yamaha e bike lcd display quotation

The Display A was designed for a wide range of uses, from city to trail riding. It features a simplified and easily operable large liquid crystal display, with speed and battery capacity functions. High importance has been placed on visibility while riding in severe environmental conditions. Support mode can be changed at the press of a button as you ride.

The large 2.8 inch color dot matrix display provides clear read-outs and control of the connectivity functions. Several display screens are available for different modes. A newly-designed ergonomic remote switch improves ease of operation. By connecting your smartphone with the display you can enjoy extended features via the app. Display C takes enjoyment of your riding lifestyle to a new level.

A large color dot matrix display is used to show information including the battery capacity, riding speed, and time, so that the rider can check all the details at a glance.

To further enhance your riding lifestyle, the Display C can show additional information by communicating with specific applications. After downloading the app to your smartphone, and going through a simple set-up process, you can enjoy features including ride management, fitness tracking and map-based navigation.

The display uses a coin battery CR2032 and shows the clock at all times, there"s a little hole on the top right edge for use with a string leash or lanyard.

The buttons on the control pad include Power (top edge), Up, Down, Lights, S (Settings or Select), and Walk Mode (bottom edge) which is disabled. The button pad is compact and seems well sealed against water and dust.

To enter the settings menu, hold S and Power when starting the bike up, this lets you adjust the clock and change units from miles to kilometers using the up and down arrow keys and pressing S to confirm, press the Power button to exit.

Featuring a simple and ergonomic design, riders can quickly navigate through the functions using the easily operated LCD display.High importance has been placed on visibility while riding in severe environmental conditions.

This replacement assembly for Yamaha electric bikes includes a multi-function display, ergonomic thumb-controller and necessary wiring for plug and play installation with the Yamaha power assist bicycle system.

The Yamaha thumb-operated controller is within reach so you can toggle through the functions of the bicycle computer or quickly move through the power assist levels with the large push-buttons.

This website uses cookies, which are necessary for the technical operation of the website and are always set. Other cookies, which increase the usability of this website, serve for direct advertising or simplify interaction with other websites and social networks, will only be used with your consent.

There are three types of Yam advert lcd display, each with its own unique features. One of the most is the Yam advert lcd display, which is in the form of a Yam advert lcd display, in its colors and sizes. Yam-lCD displays are one of the most basic and used types. Lcdds are touch light, lightweight, and easy to customizable.@@@@@

There are various models available. For one looking for a type of lcd displays in bulk, it is easy to find the right type of lcdds in bulk, and they are all affordable.

PW-X DRIVE UNIT: PW-X is Yamaha’s lightest and most responsive drive unit designed to deliver a totally new mountain bike riding experience. Five levels of assist provide power for every situation in a way that feels smooth and natural. We call it “Pure Ride”, and with one ride you’ll understand why.

HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES: YDX TORC is equipped with powerful Shimano SLX hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors for strong, dependable braking in all conditions.

INTEGRATED SPEED SENSOR: Exclusive to Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles is a speed sensor engineered into the rear hub. Our speed sensor recognizes the slightest change in bicycle speed and helps adjust motor input to deliver a smooth and natural power assist feel for the ultimate ride experience.

MULTI-FUNCTION DISPLAY: Simple, tough and highly efficient best describes YDX TORC’s multi-function LCD display. The main LCD interface provides a host of functions; Speedometer, average speed, maximum speed, odometer, trip meter, battery capacity, battery range, cadence, clock and stopwatch.

ERGONOMIC CONTROL SWITCHES: Many times it’s the details that make a good product great. Check out YDX TORC’s ergonomic control switches. They’re large and easy to operate in all types of conditions while wearing mountain bike gloves.

YAMAHA 500WH BATTERY: Yamaha’s 500 Watt-hour Lithium-ion battery pack provides reliable & long lasting energy for your mountain bike adventures. When it comes time to replenish, you can charge the battery pack on or off the bike using the Yamaha’s high speed charger.

ROCKSHOX RECON: YDX TORC is equipped with the RockShox Recon Gold RL front fork featuring 120mm of travel, compression adjustment and remote lock out.

DROPPER POST READY: Cable housing guides are located under the top tube for external dropper post, or use the housing port located on the drive side of the downtube to route housing for an internal dropper post.

This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.

The drop-bar Civante provides assist up to 28 mph and is Yamaha"s first Class 3 model. It is powered by a PWSeries SE motor. Utilizing frictionless sensors, the system measures pedal-torque, speed and crank arm cadence to deliver assist based on changing terrain and riding situations.

"The Civante will introduce a new group of riders to Yamaha"s legendary quality, comfort and performance and increases and diversifies our retail options," said Drew Engelmann, Yamaha"s Power Assist Bicycle group sales and marketing manager. "The Civante looks great, feels smooth and comfortable, and delivers the cutting-edge handling dynamics and seamless integration of assist technology that Yamaha does better than anyone else."

500-watt-hour Lithium-ion battery pack with charging options on or off the bicycle, with Yamaha"s charger, charging from 0-80% in approximately one hour.

Multi-function LCD display with Bluetooth app compatibility and readout showing assist modes, speedometer, odometer, trip meter, battery capacity, clock, stopwatch, diagnostics and more.

Built-in convenience features, including an LED front headlight, pre-wiring for Yamaha"s rear rack with integrated taillight, and rack and fender kit mounts.

The Civante will be available in a polar white color scheme with an MSRP of $3,399. It has a three-year warranty on the drive unit, 500-watt-hour battery, controller, display and frame.

View Yamaha"s full line of Power Assist Bicycles at www.YamahaBicycles.com and find a local retailer. See future Yamaha Bicycle models at www.yamahabicycles.com/future-ebikes/

PW-X DRIVE UNIT: PW-X is Yamaha’s lightest and most responsive drive unit designed to deliver a totally new mountain bike riding experience. Five levels of assist provide power for every situation in a way that feels smooth and natural. We call it “Pure Ride”, and with one ride you’ll understand why.

HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES: YDX TORC is equipped with powerful Shimano SLX hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors for strong, dependable braking in all conditions.

INTEGRATED SPEED SENSOR: Exclusive to Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles is a speed sensor engineered into the rear hub. Our speed sensor recognizes the slightest change in bicycle speed and helps adjust motor input to deliver a smooth and natural power assist feel for the ultimate ride experience.

MULTI-FUNCTION DISPLAY: Simple, tough and highly efficient best describes YDX TORC’s multi-function LCD display. The main LCD interface provides a host of functions; Speedometer, average speed, maximum speed, odometer, trip meter, battery capacity, battery range, cadence, clock and stopwatch.

ERGONOMIC CONTROL SWITCHES: Many times it’s the details that make a good product great. Check out YDX TORC’s ergonomic control switches. They’re large and easy to operate in all types of conditions while wearing mountain bike gloves.

YAMAHA 500WH BATTERY: Yamaha’s 500 Watt-hour Lithium-ion battery pack provides reliable & long lasting energy for your mountain bike adventures. When it comes time to replenish, you can charge the battery pack on or off the bike using the Yamaha’s high speed charger.

ROCKSHOX RECON: YDX TORC is equipped with the RockShox Recon Gold RL front fork featuring 120mm of travel, compression adjustment and remote lock out.

DROPPER POST READY: Cable housing guides are located under the top tube for external dropper post, or use the housing port located on the drive side of the downtube to route housing for an internal dropper post.

Made for roads and city. Point A to point B just got a whole lot sweeter. Experience the wind in your face, air in your lungs, and what life on two wheels has to offer. Enhance your everyday adventure with the new CrossCore RC. Charge. Pedal. GO!

With pedal assist power up to 28mph, Yamaha"s Quad Sensor System delivers assist in all conditions and offers a broad range of power assist modes that work great for many different styles of riding.Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Hydraulic disc brakes and center lock rotors provide you with strong, dependable braking power in all conditions. Power when you want it, braking when you need it.Large Volume Road and City Tires

Large volume 2” wide tires means smoother pedaling over rough surfaces for a more comfortable ride feel. Now you can comfortably stay out longer or go even further.Easy Accessory Compatibility

Equipped with an integrated kickstand for easy stowage and tabs built into the frame for options like fenders and rear rack. Take your things with you and make it a fun trip.Yamaha 500Wh Battery

Yamaha’s proven 500 Watt-hour Lithium-ion battery encased inside the frame provides you with great function, reliability, and protection. When it’s time to plug-in the high-speed charger, you can choose to recharge with the battery pack in the frame or take it out for convenient storage.Integrated Speed Sensor

Engineered into the rear hub and an exclusive design to Yamaha bicycles, our speed sensor immediately recognizes the slightest change in rolling speed and adjusts motor input to deliver a smooth and natural power assist feel.LED Headlight

Equipped with a powerful LED headlight to help guide the way and easy on/off button access using the ergonomic multifunction display switch.Comfort Focused Suspension

Bring the smooth and easy-to-adjust comfort of the SR SuntourNEX fork. Take the thud out of small bumps and rough roads with 2.5” of cushion without losing the quick handling characteristics of the optimized frame geometry.ALL-NEW Modes, Display, and Switch

Utilizing our Quad Sensor System, the NEW Automatic Mode brings an added peace of mind to our 4-mode system for smooth and powerful assist. Our new display is designed for a wide range of uses, from city to trail riding and features a simple and easy to operate LCD display with speed and battery capacity functions.

Made for roads and city. Point A to point B just got a whole lot sweeter. Experience the wind in your face, air in your lungs, and what life on two wheels has to offer. Enhance your everyday adventure with the new CrossCore RC. Charge. Pedal. GO!

With pedal assist power up to 28mph, Yamaha"s Quad Sensor System delivers assist in all conditions and offers a broad range of power assist modes that work great for many different styles of riding.Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Hydraulic disc brakes and center lock rotors provide you with strong, dependable braking power in all conditions. Power when you want it, braking when you need it.Large Volume Road and City Tires

Large volume 2” wide tires means smoother pedaling over rough surfaces for a more comfortable ride feel. Now you can comfortably stay out longer or go even further.Easy Accessory Compatibility

Equipped with an integrated kickstand for easy stowage and tabs built into the frame for options like fenders and rear rack. Take your things with you and make it a fun trip.Yamaha 500Wh Battery

Yamaha’s proven 500 Watt-hour Lithium-ion battery encased inside the frame provides you with great function, reliability, and protection. When it’s time to plug-in the high-speed charger, you can choose to recharge with the battery pack in the frame or take it out for convenient storage.Integrated Speed Sensor

Engineered into the rear hub and an exclusive design to Yamaha bicycles, our speed sensor immediately recognizes the slightest change in rolling speed and adjusts motor input to deliver a smooth and natural power assist feel.LED Headlight

Equipped with a powerful LED headlight to help guide the way and easy on/off button access using the ergonomic multifunction display switch.Comfort Focused Suspension

Bring the smooth and easy-to-adjust comfort of the SR SuntourNEX fork. Take the thud out of small bumps and rough roads with 2.5” of cushion without losing the quick handling characteristics of the optimized frame geometry.ALL-NEW Modes, Display, and Switch

Utilizing our Quad Sensor System, the NEW Automatic Mode brings an added peace of mind to our 4-mode system for smooth and powerful assist. Our new display is designed for a wide range of uses, from city to trail riding and features a simple and easy to operate LCD display with speed and battery capacity functions.

The original Yamaha LCD display is compatible with all e-bikes with Yamaha drive system up to model year 2015. The display can be used to set the four selectable support levels. It also has a battery capacity indicator, bike computer functions, as well as useful features such as a clock and a temperature display.

From 2016, the software of the Yamaha drive has been changed, which is why the error code ER15 (communication error) is shown when using an incorrect display.

This site uses cookies to ensure the best browsing experience on our website. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Find out more Got it

Made for roads and city. Point A to point B just got a whole lot sweeter. Experience the wind in your face, air in your lungs, and what life on two wheels has to offer. Enhance your everyday adventure with the new CrossCore RC. Charge. Pedal. GO!

With pedal assist power up to 28mph, Yamaha"s Quad Sensor System delivers assist in all conditions and offers a broad range of power assist modes that work great for many different styles of riding.

Hydraulic disc brakes and center lock rotors provide you with strong, dependable braking power in all conditions. Power when you want it, braking when you need it.

Large volume 2” wide tires means smoother pedaling over rough surfaces for a more comfortable ride feel. Now you can comfortably stay out longer or go even further.

Equipped with an integrated kickstand for easy stowage and tabs built into the frame for options like fenders and rear rack. Take your things with you and make it a fun trip.

Yamaha’s proven 500 Watt-hour Lithium-ion battery encased inside the frame provides you with great function, reliability, and protection. When it’s time to plug-in the high-speed charger, you can choose to recharge with the battery pack in the frame or take it out for convenient storage.

Engineered into the rear hub and an exclusive design to Yamaha bicycles, our speed sensor immediately recognizes the slightest change in rolling speed and adjusts motor input to deliver a smooth and natural power assist feel.

Bring the smooth and easy-to-adjust comfort of the SR SuntourNEX fork. Take the thud out of small bumps and rough roads with 2.5” of cushioned without losing the quick handling characteristics of the optimized frame geometry.

Utilizing our Quad Sensor System, the NEW Automatic Mode brings an added peace of mind to our existing 4-mode system for smooth and powerful assist. Our new display is designed for a wide range of uses, from city to trail riding and features a simple and easy to operate LCD display with speed and battery capacity functions.

Computer control functions include: (4) Power-level control switch, stop watch, distance units, power-level LED on/off, Bluetooth™ connectivity, USB power, USB connectivity, cycling function display items, time adjustment, LED headlamp power on/off, 3-color LED power assist level light indicator

The motor fitted to an electric mountain bike can make a significant impact on how it rides and, with more motors and eMTBs available than ever in this burgeoning bike category, deciding on the best option can be bewildering.

Of course, the answer isn’t clear-cut but, having headed up the new electric mountain bike category in our annual Bike of the Year test (dropping in May), I’ve been testing motors from all the leading brands.

This article will shed light on where each motor from the four main manufacturers (Bosch, Brose/Specialized, Shimano, Yamaha/Specialized) performs best – and where they falter.

There’s a lot to cover, so strap yourself in for the full deep-dive into electric mountain bike motors – or use the links below to skip to the sections you need. I’ve also included a glossary of the key eMTB motor terminology at the end of the article.

If eMTB motors aren’t what you’re looking for, our buyer’s guide to electric bike motors goes into detail about other types of motors for different kinds of electric bikes.

Full-fat electric bikes typically use a high-power motor with between 70Nm and 100Nm of torque and are powered by high-capacity batteries with from 504Wh to 1,000Wh of energy.

First is the Shimano EP8 motor, officially the DU-EP800, fitted to a host of bikes from brands including Santa Cruz, Yeti, Marin, YT Industries and Nukeproof.

Then there’s Brose’s Drive S Mag, also known as Specialized’s Turbo Full Power System 2.2 Motor. This system is fitted to Specialized’s most powerful ebikes, as well as models from German brand Rotwild and Spanish brand BH Bikes.

Finally, we’ve got the Giant and Yamaha-developed SyncDrive Pro, also known as the PW-X3. Most commonly fitted to Giant bikes, it’s also available on some Haibike and Raymon models.

A number of lightweight options exist, found on bikes where, unsurprisingly, there’s more focus on reducing weight, and less on all-out electric grunt.

Lightweight ebikes use smaller, less powerful motors delivering as little as 30Nm of torque but up to 60Nm. They’re usually fitted with lower-capacity batteries that are generally smaller than 500Wh. Bike weights are typically between 13.5kg and 20kg depending on exact specifications.

Here, Fazua’s modular Evation motor, fitted to bikes from Kinesis and Lapierre, goes head-to-head with Specialized’s Mahle-made SL motor, found on the American brand’s Turbo Kenevo SL and Turbo Levo SL bikes.

Panasonic also makes motors, and there’s Shimano’s de-tuned EP8 RS found on the Orbea Rise to consider. There are a host of rear-hub motors, too, but these are less relevant for mountain bikes, and are more commonly found on electric road bikes or electric hybrid bikes.

Comparing the headline figures from each of the motors in this test is a good way to initially understand how they could feel out on the trail in any given scenario.

Bosch Performance Line CXBrose/Specialized Drive S Mag/Turbo Full Power System 2.2Shimano EP8Yamaha/Giant PW-X3/SyncDrive ProPeak powerUndisclosed565w500wUndisclosed

Higher torque and watt figures, or maximum support percentage, should equate to a more powerful-feeling motor, helping riders ascend quicker or with less effort.

Bosch’s Performance Line CX equals Shimano’s torque, also delivering 85Nm, but only offers 340 per cent support. Bosch wasn’t able to disclose the Performance Line CX’s peak power.

The Yamaha/Giant PW-X3/SyncDrive Pro also has 85Nm of torque, matching Shimano’s support ratio at 400 per cent. Continuous power is rated 250w – the maximum allowed under ebike laws – but Giant doesn’t quote peak power figures.

The Brose/Specialized Drive S Mag/Turbo Full Power System 2.2 Motor boasts 90Nm of torque, beating – on paper – the other motors on test. It’s also claimed to offer 410 per cent assistance and 565w of peak power.

If this were just a game of Top Trumps number crunching, the Brose would come out on top. But, as we’ll find out, it’s not as simple as comparing the numbers on a spec sheet.

Each of the motors have pre-programmed modes that the user can switch between when riding. The modes deliver different levels of assistance, usually from low to high.

Bosch’s Performance Line CX motor has four stock modes, but depending on which control unit is fitted, the trail mode functions differently. For Purion-equipped bikes it has eco, trail, eMTB and turbo. Kiox 300 bikes have eco, trail+, eMTB and turbo.

Bosch’s eMTB and trail+ modes are reactive to rider input, where torque and power assistance levels are altered on the fly depending on how hard a rider is pedalling.

Specialized bikes have three stock modes – once again eco, trail and turbo – but if the bike is fitted with the MasterMind TCU control unit, it’s possible to change assistance levels in 10 per cent increments rather than switching between three predefined modes.

Finally, the Giant motor has five modes: eco, tour, active, sport and power. The active mode functions similarly to Bosch’s trail+ and eMTB modes, where increased rider input increases the amount of motor assistance.

Claimed run times can vary greatly and are dictated by a huge number of factors – not only which assistance level is selected or how much capacity a battery has.

Bike and rider weight, tyre compound and pressure, the weather conditions, trail type and smoothness, and how hard a rider is pedalling all influence how long an ebike’s battery can last.

The Bosch motor is only compatible with Bosch batteries. The range starts with a 300Wh unit and increases to the headlining 1,250Wh battery. This makes it one of the biggest-capacity batteries.

Unlike Bosch, Shimano’s EP8 motor can be paired with third-party batteries. Shimano has its own 504Wh and 630Wh units, too. SL ebikes such as the Orbea Rise use a 360Wh unit, while Norco’s Range VLT with EP8 motor can be paired with a 900Wh battery capacity.

The limiting factor for battery capacity is figuring out how to improve energy densities, where the aim is to fit the more potential energy into the same space without increasing battery size and weight.

Ever-advancing technology means ebike motors are decreasing in size and weight while offering more power and torque. This is a great thing for riders who are beginning to get the advantages of more power without significant weight penalties.

Given batteries can weigh from 3,150g (Shimano BT-E8035) up to 4,500g (Norco VLT 900Wh) depending on their capacity, the relatively small difference in weight between the Shimano and Bosch motors isn’t a particularly significant factor.

The Shimano EP8 and Bosch Performance Line CX motors both have bar-mounted displays, while the Giant and Specialized’s displays are built into the bike’s top tube.

The Shimano display has several variants, including ones with monochrome and full-colour displays. Shimano’s controller has two buttons and sits next to either the left-hand or right-hand grips.

Bosch produces a vast range of displays with varying functionality. The most basic is the Purion model, which even lacks smartphone connectivity. At the other end of the scale is the Nyon display that features touchscreen functionality. The model of display dictates which controller is installed.

Giant’s RideControl Go top tube display uses sequential LED lights to indicate remaining battery charge and which mode the bike is in. The redesigned RideControl Ergo 3 controller has three buttons and can be installed on either the left- or right-hand side of the bars, and button functionality is configurable using the app.

The Specialized MasterMind TCU, like the Giant’s display, is mounted to the bike’s top tube. The top-spec version features an in-built colour LCD display with customisable data fields.

The less sophisticated TCU uses LED lights to denote battery charge and selected mode, but both displays use the same four-button bar-mounted controller.

The functionality of the apps differs from brand to brand, with some offering only customisation of assistance levels, and others going deeper by providing detailed ride planning and tracking, with information on whether the bike’s battery has enough power to complete the ride in any given mode.

Shimano’s E-Tube Project app permits mode customisation and can turn your smartphone into a display screen for live ride data, if you’re using a bike phone mount.

Specialized’s Mission Control app can also be used to tune assistance levels, but goes deeper with ride recording and Smart Control, where the bike’s assistance is automatically tuned as you ride to ensure its battery won’t run flat.

The Bosch Flow app (which is one of multiple Bosch ebike apps, where each one is compatible with different head units and motor systems) can be used to tune motor outputs and plan and track rides.

I’ve ridden the four motor systems head to head on the same trails to find out how they feel in real-life scenarios, and give you the most accurate impression of their performance.

I’ve focused on their power delivery and how easy it is to control, and what that means when you’re tackling a technical ascent. I’ve also compared how powerful they ‘feel’, and when they ‘feel’ as though they’re giving you the most or least assistance.

How noisy they are can be a big issue for some riders, where quieter bikes are usually preferable, so that’s something I’ve also considered through testing.

Bosch’s Performance Line CX feels like the most powerful motor out on the trail, especially in its eMTB and turbo modes. The power it provides is addictive, constant and feels as though it matches and augments rider pedalling inputs with total cohesion.

The harder you pedal, the more the motor works. The support doesn’t tail off (if speeds remain below the power cut-off limit) with increases in cadence or power. You’re never left feeling that you want more assistance that the motor is refusing to provide.

Tackling ascents is a truly pleasurable experience, where a rider can either cruise at a lower speed and put in significantly less effort or pedal with vigour, expending more energy but getting to the top much, much quicker.

In contrast, the Shimano EP8 feels as if it has less power than the Bosch in its maximum boost mode. At times, it feels as if it throttles back on power, especially when you pedal harder on steeper or faster ascents. This can be a bit frustrating when you’re expecting its assistance to back up the effort you’re putting into the pedals.

At lower cadences, it has more power and assistance, but as a rider pedals faster or harder, it reduces its assistance on what feels like a sliding scale.

In this window, it’s well matched to the Bosch in terms of power despite its headline figures being marginally higher. Each pedal stroke, especially at lower cadences, is harmonised with and augmented by the motor, where more rider input equates to a satisfying boost in assistance.

Unlike the Bosch, which keeps on providing assistance up to the limit, its power tapers down towards the very top end in a similar way to the Shimano EP8.

In terms of power, the Giant/Yamaha motor sits between the Shimano and Specialized/Brose, with plenty of support at lower cadences, and this remains constant as the rider pedals harder.

On the trail, this makes the Giant motor feel feisty and raring to go, but this isn’t always a good thing where it can be very easy to spin the back wheel.

Starting from a standstill, the Giant/Yamaha motor can feel very binary in its power delivery, where it tends to want to take off quickly, providing full power.

The lack of progressivity can make it feel clunky, where controlling wheelspins on steeper or more technical climbs is tricky. Being able to feed in the power more slowly or progressively is vital, and is something the Giant struggles with.

Power delivery from the Specialized/Brose unit is much smoother and more progressive on start-up. That means putting the motor’s assistance through the back wheel isn’t a balancing act, and harder, more positive pedal strokes can be made without wheelspin.

This gives the Brose motor a more natural feeling, where rider inputs are seamlessly matched, rather than turned into binary on or off motor outputs. But, as mentioned, it does make it feel a little down on power at very low or high cadences.

Setting off in turbo mode on steeper or gnarlier ascents can be trickier, with the motor trying to provide a lot of assistance very quickly. If you’re not careful with how hard you pedal, or if you’re not ready for the assistance to start, it’s possible to wheelspin, making controlling the bike more difficult.

Impressively, the Bosch’s power delivery is progressive despite it feeling like the most powerful motor out on the trails. The power increase tapers up, and is matched to how hard a rider pedals regardless of mode. This makes hard starts on steep or technical sections relatively easy.

Massive amounts of low-cadence, easy-to-control grunt augments this further. The Bosch doesn’t need hard pedal strokes to provide assistance, where light pushes of the pedals turn the back wheel slowly but with plenty of torque. It behaves in the same way a low-range gearbox does on an off-road vehicle, improving traction and control massively.

All four of the motors feature overrun, where the motor assistance continues for a short period after a rider has stopped pedalling, but the amount and duration they provide differs.

The Yamaha – true to its binary feel – is the quickest to cut off on the climbs. This can make tackling tricky uphill sections harder than systems with a longer overrun because there’s more reliance on human power to keep the bike moving.

The higher power settings are great fun and either decrease the amount of effort needed to climb or increase speed potential if more effort is exerted.Andy Lloyd / Marin Bikes

Specialized’s cut-off is the most gradual in terms of feel, tapering down the power rather than stopping it abruptly. This makes it easy to predict and control.

The Bosch motor also tapers down its power rather than stopping it instantly. This makes it much easier to adjust pedal timing in rocky sections or briefly hop up a step without being left with no assistance.

The Shimano EP8 is quick to cut power at the end of its overrun period, rather than tapering. Depending on the circumstances, though, the length of its overrun is usually enough to maintain motor assistance when it’s needed. Push it too far, however, and you’ll be left without any assistance at all.

A wide range of factors affect how efficiently a motor uses its battery power, including bike and rider weight, tyre compound and carcass thickness (thicker carcasses or stickier compounds require more power to overcome rolling resistance), trail conditions, the temperature and weather, and how well maintained the bike is.

It’s worth noting I tested the different motor systems on different bikes from different brands, all with varying specs and components, frame and suspension designs and weights. While this reduces the scientific element of the testing, general efficiency trends have appeared.

Shimano’s EP8 appears to be the most efficient motor where bike weights, tyre compounds and trail or weather conditions had the least effect on battery range.

Specialized’s Brose motor with a bigger 700Wh battery, although slightly less efficient than the EP8, is still impressive. Like the Shimano, at lower assistance levels in excess of 2,000m of ascending is more than feasible.

The Bosch’s battery life was affected by multiple factors. On a Purion-equipped bike with DoubleDown casing, MaxxGrip Maxxis tyres in eco mode, more than 2,000m of climbing was regularly achievable, even in terrible weather conditions.

However, on a Kiox 300 Smart System bike with a larger 750Wh battery, on a bike fitted with DH casing MaxxGrip Maxxis tyres, only 1,700m of ascending was just about attainable.

Finally, based on my testing, the Giant’s motor isn’t particularly efficient compared to the other three. It was possible to crack only 1,500m of climbing on a single charge in the lower assistance modes despite its battery being almost identical in size to both the Shimano and Bosch bikes in this test.

Factors such as frame material and design, and motor and battery location play a part in how noisy ebike motors are. Whether that noise is generated by the motor working, or by hitting bumps or coasting is another factor.

The type of noise will affect different people in different ways. Some motors whine, some squeak, while others whirr. When freewheeling downhill, they can thud, rattle and tap.

Arguably, when under load, ebike motors sound like a rafter of turkeys gobbling, and once you’ve made that audible association, it’s hard to unhear it.

When climbing, the Shimano EP8 and Yamaha motors have the most obvious whines – or turkey gobble sound – that fluctuates with pedalling inputs. The sound they make isn’t particularly loud but the variation in pitch, or turkey gobble, can make both these motors sound louder than they are.

The Bosch makes a more constant whining sound with a higher pitch than the EP8 and Yamaha motors. This sound makes it easier to tune out compared to the Giant and Shimano motors, but it’s arguably marginally louder.

The Specialized/Brose motor has a lower-pitched whine that, like the Bosch, is constant. It’s also quite loud, but because of the more constant pitch, it’s much easier to ignore than the EP8 or Yamaha.

On the descents, the Specialized is the quietest motor. No rattles, knocks or dull thuds – as the internal freewheel engages or disengages – were emitted.

The Yamaha/Giant unit has a tapping, higher-pitch knock. This is more noticeable than the Bosch – mostly thanks to its pitch – but can also be felt through the pedals.

Shimano’s EP8 is the loudest and most rattly. This noise is generated from the motor’s own freewheel engaging and disengaging, and can be replicated off the bike by moving the cranks back and forth quickly. The noise can be felt through the bike’s pedals, but once you’ve got used to it, it’s possible to tune out relatively easily.

Day-to-day usage and life with each of the motors is similar. Care and maintenance instructions – such as avoiding submersion in water or cleaning with a pressure washer – are universally shared, and are good practices to follow with any mountain bike regardless of how it’s powered.

Battery removal after washing to let components dry out depends on each frame’s design, rather than being related to any motor system specifically, where some batteries are easier to remove than others.

Care and maintenance aside, one of the most frustrating things about living with certain ebikes is the lack of an accurate battery percentage display. The on-bike Bosch Purion and Shimano EP8 displays, and the Giant and Specialized’s basic TCU LED indicators, all show battery charge in 20 per cent increments.

Bosch’s Kiox 300 and the Specialized MasterMind TCU display show accurate battery life percentages. This feature is a great addition, and for bikes with smart LCD displays (such as the EP8), maybe a future software update could include this functionality.

For me, it’s a close call between the Shimano EP8 and Bosch Performance Line CX systems because both motors offer plenty of power and good battery life. You’ll also have the greatest choice of bikes, given Shimano and Bosch motors are most commonly specced.

Although an ebike’s motor and battery are key components, and seriously influence how a bike rides, its suspension design, frame geometry, and the parts fitted to it are also important considerations.

You might have the most powerful, efficient and progressive-feeling ebike motor in the world, but that’s useless if it’s fitted to a bike that’s compromised in other areas.

By saying that, I’m not suggesting Giant and Specialized bikes are bad. In fact, quite the opposite is true, and I declared the S-Works Turbo Levo the best bike I’ve ever ridden, but as a consumer if you want a Brose or Yamaha motor, you’re limited to a smaller number of bikes that may or may not suit your needs compared to their Shimano or Bosch counterparts.

In a perfect world, I’d meld together the natural-feeling assistance of the Brose, the battery life of the Shimano and the outright power of the Bosch, coupled with Specialized’s discreet MasterMind TCU and Giant’s RideControl Ergo 3 control buttons.

What are the terms associated with ebikes, and what do they mean? Adding a motor and battery to a bike introduces layers of complication, where additional understanding can be key to getting the right motor for your needs.

Electric mountain bike motors are usually fitted to the bike’s main frame at the down-tube and seat-tube junction, replacing the bottom bracket. The motors attach to the frame with large, weight-supporting bolts that mean they can be removed for servicing or repair.

Thanks to its main frame location, the motor forms a part of the bike’s suspended mass and lowers the centre of gravity, which can help improve handling and suspension. It means it doesn’t rely on long cables that could get damaged to connect to its battery.

Motors that are integral with the rear-wheel hub (and sometimes front-wheel hub) are less common on mountain bikes, but are frequently found on cheaper hybrid or commuter models.

Full-fat ebikes typically use a high-power motor with between 70Nm and 100Nm of torque and are powered by high-capacity batteries with from 504Wh to 1,000Wh of energy.

SL or super-light ebikes use smaller, lower-powered motors and batteries delivering as little as 30Nm of torque but up to 60Nm. They’re usually fitted with lower-capacity batteries that are generally smaller than 500Wh. Bike weights are usually between 13.5kg and 20kg depending on exact specifications.

There are fewer SL ebike motors compared to full-fat ones, but examples include the Mahle-made Specialized SL motor, Fazua’s Evation, and the Shimano EP8 RS.

The name given to ebike motors that only provide assistance when a rider is pedalling. As soon as a rider stops pedalling, the motor’s power cuts off. In the European Union, the UK and Australia, pedal assist is available up to 25 km/h (15.5mph). In the USA, it has a higher threshold of 20mph (32km/h).

Normally removable, the battery can be integrated into the bike’s down tube or sit on top of it. It’s usually connected to the motor using wiring with a waterproof connection.

Frequently mounted to the handlebars near the grips, the controller’s buttons change between each of the bike’s modes and can cycle the display, if one is fitted.

Sometimes this is fitted to the handlebars or stem, but it can also be integrated into the bike’s top tube or elsewhere. It can display multiple bits of useful information, including battery charge and current selected mode, along with speed, range and cadence.

Most motors feature user-programmable or selectable support levels. The mode types change the amount of power and torque assistance a motor will provide. For example, Shimano’s lowest-power mode is called ‘eco’, while Bosch and Specialized’s highest setting is called ‘turbo’.

A feature most ebikes have, where they’re able to propel themselves at low speed without the rider pedalling. This helps riders push the bikes up technical or steep sections they’re unable to ride.

The measurement of ebike motor power. Watts are universally used to measure power from electricity and gas, through to engines, motors and human power.

The law states ebike pedal assist motors must not provide more than 250W of continuous, standard power. As motors reach their top speed, they must reduce assistance gradually and finally cut off.

Manufacturers claim peak power outputs higher than the 250W limit for a lot of their motors, but this output is only in certain circumstances and only for a short period of time. When averaged out over time, the motor shouldn’t exceed the 250W continuous or standard power rating. Motors can sometimes feel as though they’re not delivering as much power as a rider is expecting, usually because they’ve reached a 250W continuous peak and are ‘throttling back’ to avoid exceeding the limit.

This refers to how much the motor augments a rider’s pedalling inputs and is given as a percentage. Motors with 100 per cent support will essentially double the rider’s power, so if a rider puts out 50w of power the motor will also provide 50w, amounting to an overall system power of 100w. Support percentages are directly related to motor peak power (above), and are usually in the region of 300 to 400 per cent.

Newton Metres (Nm) are used to measure torque. Torque is the amount of twisting or rotational force the motor provides to assist the rider. Higher torque values will make the motor feel more powerful.

This is a standard measure of electricity equivalent to the power consumption of one watt for one hour. Electric bike battery capacity varies greatly, and as technology improves so does energy density, where more power can be manufactured into the same space.

Motor assistance usually continues for a short period after a rider has stopped pedalling. This is called overrun and can be useful in technical climbing sections, where pedal timing needs to be changed to avoid ground strikes.