Bosch is certainly on its way to revolutionizing the world of e-bikes. VAEs are good. Their weight is a little less. Offering unparalleled lightness, their new Performance Line SX motorization system has been designed especially for agility.
The democratization of VAE has allowed many people to dare to take the plunge and get into the saddle, whether for sport or daily travel. The big disadvantage of these bikes is the additional weight they carry compared to a conventional bike: a battery and a more or less large motor. Many demanding cyclists are now looking for a lighter assistance system without compromising on performance. This is where Bosch comes in with its Performance Line SX motorization.
Lightness and sportiness
Mass is the enemy of speed and maneuverability. Colin Chapman, the creator of the Lotus brand of ultra-light sports cars, understood this well. His philosophy: “Light is right”. Bosch is part of this same approach. The brand is already very well placed in the VAE engine segment, with eight very well-made references fitted to many bikes on the market.
The new range of SX engines takes another leap forward in terms of compactness and lightness. Its weight is around 2 kg, which makes this motor the lightest ever made by Bosch. It’s lightweight, but hits like a heavyweight. 600 watts of power with a maximum torque of 55 Nm, which equals the instantaneous power delivered by an experienced cyclist. The reduced weight also allows for increased agility on rough terrain and explosive responsiveness. Up to 25 km/h only, European legislation obliges!
A natural and versatile driving experience
Bosch’s other goal is to provide a riding feel that’s close to a traditional bike. This obviously involves force sensors integrated into the pedals, so that the engine better understands the times when you are requesting it. Thus, the Performance Line SX engine is distinguished from other engines by a discreet operation and a rather direct response.
To improve this feeling, Bosch has also increased the pedaling resistance by 50% compared to previous models. We think of the Performance Line CX range, which was the most advanced, but very noisy and with a real feeling of motorized thrust. Some like it, some don’t.
With the arrival of their new engine, Bosch has managed to reduce the total weight of the assistance by 4 kg. 4kg is no small thing on a bike that’s about 20, especially when you factor speed into the equation. The Performance Line SX range will equip urban bikes, through mountain bikes to gravels, so all users who are fans of e-bikes will be able to take advantage of this innovation. No jealousy in the story.
Sources: Bosch
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