Five motor brands dominated our electric bikes test. Here’s a summary of what they offer, and what we think of them.
Motor manufacturers usually specify the maximum torque of their motors (in newton metres, Nm). This relates to how much grunt they have for climbing hills – more torque equals better hill climbing. Several brands also supply the maximum support from the motor (a percentage). This is the amount by which the motor can multiply your pedalling effort – 300% support means the motor can put in up to three times the power you supply.
Use the numbers as a guide only. Measurements may not be consistent between brands, and numbers alone won’t indicate how the motor feels to ride.
Bosch
All Bosch systems come in Cruise or Sport variants. Cruise assists to 25km/h, Sport to 32km/h.
Urban and trekking motors
Active (40Nm max torque, 250% max support)
Active Plus (50Nm max torque, 270% max support)
Cargo (75Nm max torque, 400% max support)
Trail and mountain biking motors
Performance (65Nm max torque, 300% max support)
Performance CX (75Nm max torque, 340% max support)
Good points
Very responsive to when you start and stop pedalling
Excellent “feel” while pedalling
Cargo, Performance and Performance CX have excellent hill-climbing torque and power
Excellent adaptive “eMTB” mode on the Performance and Performance CX motors (which adjusts assistance level while you ride)
Very quiet
Easy to use, with intuitive interface and controls
Bad points
Active motor is underpowered on hills
Gear changes are clunky
Shimano STEPS
All Shimano STEPS systems assist up to 32km/h.
Urban and trekking motors
E5000 (40Nm max torque)
E6000 (50Nm max torque)
E6100 (60Nm max torque)
Trail and mountain biking motors
E7000 (60Nm max torque)
E8000 (70Nm max torque)
Good points
Very responsive to when you start and stop pedalling
E6100, E7000 and E8000 have excellent hill-climbing torque and power
Smooth gear changes
Easy to use, with intuitive interface and controls
Excellent adaptive “trail” mode on E7000 and E8000 (which adjusts assistance level while you ride)
Bad points
“Pulsey” feel unless pedalling smoothly (better on E7000 and E8000)
Somewhat noisy
E5000 is underpowered and hard to pedal when the system is off (or the maximum assistance speed has been exceeded)
Brose (Specialized)
Specialized e-bikes use motors manufactured by Brose. All Specialized motors assist up to at least 32km/h.
Urban and trekking motors
1.2 E (51Nm max torque): fitted to 2020 Turbo Como 3.0 and Turbo Vado 3.0
1.2 (85Nm max torque): fitted to 2020 Turbo Vado 4.0
1.3 (92Nm max torque): fitted to 2020 Turbo Vado 5.0
Trail and mountain biking motors
2.1 (90Nm max torque): fitted to Turbo Levo mountain bikes
Good points
Very responsive to when you start and stop pedalling
Excellent hill-climbing torque and power
Exceptionally smooth gear changes
Very quiet
Easy to use, with intuitive interface and controls
Smartphone app customises assistance settings and records ride data
Bad points
No significant bad points
Yamaha (Giant)
Giant e-bikes use motors from Yamaha. All Yamaha motors assist up to at least 32km/h.
Urban and trekking motors
SyncDrive Life (60Nm max torque, 300% max support)
SyncDrive Sport (80Nm max torque, 350% max support)
Trail and mountain biking motors
SyncDrive Pro (80Nm max torque, 360% max support)
Good points
Very responsive to when you start and stop pedalling
Excellent hill-climbing torque and power
Smooth gear changes
Easy to use, with intuitive interface and controls
Excellent adaptive “auto” assist mode (which adjusts assistance level while you ride)
Bad points
RideControl One controller has no ride information display (LEDs show assist mode and battery status)
Bafang
Bafang motors assist up to at least 32km/h.
Urban and trekking motors
m400 (80 Nm max torque)
Good points
Responsive to when you start and stop pedalling
Excellent hill-climbing torque and power
Smooth gear changes
Pedalling is very easy when the system is off (or the maximum assistance speed has been exceeded)
Easy to use, with intuitive interface and controls
Bad points
No significant bad points