E-drives: Motors for road bikes and gravel bikes at a glance
The drive unit has a decisive influence on the characteristics and performance of a bike and can vary greatly. We provide an overview of the renowned manufacturers and their motors for road and gravel.
Bosch Performance Line SX | 600 watts/55 newton metres
The most powerful of the so-called light engines: the performance data of the market leader is not just a force to be reckoned with on paper. In turbo mode, hardly any power is required, even on steep climbs. Together with the large 400 Wh battery, even the longest tours are possible. There are also many accessories such as a handlebar remote and computer as well as a close-knit service network. The disadvantages are a clearly audible riding noise and the rather high weight: you have to reckon with at least 13 kilograms for the complete bike.
- Bulls
- Cannondale
- Canyon
- Corratec
- Cube
- KTM
Mahle X20 | 250 watts/23 newton metres
The X35 rear-wheel motor developed in Spain has characterised the market for electrified racing bikes for years. The newer X20 (pictured) is smaller and lighter. It offers sufficient torque for gravel use, which should be on a par with the leading mid-mounted motors. Wheel weights of eleven kilograms are possible. Three support levels, a fourth can be programmed via app. The slim battery (usually 242 Wh) is not enough for long mountain tours.
Brands:
- Bianchi
- Merida
- Orbea
- Rose
- Storck
- Simplon
Giant Syncdrive Move + | 250 watts/30 newton metres
The hub motor from Giant was developed in cooperation with Panasonic. The machine is said to weigh 1.7 kilograms, but the Defy E+ models are mainly heavy due to the large 400 Wh battery, which promises a long range. Sensors are used to adapt the assistance to the riding style. The motor delivers its maximum torque at higher speeds, but shows weaknesses on very steep and correspondingly slow climbs. Giant uses other motors on other bikes: The Revolt E+ gravel bike, for example, has a mid-motor.
TQ HPR 60 350 | Watt/60 Newton metres
The company from Seefeld near Munich achieved a breakthrough on the bike market with the HPR 50 bottom bracket motor: small, light and powerful, yet extremely quiet and with a natural riding feel. The brand new HPR 60 is not yet installed in many bikes, it offers slightly more power and torque and is less susceptible to heat. Usually combined with a 320Wh battery as a good compromise between weight and range.
Brands:
- BMC
- Scott
- Trek
TQ HPR 40 | 200 watts/40 newton metres
With the HPR 40, the Bavarian motor specialist is launching a kind of mini version, especially for racing bikes and gravel bikes. This makes complete bikes under 10 kilograms possible, as Canyon shows with the ENdurace:OnFLY. The motor is around 800 grams lighter and is said to be even quieter and have less resistance than the HPR 50 and the new HPR 60, but there is less power: the HPR 40 provides support at a maximum of 100 per cent, which means that the legs also have to give a good push, and its maximum output is "only" 200 watts. The battery is also slightly smaller, but with 290 Wh, the moderate power should provide a good range.
Brands:
- Canyon
- Ridley
Specialized SL 1.2 | 320 watts/50 newton metres
When Specialized presented the current generation of the Turbo Creo two years ago, the US brand also launched a new mid-motor. The Specialized 1.2 SL can also be found in mountain and trekking bikes from the Californians, but not on third-party manufacturers. Its strengths are the very harmonious ride feel and the low noise level, and unlike many others, overheating problems on long, steep climbs are not an issue. The 320 Wh battery is mid-range for gravel bikes.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
