Bosch is publicly presenting its new e-Bike system for the first time at the “Eurobike” bicycle trade show from September 1st to 4th 2010. Numerous bicycle manufacturers will have e-Bikes fitted with the drive system to test at Eurobike and will begin delivery to shops in spring of 2011. The Bosch e-Bike system offers bicycle manufacturers a great deal of design freedom, which is reflected in the variety of models seen. Whether mountain, trekking or touring bikes, the widest-range of bicycle types are to be seen at the trade show and can be experienced on the test track of the show. The professional servicing of the retail trade will be taken over by Magura – a well known constant in the bicycle trade for decades – as the service partner of Bosch e-Bike Systems. Bosch sees partnerships with established market players as a way to understand the market and better service them. The agreement with Magura is already the second such partnership with known names from the bicycle field. The first such agreement was agreed upon with Cannondale at the beginning of 2009, so as to introduce the requirements of bicycle manufacturers in the development of the E-Bike drive system.
Bosch is presenting its e-Bike drive system on stand A6-305 at “Eurobike” in Friedrichshafen.
Modular Bosch high performance drive with refined power outlay.
The Bosch e-Bike system is made up of closely calibrated modular components. The Drive Unit, the Battery Pack including charger and the handlebar HMI (Human-Machine-Interface) control unit present a lighter weight with a powerful and robust high performance drive. Furthermore, it offers greater drive safety due to the lower-laying vehicle center of gravity. The compact Li-Ion battery pack, that can be fully charged in only 2 ½ hours (288 Wh) or 50% charged after only one hour, offers scope for individual creativity and is therefore available in different build configurations for frame or carrier fitting. Built with three sensors that measure speed, torque and pedaling cadence, the system deploys the instantaneously requested drive power in an efficient and comfortable way; nonetheless remaining unobtrusive so as to maintain the typical bicycle characteristics.
Drive characteristics that correspond to the type of bicycle.
The drive characteristics of the Bosch e-Bike system is programmable, allowing to set it up for a specific type of bicycle, according to one of four levels – named Eco, Tour, Sport and Speed. For example, the drive will therefore deliver its power in a more dynamic way on a sporty mountain bike than on a trekking bike set out for greater range. It is the bicycle manufacturer who decides which drive characteristics the e-Bike will have. In case they enable more than one of the four levels, the e-Biker will be able to select the appropriate level from the control unit of the drive system according to the situation.
The strategy of Bosch in the e-Bike market is based upon technological competence.
The proximity of electric bicycles to the social trends of energy-saving, E-mobility and health consciousness is of key importance to the world leading autotive supplier when taking the plunge into the sale of e-Bike drives. Bosch is investing in different fields relating to these long-term trends. E-Bike drives are an important part for the sustainable mobility concepts that point out the way for the future.
Bosch can furthermore bring its long-term experience in the construction of compact and efficient electrical drives, as well as powerful batteries to e-Bikes. This will allow the production of especially high-performance and variably adaptable e-Bike drive systems when combined with robust drive electronics and sensitive sensor technology
(Bosch)