Over recent years, German brand Bosch has used its vast experience in consumer electronics and motorized tools to, erm, power into the e-bike motor segment. It’s built up an enviable reputation for some of the most punchy and reliable drive units you can buy and steadily improved less popular aspects like its clunky control units and displays. The Performance Line CX motor dates back to 2015, but the Gen 4 version I've been testing is the brand’s latest highly-refined, flagship, off-road system.
Going up against Bosch is a cycling component brand with a huge reputation for drivetrains that needs little introduction. Shimano has been manufacturing top-end, world-renowned, kit like Dura Ace and later XTR for over half a century and the Japanese brand was early into the e-bike motor game too. The familiar-looking EP801 here is its latest full-fat offering sharing the same form factor as its predecessor – the EP8. Don’t let that fool you though; the new model is a totally different beast to that less powerful and reliable motor.
