The Norco Fluid VLT C1 options Bosch’s much-coveted Efficiency Line SX motor, which produces 250W nominally, 600W at max, and gives as much as 55Nm of torque. That is arguably some of the subtle motors being spec’d on eMTBs.
Powering the Efficiency Line SX is Bosch’s CompactTube 400, a 400Wh inside battery. Riders in search of extra vary than that battery can present (we’ll get to its vary quickly sufficient) can add Bosch’s PowerMore 250, which is a range-extending battery with a capability of 250Wh.
Whereas the Bosch Efficiency Line SX motor is aggressive towards something available on the market (actually, it’s superior to most of what’s available on the market), it’s in contrast most frequently to Bosch’s Efficiency Line CX motor, which is the motor utilized in quite a few high-end eMTBs.
The distinction between the 2 motors comes down to 2 figures: torque and weight. The place the Bosch Efficiency Line SX produces 55Nm of torque and weighs 2kg (4.4 lbs.), the Efficiency Line CX produces 85Nm of torque and weighs 2.9kg (6.4 lbs.).
Once we discuss a motor’s energy, we frequently solely discuss three information factors: nominal wattage, max wattage, and max torque. Each bit as vital, although, is a motor’s power-to-weight ratio, often expressed as watts per kilogram. With the Bosch Efficiency Line SX motor, its power-to-weight ratio is 300W/kg (136W/lb.). That’s a stellar quantity.
Let’s examine that to the Efficiency Line CX motor, which produces 206W/kg. So, whereas the Efficiency Line CX produces extra torque, the Efficiency Line SX has the next power-to-weight ratio, making it completely aggressive towards the Efficiency Line CX.
For these of us who got here up using mountain bikes that weighed lower than 30 lbs. (from time to time lower than 20 lbs.), the Efficiency Line SX motor is a key function in with the ability to dial eMTB weight down from between 50-ish lbs. to lower than 40 lbs. This leads to an eMTB that feels extra like a non-motorized mountain bike.
On many e-bikes, a 400Wh battery, such because the Bosch CompactTube 400, would trigger some head-scratching as a result of it merely wouldn’t supply a lot vary. On a light-weight eMTB with a mid-drive motor, although, 400Wh compares favorably to what we might count on to see with an e-bike with a hub motor and a a lot bigger battery.
