June 20, 2023 - (Foothill Ranch, Calif.) With the Performance Line SX, Bosch eBike Systems is setting new standards for riding with lightweight eMTBs, Gravel eBikes and Urban eBikes. The new drive unit combines high performance with low weight – making it one of the Bosch drives with the highest power density. These features and the finely tuned support ensure a natural riding sensation and enable athletic eBike riding on the trail and training on gravel, as well as fast rides through the city.
“Now that most types of bicycles have been electrified, the individual categories are becoming even more diverse. With the new Performance Line SX and Performance Line Sprint, we are primarily targeting sporty riders, for whom a low total weight is important for riding fast and experiencing a natural flow,” explains Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems. “Our goal was to maintain the typical Bosch quality, riding performance and reliability and transfer these to light, agile bikes. With the Performance Line SX, state-of-the-art eBike designs and maximum riding fun can be optimally combined.”
New agility in eMTB riding
With a Light eMTB, the combination of frame geometry, weight, motor power and battery capacity essentially determine the ride characteristics. Riders of this type of eMTB benefit from the advantages of the Performance Line SX, especially on trails with frequent technical sections and tight bends. The peak power of up to 600 W that can be generated at high cadence effectively supports eBike riders, for example on steep uphill sections. On flatter terrain or in downhill sections, the drive unit, which weighs only around 4.4 lbs thanks to its lightweight design and magnesium housing, provides the necessary agility and excels thanks to its efficient energy- saving characteristics. It delivers a maximum torque of 55 newton meters and a power-to-weight ratio of up to 300 watts per kilogram. Combined with its sensitive response characteristics, the Performance Line SX enables a very natural riding sensation. When riding with a high pedal power and at a high cadence, riders are rewarded with powerful support. This is supplemented by the perfectly tuned, dynamic-progressive Tour+ and eMTB riding modes, which can be customized using the eBike Flow app.
The energy for trail adventures is provided by the new CompactTube 400 battery, which is also optimally adapted to the Performance Line SX and Performance Line Sprint. As one of the lightest batteries in the Bosch eBike portfolio that can be integrated into the frame down tube, it also features the highest energy density thanks to innovative cell technology. Weighing only around 4.4 lbs, it has a capacity of 400 watt-hours – more than sufficient for sporty, ambitious riders who put more power into the pedals. When additional battery power is needed on intense trails, the new PowerMore 250 range extender (approx. 3.5 lbs, 250 watt-hours), which is only the size of a water bottle, increases the range by more than 60 percent in conjunction with the CompactTube 400.
Carefree and dynamic riding with the Gravel eBike
Those who love beautiful forest paths or like to ride an extra mile after a day at the office and place particular value on their fitness, can now have a training partner that is precisely tailored to their Gravel eBike in the form of the Performance Line SX (Class 1 / Up to 20 mph) or Performance Line Sprint (Class 3 / Up to 28mph / US & New Zealand only). These drive units support riders when riding at a high cadence on gravel and asphalt. The feel is as natural as of a conventional Gravel Bike – with the addition of an extra fun factor. Even above 20 mph, eBikes equipped with the Performance Line Sprint are particularly smooth and easy to ride: the pedal resistance has been reduced by more than 50% compared to other Bosch drive units and is therefore barely noticeable.
To match the new drive units, Bosch eBike Systems has developed the progressive Sprint riding mode, which is shown as “SPRINT” in the display. This helps Gravel eBike riders to quickly reach and maintain a high speed. On high-cadence sections, the new riding mode supports them according to their own power: the faster the rider pedals, the higher the level of support.
Also new and optimally adapted to Gravel eBikes is the small Mini Remote Dropbar control unit, which can be mounted onto dropbar handlebars (1.25 inch diameter), to the left of the stem. In conjunction with the System Controller and the CompactTube 400, the lightweight components reduce the weight of the entire system to only around 8.8 lbs to create the best possible conditions for success. As a suitable display for showing the riding and performance data, we recommend the Kiox 300.
Get from A to B quickly, elegantly and easily with the Urban eBike
Whether commuting to the office or riding to the café: As a drive for modern Urban eBikes, the Performance Line SX (or Performance Line Sprint) helps its users to progress dynamically and efficiently in traffic – naturally and with the agility of a conventional bike, but with powerful support as soon as higher speeds are required to keep up with traffic. This makes rapid acceleration effortless – and not only at traffic lights. It interacts perfectly with the CompactTube 400 and the Mini Remote and System Controller operating and control units. This enables a low total weight of the eBike – an advantage when users have to carry the bike up or down stairs. With its low volume, the drive unit fits seamlessly into the sleek look of modern Urban eBikes. Moreover, thanks to the narrow crankset, it’s barely noticeable in the bottom bracket area.
Technical refinements for a particularly natural riding sensation
In addition to the specific advantages of the Performance Line SX and Performance Line Sprint for Light eMTBs, Gravel eBikes and Urban eBikes, the new drive units deliver further optimizations across all areas of application. These include, for example, the innovative, very low-noise motor and gearbox concept. Thanks to a new sealing concept and narrow cranks (Q factor: 6.3 in), the pedal resistance is barely noticeable, making the eBike experience even more pleasant.
The first models with the Performance Line SX are expected to be available on the market from winter 2023.
Bosch eBike Systems expands smart system portfolio
Lighter and quieter drives, fully networked color displays, slimmer batteries – these are just some of the numerous product innovations that Bosch eBike Systems is presenting for eBikes with the smart system. In model year 2024, the company is expanding the modular portfolio of the smart system while also further expanding its digital capabilities. Whether in the city or country, with its new products and digital features, Bosch enables eBike riders to enjoy maximum flow in all riding situations.
“The smart system represents the digital future of eBiking. With it, the physical and digital eBike experience merge. In order to inspire eBike riders again and again, we are continuously expanding the smart system with new hardware and digital features,” explains Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems. “In the coming year, we have matching product innovations for minimalist Gravel eBikes, stylish Urban eBikes and lightweight eMTBs – ensuring even more comfort and long-lasting riding fun.”\
New lightweight eBiking
Lightweight eBikes are in vogue: On the trail or for fast laps, they enable better handling and even greater agility. They excel in the city with their sleek look and have the added benefit of being easy to carry into the basement or apartment. The new Performance Line SX and Performance Line Sprint offer rider speeds up to 20 mph and 28 mph (respectively) and 55 Nm torque at very low pedal resistance. The drive units have been specially developed for light eMTB, Gravel and Urban eBikes. It combines high performance with low weight – making it the Bosch drive with the highest power density. With its particularly quiet and natural support, the Performance Line SX and Performance Line Sprint combine the riding sensation of a conventional bicycle with the advantages of an eBike. In conjunction with the new Sprint riding mode, it is equally suitable for sporty rides and for speedy travel in urban areas. The necessary energy is provided by the new CompactTube 400 battery, which is optimally adapted to the Performance Line SX and Sprint. Those who have longer distances to cover can increase their range by a further 60 percent with the PowerMore 250 range extender. Together with the Performance Line SX or Sprint, CompactTube 400, System Controller and Mini Remote (Dropbar), the entire drive system weighs only around 8.8 lbs.
Active Line drives of the smart system enhance riding comfort
The Active Line and Active Line Plus drive units will also be available in the smart system for City and Touring eBikes from summer 2023. As the quietest drives in the Bosch eBike Systems portfolio, they are ideal for leisurely rides. Thanks to the sensitive sensor concept, the new drive units are highly responsive to riding behavior, ensuring a smooth start. While the Active Line is suitable for city trips, the more powerful Active Line Plus is also recommended for lengthy rides beyond the city limits.
Simple and comfortable gear changes with eShift
Riding comfort is also enhanced by the electric eShift gear shifting solution, which will also be available for eBikes with the smart system and hub gear systems from fall 2023. It makes changing gears easier and more comfortable: eBike riders can simply pedal and select the desired gear. The smart system ensures optimal gear shifting at all times. For the smart system, eShift will initially be available with the Rohloff, 3×3 and Enviolo shifting systems.
Lightweight batteries, high flexibility
Whether for recreational use, commuting to the office or on long rides: With the new batteries for the smart system, eBike riders will find the right battery for every requirement. The new CompactTube 400, which has been optimally designed for lightweight eBikes, weighs only about 4.4 lbs. Delivering 400 watt-hours, it provides enough energy for trail rides, training or city trips with the new Performance Line SX. When eBike riders are planning a longer ride, the PowerMore 250 range extender increases the range by 250 watt-hours. It is about the same size as a water bottle and in most cases can be retrofitted to the frame by a dealer. Other additions are the new PowerPack 400 Frame as the smallest and lightest frame battery from Bosch eBike Systems (400 watt-hours, approx. 4.9 lbs) and the PowerPack 400 Rack and PowerPack 500 Rack rack batteries (400 and 500 watt-hours respectively). The latter impresses with improved theft protection and a slimmer design, making it particularly suitable for City eBike rides.
In future, all batteries in the smart system will become DualBattery-capable: This means that batteries can be combined with each other to achieve even greater ranges for transporting heavy loads, long commutes or extensive rides. For eBike riders, this means greater flexibility – whether they need additional energy or prefer to keep down the weight of their eBike, they decide according to their individual needs.
A new compact charger is the 2A Charger. Around 25 percent lighter and 40 percent smaller than the 4A Charger, it can be comfortably carried and easily stowed away on lengthy rides as well as on the way to work.
Connected control units and displays that leave nothing to be desired
With the Purion 200, Bosch presents a compact control unit that also functions as a color display. Thanks to the high resolution and integrated ambient light sensor, important information such as the exact battery charge percentage, riding mode, time and total distance can be optimally read when riding – even in changing light conditions. Another advantage: Purion 200 can be combined with a second display if required. For example, eBike riders can have their cadence or speed displayed on the Purion 200, while the navigation screen is shown on the second display – e.g. the Kiox 300 or the smartphone on the SmartphoneGrip. Together with the ergonomic operation of the buttons, this provides even greater comfort and flexibility on lengthy treks or rides in the city.
Another new addition to the display family is the Kiox 500. With a 2.8-inch (diagonal) screen, the color display is about 40 percent larger than the Kiox 300. Thanks to its large display, the Kiox 500 can be read safely and quickly, even under demanding conditions. A particularly practical feature is the acoustic cues that signal to users during navigation if they deviate from the planned route or when they arrive at their destination. In future, eBike riders will be able to customize the display on the Kiox 500, and also on the Kiox 300, via the eBike Flow app and therefore determine the order and content of the screens.
In addition, Bosch eBike Systems presents some digital features for the 2024 model year that make eBiking even safer and more customizable – see below.
Product availability – from summer 2023:
– Performance Line SX (Class 1 / Up to 20mph)
– Performance Line Sprint (Class 3 / Up to 28 mph / US and New Zealand Only)
– Sprint mode
– Active Line
– Active Line Plss
– CompactTube 400
– Purion 200
– Kiox 500
– Individually customizable display on the Kiox 300 and Kiox 500
– 2A Charger
From fall 2023:
– PowerMore 250
– PowerPack 400 Frame
– PowerPack 400 Rack
– PowerPack 500 Rack
– Mini Remote Dropbar
– eShift for hub gear systems
– DualBattery function with selected batteries of the smart system
Bosch eBike Systems drives forward the digital future of eBiking
eBiking has long been much more than electric assisted cycling. The increased connectivity of central components with digital features gives eBike riders the opportunity to adapt the eBike experience to their personal needs. Bosch eBike Systems is driving this development forward, and is presenting numerous connectivity features for the 2024 model year to individualize the riding experience.
“Connected Biking plays a key role in the future of the eBike,” explains Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems. “More comfort, more safety, and more customizable features: With the digital solutions for the 2024 model year, we offer eBike riders new possibilities to expand their riding experience on the eBike – through simple interaction within the eBike Flow app.
For extra connectivity and security: new premium subscription Flow+
In order to offer eBike riders even more safety, Bosch eBike Systems is introducing the Flow+ premium subscription with the 2024 model year. Initially, this includes the premium service eBike Alarm. To use this service, the eBike Lock feature must be activated in the eBike Flow app, and the ConnectModule must be installed on the eBike. The Premium subscription will be expanded in the future to include further additional services and functions. Users can activate Flow+ in the app or Play Store. They can opt for either a monthly subscription ($4.99 US) or an annual subscription ($39.99 US). The first twelve months are free of charge. The premium subscription can be canceled at any time before it is automatically renewed 24 hours before the end of the payment period. If canceled, it will remain active until the end of the current payment period. The Flow+ premium subscription will be available with one of the upcoming updates in summer 2023.
Thanks to the customized display screen, from model year 2024, the Kiox 300 and Kiox 500 displays can be customized in the eBike Flow app. eBike riders will be able to select the content, and order of the display screens. Up to three tiles can be created on one screen at the same time. Athletic eBike riders can have their cadence, average, and maximum speed displayed, while touring riders can select information such as distance, gradient, and range. Another new feature is selecting the distance metrics: It can now be changed manually from kilometers to miles and vice versa.
In the eBike Flow app, users also have the option of adjusting riding modes to suit their riding style – now also available for the Sprint riding mode in the Performance Line SX or Performance Line Sprint drive unit. Within the given framework, you can decide which support and dynamics are required, as well as the maximum torque and speed for the eBike.
Increase fitness with the eBike, and rename rides according to your preferences.
More and more athletes are discovering the eBike as a training partner. They can take advantage of features such as customizable riding modes, or analyze their riding and training data. With the 2024 model year, the eBike Flow app provides you with further training-relevant information. For example, eBike riders can now also display the calories burned in the ‘statistics’ area of the app. This value complements the performance measurement data and helps ambitious eBike riders to optimize their rides, and further improve their fitness level.
Bosch also offers the following additional function: Android smartphone users can rename their rides saved in the app. This way, they can be described as you like and – depending on your experience and personal taste – marked with emojis.
Read more here.
