and Winchester got sued some time ago when some of their firearms were faulty. You can also sue a person for misuse of a firearm for causing harm to you or anyone else. Plus, the 2nd Amendment was put in place for the militia of a free state. This would only makes sense for military/police or for hunting/sporting/survival situations. I think the average American takes that Amendment way out of context.
  • 3 7
flag greenblur (Sep 28, 2022 at 21:22) (Below Threshold)
 @CSharp: you're not an average American. You're not American at all.

Don't expect you to get it. That's OK. Y'all do it differently up there.

You'll always be our little brother that we have to protect.
  • 3 0
 max2max, I could not agree with you more. Specialized has the same problem as Bosh. I Have a 2019 Turbo Kenevo with 1,100 miles and it shredded the belt. Up to this point everything was working fine. Guess what? Local bike shops do not sell parts (belt and tensioner) and they do not work on them. Was told they just swap them out when under warranty. BUT, since mine was out of warranty I got to pay $999 US for a completely new motor! Imagine paying 15K for the latest and greatest bike (name your brand) bike and after 2 years your now out of warranty motor fails.....you get to pay $1,000 for a new motor or your sweet bike is now a paper weight. A little searching the web you can locate some aftermarket parts for some of these motors, but even then it will cost you $150 for a tiny little belt and tensioner.
  • 1 0
 Performancelinebearings in the UK are top notch repair guys for these motors and ther come with a 1 year warranty from them
  • 1 0
 wouldnt quite agree with you but am probably on the same thought train to a degree i have been servicing the gen 4s making parts bosch wont supply and even have an electronics guy who can take cells and fix the BMS boards , however that all costs money in the grand scheme of things if i say to you a new shaft for the gen 4 is 100 quid the service and bearings is 350 and the new motor from bosch is 700 then its a no brainer to buy a new unit , they have made it work the same as the car industry , costs are so high its cheaper to take it out and put a new one in
  • 3 1
 @yetifanoc: I feel for you, and that's why 2nd Ebikes, without warranty are worth close to zero regarding engine/motor and battery.

If those goes wrong, we're likely to end with a total bill of over 2k!

But regarding your problem, it would be better to look for parts...
Like for example:
www.axevotech.eu/en/BROSE-BELT-SERVICE-KIT-FOR-S-MAG-MOTOR-Magnesium

Cheers!

PS: to all out there on ebikes, let me inform you, that most MOTO Enduro are cheaper in all ways (less depreciation/tires are cheaper/it sustains easily 4/5 years without major issues/etc...)
  • 2 0
 @gonpalco: there will be an entire industry piggy backing on this making hop up parts , the first guy or gal to come up with an aftermarket motor for ebikes will make a fair bit of money out of the job, if its worth it who knows but just like a fool and his money are easily parted with other aspects of the bike industry on "upgrades" then i cant see why (well i can actually tell you people are paying for upgrades to their existing motors) they wont pay more money for the likes of servicing , im surprised more pop up service type places like the suspension tuners haven't turned up already,plenty of out of warranty motors out there
  • 2 2
 Why don't you just buy a new bike? Santa Cruz has nice models as well. Send your butler to get one while you drink a flat white coffee and you lose minimal riding time!
  • 2 1
 @Compositepro: Depends on how good their lawyers are. First thing the big motor manufacturers will do is try to show that it's too easy to modify those aftermarket systems to make them illegal, and that their own fully integrated and encrypted stuff is the only way to keep the entire world from speeding around and into stuff at 80 KPH and killing kids in the bike paths left and right.
  • 1 0
 @justinfoil: LOL! just breath the fresh air, and get out more! Covid19 confinaments are over, man! just get out... and breath air!
  • 2 0
 @gonpalco: Where did that come from?

In fact, I never stopped getting out, even back in March 2020: I have sick trails within a couple miles of my house: the pandemic didn't change a thing regarding riding for me. Just being very slightly more careful during most of 2020 so I didn't end up clogging a hospital that was already busy. Even the various trails 15 or so miles away were still a go, just didn't intentionally meet up with anyone for those first couple months. Because in the US we didn't really ever tell anyone they couldn't even go outside.
  • 2 0
 @justinfoil: DO you think people won't crack what ever is man-made?
And 80Km/h? LOL!
Electric bikes must be open to be repair by independent facilities, and manufactures will be pushed to release repair manuals (paid or free).
It doesn't depend on which lawyer manufactures choose, that will only dictate how long we'll have to wait to happen.

www.europe-consommateurs.eu/en/shopping-internet/spare-parts-and-repairs.html
  • 1 0
 @gonpalco: Thanks for the info!
  • 30 2
 I feel like e-bike racing should be at the absolute extremes of MTB racing. Like moto style hill climbs thats barely rideable then a rampage run on the way down. Otherwise, what's the point?
  • 7 1
 I kind of agree about the uphill part, but why would the way down be any different - are e-bikes magical at descending too?
  • 2 0
 It can be. But if the demand for other e-bike racing disciplines are popular, then they will also be options.
  • 8 2
 Ebike racing should be designed around the best use case for ebikes, which is self shuttling. I.e, enduro stages on the way down, access or light trails on the way up, both timed. That way manufacturers would actually be forced to figure out how to optimize the ebikes for that, instead of trying to create a pointless super light ebike.
  • 2 0
 @8a71b4: I think it should be like moto trials on the way up. Not large rocks and stuff. but short steep climbs switch backs northshore up hill skinny logs etc.
  • 20 1
 Basically it's almost the same motor, you just buy the option to unlock its fully potential just like in cars. Soon we'll have yearly subscription fees for using features
  • 3 0
 Exactly, like the Tesla ^^
Where to find a Bosch Cargo that grows at 400%
  • 2 0
 no its not its got different gears in it.... not the same....
  • 2 1
 I would say its more like they increased the duty cycle, knowing it shortens the life of the motor. Since its racing who cares, get a new motor every few months, but for a consumer product it needs to be tuned down so it lasts more than one season.
  • 1 0
 You've called it there!
  • 17 1
 Good luck making it fair for all e-race competitors. The obscure "max 250 nominally" regulation means nothng when manufactures keep making "clever" designs to increase power in "exdtended boost" without violating the rules.
  • 3 5
 I hear this argument all the time. All sportes have rules and regulations. Competitors will always try to find ways around it to make it their benefit. Bending the rules are a part of the game.
  • 17 1
 I'd really value a dumbed-down article here on PB explaining the whole concept of e-bike racing. Making super powerful and fast motors is already possible, so you'd say that in racing everything is just limited to the far edge of the regulations by software settings. If one company comes with a new version that exceeds one or more of the software limits of the regular version, why wasn't the regular version already tuned to this very limit? And if it were fair, why is the version with extended limits only available in limited quantities and on limited bike models, hence won't be available to all competitors (especially privateers)?

Maybe this is super cool and all, but to me it is on the same level of "our engineers worked super hard and really thought outside the box and now managed to add another tooth to the largest sprocket of the cassette".
  • 5 2
 I don´t get that as well. All eMTBs deliver more than 250Watts at some point. So whats the point of this regulation. Now a stronger Motor with more boost, for an extended time period is able to save "tenths of seconds" - no shit.
But I don´t get the concept of ebike racing to begin with.
To me it has nothing to do with the heart of racing - competition.
It´s just a marketing thing.
  • 5 3
 @vinay: the concept of e-bike racing is - it´s cheap marketing. 30 men and 4 girls in EEWS costs way less budget than a deep field of well in to the hundreths competitors in EWS.
I don´t know why Chris Ball and the EWS let them onboard. I guess sponsor money is hard to come by, so they´ll take whatever they get. But they should leave it a hobby-category.
  • 7 1
 @styriabeef: I agree with everything except the part about why race ebikes... Racing is racing, The first bike race was the day the second bike was built, same with all modes of transport. The motor only helps propel the bike, the rider still is in command. Just like any motorsport. Do I think ebike racing is comparable to MTB or any other cycling discipline? No, because of the motor. Is it still a competition? yes. Should it be UCI regulated? Who cares, the UCI sucks.


*edited for grammar.
  • 3 1
 @sverreandre: *laughs in F1*
  • 4 1
 @BikesBoatsNJeeps: "Just like any motorsport"

That's just it, ebike racing is a "motor sport", not mountain biking. The old adage that "it's the rider not the bike", just doesn't apply when some riders simply have more motor. It 's the bike at least as much as the rider, if not more with FOUR HUNDRED PERCENT BOOST.
  • 2 2
 @sverreandre: "Cheaters will always try to find ways around it to make it their benefit."

Fixed that for you! Remember, if you're cheating, you already lost. No way around that fact.
  • 1 0
 @danger13: For me it isn't so much about cheating. If they all engage in the same game and adhere to the same rules, it all seems fair to me. I'm just curious what the actual rules are considering what I said in my initial post. What I gather from this discussion is that there is a 250W output limit but it is ok to exceed that for a short while. So how short is short and how far can you exceed that limit? I'm still confused.
  • 1 1
 @vinay: the answer to those last confusing questions seem to be, at least right now, whatever Bosch has in their latest tune. They say they're going to lobby for limitations, but if Shimano or brose or whoever finds a tweak to get a little more overboost without immediately exploding the motor, they'll be lobbying hard for _their_ limit to be the new limit. We'll need the FIA or IMSA instead of UCI, because, again, it's a motorsport.
  • 1 0
 @justinfoil: Oh, that sucks actually. I trust that once a new rule has been accepted, it will take a few seasons before it comes into effect in order to give competing brands a chance to catch up. The ones who are being screwed are the privateers who need to replace an otherwise good motor, just to keep up with the rat-race. And unlike suspension and gearing, the motor is sealed so there is no way for an amateur to update it themselves.

Just curious though, isn't there a limit in the amount of energy (so battery charge) you can take with you? If so, at least it would be fair in a way that you should use your energy wisely. I competed in the World Solar Challenge back in 2005, which is a solar car race from Darwin to Adelaide. You start with full batteries in Darwin and from then on you have to balance it with the amount of solar energy you collect. The size of the car was limited but there was no limit to the area of solar array nor to the aerodynamics. So maxed out the solar array area and made the car pretty low, but eventually went so fast that in Southern Australia (where unlike in Northern Territory there is a speed limit) no one could overtake us anymore. Closest competitors were fairly quick too, but with all of us riding at the speed limit there no longer was a competition. In subsequent years, the organisation introduced more and more strict rules to make the cars slower again and that's what brought some competition back to it. So I think that instead of making these motors faster and all, it would be most exciting to at least limit the battery capacity to a point where you really need to be careful how you use it. So careful that it would actually be worth it to bring a lighter motor to save weight. Not saying it should mimic a typical XC race but yeah, use the boost only where you think it could really help you but then back off elsewhere.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: I don't know if people even use a whole battery in a race... but that could be a good limiting factor. Similar to class-specific fuel tank size and KERS capacity in endurance motor racing. Limit everyone to a 300 Wh (or less!) battery, force them to be smart about modes and when to use the boost.

Side note, I'm not from Australia, so my conceptions might be completely wrong, but I kind of find it funny that there is a speed limit for the race in the Northern Territories but not in SA. Isn't it basically just desert and national parks between Darwin and Alice Springs? Joking, of course, but kinda not. There are less people in NT than all of Tassie!
  • 2 0
 @justinfoil: The solar car race is on public roads so you've got to obey the traffic rules. Indeed it is pretty much all desert along the Stuart Highway. Because it is a two way road even in Southern Australia we were allowed to exceed the speed limit when overtaking (to be done with it quickly). So that's what we did, we overtook loads Wink . The area around beautiful Katherine is no desert but pretty hilly and the road has some interesting turns. Which scared our observer shitless as our car was using adaptive cruise control tuned to be most efficient. Which in hilly terrain implies, keep power steady. So that was slow climbing and fast descending, no matter whether the road is straight or curved. Not sure how well known the race is in the US. There were two US teams competing back then, maybe more that I didn't know of. MIT broke a wheel during the qualifications at the Hidden Valley race track and crashed. We actually helped them retrieve their solar array as their truck was way to big to enter the track and we just had a small flatbed trailer behind a pickup truck Wink . They still impressively finished sixth at the race if I recall correctly. Michigan finished third.

As for the e-bike race battery, yes by all means make it so small that riders really have to be strategic in how and where they use it. Just having an abundance of energy on board takes away a big part of the challenge. Even in F1 car racing they have to be strategic so that they may be able to finish the race with one fewer pit stop.
  • 2 0
 @vinay: I've heard of the race, but didn't know details. pretty cool.

F1 takes it a step further and limits the places you can use certain boosts. DRS isn't the same as a KERS or such, but the effect is similar to a power boost and I know there are specific zones for DRS usage, and I think they might also apply if any team did use the optional KERS. E-bike racing needs to go full motorsport and set some explicitly defined formulas/classifications, and definitely apply total energy limits along with instantaneous power limits.

And I think ban any kind of overrun extended boost bullshit. If being "pedal-assist" is the thing that differentiates e-bikes from being simply motorbikes, then it needs to be a real (dumb) pedal-assist, not "pedal-controlled" bullshit that keeps applying power after pedaling. They like to market pedal-assist as "you but faster", but if the system can make any power when you're not making power, then it's not pedal-assist anymore.
  • 4 0
 @justinfoil: Agreed, never heard of this overrun thing in the first place but it sucks. I can imagine it was a challenge to make a motor that responds proportionally to pedal input so there would always be some lag both in engagement as well as disengagement. But to consciously extend the time before disengagement seems very wrong to me. Not necessarily from a competition point of view because I don't even care that much. But I do care for the condition of my trails. Just like with powerful brakes, I do believe a skilled rider can modulate such that they'll only demand traction when they can. But if they're going to extend the overrun time they'll consciously sabotage their ability to gracefully make it up there. Not just the racers (who don't seem to care much about trail preservation in the first place) but also the enthusiasts once this "technology" trickles down. I'm not one to be very anti-e per se, but I do disapprove of unsustainable decisions made here.
  • 16 0
 Just give us wheelie mode already.
  • 17 0
 "ok, I enabled 'backflip mode'"
  • 1 0
 Shouldn't be too hard to program a "locked rear wheel skid mode".
  • 13 0
 So basically, if you don't have the latest tech motor you are at a massive disadvantage if "racing" them.
  • 3 5
 thanks for the "racing"... amazing.. pretty soon, we can leave the pedals and go out there, give the already torn-up trails the rest.. Thanks a lot...
  • 7 0
 That is the same with all racing though. All of it.
  • 17 3
 I'm sorry I had to read this
  • 13 1
 Am I the only one who sees "CX" and thinks cyclocross? E-cross races would be interesting.
  • 1 1
 weird looking cyclocross bike to me. Mine has a rigid fork, curly bars, and skinny tires.
  • 7 0
 Good luck shouldering it lol
  • 13 7
 I flippin love e-bikes, they are great. Every time I've ridden one, I have had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Genuinely got nothing against them whatsoever. I love analogue bikes, and I love e-bikes.

E-bike racing though?!? Utterly pointless. Who's idea was it and why haven't they been forced to explain themselves yet?
  • 19 5
 I was one of 65 people in the ebike category at Llangollen at the weekend, it was awesome, basically self shuttled DH. What's not to love?
  • 3 0
 Your love should be unconditional.
  • 4 2
 @foespower: I’m with you, I’ve been racing ebikes all year and absolutely love it. I just see it as 6 or 7 self shuttled DH races within one day.

Unfortunately this pretty much spells the end of it for me. The Scottish Enduro Series mimic the EWSE rules and also include an uphill power stage.

It’s a flawed idea for many different reasons, but now that you need the latest 10k bike to be competitive, the whole thing is utterly pointless.
  • 5 3
 @foespower: it's not "shuttling" of any kind if it's on the clock. it's motor racing.
  • 1 0
 @justinfoil: it was a mash up format, we raced 3 tracks as many times as we wanted, best times were taken. Like I say it was like DH but we effectively shuttled ourselves
  • 2 0
 @andie2177: ye totally with you. No idea why they race uphill, weird. I'm just gonna do the mash ups. Welsh gravity enduro is bang on. Cheap and cheerful too
  • 3 1
 What’s pointless about it? It’s a competition like any other competition. Who can race from point A to point B the fastest. With an ebike, it’s uphill, downhill and everything in between. And now it makes formerly unclimbable trails climbable. How fast can you do it? Can you beat everyone in your class? Im like Ricky Bobby, I like to go fast! If your not first, you’re last. It’s fun, loads of fun. And regardless of the motor, it still takes talent and skill to do it well. How well can you do it vs your peers? Race and find out! Also, I’ve not seen this many complaining whiners in one place! Seriously, have some f*cking fun in life and stop complaining about everything! Whining about everything from ebikes to a company making the product, (motor) better and faster! That’s the object of any competition, to make it the best and fastest available! That’s also a competition between manufacturers, to have the best product! And yes, they do it to sell more product and make more money, and I’m ok with that if I can have a better product.
  • 1 1
 @Twenty6ers4life: the motors all top out at the same (low) speed... The entire race is therefore won or lost on the bits where the motor isnt helping. I'm sure e-bike racing is fun as a sort of amateur sideshow event, but as a serious sport it makes as little sense as an egg and spoon race.
  • 1 0
 The marketing departments do they can sell more of them
  • 2 0
 @gabriel-mission9: it looks like you haven’t watched any of the race highlights. They have uphill stages called power stages that are steep technical climbs that are timed. They also have plenty of DH sections with tight switchbacks and hairpin turns where they sprint from turn to turn. The motor matters everywhere where they go from 0 to top assist speeds.
  • 1 1
 @Twenty6ers4life: Timed tech climbs are the best solution for making an e-bike race a real competition. I see tons of opportunity there.

Who can sprint the fastest out of a corner with e-assist isnt really a race though. You can tell whos gonna win that by looking at the motor specs, no stopwatches need to be involved. So again as a serious sport, about as much good as an egg and spoon race.

Tech climbing though, they're onto something there. That is a true test of both bike and rider.
  • 8 0
 Coming to a $15k ebike near you. $15k, by the way, will buy you an electric motorcycle capable of 150+ miles and 100 mph...
  • 5 4
 @jmhills: iustus expectare, normalis dapibus erit 15k mox, in case you were wondering i decided to use a dead language to match your dead units Smile
  • 8 3
 Oh the power of semantics and obfuscation ... rebranding an even more powerful, heavy and expensive electric powered MOPED as a "race" E bike to add a few dollars more to the corporate balance sheet. Brilliant.
  • 5 0
 As the internal hardware is mostly the same as the "normal" CX, why is it not possible to improve the support, overrun etc. just with an update of the software?
  • 2 0
 Yes, but probably you'll burn out your motor and batteries. Racers don't care about the longevity of their electric components.
  • 5 0
 So it sounds like extended boost is stretching the limits of pedal assist. Basically when you stop pedaling the power stays on (briefly)?
  • 1 0
 Like now, in Turbo / E-MTB or even Tour + you can notice that the chainring makes a little extra rotation. I guess they extend this rotation time. Giving you prolonged motor output even when you are not pedaling.
  • 3 0
 "assist" lol.
  • 2 1
 It's called momentum Big Grin
  • 7 1
 so they want 'clean' racing, but create more and more powerful motors ('racing' with competitor companies?)
  • 20 13
 Why are ebikes even a thing?
  • 17 11
 Cos they’re awesome. I just bought one after riding dh for about 20 years, it’s f*cking ace.
  • 5 2
 @CFR94: you should really try an e-bike before passing judgement. Like what downbeat73 said, it's frickin awesome, especially if you're injured, have some sort of medical condition, or if you just want to enjoy riding your favorite trails but don't want to pound your heart out.
  • 5 8
 @CSharp: Why not just stay at home on the couch watching youtube videos of other people riding? If you are injured pushing on those pedals is what will make you better. Maybe in the future young people with first person view cameras on will do the riding and cater to giving you that riding experience from home. Enjoy a tasty brew and keep your heart from having to work. Technology!
  • 9 4
 @CFR94 because fat, lazy, rich people are sadly a thing
  • 4 2
 @dancingeagles: I've rode ebikes and it's just not it. So many other ways to improve efficiency than slapping a motor on something. That's what dirt bikes are for.
  • 3 1
 @danger13: I think that's my whole drift about the e-bike is that rather than neglect your health or your love to be active, the assist motor helps you enjoy what you were doing before. What you're saying, like most nay-sayers about e-bike, is that it's 100% like a motorcycle where one doesn't do any pedaling. That's a 100% fallacy because, like I purposely stated, the motor is there to assist when you pedal. The motor stops assisting when using brakes or during downhill. So, skill, upper body and leg strength are still needed in technical sections for mountain biking. It's not like you're totally a vegetable or a couch potato sitting on the bike and it does everything for you. I do watch some youtube videos of my friends biking through the woods, but I'd rather bike through those singletracks myself whether it is a e-MTB or a non-assisted bike. You can say the same thing about people shuttling up or taking the ski lifts just to come down the mountain on their mountain bikes. And, we all love watching Red Bull Rampage on the big screen or computer monitor!
  • 1 0
 @dancingeagles: Going to guess fat lazy poor people are more of a thing
  • 7 1
 So the engine wars have started in motorised bike racing. It’s sounding more and more like motorcycle racing by the week
  • 7 0
 soon some taxes, insurance and a plate
  • 5 1
 hopefully... and then, out with the ebikes from natural mountain trails!
  • 11 4
 sad
  • 4 1
 And still they use a display the size of a brick. Might make sense on a city bike where you can display a route - but not on a mountainbike. Only a part that can break, fall off and it takes up a lot of space....
  • 4 0
 To be fair the older riders do need a big display to see clearly.
  • 3 0
 @kingbike2: why would someone look at a display while riding?, is there a linle choice on that display? does it matter if you go uphill with 18 or 20 km/h?, does anyone, constantly needs to check the battery lvl?... so, for those asking for a bigger display to watch while riding, I recommend to leave ebikes behind and have a ride in a tesla.. there, they can have a big display on which to run trail riding videos on loop.
  • 3 0
 @eugenux: same reason racers have GPS and heart rate displays, range anxiety is real and battery level is key information.

Also a big display can replicate the Peleton experience.
  • 1 3
 @kingbike2: really?, last time I went emtb mode, 32 kms on mountain trails, 1000m/~3000ft of climbing... I looked at the display only for a couple of times... not once while I was on the move. No rider has the desire to look out from the trail and stare deep into writings on a display. If I want to look at displays, I have tons of gadgets for that. If I want to do mtb-ing.. I do mtb-ing. At one point, too much useless information is exactly that.
There are zero, I repeat, zero! need to constantly watch a display while riding. This is mtb-ing, not roadies stuff. Stop kidding yourself or try to BS-ing others into this nonsense. In the second in which it is more important what it is written on a screen then what the f you are doing with the bike on the trail, you might as well stop mtb-ing at all. You do mtb-ing to be in connection with the nature, mountains, wilderness, the elements, for the feeling of danger and adrenaline.. for the positive suffering and exhaustion, for how the F it makes you feel.... if you're doing for watts, power output, meters of climbing, battery status, hr, etc-etc, you might as well stop it right now...as mtb-ing is wasted on you(and on those like you).
  • 3 3
 @eugenux: If you actually want to mountain bike you don't actually need a motor at all.
  • 1 0
 @eugenux: sometimes riding up and down trails gets boring so to pass the time I like watching the odometer, speedometer and battery status.
  • 1 0
 @danger13: well, I actually don't but, even when I'm ebike-ing, I'm still mtb-ing, not being a passager in a self-driving tesla.

The ideea that you need to constantly look at a display while riding is beyond childish.. it is bordeline dumb. Why the f you get out of your house when, in fact, all you want is just to look constantly at a display?, get a f-in large ultra 4k tv and watch that all day long. I swear, some of you 'muricans are brighter than the brightest star in the sky.
  • 2 0
 @kingbike2: if mtb-ing is borring for you... as much as you feel the need to joggle the menus while riding, I have news for you; go beyond social constructs of canadian outdoorsies and find something you're really pasionate about; clearly, mtb-ing isn't that thing for you.
  • 1 0
 @eugenux: perhaps an ebike would rekindle my passion for mtb.
Gotta go all in with the biggest battery and biggest motor and big display.
  • 2 0
 Totally pointless, EU regs are rubbish, ebike racing is rubbish. I ride an ebike myself as a shuttle bike
www.pinkbike.com/photo/21950322
Home built craftworks high pivot running cyc stealth with a lightweight 400wh battery. Cost very little to build using sales.
150nm, no speed limit fully tunable PAS settings, no throttle either. So so much fun for an old DHer with bad knees.
  • 2 0
 Iv just put a tongsheng tsdz2b on an old specialized enduro 2007. I did 18 miles around cannock monckytrails and the dog some dh bits and still had 1/4 battery left. Its an total rocket down hill with the extra weight. Cost me 680£with a 48v17.5ah battery total bargain it smokes my mates trek rail lol and its not been reprogramed yet he not impressed..
  • 1 0
 @theberminator: I've also the cyc on my sons 2004 kona stinky running 26/27.5 mullet with totems. He loves it as a freeride bike. We just bang laps in with ease, switch power to just an idle for descents so no drag from the motor.
  • 2 0
 "and the overrun time has also been extended to make it even easier to overcome particularly large obstacles"

Soooo, it's not really pedal assist anymore, it's "pedal initiated", or "pedal controlled". With 400% boost and extended overrun, you could probably just kick your way up something with only nominal "pedaling"
  • 6 1
 Logical next step would be the invention of an E-Motocross bike... hmm
  • 1 0
 tight rope walking it feels
  • 5 1
 Luna sur Ron and ftw! Or crf150 and ftw! Or just bust out a 2 stroke and braaaap.
  • 3 0
 those sur ron have awful chassis geometries and componentry. When they'll make one with riders in mind, not urban teens and 50-60 year olds that don't know how to ride, I'm in!, and, by they, I mean anyone not only sur ron.
  • 2 0
 @eugenux: KTM 105sx chassis with a manitou dorado would work nice.
  • 1 0
 I watched several videos on youtube about this motor last night and the thing that stuck out to me the most is the built in overrun. I have a gen 3 levo in the shop getting a new motor right now because it started having this happen with about 700 miles on the motor. Basically when you stop pedaling the motor continues to pull for a second or 2. In my case, it was intermittent so you had to always be ready in case it happened and it almost caused a couple of wrecks.
  • 4 0
 "It's just a shame that the CX Race motor also rattles like the regular version when idling." Idling? Does this mean off?
  • 1 0
 Yeah, IDK. I have the regular one and it doesn’t rattle and it also doesn’t idle either.
  • 3 2
 I love eMTB though I haven't bought one for myself yet. That's coming. eMTB racing is dumb though. This just highlights the shit fight it's going to be regulating so everyone has a fair race. It will push motor development so we will have better bikes but that is the only positive it does.
  • 1 1
 XC emtb is definitely dumb.

"assisted Enduro" on the other hand....
  • 2 1
 Let me sum up this argument...
Pros: 1. It will push motor development. 2. We will have better bikes.
Cons: 1. You think its dumb. 2. The race organizers will have to have regulations.

As someone who also loves eMTBs, I'm gonna give the win to the pro-side.
  • 1 0
 @ssheffield: oh don't get me wrong I'm all for you having fun, I just think e-enduro is a way more sensible application. I could see a good timed technical climb race being cool tho...
  • 2 0
 @dontcoast: Totally agree. E Enduro makes most sense. My comment was meant to be a reply to the post above referring to eMTB racing as a whole. Really like your idea on timed technical climbs.
  • 1 0
 @ssheffield: I mostly agree. I just know that there will be a lot of cheating and it's already happened in eMTB racing. I'm ok with it as long as everyone realises it's not just the athlete with the best legs and skill anymore. That it will become an all out arms race which we do benefit from. So I'm torn on it to be honest.
  • 4 2
 "Bosch is also campaigning for clean racing, with uniform regulations and active action against tuning."

But they're not against just slapping a much more powerful motor in their racers' bikes right before a race...
  • 2 0
 You should do a little research before you comment in a public forum about something you obviously know nothing about. The motor still has the same peak power of 85nm as the standard motor and the same top speed limit. It’s also 150g lighter than the standard motor. It’s just programmed to get up to full speed quicker and to accelerate faster out of turns. If you were a manufacturer, would you want to give your racers a slower motor with a slow power delivery? No, you would quickly go out of business. What wins on Sunday, sells on Monday.
  • 1 0
 I think it should be noted that the overrun comes into conflicts with some United States laws on pedal assist, I would consider race mode to be not a class 1 designation anymore then. I worried Bosch would do this with the last software and it was subtle enough to really work good with the boost but now I wonder if it’s beyond the legal latency for acceleration forces and could be construed as a pedal operated throttle. Just saw some guy ratchet the cranks around on a Pole at 15 mph in the dirt, if that’s not beyond realistic. Also this mode is going to get inexperienced riders severely injured or killed.
  • 3 2
 Everyone talking in that vid had the feeling of, "Ya, I know were going to get bashed for this, but they are paying me money, so I have to talk about it." No one seemed excited at all about it.
  • 2 0
 My understanding is that pro level riders on Bosch systems already have their Turbo mode factory tuned beyond what consumers can buy.
  • 2 2
 “Pro level” eweenies. Lol.
  • 7 3
 And WHY... are there pedals?
  • 3 0
 so they can call it a "bike" and ride it wherever they want
  • 4 1
 Yay, now I can be lapped on the climbs by middle aged men even quicker!!!
  • 5 2
 @spuddo: is your ego that fragile ?
  • 1 1
 That's good, because the Bosch bikes get absolutely housed by Specialized in GNCC ebike races here in the US. Those bikes are noticeably faster than anything else (fast riders too but still).
  • 4 1
 These articles do not belong on a bike website
  • 1 0
 Soon we will send an army of ebikes toward Russia in a kind of cavalry charge, over the top boys, only to have them all lying flat by tactical nuke
  • 2 0
 I think that bosch has definitely silenced those who still believe that an e-bike "it's not a motorbike".
  • 5 3
 What a crock of sh!t, just proves no one is racing fair in ews e! E dopers
  • 2 0
 JINCO's and high tops....ICP for life or whatever they said.
  • 1 0
 LOL the protoype comes with Bontrager tires and a TREK specific special color Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Legalize all forms of doping with ebike racing. E-bike. E-PO! Let’s go!!!!!
  • 2 0
 Next will be one use racing motors.
  • 1 0
 downtube and motor looks like a golf club, which is so fitting for this thing
  • 2 1
 These companies are really ou here trying to find ways to make mountain biking worse for the environement...
  • 2 1
 Race mode = limited runtime/reliability and good luck getting replacement parts in case of failure.
  • 1 0
 So is it just a software update of have they actually changed the motor. I see you can buy a Whyte E-180 with it for £10k.
  • 1 2
 Doesn’t matter, I’d buy a Honda or Kawasaki motor bike before giving into something that your lock out of. Let the sheep jump to their death with no parachute to back them up.
  • 4 3
 Thought I selected Pinkbike but got Pink-E bike instead. Please help.
  • 2 1
 About as exciting as a Bosch dishwasher.
  • 1 0
 so still 500g heavier than the racing motors
  • 1 1
 I though ebikes already evolved past their hideous 00's design
  • 5 5
 Good to see new ebike products coming out.
  • 6 6
 Braaappppp
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