October 10, 2020 - Shimano recently unveiled STEPS EP8, its most advanced e-bike drive system designed for mountain bikes. The new EP8 claims an increased power-to-weight ratio and more natural power delivery thanks to a lighter, quieter, more compact and powerful motor with increased range.

The hefty 85Nm of torque represents a 21% increase over its E8000 predecessor. The new magnesium drive unit casing design sees a 300g weight loss and a 10% more compact package, which better integrates with new e-bike frames for improved ground clearance.

New features on the EP8 computer display (SC-EM800) include a more capable chipset, expanded compatibility with third-party computers, and the ability to select two different custom ride profiles. The display communicates wirelessly with Shimano’s E-Tube Project app via Bluetooth, allowing riders to customize power characteristics on demand, while ANT wireless protocol facilitates communication with third-party cycle computers.

Reliable and long-lasting batteries recently released by Shimano are available for EP8, including two 630Wh battery options, the external BT-E8016 and the internal BT-E8036.

Shimano’s new assist algorithm claims to be a ride-changing breakthrough. Instead of a single assist ratio for each riding mode, the new algorithm constantly calculates the ideal assist ratio for each situation to improve the overall ride quality. The update allows the rider to feel more connected to the trail, as the EP8 drive unit matches their intuitive power application instantly and seamlessly, allowing for better traction and effortless steering.

The enhanced E-Tube Project app allows riders to customize multiple settings. The EP8’s Boost, Trail and Eco modes can be customized with ten different assist curves to control how fast the power ramps up. In addition, the maximum torque limit can be set along with five levels of startup assistance, allowing for easy city-riding starts or powerful steep mountain
bike trail starts. Rider-specific settings can be saved with the ability to load two profiles, i.e. commuting mode and mountain-biking mode, with easy transition between the two.

The updated app also allows riders to monitor all key riding information on their smartphone in real-time display. The screen display shows detailed riding metrics as well as new functions including ride history, live maps, user-friendly graphical updates and maintenance reminders. Learn more here.