Bosch Furthers Commitment to eMTB Racing with New CX Race Motor

Press Release: Bosch eBike Systems

Our new Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition motor, developed with pro riders, is all about pushing the limits of eMTB riding and racing.

Days before the start of the final e-bike race of the 2022 Enduro World Series in Italy, a handful of top pros had new Bosch drive units installed on their bikes. The stakes were high, the series standings on the line. The terrain at Finale Ligure, a familiar stop on the international enduro circuit, is notoriously unforgiving: steep, rocky, as technical as it gets. The combination of burly uphill power stages and traditional descending stages demands brute strength and fearless white-knuckle speed. Together, it’s the ultimate test of racers and their machines. Twelve stages, with nowhere to hide.

Our new Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition motor was made for this. “Without a doubt, the new CX Race is a game changer,” says Flo Espiñeira of the Orbea FOX Enduro team. “It will not only take riders forward, but also the sport itself.”

Flo would know. A rookie on the e-bike circuit this year, the Chilean upstart went on to win in Italy and capture the overall title in the EWS-E pro women’s class.


E-Progression

Competitive eMTB has come a long way in a few short years. Progression has been rapid. And since the beginning, we have played a major role in that progress. “We supported the EWS early on when we equipped journalists and photographers with eMTBs to help them get around the courses and give them more access and capabilities to do their work,” says Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems. “This is how we got to know and love EWS racing.”

In the years that followed, we've continued to support the development of eMTB racing—not only by pioneering the motor systems that would push the sport forward, but also by backing the teams and athletes who fueled that progression.


Both Fleischer and Christoph Schumacher, the Bosch product manager for the CX and CX Race drive units, have consulted extensively with the UCI and race organizers from the EWS and MTB World cup to help steer the development of the sport. Topics range from optimizing the race courses for e-bikes to creating regulations to ensure clean competition by eliminating motor tuning or doping. “We find racing exciting and important to the progression of eMTB as a sport,” says Fleischer. “We also think that the professionalization of the sport can help us reach more people and show what is athletically and technically possible.”

Back in 2010, long before e-bike racing was a thing, we were busy establishing ourselves as a leader in the emergence of early eMTB technologies. The Haibike eQ XDURO, a bike that’s widely touted for being influential in the category, was powered by a Bosch motor and control unit. With 250 watts of maximum power output and 50Nm of torque, the “Classic Plus” system helped shape the future of eMTBs.

E-bikes have constantly evolved since then, and Bosch has remained at the forefront of innovation. Athletes and racers have had a direct influence on the advancement of motor technologies. Their real-world feedback is critical, and their successes riding Bosch are undeniable. In 2022, Bosch racers using new CX Race Limited Edition drive units netted more than 70 pro podiums in international XCO and Enduro races.

“We benefit enormously from the experience and knowledge of our athletes,” Fleischer says. “We are all united by one goal, which is to always keep improving. That’s why we have taken this next step and developed a drive unit that’s specially designed for eMTB racing.”



Made for Racing

Our new CX Race drive unit is exactly what the name implies: a variation of the Performance Line CX that was developed specifically for eMTB race performance. Engineered to meet the demands of pro racers like Espiñeira and Cannondale rider Jérôme Clementz, the new Race motor looks quite similar to the Performance Line CX—but it boasts some key updates. The most notable new feature is Race mode, which helps riders accelerate quicker and power through technical terrain. The new CX Race drive has the same 85Nm of torque as the Performance Line CX motor, but Race mode delivers up to 400% of rider input compared to 340%.

Another key feature is Extended Boost. When you give the pedals a quick punch or ratchet action, the motor continues to push the bike forward for a brief moment after the pedals stop turning. This is designed to help you carry momentum over a trail obstacle until the rear wheel clears it—and that’s especially helpful when you need to lift the front wheel first, and then the rear wheel, up and over a ledge or other obstacle. The goal is smoother performance through challenging terrain, with less chance of getting hung up on rocks, roots or ruts.

Extended Boost isn’t just for climbs; we also made it to help to execute drops with greater control by providing extra momentum just before the drop. During the approach, it can be tricky to time pedal strokes exactly right. Instead of having to time the pedaling exactly right, a quick half pedal stroke provides propulsion to help clear the drop and discourage the front end from nose diving. Extended Boost is now available in two modes: the eMTB mode and Race mode. When riding in Race mode, the overrun time of Extended Boost lasts slightly longer.

Beyond the new Race mode, the CX Race Limited Edition is 200g lighter than the standard CX motor, a significant weight savings that can make the e-bike feel more dynamic and responsive. Engineered with lighter weight materials inside the drive unit, the motor weighs just 2.75kg. This makes it easier to control the bike, hit jumps with confidence, and lift or carry the bike during transport. It also offers smart walk assistance, which powers the bike forward when pushing up steep hills. In addition, the Hill Hold feature prevents the bike from rolling backwards when you’re trying to scramble up extremely steep hills and sketchy terrain.





PERFORMANCE FOR ALL

There’s no question the CX Race Limited Edition was designed primarily for competition and the specific demands that racers face. But any experienced rider looking to up their game—to conquer technical terrain, shave seconds off their times, and aim for a new PR—can appreciate the performance advantage. After spending some time riding and racing with the CX Race drive unit, Espiñeira says it’s clear what type of rider will most appreciate its performance. “This is a motor that’s best suited for aggressive and fast riding,” Espiñeira says. “It’s more powerful, and you can feel it from the first pedal stroke. I’m still learning how to get all of the potential out of it to improve my performance, but I can definitely tell that it’s faster.”