E-Performance: Electric motors can now be found in all types of bicycles and it is impossible to imagine our city and trail image without them. It doesn't matter whether it's a stylish design bike, a fast commuter bike, an agile city bike or a sporty mountain bike. Each type of e-bike has its own special requirements for the electrified drive. The automotive supplier Brose has been producing innovative drive systems for electric bikes since 2014 and, in addition to powerful support, also offers sensitive response and natural handling. We present ten e-bikes from a wide variety of categories that are equipped with a Brose drive system.
Due to the flexible installation options and the elegant frame integration that is possible as a result, e-bikes with Brose drive very often win renowned design prizes such as the iF Design Award or the German Design Award. The Brose Drive product family offers the right drive for every application: from e-trekking bikes (Drive T) and S-pedelecs (Drive TF) to e-mountain bikes (Drive S). More than 30 manufacturers worldwide install Brose e-bike drives.
Brose E-Bikes 2018: City and Design Bikes
Brose E-Bikes 2018: Specialized Turbo Como 5.0
The Specialized Turbo Como 5.0 Low-Entry is a bike specially developed to ride comfortably and with good handling through town and across country. The beautifully integrated Brose Drive T fits seamlessly into the design and always cuts a fine figure. The motor control is perfectly tailored to urban use, which means that the Specialized Como can be accelerated in a controlled manner in city traffic. The Brose Drive T supports up to 25 kilometers per hour quietly and with little vibration. The high-quality battery is well protected and integrated in the down tube and can be easily charged either installed or removed.
The 2,2-inch display, which provides constant information about the charge status and the current driving mode, is also easy to read. The very deep top tube allows easy entry. Shimano supplies the durable cassette and all other high-quality components of the 9-speed gears and offers enough bandwidth in city and country traffic. The e-city bike is braked with reliable hydraulic disc brakes from Tektro. The recommended retail price for the Specialized Turbo Como 5.0 Low-Entry is 3.499 euros.
Brose E-Bikes 2018: Pininfarina Evoluzione Sportiva
The Pininfarina Evoluzione Sportiva is truly an eye-catcher and, like everything designed by Sergio Pininfarina, a balance of elegance and functionality. The integrated Brose Drive T fits neatly into the shape of the city bike, and the battery can only be recognized by a more voluminous down tube. In contrast to almost all e-bikes, the display unit is not mounted on the cockpit, but appears cast on the parting top tube. Pure elegance. In addition to its own design language, which the Pininfarina Evoluzione brings with it, robust and functional technology is also installed.
Instead of a classic chain drive, a low-maintenance belt drive and hydraulic disc brakes are used here. The 250-watt Brose Drive T drive is powered by a 500-Wh Panasonic battery; so there is enough power to have enough reserves even on longer city tours. Despite carbon and high-quality equipment, this elegant design piece and Eurobike E-Bike award winner is still affordable with an RRP of around 5.000 euros.
Brose E-Bikes 2018: BMW Active Hybrid
The BMW Active Hybrid E-Bike made of hydroformed aluminum and in the typical BMW bullneck design is powered by a Brose Drive S drive. The 250 watt strong and sporty tuned motor delivers its maximum torque of 90 Nm in a controlled manner up to 25 km/h on the asphalt and at higher speeds it is completely decoupled so that there is no additional pedaling resistance.
To ensure that the performance is available for as long as possible, a 504 Wh battery is installed in the down tube of the well-designed bike and provides a range of up to 100 kilometers. This battery also supplies the LED front and rear lights, which are built in for a little bit of safety. The control unit equipped with Bluetooth ensures the necessary adjustment of the support levels. The BMW Active Hybrid E-Bike is available from BMW dealers for 3.300 euros.
Brose E-Bikes 2018: Trekking bikes and S-Pedelecs
Brose E-Bikes 2018: M1 Sporttechnik ZELL GT
High-quality components and many years of carbon expertise are the core elements of the M1 Sporttechnik ZELL GT. The S-Pedelec is the perfect solution for the quick and relaxed way to work, after work, or steep climbs and descents at the weekend. The Brose Drive TF drive accelerates the ZELL GT up to 45 kilometers per hour, which requires approval as a light motorcycle. Despite the additional power that the Brose Drive TF has, it is not larger and can be integrated into the frame just as elegantly. The 250 watts and up to 90 Nm of torque are fueled by a nearly 500 Wh battery.
The drive components used are the rear derailleur, cassette and shifter from Shimano's Deore XT group. Magura brakes ensure sufficient braking power. A Magura MT5 with a 203mm brake disc decelerates on the front axle and a Magura MT4 with a 180mm brake disc on the rear axle. To provide the necessary comfort, a FOX Float 34 fork with 130mm travel is installed. The M1 Zell GT (S-Pedelec) is priced at 5.299 euros, the CC version limited to 25 kilometers per hour at 4.799 euros.
Brose E-Bikes 2018: BH Atom Jet Pro
The BH Atom Jet Pro is a long range trekking bike. The Brose Drive S drive delivers a lot of power in a controlled manner and has a sporty design. The carbon-reinforced toothed belt reduces the noise generated by the drive and prevents vibrations from being transmitted to the pedal. So you almost forget to be on the road with an e-bike. Pure driving experience – without annoying noises. Together with a 600 Wh battery, the BH Atom Jet Pro has a maximum range of 125 kilometers.
The whole thing is operated on the 2,8-inch color display. The trekking bike is reliably decelerated by Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. The brake calipers are attached to 180mm brake discs on both the front and rear wheels. Front light and rear light are already mounted on the aluminum frame, luggage rack, mudguard and other extensive equipment are also available. At 3.499 euros, the BH Atom Jet Pro joins our top 10 price list.
Brose E-Bikes 2018: Scott E-Silence 20
The Scott E-Silence 20 is a bike ideal for urban commuting. The combination of a Brose Drive S drive and a 509 Wh battery enables the trekking speedster to cover a distance of up to 150 kilometers. The e-bike is available in men's and women's versions. In the women's version, the entrance is designed correspondingly lower. In order to always get through safely in urban commuting traffic, the front and rear lights are already installed and beautifully integrated ex works.
A RockShox Paragon Silver fork provides the necessary comfort and braking is done with hydraulic disc brakes from Shimano. The luggage rack is designed for a maximum load of 15 kilograms and thus carries all your purchases home comfortably. A nice extra is the holder for an ABUS folding lock integrated in the frame. You get a fully equipped trekking bike for 3.599 euros.
Brose e-bikes 2018: mountain bikes
Brose E-Bikes 2018: BH Atom X LYNX 6 27,5Plus
Like many e-mountain bikes, the BH Atom X LYNX 6 27,5Plus, which was awarded “EMTB of the Year”, offers a fully integrated battery. Unlike the competition, however, you can easily remove the battery using a small lever on the top tube, which is unlocked using a smart key. The smart key is an IP67-protected wristband that every user receives upon purchase. The striking design ensures easy and convenient removal. The built-in Brose Drive S drive delivers 15% more torque than its predecessor. The Brose Drive S develops its peak performance at high cadences (between 60 and 90 revolutions per minute). Thanks to the highly sensitive sensors of the Brose drive, the drive power can be precisely metered. If you pedal more, you get more support from the system. Brose is known for this torque-controlled technology and thus provides the optimum additional power and the necessary endurance.
The chassis, each with 160mm travel at the front and rear, consists of a Fox 36 Float Performance fork and a Fox Float DPS Performance damper. The power transmission of the Brose Drive S drive takes place via an 11-speed XT cassette, linked by a Shimano XT rear derailleur. A Shimano SLX brake system with a 200mm brake disc on the front axle and a 180mm brake disc on the rear axle is used to decelerate the e-mountain bike. The RRP of 5.499 euros is in the middle price range.
Brose E-Bikes 2018: Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo
The frame and rear triangle of the Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo are made of light and stiff FACT 11m carbon and offer enough reserves even on difficult terrain. The Brose Drive S drive is stable and seamlessly integrated into the design in a specially formed forged part, thus promoting a low center of gravity, which has a positive effect on the driving characteristics of the Turbo Levo. The battery is neatly integrated and can be charged both when installed and when removed. The motor control is optimized here for off-road use, so that the enormous power of the Brose Drive S can always be delivered in a controlled manner. This gives the rider a secure feeling on the mountain bike at all times. The drive accelerates the Specialized Turbo Levo quietly and harmoniously in all support levels. Without support, the motor is decoupled internally so that there is no additional pedaling resistance. The e-bike can be ridden like a classic mountain bike.
The Brose Drive S drive is controlled via the integrated trail display and ANT+/Bluetooth for using the Mission Control app. When fully discharged, it takes about 3,5 hours until the M1-504 battery is fully operational again. The finest components are also installed on the Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo. A SRAM XX1 11-speed group and the Roval Traverse SL carbon wheels are responsible for the power transmission from the drive to the rear wheel. The fork of the noble racer comes from Öhlins, here an RXF 36 29 6Fattie is installed. A RockShox Monarch RT3 Rx Trail Tune dampens the rear end. The entire system is slowed down by SRAM CODE RSC brakes, each with 200mm. Not only are the built-in components classy, but the Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo also ranks at the top in terms of price with an RRP of 9.999 euros.
Brose E-Bikes 2018: Bulls E-Stream Evo AM4 27,5+
Maximum trail action with the Bulls E-Stream Evo AM4 27,5+. With the powerful support of the Brose Drive S drive, you can cover even more trails in even less time and the uphill ride becomes pure pleasure. The Brose technology transfers the pedaling effort into powerful propulsion in a harmonious and controlled manner. Nevertheless, it always remains in the controlled area. Thanks to the integrated 650 Wh battery, which is fully charged in 5 hours, there is plenty of capacity for extended trail tours.
Equipped with a chassis consisting of a 150mm RockShox Lyrik RC Solo Air suspension fork and a RockShox Deluxe RT rear shock, the Bulls E-Stream Evo always offers the best control and sufficient reserves, even on fast downhill rides. A Shimano group consisting of a Deore XT rear derailleur with 11 gears and a Shimano SLX cassette transmits the power of the Brose Drive S to the drive wheel. The Bulls E-Stream Evo AM4 27,5+ is braked by Magura brakes. A Magura MT5 with four pistons is used on the front axle and a Magura MT4 with two pistons on the rear axle. With a recommended retail price of 5.199 euros, the Bulls E-Strean Evo AM4 27,5+ is priced in the middle range.
Brose E-Bikes 2018: Rotwild RC+ Ultra
The Rotwild RC+ Ultra is a cross-country bike equipped with Brose Drive S with 120mm travel at the front and rear. Depending on the equipment variant, the Rotwild RC+ has a permanently installed 518 Wh or removable 648 Wh battery and thus extends the endurance of the Brose Drive S drive for extended tours or demanding uphills. Thanks to 100% decoupling of the drive, no additional pedaling resistance is noticeable even above the legally prescribed 25 kilometers per hour. Rotwild has optimized the kinematics of the RC+ for the Brose Drive S drive by adapting the virtual pivot point to the power of the electric drive. The drive has four individually adjustable support levels and is controlled via the control element on the handlebars.
The chassis consists of a Fox 34 Float 120 3-POS Factory Kashima fork and a Fox Float 3-POS Factory Kashima damper, which offers fine tuning and very low breakaway torque. The power of the Brose Drive S drive is transmitted to the rear wheel via SRAM EX1 components. This complete group, specially designed for the e-bike, is perfectly adapted with 8 gears and their gear ratio. The cross-country racer is slowed down by a Magura MTR-21 brake on 180mm brake discs. At 7.499 euros, the Rotwild RC+ Ultra is not exactly cheap, but it offers the finest components that are well matched to each other.
The Brose drive at a glance
– quiet, low-vibration
– No resistance to pedaling without drive support
– Sensitive response
– Powerful support and harmonious handling
– Elegant frame integration
More on that too: brose-ebike.com
More details on the Brose Drive product family will be available here soon.