Advanced drive platform tackles mountain bike makers
Shimano couples introduction of its first mountain bike drive with an updated E-Tube Project software. The revamped E app provides new customization options in a user-friendly layout that’s easy to access for quick and easy changes. The E-Tune Ride app, which turns a smart phone into a cycling computer, provides expanded information and adds ride recording and mapping features. Next generation e-tube wires have increased speed and bandwidth in a smaller and lighter package.
EP8 delivers up to 85 Nm of torque, a 21-percent increase over the STEPS E8000 motor platform. The magnesium drive unit casing design delivers a 300g weight loss in a 10-percent smaller form factor. The EP8 drive unit shape more smoothly integrates with new e-bike frames for improved ground clearance and a more compact overall package.
Heat dissipating materials, increased surface area in the case, and a refined heat management algorithm improve heat resistance, allowing more torque to be applied even as the conditions become more challenging. Thanks to a new seal structure and gear design, drag is reduced by 36 %, getting closer to the normal pedaling feeling of a traditional bike.
The new EP8 computer display (SC-EM800) comes with new features including a more powerful chipset, expanded compatibility with third party computers, and the ability to select two different custom ride profiles.
The computer communicates wirelessly with Shimano’s E-Tube Project app via Bluetooth, allowing riders to customize power characteristics on demand. The SC-EM800 can also communicate with third party cycle computers through the ANT wireless protocol to display more detailed battery capacity and power output info in addition to ride mode, speed, gear position, range and odometer.
New batteries recently released by Shimano are available for EP8, including two 630Wh battery options, the external BT-E8016 and internal BT-E8036 battery. Like their predecessors, all Shimano STEPS batteries are taking up to 1000 full charge cycles while maintaining 60 % of their original capacity, double the charge cycle capacity of other batteries, Shimano claims.
The company also developed suitable algorithms to provide maximum control to the user. Instead of a single assist ratio for each riding mode, the new algorithm constantly calculates the ideal assist ratio for the situation. This concept improves the ride quality in all situations, eliminating the lurch forward and wasted energy as the bike accelerates while also continuing to provide additional assistance when the trail gets tougher and the rider works harder.
With all 85 Nm of torque being available in TRAIL mode and the algorithm continually increasing the assist ratio, it’s possible to ride all terrain without changing modes. At the same time Shimano promises a more economic way to spend the battery’s energy, which translates into a range increase.
More information: https://www.shimano.com/en/
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