Product news: BH Bikes X-tep: E-MTB with Shimano motor and 720Wh battery

Product news / E-MTB: With the BH Bikes X-tep, the manufacturer from the Basque Country is presenting a new E-MTB that is based on the well-known, innovative platform of the Atom-X, but in contrast to it, the E8000 instead of a Brose Shimano motor. Exciting: The new E-MTB, which is available as a fully and hardtail, comes with a 720Wh battery, which should enable a range of over 150km.

With the Atom-X caused quite a stir for BH Bikes this spring in the busy E-MTB market. The completely newly developed frame platform not only broke new ground visually, but also made e-bikers enthusiastic about technology with its clever storage system for the battery, including unlocking via smart bracelet. So it's no big surprise that BH Bike's latest e-offspring, which goes by the name X-tep, is based on the Atom-X platform, but instead of the Brose drive installed there, a Shimano E8000 is now used.

So "just" a different engine in the familiar frame and everything else stays the same? At first glance one is inclined to agree with this statement. The already well-known keyless battery removal via smart bracelet is also on board again, as is the split pivot rear triangle developed by suspension guru Dave Weagle on the Fully X-tep Lynx 5.5. But this is where the differences begin: With 140mm of spring travel at the rear, the new X-tep fully lies between the two well-known Atom-X fullies (Atom-X Lynx 5 - 120mm / Atom-X Lynx 6 - 160mm) and thus already represents a certain all-round claim. In addition to the fullies, three hardtails based on the X-tep will also be launched, including the everyday X-tep Cross Pro with mudguards, luggage rack and lighting.

BH Bikes X-Tep: Large battery and lively geometry

The Atom-X was already known for its large battery and the associated long ranges - the new BH X-Tep also enjoys this advantage: The Shimano E8000 motor feeds its energy from a battery with an impressive 720Wh(!), which according to BH Bikes Should enable ranges of up to 155km.

Everyone has to decide for themselves whether Brose or Shimano E8000 is the right motor for their own requirements - there is no better or worse here. While the Shimano has its strengths above all in its great dynamics, the Brose conveys what is probably the most natural riding behavior of all e-bike drives available on the market. However, an undeniable advantage of the Shimano drive unit is its compact design, which allows frame builders to create E-MTBs with geometries familiar from non-motorized bikes. This can also be seen on the BH Bikes X-Tep: Compared to the Brose brother Atom-X, the chainstays are a whopping 445mm shorter at 20mm - the shorter wheelbase should definitely benefit agility on the trail.

BH Bikes X-Tep: models, equipment and prices

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