Amazing new mid-drive entrant!

Joined
Jan 11, 2016
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26
http://singletrackworld.com/2016/04/111043/
Launch is this weekend and available from oct-16!

“Shimano first launched its urban and leisure-orientated e-bike components (E6000) in 2013. Now, with the knowledge and experience that comes from many years of developing high-end MTB components, Shimano unites its technological expertise with the release of its E8000 components, dedicated towards the rigors and demands of e-mountain biking but designed so that riders can experience the true sensation of the mountain bike.

“The SHIMANO STEPS E8000 series E-MTB components features a powerful drive unit (DU- E8000). Power for the motor is provided through a large capacity 500Wh battery (BT-E8010), complete with battery mount (BM-E8010).
Driving force is transmitted through a dedicated chainring including crank arms (FC- E8050/E8000) and a 34T or 38T chain ring (SM-CRE80-B/CRE80), which comes with an optional chain retention device (SM-CDE80).”

“The system is controlled through a sleek bar-mounted cycle computer (SC-E8000) and a FIREBOLT switch unit for assistance control (SW-E8000-L), along with a speed sensor set (SM- DUE10) for the rear wheel. The remaining components of the drivetrain can be supplied from Shimano’s Di2 MTB components (XTR/XT) or mechanical 10 and 11 speed drivetrains.”

“The new SHIMANO STEPS MTB system can communicate via Bluetooth with the E-TUBE software platform allowing you to change settings and customize your set-up via computers, tablets or smartphones.

The compact and powerful 70Nm of torque provided from the SHIMANO STEPS MTB motor is designed to make every moment of every ride fun. The drive unit is held in a triangle formation around the bottom bracket resulting in secure, direct and efficient power transfer from the rider to the cranks. Its compact design incorporates cooling fins on the drive side for the heat dissipation from the motor.”

“The compact drive unit accommodates frames with shorter chain stays to give E8000-equipped bikes typical mountain bike handling and maneuverability. It also provides a Q-factor (ie the distance between the outer edges of the crankset) in line with DEORE XT cranks, helping to retain a natural feeling. Power for the motor is delivered by a slim but durable, low profile and waterproof battery on the downtube delivering over 500Wh. A secure mount keeps the battery firmly in place even over rough terrain, yet removing the battery for charging is simple with a sideways release mechanism.
Connected to the motor is either the hollow crankarm (FC-E8050) or the solid crankarm (FC-E8000), both of which are available with 34T or 38T chain rings (SM-CRE80-B/CRE80) for 10 or 11-speed cassettes. Chainrings feature Shimano’s Dynamic Chain Engagement technology and, together with an optional chain retention device (SM-CDE80), ensures chains remain on drivetrains.
The system is controlled by the compact SHIMANO STEPS MTB colour LCD computer (SC-E8000) to offer riders their gear number, power assist mode and battery range information.
The power assist modes are controlled by a dedicated MTB handlebar switch (SW-E8000-L), allowing the rider to change between Eco, Trail and High Power modes, plus the Power Walk mode."
 
Not sure how amazing it is... But now that big industrial players are getting into the bike drive market it's impressive the machining they're bringing to the table.

IMG_20160319_102613.jpg
IMG_20160319_102630.jpg

That a replacement motor unit for a customer one that kept throwing error codes btw.
 
why the Hell would you use weak square taper crank.. dam cheap ass , can't they use isis axle, i guess fsa sill own patten.. Dam you Shimano.. use shimano octalink. it would be better, if don't want to pay for fee's
:x

it would good to see a nice mid from one the big playres.
 
aCeMadMod said:
why the Hell would you use weak square taper crank.. dam cheap ass , can't they use isis axle, i guess fsa sill own patten.

ISIS has always been an open standard. Unfortunately, it's not a very good one. Fortunately, it's better than Octalink. Also, Shimano has one of the worst cases of NIH syndrome I've ever witnessed. Have you ever noticed that Shimano doesn't make a threadless headset? The patents are all expired. But they didn't invent it.

In terms of percentage of failed units, ISIS and Octalink are both way ahead of square taper.
 
It doesn't appear to be the design announced above but this Shimano patent shows quite a sophisticated drive.
 

Attachments

  • US2016107721A1.pdf
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Re the square taper, considering it's a low power unit aimed at the city bike market, it's not like anybody is going to be bombing canyon jumps with it or anything, and would prob be ok when used by 99 percent of riders.
 
don't know how to embed the pics, but that is the wrong drive above
Screen-Shot-2016-04-29-at-14.33.13-601x400.png


hollow crank, Di (electronic gears) integration, Bluetooth control etc.

I did in my initial excitement think it was a retrofit system like bafang but in triangle mount, which really would have been amazing. As an integrated mid mount system I admit its not as brilliant, hopefully they will introduce a bafang like kit soon too.
 
LyonNightroad said:
"a large capacity 500Wh battery"

Is it 2009?

Remember that Shimano is in the bicycle industry, not the feeble little e-motorcycle business. They're not going to make anything for an 8 inch wide, unpedalable pig of a bike.
 
robertpaulson said:
don't know how to embed the pics, but that is the wrong drive above
Screen-Shot-2016-04-29-at-14.33.13-601x400.png


hollow crank, Di (electronic gears) integration, Bluetooth control etc.

I did in my initial excitement think it was a retrofit system like bafang but in triangle mount, which really would have been amazing. As an integrated mid mount system I admit its not as brilliant, hopefully they will introduce a bafang like kit soon too.

Yes...That does look a bit more amazing :) !
 
ever closer to the day when something like that (well engineered torque sensing retrofit drive that will take the abuse of real world mtb riding) is released and everyone suddenly gets that e-mtbikes are actually just like your local hill turning into a lift assisted bike park and (largely) stops hating.

I think reviews like the one below show how quickly it will be accepted, c'mon shimano!
https://dirtmountainbike.com/bike-reviews/trail-enduro-bikes/motorizer.html
 
Chalo said:
LyonNightroad said:
"a large capacity 500Wh battery"

Is it 2009?

Remember that Shimano is in the bicycle industry, not the feeble little e-motorcycle business. They're not going to make anything for an 8 inch wide, unpedalable pig of a bike.

I was mainly thinking about the packs that luna has in, what appears to be, the same form factor with 40% more capacity.
 
robertpaulson said:
don't know how to embed the pics, but that is the wrong drive above
Screen-Shot-2016-04-29-at-14.33.13-601x400.png
Voltron wasn't saying that's the new E8000 system, which hasn't been released yet. He was just noting the fine machining on the existing E6000 drive unit.
 
Voltron said:
Not sure how amazing it is... But now that big industrial players are getting into the bike drive market it's impressive the machining they're bringing to the table.

..yes, even the 15+ year old Aprilia "Enjoy" mid drive was a marvel of precision Italian engineering, with complex alloy castings, hardened and ground hypoid gears, precision sealed bearings, freewheels and clutches etc etc. Many original and ingenious ideas in those mid drive units compared to kit like the Tonaro etc.
....pity they only has brushed motors to work with back then !
 
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