Bosch Efficiency Line CX Gen 5: Market chief or robust competitor? With the brand new Efficiency Line CX Gen 5 drive, Bosch need to safe their place on the high. The brand new motor nonetheless options the identical 85 Nm of torque and finely-tuned eMTB mode, which delivers that legendary uphill circulate. Nevertheless, how does the CX Gen 5 evaluate to its predecessor, the CX Gen 4, and may it retain its place on the high?
This evaluation varieties a part of our massive ebike motor comparability check. Right here you’ll discover an summary of all 15 motors in evaluation, together with plenty of thrilling background data, and useful shopping for recommendation in your subsequent buy!
For years, Bosch have been the {industry} chief within the e-motor section, and are nonetheless extensively appreciated for his or her in depth service community and years of expertise. Nevertheless, occasions are altering, and new motor producers enter the market with modern expertise, difficult Bosch’s dominant place.
Not backing down, Bosch reply with the brand new Efficiency Line CX Gen 5 flagship mannequin. The earlier CX Gen 4 motor was a preferred alternative amongst bike producers and used profusely for eMTBs, trekking bikes, and E-SUVs. In our massive E-MTB comparability check, practically 44% of the check area relied on a Bosch motor, underlining the model’s dominance. For severe racers, Bosch supply the Efficiency Line CX Race drive, which delivers a whopping 400% help through a software program tweak – unleashing its energy even sooner than the CX, which presents as much as 340% help. Nevertheless, it’s but unclear whether or not Bosch will even launch a Race model of the Gen 5 Line CX. For riders specializing in a lightweight system weight, Bosch supply the SX motor, which delivers much less torque and can also be barely extra compact.
Bosch’s success isn’t primarily based solely on motor efficiency; it’s additionally about their holistic method. Their cohesive system of motors, batteries, shows, and remotes is supported by a dense service community. In over 100 nations, licensed sellers guarantee riders can entry Bosch service worldwide. Notably, Bosch use a closed system, that means that third-party batteries aren’t suitable.
The Bosch Efficiency Line CX Gen 5 intimately – The all-around eMTB answer?
Redesigned from the bottom up with thrilling new options, the Bosch Efficiency Line CX Gen 5 nonetheless delivers 85 Nm of torque, 600-watt peak energy, and as much as 340% help. Probably the most hanging upgrades are the less mounting factors, which have been decreased from three to 2, and the extra compact housing, which each permit to cut back weight by 100g and provides engineers extra freedom with body designs. Weighing in at 2.8 kg, the CX Gen 5 sits in the midst of the check area by way of weight, proper subsequent to the Shimano’s EP801 and Panasonic’s GX Final.
The Bosch Drive Unit attracts its energy from both a 600Wh or 800Wh battery, each of that are seamlessly built-in into the downtube. In contrast to Shimano, which permit bike producers to make use of third-party batteries, Bosch are strict about their battery choices, that are normally decided by the bike producers, with restricted decisions for shoppers. The Bosch 800 Wh PowerTube weighs round 3.9 kg and has the best power density in Bosch’s portfolio at 205 Wh/kg, securing a high spot for density. Different programs, like DJI’s drive, have batteries with even larger power densities. The 600Wh Bosch battery, which is sort of 900g lighter than its 800 Wh counterpart at 3.0 kg, makes use of 2170 cells that guarantee elevated energy and power storage. Each PowerTube batteries can be utilized with DualBattery programs, which let you use two batteries or a major battery and the 250-Wh PowerMore Vary Extender. The Bosch Vary Extender mounts to the downtube and presents a big benefit: it attracts energy evenly from each the primary battery and the extender, not like different programs like Shimano’s EP801, which depletes the primary battery first earlier than tapping the extender. This even energy distribution reduces thermal load and stabilizes temperatures, extending the lifespan of each batteries.
The PowerTube 800 and PowerTube 600 share the identical size, making it simpler for bike producers to combine the each in the identical bike. The one distinction is in thickness, that means that each one it takes to swap between the 2 batteries is both a particular battery cowl or a thicker downtube.
Utilizing the usual 4A charger, the massive battery will be charged to about 50% in round 2.6 hours. Funds fashions include a slower 2A charger, which delivers much less energy and takes greater than twice as lengthy to succeed in 50% capability. The sooner 4A charger is on the market for buy in Bosch’s on-line store for € 129.
The Bosch motor system will be paired with completely different controllers, which the bike producer can select flexibly primarily based on meant use or their choice, supplied they’re suitable with Bosch’s Good System. The wi-fi Bosch Mini Distant is a well-liked alternative for sportier eMTBs, permitting riders to regulate help ranges with plus and minus buttons, in addition to activate features like stroll help, Hill Maintain, and the brand new Hill-Begin perform (extra on that later). Moreover, the built-in System Controller within the high tube doubles as an influence change and shows the help ranges in 4 increments. These are displayed in several colours that supply good readability even in direct daylight. Bosch additionally supply different controllers, such because the LED Distant and the Purion 200, that are barely bulkier but persistently high-quality and straightforward to make use of.
There are a number of shows to select from, together with the Kiox 300, Kiox 500, and Intuvia 100. For sporty riders, the newly launched, compact 1.6″ Purion 400 show gives quick access to journey knowledge like pace, battery degree, and distance. Those that need to improve their e-bike with a brand new controller or show can select from fashions just like the LED Distant, Kiox 300, Kiox 500, or the SmartphoneGrip (a smartphone holder). These will be put in by the consumer and configured by the eBike Stream app or by a certified Bosch vendor.
The Kiox fashions additionally characteristic a fundamental navigation perform, which will be loaded with routes through the free eBike Stream app and analyzed post-ride. Moreover, the app presents sensible options reminiscent of eBike Lock to safe the drive unit and eBike Alarm for theft safety. The latter requires the Join Module and a Stream+ subscription, which prices roughly € 40 per yr or round €5 per thirty days after a free 12-month trial.
One very sensible characteristic is the eBike Stream app, which lets you customise the help modes, together with most torque, response dynamics, and varied show settings. In comparison with different programs from Shimano and Specialised, Bosch supply broad customization choices, though these lack the finer changes of Specialised’s Mission Management app, which permits energy micro-adjustments in 10% increments. Shimano’s E-TUBE app additionally gives a spread of customization choices and permits for 2 completely different driving profiles. Nevertheless, Bosch’s eBike Stream app nonetheless presents in depth customization choices, permitting you to fine-tune the motor’s response to fit your wants and completely different terrains. Moreover, Bosch’s system is suitable with different merchandise just like the new ABS Professional and Bosch eShift automated drivetrain, though these have to be put in upfront by the bike producer and will not be accessible for aftermarket set up.
Bosch Efficiency Line CX Gen 5 in motion
The Bosch Efficiency Line CX Gen 5 has 4 help modes, ECO, Tour+, eMTB, and Turbo. The ECO mode saves battery on lengthy rides, whereas Tour+ and eMTB present dynamic help, mechanically adjusting to pedal enter. Tour+ presents smoother help from 140% to 270%, which is the perfect match for lengthy hearth street climbs and mild trails, whereas eMTB delivers 140% to 340% help for steep technical climbs.
Because of the Prolonged Increase characteristic, the motor responds exactly to pedal enter in eMTB mode, making it simpler to barter obstacles like roots and rocks: mild pedaling prompts measured help, whereas stronger enter triggers a robust but controllable increase. Turbo mode maximizes energy with 340% help, albeit at the price of battery life.
On flat tarmac roads and gravel paths, the Bosch Efficiency Line CX Gen 5 rapidly will get you in control earlier than slicing out on the 25 km/h restrict. Nevertheless, the help fades out gently slightly than stopping abruptly. Whereas the motor accelerates powerfully at decrease speeds, it reaches a efficiency plateau comparatively quickly. In distinction, the DJI Avinox ramps up its mechanical energy to 750 watts, whereas the Bosch CX’s energy curve flattens out simply above 500 watts. This distinction is noticeable within the lab and, in follow, ends in weaker help at larger speeds.
Bosch’s focus is on a pure journey feeling, which the German motor producer promotes with the “Uphill Stream” slogan. The Bosch Efficiency Line CX Gen 5 certainly works harmoniously uphill, offering highly effective help whereas on the identical time adapting to your driving fashion very intuitively.
In difficult climbing sections, nevertheless, it has a transparent limitation in comparison with the DJI Avinox: whereas the DJI permits a wider cadence vary inside a gear, the Efficiency Line CX requires you to take care of a cadence between 70 and 90 rpm for full help. This may be difficult in steep, technical sections, typically requiring gear shifts to get the help you want. Right here, the DJI Avinox exhibits its superiority by offering regular help even at suboptimal cadence.
Nonetheless, Bosch launched helpful new options that make a optimistic impression on the path. For instance, whereas the GIANT SyncDrive Pro2 motor can interact abruptly in energy mode when setting off, Bosch’s new Hill-Begin perform ensures easy and managed begins on steep gradients. The walk-assist characteristic additionally makes it simpler to push the bike up steep inclines, whereas the Hill-Maintain perform prevents the bike from rolling backwards.
The brand new Bosch CX’s additionally impresses by way of noise: even at excessive cadences, the motor hums discreetly within the background, and is sort of utterly silent within the weaker modes– much like the DJI Avinox and Shimano EP801. Bosch additionally improved the motor’s noise ranges when driving downhill: the distinct metallic clunking noise of the Bosch CX Gen 4 – which can also be a problem with the present Shimano EP801 drive – is lastly gone, considerably enhancing the general driving expertise. Bosch achieved this by separating the interior and exterior drivetrains, making the motor considerably quieter even on tough trails. Good!
Conclusions concerning the Bosch Efficiency Line CX Gen 5
The Bosch Efficiency Line CX Gen 5 is a profitable evolution of the CX Gen 4, with focused enhancements addressing earlier shortcomings. Whereas the suboptimal gearing causes it tostruggle on steep technical climbs, the Bosch Efficiency CX stays a robust and dependable motor that gives glorious help. Because of the numerous customisation choices of the Good System and Bosch’s industry-leading international service community, the CX Gen 5 is our high suggestion for a lot of eMTB riders.
Tops
- Quiet on descents
- Highly effective help
- Delicate response in eMTB mode
- Dense service community
Flops
- Loses efficiency at suboptimal cadences on technical climbs
For extra data go to bosch-ebike.com
The check area
For an summary of our massive ebike motor comparability check click on right here
All ebike motors in check: Bosch Efficiency Line CX Gen 5 | Bosch Efficiency Line CX (Click on for evaluation) | Bosch Efficiency Line CX Race (Click on for evaluation) | Bosch Efficiency Line SX (Click on for evaluation) | Brose Drive S Magazine (Click on for evaluation) | DJI Avinox (Click on for evaluation) | FAZUA Journey 60 (Click on for evaluation) | GIANT SyncDrive Pro2 (Click on for evaluation) | Panasonic GX Final (Click on for evaluation) | Pinion MGU E1.12 (Click on for evaluation) | Shimano EP801 (Click on for evaluation) | Specialised SL 1.2 (Click on for evaluation) | Specialised 2.2 (Click on for evaluation) | TQ HPR 50 (Click on for evaluation) | Yamaha PW-X3 (Click on for evaluation)
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Phrases: Benedikt Schmidt Images: Mike Starvation, Benedikt Schmidt, Manfred Schmitt
