There is life beyond the Bosch motors and bikes: Yamaha, Brose, Shimano, Bafang...
Indeed, there is much life beyond the Bosch engines. The market for ebikes just born, and both importers and users (and even some manufacturers who are to join this emerging market!) Still go very fish about what virtues must have a motor for electric bike or on different alternatives on the market. So Bosch, with its undeniable advantages, has become, for many, the parent engine.
Unlike the wheel motors, electric motors provide central sensations similar to those of pedaling a normal bicycle. Of course, the rider feels he has a supernatural strength and overcoming steep slopes is discovered at a pace that could have ever imagined.
Consider, then, major central Ebikes engines that today we can find.
Bosch
They are those who have been hit first and hit very hard. The German multinational decided in 2010 by the central engine, developed its own system and whether or not fair, have become the great masters of high-end engines. For the average user, it is the parent engine.
Bosch offers three engines. The Active is designed to ride bikes, trekking and MTB relaxed. It offers little torque (48 Nm) but in return you get some autonomy that far exceed 100 kilometers. Performance (60 Nm) engine was, until 2015, the top model from Bosch. Her huge pair allowed the rider exceptional gradeability a breeze.
2016 CX Bosch has released the motor (75 Nm), which equates it with the awesome power of the Yamaha Motor group, and long battery life (500Wh).
Some models are available with screen Nyon, offering the ability to view messages and phone calls, GPS routes follow, control heart rhythm ...
Disadvantages: Price, noisy, does not support deflector plate
Advantages: wide range of motors and batteries, reliability, good service (though slower)
Yamaha
The Japanese automaker has extensive experience in the manufacture of engines for urban electric bikes to the Japanese market. In 2015 he broke into the European market Haibike hand and with a single engine characteristics closely resembling Bosch. The main differences were more torque (70 Nm), a range somewhat lower, a substantially lower price and the ability to mount up to three dishes, one advantage to take into account if one day we ran out of battery in the mountains and we to go home pushing the donkey.
The engine is somewhat smaller and lighter than the Bosch, even when the battery is slightly heavier, so that the final weight is almost identical. On paper, the two engines have similar features, although the Japanese field is faster and strong reactions.
In 2016, also Lapierre and Giant have opted for Yamaha engines.
Disadvantages: large magazine does not offer the ability to upgrade the software via USB
Advantages: price, possibility of mounting two plates
Brose
The small German manufacturer Brose surprised in late 2015 with a small, quiet motor and a huge power (peak torque of 90Nm) that left far behind both Bosch as a Yamaha. The Brose engine is distinguished by its low noise level and its incredible smoothness. When we change gears, power fall just penalizing bikes equipped with Bosch shows.
Brose is chosen by the US giant Specialized to equip its sophisticated and inviting Levo Turbo option on his return, it seems definitive, the segment of the electric mountain bike.
But the group is also chosen by BH, Bulls, or Fantic Rothwild for its high-end MTB. And also for specialized brands and trekking bikes ride as French Neomouv, with a less powerful option Brose.
Disadvantages: price
Advantages: two plates, lightweight, powerful, several engine options and battery
Shimano
Since 2014 Shimano has a small, reliable and economical engine compared to Bosch or Yamaha. The system has been dubbed Steps and is not recommended for mountain biking. Instead, it is one of the most recommended for those who practice a leisurely mountain bike without large accumulated altitude as well as trekking bikes and ride options.
The engine is very light but with modest 50Nm, does not offer the bestial pair found in Yamaha or Bosch. In return we have an engine that give you pleasure and a great autonomy.
The Japanese engineers have done a great job with the integration of the Steps system with automatic transmission and electronic Di2, Shimano also.
We found it in the new range of electric bikes Orbea, with the Basque manufacturer returns to a segment that had done some foreplay. Now go back through the front door, with 24 models of MTB, trekking and city. Steps Shimano also found in the Head, KTM, Hercules or Raleigh brands.
The next output versions suitable for mountain bike rumored authentic.
Disadvantages: underpowered
Advantages: changing dish, great autonomy, silent, smooth operation, integration with the Shimano Di2
Panasonic
It was the first major brand to bet, twenty years ago by the central engine. Panasonic created a powertrain with no pretensions torque sensor to help the pedaling. The first engines were operating at 26 volts, which were not very powerful, but years later they released 36 versions that were matched with those of competitors. Unfortunately, the Japanese brand has not kept up with the evolution of its propellers, and some rode the brands that have moved away from their catalogs.
However, the Panasonic engine remains one of the most reliable in the world. And its batteries, the most lasting. Guaranteed reliability.
Disadvantages: development stalled
Advantages: reliability, quality batteries
Bafang
And we end up with a Chinese engine, but Chinese will not talk unless the coming months. We refer to the core engine created by the Asian giant Bafang, better known in Europe as 8FUN and supplier of countless brands of electric bikes. It is an engine that after trying it and failing to meet its reliability, has nothing to envy to the best engines that appear in this comparison. It delivers an impressive 80 Nm of torque, and once you get on a bike equipped with central motor Bafang, are noticed. And boy noticed. We had the opportunity to try on a test track that was installed in Unibike. In the only ramp that was, we stop half way up almost to stand still, and the slightest hint on the pedals, the bike reacted strongly to take us to the top.
Again, we have to see the engine reliability in the long term, but knowing the good results that give Bafang hub engines, will intuit that few problems.
Disadvantages: no bike rides by now in our market
Advantages: power, money
