Instead of a single assist ratio for each riding mode, the new algorithm constantly calculates the ideal assist ratio for the situation. Pros - extremely quiet Cons - annoying rattling noisesums up 2020! One is a Haibike Fat-Tire with a Yamaha Drive, the second is an absolutely brilliant 40lb (including battery) DIODE from LaMere Cycles in the USA. It's the same. High level of water-resistant performance (IPX5) . capacity longer. Looks like Rocky(Dyname), Giant(Yamaha) and Specialized(Brose) are in for 2021 and Shimano and Bosch are out. Ebikes are cool but not quite refined enough to jump in yet. Assistance Start Here you can tweak how quickly the motor responds within the first pedal stroke. THIS WEBSITE USES COOKIES TO IMPROVE YOUR USER EXPERIENCE. But overall EP8 offers more of a quieter and gentler hum than the whine of the E8000 motor, and its also quieter than the Bosch motor too. SHIMANO BIKE-EU My brain constantly struggles with whether 2 bars remaining means I have 21% or 59%I would prefer a continuous power bar or percent. Stay tuned, as well have an Orbea Rise test bike arriving very soon. Going the right direction in weight reduction. New batteries recently released by Shimano are available for EP8, including two 630Wh battery options, the external BT-E8016 and internal BT-E8036 battery. Concaved button-shape shifters make it easier to switch between Eco, Trail and Boost modes. The ability to customize the boost is very useful, with Shimano's app you can dial it in to your preferences. Couldn't agree more. With the introduction of the new Shimano EP8 platform, the bar has been raised again with significant gains in the areas that matter to e-mountain bikers the most: Leading power-to-weight ratio, with 21-percent more torque (85 Nm) available in both TRAIL and BOOST modes in a smaller and lighter package featuring a magnesium drive unit case Breakthrough assist algorithm that delivers the right power at the right time, organically matching the riders efforts allowing them to tackle the toughest terrain with full support while also extending range Designed with customization in mind allowing riders to personalize the character of their bike in new ways. Introducing the new Focus Jam2 and Sam2 your perfect match. They need to get their old skunk works team back together and gain real world feedback before promoting vaporware. quieter(+) smaller(+) lighter(+) more power(-) battery range(=). Environmentally I think they're a disaster as well - rare earth elements in the batteries for one thing. With 21% greater torque than E8000, the EP8 motor delivers substantially more punch on the trail, and it feels more usable too. Along with the fault-free performance weve experienced so far, wed have no hesitation in recommending a bike built around Shimano EP8 this is a high quality and well-rounded e-MTB system. Is this a review for ants? With the Spectral:ON for example, which has very short chainstays and a relatively slack seat tube angle that puts your weight further over the rear axle on steep climbs, it helped to dial down the Assistance Character (to 6/10), the Maximum Torque (to 78Nm) and the Assistance Start (to 4/5) to soften the bikes power and acceleration. When youre descending down the trail, the volume and resonance are amplified. Why so delicate, bro? Robust and reliable, LINKGLIDE delivers smooth, seamless shifting under power with enhanced durability. I mean, one of the most beautiful things about the bicycle is how efficient and capable it is of traveling long distances under our own power. Its mostly apparent when freewheeling down really rough trails, but weve been able to detect it when the motor is engaging and disengaging around the 25km/h cutoff on the road, and while cruising over washboard bumps on mundane fireroads. Let us know what those are so we can demand them! Do you think it could be only an issue with Carbon frames then? It physically wouldn't fit inside the frame. Shimano Cues - New 9/10/11 speed lower tier drivetrain components. I thought ebikes were supposed to enable us to do more fun stuff in less time. Its the Orbea Rise that achieves the most discreet integration however, with a frame that was purpose-built around the smaller EP8 motor, rather than having been retrofitted from a previous E8000 drive unit. On my e8000, my impression was (now on a Trek Rail w a Bosch gen 4) that if you were at two bars, you were really at one, and if you were at one, youd better be a couple of blocks from home. They could have gone "yeah the rattling sucks but we hope you appreciate the motor nonetheless" but instead they composed this pure poetry. As much as I want an emtb right now, I am waiting until the technology is perfected. While some frames will resonate more than others, the noise is otherwise normal, and it doesnt take long before your brain subconsciously ignores it. and The Shimano EP8 battery is 26% more capacity but the range is only 16% more. - Numerous battery options, both from Shimano & 3rd parties It features the new Shimano EP8 motor and a 630wh battery. The EP8 (EP800) drive unit delivers smooth, direct power to ensure you're always in complete control while experiencing a natural ride feeling. I have ridden ebikes great fun,addictive, you gain some things , but lose some things as well, like all bikes a compromise. Screen display options show detailed riding metrics in ECO, TRAIL and BOOST modes plus new functions including ride history, live maps, and user-friendly graphical updates. The Ride The confident geometry, with its agility and stability is better than ever, and for the 2022 line up, we've upped the travel both front and rear, while keeping . With the new EP8, Shimano managed to close the gap to its biggest competitors. I doubt that, based on my experience with the E8000 and 504 Wh battery. The EP8 (EP800) drive unit delivers smooth, direct power to ensure youre always in complete control while experiencing a natural ride feeling. If you don't like e-bikes for whatever reason, you really have no business even commenting on this review. Its easy to modulate via how much pressure youre putting through the cranks and the power delivery is progressive, giving it a very natural feel as a result. Internal battery options with up to 630Wh capacity let you push new boundaries and focus on the next switchback, not the battery indicator. "While we dont expect people to ride with their phone on their handlebars when mountain biking" - Buddy, you must not have seen many e-bike riders. Yes, I have done today 97km today and I have 62% battery charge left. e-bikes remove the only non-financial barrier for entry into a sport that historically required at least some small amount of fitness. As mentioned above, the Assistance Character bears the biggest influence on the motors on-trail feel, and dialling this down can make quite a big difference to the amount of range you can get from the battery. This can allow an easy transition between two different riders with different preferences, or it can be used to build a commuting mode and a mountain biking mode. While I am at the age/account to have one, I couldn't imagine riding longer than my 630W battery lasted, i don't think i would be able to walk for a week. Still built around a block with 250W power outage under 36V, the maximum torque notably increases by more than 20% or 85N.m. At Hollandbikeshop.com you'll find an extensive and versatile range of Shimano Steps Batteries. The Purion controller is vastly simpler and easy to read, but it looks cheap and its bulky, making it an awkward fit with brake and dropper levers. This adjustment has the biggest impact on the motors performance and your total range. Team Members Only | PIMS | SITE MAP | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | 2023 , THE CENTECH GROUP, Inc.All rights reserved. I have a gen 3 and it's totally quiet when coasting . Appreciate the level of detail in this article, good work. The EP8 motor and 630Wh battery are both known quantities and we can probably work out how far it will go based on other bikes, but it's an interesting omission nonetheless. Oh man, so that must mean you know of rigs they've received that they've not done first rides and then field tests on. On my older gen Bosch motor with a 500wh battery I can get about 30 miles out of a battery charge if I only turbo up the steepest climbs and do the other bits in low/mid power settings (and I'm about 100kg's / 16 stone which sucks battery). Chain rings and spider are common with other STEPS systems and support chain lines of 50, 53, and 56.5mm for 9, 10, 11, and 12 speeds, A new assist switch (SW-EM800) features larger buttons with greater tactile feedback, A new chain guide (CD-EM800) matches the design of the simple and compact CD-MT800 in a, New EW-SD300 e-tube wires are faster due to increased bandwidth and provide greater, opportunities for new features in the future while reducing component and wire weight, Mounting bolts are located in the same position as other STEPS drive units allowing bike manufacturers the ability to design a common frame platform for multiple price points, SHIMANO SERVICE CENTERS (7000km ridden so far). Power less, battery smaller, it lighter is.. Would "every time you push the on switch" have been more understandable? Was thinking the same thing. Shimanos experienced global mountain bike product development team made a ride-changing breakthrough with the new assist algorithm. With all 85 Nm of torque being available in TRAIL mode and the algorithm continually increasing the assist ratio, its possible to ride all but the most demanding terrain without changing modes. Generally on bikes we spend so little time braking that regeneration would be a waste of effort. Overall its a vastly neater execution compared to the likes of Bosch and Yamaha with their Kinder Surprise-style switch units. Our batteries are renowned for keeping you out on the trails and riding further. IMO we're still in the pilot phase and have a lot of room for improvement. Limiting the maximum torque is something youll notice more at low cadences in high-load applications rather than general trail riding. I also have Commencal 2021 meta power sx. Rob has ridden the bike, so make You must log in or register to reply here. Alongside the launch of the new EP8 motor, Shimano has increased the battery capacity to a mega 630 Wh. EP8 delivers up to 85 Nm of torque, a 21-percent increase over the STEPS E8000 motor platform. By their own standards of non-assist components, this motor is not worthy of the shimano name. A dynamo and regenerative braking is the ONLY thing stopping from buying an e-bike? Annoying rattle, did anyone say that to Shimano when they first introduced the freewheel? So paired with Shimano's biggest 630wh battery it ensures the Bullit is fully equipped for . - Tuning options are simple and effective The new assist algorithm is so effective that riders will find that they no longer need to rely on BOOST mode to clear the most difficult sections of the trails they ride. That said, wed prefer if there were more metrics displayed on the main screen to begin with, so you could ditch the GPS altogether. Its worth noting that Bosch motor is only compatible with Bosch battery options though. It's like a dirt bike with a 15 mile range. Learn what to expect. The EM800 display features built-in Bluetooth and ANT+ wireless connectivity for pairing both your phone and a compatible GPS head unit, allowing you to display information such as battery life and remaining range. I like to see a dynamo recharging system when the bike starts to coast downhill. Dont be so lazy, put in the work and suffer a little bit! > Start with a full battery, select the Trail mode, and see how far you can go before you run out of juice. And we certainly wouldnt be upset if Shimano could quieten down the clacking noise. The freewheel is still in the (regular) rear hub so when you're not pedaling, nothing in the motor-bottombracket assembly should be moving, isn't it? SM-CRE80-B. The 630Wh battery is physically larger than than the previous 504Wh battery, though Merida obviously knew the bigger battery was coming when it launched the eOne-Sixty last year. Motor: Shimano EP8; Battery Size(s): 900Wh or 720Wh (M-XL), 720Wh on Small; All e-Bike assist mode gets disabled during the downhill slopes. At full charge in Trail mode it says range is 90km or so but I haven't put that to the test on more mellow trail days but am sure others have. The SC-EM800 computer communicates wirelessly with Shimanos E-TUBE PROJECT app via Bluetooth, allowing riders to instantly customize power characteristics on demand. The Bosch motor produces the same 85Nm peak torque output as Shimano EP8, and it offers a similarly drag-free ride quality beyond the 25km/h cutoff due to the motor decoupling from the cranks. If you got it set to Eco and the motor is using half its power, you might get at least 4 hours if it sucks up only about 125W per hour. Pickup is faster too, with less hesitation between pedalling and torque being delivered to the rear tyre. Perfect? This will be a far more accurate method for determining your estimated range. Personally, were ok with downshifting and spinning our way up a steep incline its better for the health of your knees, and its likely better for the health of the motor too. Though the new EP8 motor is claimed to be more efficient than its predecessor, there is of course more power too. What is the range of the battery? However, we couldnt get the display to pair with our Wahoo ELMNT Roam head unit. On top of that, Shimano also appears to be cool with brands building their bikes with non-Shimano batteries. After downloading the free E-Tube Project app, youll need to turn the bike on and pair it with your smartphone. - A little more overrun on technical climbs would be swell Its also a very quiet motor when pedalling. . - Available on a wide-range of different e-MTBs, - Clacking noise can be annoying The versatile and powerful SHIMANO EP8 e-bike system can be found on a wide range of brands and models. Think of the classic couple with fit 100kg male with big backpack and 60 kg female with smaller backpack. Display integration is still the best on the market, even if it only shows five bars of battery level and could easily integrate some more user-friendly features. With that said, all my riding is tough climbs and steep descents, without an e-bike would be walking up a bunch of it. Quality, Strength, Reliability . Component categories and series of GRAVEL, Component categories and series of LIFESTYLE, Component categories and series of E-BIKE, Your smartphone to cycling computer on the bike, SHIMANO bicycle ride data collection/analysis service, SHIMANO AGAINST THE TAMPERING WITH E-BIKES, * BT-E8036 for Japan (16.2 Ah, 583 Wh) ** By EC-E8004 (*** In case of 100 V AC) **** with SM-BTE80 or EW-CP100, BM-E8030-A BM-E8030-B BM-E8031-A BM-E8031-B, Durable battery retains max. This means its impossible to tell whether you have 21% or 39% battery remaining. if you success increase speed. Still, that clutch design means it is impressively drag-free beyond the cutoff point. Specialized is close to this. SHIMANO STEPS Integrated Down Tube Battery Mount With Key Unit Mount, SHIMANO STEPS Integrated Down Tube Battery Mount Without Key Unit Mount, SHIMANO STEPS Integrated Down Tube Battery Mount, SHIMANO SERVICE CENTER Anyone knows what's are those white (ish) shoes the reviewer is using on some of the pics? Shimano Introduces its Most Advanced E-Bike System for Mountain Bikes, New STEPS EP8 Motor Platform, e-Tube Project Technology Comprehensively Enhance the Riding Experience. The EP8s smooth power delivery is mirrored by its exceptionally low drag something that is totally noticeable (or rathernot noticeable) around the 25km/h cutoff point. > As in, we totally forgot about it altogether. On top of that, you cant tune the Bosch motor like you can with EP8 theres no fancy app, and the stock assist settings arent adjustable at all. Can I give 100 upvotes please? Estimated range is 5125 feet for EP8 motor with 630wh So these results are shocking so this test needs to be repeated. Easy fix. With the introduction of the new Shimano EP8 platform, the bar has been raised again with significant gains in the areas that matter to e-mountain bikers the most: . What makes me sad is seeing young people hop on the e bike train so that they can go on a longer ride or so that someone who is new to cycling can keep up with their friends who have been riding for years, all to perpetuate needless consumerism and a gross waste of resources. What this article says to me is that ebikes are no where never the level of refinement that I would require to give up a normal bike. If youre sprinting at speed, the Levo feels sticky and lazy in comparison to the drag-free EP8 motor. I don't know anyone that likes a bike that rattles in any way or form. I find the author of this article is overly picky. But please don't anyone kid themselves that it's as much of a work out as an analogue bike, if there was no mechanical advantage over analogue what would be the benefit. 720 WH - 77,7 km 1.681 m elev. Most brains will be capable of doing this, as the noise in question isnt actually signalling a fault with the motor. Can never hear it over the sound of the wind rushing by or the trail / wheels noises. I love the progression of Ebikes! The new EP8 computer display (SC-EM800) shares many external similarities with the SC-E8000 display, but with new features including a more capable chipset, expanded compatibility with third party computers, and the ability to select two different custom ride profiles. This is the new Focus Jam2 and Sam2. Shimano E-Tube technology has undergone a complete overhaul to improve the user experience. Contrast that with the recently released Vitus E-Sommet VRX with EP8, 630Wh battery and similar travel and attitude for 5,199, . FEATURES. It also benefits from a RockShox ZEB Select RC fork paired with a RockShox Super Deluxe Select R shock. Shimano has its own 504Wh and 630Wh units, too. Chainring for E-MTB (12-speed) VIEW PRODUCT. So many issues that can be simply solved by not having a motor. I also got it second hand as I just can't afford new. Durability and ease of maintenence is far more important than power in my world. If possible, repeat this ride on the Eco and Boost modes too. The version I've been riding on was 17,8kg. However the motor operation itself is fabulous, smooth, powerful, feels natural when you ride, you can cover ground like crazy in this thing. If you are disabled and need a motor on your bike in order to ride, I understand. A downside of the 2.2 motor is that it is noticeably draggy above the 25km/h cutoff though something we experienced during back-to-back between the Levo and Canyon Spectral:ON. Aside from the sound of the clutch, everything else in the "CONS" list can be fixed with software updates. Don't worry: "Every time you start your pitchfork, it resets into 'no stab' mode. I run the previous version steps e8000 and I think it's brilliant. Climbs really well and descends like a beast. I rode the engine too, the thing is the engine is super quiet once you charge on the pedals, and you've got that annoying rattling noise as soon as you are on the freewheel and cruising down the trail Shim is working on it from what they said. However, when coasting on rough terrain the unloaded system can exhibit a normal clicking sound that may be detectable to the rider. The complaints of charge bars on the display and the bike starting without any assistance are non issues for me. Power delivery is immediately intuitive thanks to the new MasterMind firmware that Specialized developed specifically for the 2.2 motor, which reduces power spikes from rapid changes in crank speed and pedal pressure. Don't take things too seriously just get out there and enjoy whatever you own and have FUN! In the higher settings, the motor will deliver maximum power without you having to pedal very hard at all. Overall the tuning adjustments are quite noticeable, though wed always recommend only adjusting one parameter at a time to isolate its effect on the trail. I've spent some time on this motor and it's one of the first to feel organic in the way it adjusts to the rider's pedaling. Assistance Character This adjusts the motors support level, which is how easily the motor delivers its power based on your input. Yeah you're right but I feel like the biggest factor is still rider weight. And just read any car review of the blend between regenerative braking and hydraulic, then decide whether you want a computer deciding to regen as you roll off a drop regen braking is pretty much impossible on an ebike as it requires the use of a direct drive motor. system so what I'd like to see is if in a real world ride the increased battery capacity and reduced drag of the EP8 and 630wh battery lead to significantly greater range and vertical climbed. So despite being an engineer the non-linear noisy nature of the reporting makes it very difficult to plan rides and I almost always finish the last few km without assistance for bigger rides. When new the last bar of charge corresponds to roughly 15-20% charge, but over time this becomes 5-10%. The way the 2.2 motor smooths out un-smooth rider input is very impressive, giving it the most natural feel on the trail of any full-power motor weve tested. Three battery options including 900Wh Wheel size: 29" only Travel: 160mm front, 150mm rear 64-degree head angle 78-degree effective seat angle 462mm chainstay Weight: 25.6 kg. Also did some trail work. Wed much rather see battery life displayed as a percentage, and the option to customise the screen. "Unquestionably, Shimano has the cleanest and sleekest display integration on the market". I rode an e bike and suffered a little bit yesterday. This gives a very wide and flexible power band that does well to match what your legs are doing, making this the go-to, set-and-forget mode for proper off-roading. Please, It appears you're using an old version of Internet Explorer which is, the 471.5mm rear centre on the Giant Trance X E+, that achieves the most discreet integration, the MasterMind TCU display on the new Specialized Levo. That rattle would drive me bonkers. Continuing a theme for electric . "- Only five power bars for charge level.". 5Nm doesnt sound like much on paper, but on the trail the Levos 2.2 motor is noticeably musclier than Shimano EP8, particularly at the extreme ends of the cadence spectrum. SM-CRE80. While midly annoying, it only takes a couple button presses to get back to get an 800% stabbing strength increase! Shimano couples this introduction with an updated E-TUBE PROJECT system. The YT Decoy also utilises its own 520Wh battery and the the Orbea Rise is built around a smaller 360Wh battery. Overall it is a very refined system though. You still have the three basic assist modes: Eco, Trail and Boost. Shimano EP8: More power, more range. Shimanos battery flexibility certainly presents a significant advantage over the likes of Bosch, which is much more limited with its battery options. Stab happy!". Shimano STEPS E8000 Continuous power: 250W (500W peak) Torque: 85Nm Weight: 2.6kg (5.72lbs.) But on the premise of further, faster, more fun, that range at full noise is not gonna outdo the range & fun I get outta my bowl of cereal and some old fashion pedal power. So this one article, about this one e-bike, says to you that ALL e-bikes lack refinement and therefore aren't worthy of you gracing them with your holy ass? People know you're not running some old E8000 or E7000 motor. Range will depend on your riding style, ambient temperature and weight. This allows bike companies to engineer a single frame, while offering cheaper models with a 504Wh battery, and high-end models with a 630Wh battery. Rattling and lack of update to the battery monitoring is a no go for me, I would just upgrade the battery to the new 620s if i could fit it. ON CFR with a 720Wh battery is 21.84 kg, 610g lighter than its 630Wh battery-rocking predecessor. At my age 69, if it isn't fun, exciting, and challenging, count me out! Great for climbing, on the descents the weight changes how I ride, not better or worse. ECO mode has also gotten much more economical thanks to the new algorithm as well. This is a Class 1 e-bike motor with a maximum assist level of 20 MPH. From my experience range is determined by climbing and cadence. Too hot to handle even. The updated Trail mode is brilliant, and the option to fine-tune each assist mode is a welcome feature for achieving the desired feel while maximising range. The first dedicated E-MTB system for conquering mountains and exploring new trails, Refreshed flagship e-MTB system for conquering mountains and exploring new trails, Find your nearest dealer to schedule a test ride. 2 bars left on the Shimano display. That would be awesome to do laps on. This is particularly noticeable on traction-poor climbs, even when starting from a standstill. When the motor applies torque it pushes in one direction and closes the gap, when there is no torque the ring can rock a little. SL ebikes such as the Orbea Rise use a 360Wh unit, while Norco's. The belt-driven design is also a touch quieter when pedalling, and theres no clacking noise either. Uh oh, another one E-triggered. Can someone make a bike with 50% - 100% assist?