Just had the E-MTB upgrade done Its a more natural feel. It switches between Tour, Sport & Turbo depending how much pressure you put on pedals. E-MTB mode doesn't give you that abruptness. You still have normal Eco, Tour & Turbo if you need them

We're picking up our bike tomorrow (well if we try it and like it which I suspect we will) - it has a Bosch Drive Unit Performance CX (75Nm) Cruise (250Watt) according to the specs - is this likely to be already on our bike - if not - will it take them long to do as it is quite a journey for us to the shop for us to take it back.

 

We are getting the CUBE Reaction Hybrid HPA Race 500 Blue Red E Mountain Bike

 

https://www.cube.eu/en/2017/e-bike-hardtail/reaction-hybrid/cube-reaction-hybrid-hpa-race-500-bluenflashred-2017/

Just dropped bike off to get a spoke fixed. Will probably be getting the upgrade at same time.

Done about 200 miles on the new update now, including a week in Scotland and the 7 Stanes. Good mate on his CX powered Trek did not have the update so perfect for comparison.

 

E-mtb is not only smoother it really does makes sudden changes in terrain very easy to deal with, its also better on power consumption. At the end of each ride I always had more range left than my mate. EG after the 20 mile red and black run at Kirroghtree I had 9 Miles range (Eco) and my mate showed 3 miles. I stayed in E-mtb mode throughout and he switched up and down as required. On past holidays with same software there was never any great difference always within a couple of miles of each other.

 

Once selected the E-mtb (Old Sport) delivers the minimum amount of power at any given moment spending most of its time around Tour levels of assistance, but if you need more it is delivered instantly and seamlessly by simply pedaling harder or if a full pedal stroke is not possible a good dab is all that is needed to inject power into your ride.

 

So In unexpected situations, like when around that blind corner the track suddenly gets steep, rocky and technical you are no longer left fumbling for gears and power modes and as long as you are close to being in the correct gear E-mtb will help with the rest, leaving you free to focus on the best lines to take to get up and over.

 

Highly recommend this update, makes a good motor assist great!

Edited August 20, 20178 yr by Japuserid

Thanks for the feedback , mmmmm it sounds like I need this update before my trip to the Sud Tyrol in 13 days time

 

is this a rock up to bike shop and they do it in 10 mins or book in for the day .

That depends on your LBS, assuming they have the tech it actually only takes a few minutes. My local dealer Certini were fantastic, called them in the morning they said to swing by after 4.00 and they did the update there and then, took ten minutes and cost me £15.00. If you can take it to the supplying dealer it's usually free.

 

Sud Tyrol enjoy!

I called my LBS and asked. He didn't know what I was talking about but said he should call Bosch and ask. So...

 

Yesterday I was by and got my bike upgraded! Just plug in the programmer thing from computer into the bike computer and then click update. Took a little while. Done!

 

You notice when you browse through the modes, the "Sport" mode is still there but it displays "eMTB" in the lower row.

 

I also got the diagnostic report as PDF from the guy. Great, interesting to see all status, full charges, how many percent you have used the modes, and so on.

I have now tried eMTB mode a little and it is great I think.

 

There are two scenarios:

 

1) Offroad. Here it is a welcome addition because you often want the sensitivity of the tour mode but with more power.

This new eMTB mode is just that! It feels like tour mode but when you pedal hard it delivers more power. The sport/turbo mode is really bad often because it accelerates too fast. The power is good to have though. This new mode is more dynamic. You get what you put in. Works much smoother.

And if you really need fast acceleration you can always put on turbo.

 

2) Onroad. Here it works not as good. Depending on what you want. Often I just want to transport myself to the offroad-location. Then I want to be a little lazy and used sport mode because it was a good compromise. Tour could be a little too demanding if you are tired and just want to get on. Because of this I used sport mode alot. But the new eMTB mode is a more natural feel, almost like you bike without motor. But of course, if you turn it off completely, you notice that is not the case at all but more like tour mode but with more power in steep hills. Great for exercising though.

 

With this in mind. I don't think it consumes the battery too much either. Because you don't accelerate as hard. So I don't think that would be an issue.

 

Also, I haven't tried so much yet, but I think the walk assist feature has been a little improved. Could be imagination though.

 

Annoyingly the new bike has it fitted as OE.

 

I still don't want it, still have zero interest in it, and just need to find the time to get it removed.

 

I prefer to be in full control of the power settings, battery consumption, and not have control taken away from me in respect of sport mode.

Edited August 24, 20178 yr by EddiePJ

Not sure why you would want to remove it, but I am pretty certain, that once installed there is no way back. At least that is what the dealer told me before I had the update installed.

As said, I want full control of the power settings, or more importantly to me, the battery consumption. I don't want it and have no need of it.

 

Being just software, I'd be very surprised if it can't be removed, but I won't be keeping the bike for long if it can't be removed.

 

Bosch should have designed the system so that the existing four modes remained as they were, and eMTB mode was a completely separate setting.

Edited August 24, 20178 yr by EddiePJ

I prefer to be in full control of the power settings, battery consumption, and not have control taken away from me in respect of sport mode.

 

Effectively you still have full control. Eco, Tour, and Turbo are exactly the same the new Emtb mode simply has a wider range of support than the old Sport mode.

 

Have you actually tried it yet?

Must say i'm with Eddie here. It's a software / firmware update (not upgrade). I wish to have full control of my speed modes, as i do with my speed dongle.

If i can't ride my bike, change mode, gear and still find the right line i shouldn't be riding a bike .

 

I have an automatic car, but at least and can use the manual shift when i want to, but this system takes over. Not a good idea imho.

Edited August 24, 20178 yr by Steve A

 

Effectively you still have full control. Eco, Tour, and Turbo are exactly the same the new Emtb mode simply has a wider range of support than the old Sport mode.

 

Have you actually tried it yet?

 

Yes I have.

 

I don't want or require sport mode altered, I want full control of all settings, and I certainly don't want the extra battery consumption that it creates, which is actually quite significant when we tried a back to back test in the Swiss Alps. I clearly accept that as an extreme example though, and it would be wrong of me to say otherwise.

 

I'm certainly not the only person that doesn't like it, and I'm not the only person that wants it removed.

There should be the choice as to whether we want or don't want it. If it works for some, then fine, but if doesn't for others, then that should be fine as well.

If this was my first eMTB and it was fitted, then I wouldn't have known any different, but it isn't my first, and I do know differently. I know what I want and don't want, and also what works and doesn't work for me.

 

edit.. I'm going to leave the system fitted for a month or so, and will add my full thoughts in respect of it, to the following thread. http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/2017-ktm-fogo-271.28756/ Who knows, I might even change my mind about it, but very much doubt it. All being well and good, I should be able to carry out some side by side comparisons, with proven data/stats with graphs to cross reference. Opinions are fine, but facts are better, and for all I know I could prove myself to be completely wrong. Something that I have no issue about doing, as I enjoy the process of getting there and research.

I shall make the test rides as accurate as I can, but frustratingly there is still always going to be variables, such as weather, terrain conditions on the day, and even my own fitness/mental attitude. The biggest variable with be the bikes and gearing, which unless I swap motors, could spoil accurate comparison . I'll have to give that one some thought. If nothing else, it'll be fun trying.

Edited August 24, 20178 yr by EddiePJ

As said, I want full control of the power settings, or more importantly to me, the battery consumption. I don't want it and have no need of it.

 

Being just software, I'd be very surprised if it can't be removed, but I won't be keeping the bike for long if it can't be removed.

 

Bosch should have designed the system so that the existing four modes remained as they were, and eMTB mode was a completely separate setting.

i think you just turn it on or off like the lights with the diagnostic software that the dealer has but there must be options for older firmware to be installed like old phones with android ect but given it is bosch and locked down cant say for sure with the displays we have like purion so needs dealers updates to be installed buy them or changed anyway.

Ye Absolutely

If you use sport mode regularly then losing it would be an issue. I've never found a use for sport as it is not much different from turbo. I'm either in eco or tour to get fit and conserve battery or turbo when battery isn't issue and need to haul arse.

I've never found a use for sport as it is not much different from turbo.

 

How do you come to that conclusion? There is significant difference, and also major difference to battery consumption.

 

In respect of the CX motor, Sport offers 60Nm of torque and 210% assist, where as Turbo offers 75Nm of torque, and 300% assist.

 

You might just as well say the same of eco-tour and tour-sport.

My 2 pennyworth

Got the trek done last week popped into allterraincycles in saltaire and 10 mins later had the EMTB mode .

didn't get to ride it until today round Gisburn forest all offroad and some good uphill techy bits .

I really liked how it worked very progressive , I was riding with a guy 30 years younger so its a good leveler for his fitness .

The rocky rooty climbs were great fun and took me back to my motorbike trials days the mode has a great spread of power from easily riding uphill with my mate to powering away from him it just worked .

 

now not sure but it also was still pulling at 17.5 mph before it ran into treacle mode .

and before it was 16.5 mph but I will need to ride it on the road to verify this

I cant comment of fuel consumption as started with a partial charged battery but it got me round 15 miles and 1600 feet of uphill and used 2 bars on the readout I used the emtb mode for the whole ride .

 

I will still have range anxiety when I go the the Sud Tyrol in 5 sleeps so will be using mostly eco but will use the new mode when I am certain I have enough juice to finish the days riding

i also cant see the point my self as it is just the mode i ride in all the time turbo and works the same way as if im with others on normal bikes the millage goes up even in turbo mode and as for range 25-30 miles is what i can get.

How do you come to that conclusion? There is significant difference, and also major difference to battery consumption.

 

In respect of the CX motor, Sport offers 60Nm of torque and 210% assist, where as Turbo offers 75Nm of torque, and 300% assist.

 

You might just as well say the same of eco-tour and tour-sport.

I've never notice much difference between sport and turbo, especially nothing like jump from eco to tour and tour to turbo.

If I'm using turbo then battery life is not issue.

Also, I haven't tried so much yet, but I think the walk assist feature has been a little improved. Could be imagination though.

I tried a little more yesterday. It really feels like they have improved the walk assist. Before it was useless unless you had the right gear. Now it feels it works good even on the lowest gear. It kind of accelerates and when you're climbing a place where you can't ride (did that many times yesterday) the walk assist is great to have. It works good now, slow walking pace. Perfect for the situation I described. But I still wish the button was a little easier to hold pressed.

For those wishing to remove the update, bad news

 

"Update Not Revertible"

 

Please note that the update is not revertible. Sport Mode will permanently be replaced by eMTB Mode on all CX Drive bikes that are updated with new software and standard on all newly manufactured CX Drive bikes.

 

 

What it is:

As of July 10, 2017 Bosch is launching a new trail riding feature for Performance Line CX called eMTB mode. This new feature will automatically change between assistance modes depending on pedal pressure for optimal support on different types of terrain, allowing riders to concentrate their full attention on the trails.

 

The eMTB mode replaces the traditional Sport mode (210% boost) with a “Variable” mode which provides assistance between Tour (120%), Sport (210%) and Turbo (300%). This gives riders ideal power at all times, even at low pedaling frequencies, without them ever having to toggle between support levels. The amount of assistance is dependent on the rider’s pedal pressure (see above graphic), starting with light drive unit support at light pressure and increasing to maximum support as pedal pressure is increased. The system responds almost instantaneously and the rider continues to experience the “natural riding sensation,” whether starting off or accelerating. As soon as the pedal pressure decreases, the power assistance is smoothly regulated downwards. Thus the rider has much greater control when riding through narrow, winding sections of a trail.

 

http://newwheel.net/questions/download/attachments/189431817/unnamed.jpg?version=1&modificationDate=1498860051000&api=v2

 

 

 

How to Upgrade to eMTB Mode:

eMTB mode is compatible with all Performance Line CX Drive bikes. It requires a Bosch Software update, which is complementary for those who purchased their CX equipped bike through The New Wheel, or for a fee of $20 (subject to change). Please make an appointment here.

 

Update Not Revertible

 

Please note that the update is not revertible. Sport Mode will permanently be replaced by eMTB Mode on all CX Drive bikes that are updated with new software and standard on all newly manufactured CX Drive bikes.

 

Never mind I'm sure they will get used to it

I can assure you that thankfully it is removable.

 

Evidently the US based shop that you have weirdly chosen to quote, just don't know how to do it.

 

 

 

 

 

.

Edited September 15, 20178 yr by EddiePJ

I can assure you that thankfully it is removable.

 

Evidently the US based shop that you have weirdly chosen to quote, just don't know how to do it.

 

 

 

 

 

.

Pleased to hear, as i want total control of which mode i ride in.