What's different on the 2014 Bosch motor? - a little more in depth article.

Martin@e-bikeshop

Esteemed Pedelecer
Hi Guys,

I thought I would write a little more in depth about the new Bosch system, again should save half my day on the phone :)

So to start off, everyone knows the latest Bosch motor has made some significant changes to the motor design.
New 2014 Bosch Motor.jpg

On the outside its completely different in shape, most of you will have seen the tiny front sprocket and wondered why it’s so small??

Well... Bosch have standardised the way motors are mounted, so for one it’s easier for manufacturers to integrate the motor into their frame design. By changing the motor shape and using a small sprocket it gives a much higher ground clearance. (Previously not being a problem for Haibike who sent their engineers to work and patented the idea of inverting the motor up into the frame so its tucked out the way and give a much higher ground clearance anyway).

At this point your probably thinking - How am I supposed to pedal that cycle around with such a small sprocket on the front?... Well the drive is actually geared inside out. Basically as you turn the cranks (pedals) it turns a gear inside the motor, which in turn is geared back to the small sprocket on the outside. So in fact with 1 full pedal revolution the small sprocket on the outside will turn 2.5 times.

This also allows the sensors within the new motor to measure gear changes much more precisely, therefore as you change gear the motor can detect this and actually reduces the torque applied at exactly the right time so that it ensures a smooth gear changes and reduces pressure on both the motor and chain significantly. Ultimately leading to a more durable system.

The small sprocket also means that it’s much harder for the chain to come off at any point. Which is a big plus point where manufacturers are continuing to use ever-expanding ratios of gears at the back. On a side note – It also means less grubby trouser ends as the chain will be more tucked out the way running on the tiny sprocket!

The new motor's internal sensors (power, cadence & speed) process 1000 readings per second to make the ride as smooth and efficient as possible also has a new more modern 32-bit processor to handle all of these readings.

The rest of the system has only taken slight changes, for example the colour of both the active line and performance line are different. The Intuvia screen size has been increased slightly with easier to see readings.

The battery has been slimmed down a little into a more clean line design and is still offered in the current 300wh and 400wh options.

So the new system is neater, smaller & a little lighter. The performance line can now also assist up to 275% in Turbo mode as opposed to 250%. The drive can put out up to 60Nm of torque through a derralier system but is limited to 50Nm of torque through any hub gear. The motor is the same 250w power to comply with current EU legislation.

The new system will be less versatile to "tinker'ers" as the sprocket will be less easy to swap out to change the gearing for people who want to up the gearing / speed. But as far as I can see it should still be compatible with the 'tuning dongle' :)

This new motor design will run alongside the current 'Active line' system. Manufacturers will continue to use both systems for future ranges.

Bosch are continuing to offer firmware updates / improvement through the USB port for both Active line and the newer system. Being a Bosch UK dealer we have all the official Bosch diagnostic tools do perform these actions for previous customers in-store.

Finally before I get more phone calls - NO the complete Bosch system is not available as any sort of add on kit. It will only come with new complete ebikes.

AND no I cannot take cash as a ‘back hander’ to order a motor through Bosch for anyone to use :) The only way we can supply a new motor is with the old one in my hands in (in the event of a warranty case)

Read here for another post of mine about how Haibike overcome the extended rear end problem and bad chain line when using the new Bosch motor.

Regards
Martin
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,216
30,617
Thanks for the information Martin.

I wonder if e-bike makers will include the NuVinci system in "any hub gear", a pity if so since it seems capable of taking the higher torque force.
 

Martin@e-bikeshop

Esteemed Pedelecer
Thanks for the information Martin.

I wonder if e-bike makers will include the NuVinci system in "any hub gear", a pity if so since it seems capable of taking the higher torque force.
Hi Flecc,

Funny you should mention that! Was chatting to 'eddieo' for ages the other day discussing just this topic.
But to answer your questions - Yes it is so will run at 50Nm.

Although I can manually change the software using my diagnostics kit for any bike using a hub gear (NuVinchi) however I'm not sure how well it will perform if I change it to a derralier gear settings.

This is because not just the torque is changed but also something to do with the gear detection. As it functions differently it may work fine or it may make for a very jerky motor / drivetrain.

I havent actually ever tried doing this but Im sure it must make a massive difference; otherwise Bosch would not supply the different software for hub gears and derralier gears.

Regards
Martin
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,216
30,617
Understood Martin. Good point, the smooth gear ratio transition of the NuVinci cannot normally send any signal of change to the Bosch software, though at the central point where it rolls over from gear increase to reduction or vice-versa there is a very slight rough point which might do so.
 

Streethawk

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 12, 2011
634
16
Interesting, i have noticed a boost of power when i change gear, and an even bigger boost when i change up two gears, which i often find myself doing as the bike accelerates too fast for single changes. With a NuVinci i guess you dont get that boost?
 

Electrifying Cycles

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 4, 2011
1,005
176
The bike you have is the 2013 model not the one Martin is describing above. Therfore it has what is now described as the classic motor.
 

Streethawk

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 12, 2011
634
16
The bike you have is the 2013 model not the one Martin is describing above. Therfore it has what is now described as the classic motor.
I understand that, i just found the way they work with the NuVinci interesting, regardless of the iteration.
 

Electrifying Cycles

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 4, 2011
1,005
176
No worries. Be interested to see how Bosch speed pedelec rides. I rode a swiss flyer at Eurobike which was a speed pedelec, great feeling riding so quick. Just a shame UK laws always lag behind Germany and other as I could see even more people on e bikes if there was a catagory for e bikes like yours.
If you are ever in the area you are welcome to try out the NuVinci system. Looking forward to finalising our 2014 range next week.
 

Martin@e-bikeshop

Esteemed Pedelecer
***POST HIJACK ALERT!!***

:) Thanks for sharing David.
By the way the S pedelec rides in exactly the same way, just a bit faster.
The torque and assistance levels remain the same.

For that reason the dongle is the answer for many who want to comply with the UK law. As the S pedelec will always be illegal. The dongle allows more speed out of the 250w motor than the S pedelec as standard.

Regards
Martin