A new lightweight hub motor for e-bikes from Bosch aims to make owning an electric motor-assisted bicycle much easier by dropping the weight of the hub motor.
Bosch eBike Systems head Claus Fleischer said the company's move was part of a trend towards lighter urban ebikes for city use.
Consumers are now more interested in stylish and lightweight e-bikes rather than heavy ones with maximum range, said Fleischer.
The new hub version is the first to be developed by the German company, which has been loyal to the central, frame-mounted motor for the past 15 years.
Fleischer reckons that Bosch’s new motor concept could account for 5 to 10% of sales, with demand coming from younger city dwellers who use their bikes for daily journeys.
The battery accounts for much of an ebike's weight, and this could be reduced for a smaller hub motor.
The new motor could inject new life into the sluggish market since in some markets, sales have slowed as mostly older consumers have already invested in an ebike.
The new compact Hub Line hub motor turns out 45 Newton-metres of torque, has an output of 400 watts and a diameter of 10 cm.
The motor can also be used with a standard derailleur gear system and as a single-speed bike – as well as with a new two-speed gear system.
Other innovations include a new PowerTube 360 battery with a capacity of 360 Wh. It can be fitted either as a fixed unit or as a removable battery for home charging.
With the new LED Controller, Bosch is also introducing a redesigned control unit. It is more compact than the previous LED Remote and can be integrated more discreetly into the handlebar area.
Industry watchers see this as a genuine step forward, particularly for sleek urban bikes with a minimalist design.
