Product news / E-MTB: Today Shimano presented the new EP8 motor to the public for the first time. We were able to take a look at some new Shimano EP8 E-MTBs in advance.
Believe it or not, it's been five (!) years since Shimano presented their first own motor for e-mountain bikes, the E8000. A small eternity in the fast-moving world of bicycles. All the more impressive that the E8000 was still able to keep up quite well with the much more up-to-date competition in our most recent E-MTB test with almost 60 bikes - even if its age was a little noticeable. Still, it's time for the Japanese to step it up - and they are doing it. With the Shimano EP8 presented today.
All information about the new Shimano EP8
Shimano EP8 motor presented: The new E-MTB reference?
Product News / E-Performance: With the Shimano EP8, the bicycle giant is introducing a completely new E-MTB drive that will inherit the successful and groundbreaking E8000. When it comes to maximum performance, it catches up with the competition, and when it comes to weight, it even undercuts them. He also has a few other aces up his sleeve. We turn the wheel of time a little [...]
Smaller, quieter, more powerful: On paper, the new power pack from the bicycle giant seems to do everything better than its predecessor. The dimensions of the already compact predecessor have shrunk further - important for the manufacturers of Shimano E-MTBs: The frame mount has remained the same. This means that existing E8000 (or E7000) bikes can be equipped with the new drive from Shimano without too much construction work. The designers have also taken on one of the biggest points of criticism of the predecessor and the new drive is many times quieter and can hardly be heard off-road. With 85Nm it is also - at least on paper - significantly more powerful and thus catches up with the competition from Bosch, Brose and Yamaha. You can find first driving impressions in the corresponding article.
Some bicycle manufacturers have already presented their first bikes with the new Shimano EP8 to the public today. We were already able to take a look at the new Shimano E-MTBs from Bulls, Merida, Focus and Husqvarna.
Focus Jam² 9.9 Drifter
Category: All-mountain
Battery pack: 378 Wh (+ 378 Wh additional battery)
Suspension travel: 150mm/150mm
wheel size: Mullet mix (29 inch / 27,5 inch)
Price: € 6.299
The Focus Jam² 9.9 Drifter was already the last remaining Shimano E-MTB in the Focus portfolio in model year 2020; the decision for a drive from the Japanese will remain in 2021, but now with the new, light EP8 motor. The innovative battery concept also remains: a compact 378 Wh battery is in the slim down tube of the carbon frame - the total capacity can be doubled to 756 Wh with the external additional battery (=TEC pack) included in the price. When it comes to equipment, there is little to complain about on the 150mm all-mountain: A Shimano XT 12-speed gear system is combined with 4-piston brakes from the same series and bring the mullet wheels with Maxxis tires to a standstill. The chassis is solid: The lively FOLD rear end is dampened by a Fox Float DPS, the counterpart at the front is a Fox 36 from the Rhythm series.
To the detailed article about the new Focus Jam² Drifter 9.9 2021
First Look: Focus Jam² Drifter 9.9 2021: Rejuvenation with Shimano EP8
Product news / E-MTB: Focus refreshes its Jam² top model for 2021 with the new Shimano EP8 motor. Otherwise, much remains the same - from the innovative battery concept to the carbon frame with FOLD rear triangle to the mix of wheel sizes. The Focus Jam² Drifter 9.9 2021 in our short check. With the Jam², Focus provided […]
Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC7
Category: All-mountain
Battery pack: 630 Wh
Suspension travel: 150mm/150mm
wheel size: Mullet mix (29 inch / 27,5 inch)
Price: € 6.799
The Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC7 is visually and technically similar to its predecessor in many respects, but has been improved in numerous details: The modernized geometry, in particular, should be mentioned here, which now positions the rider centrally in the bike with a flatter steering angle and longer main frame. So you want to improve the driving characteristics in demanding terrain; The wheel size mix with the 29er front wheel hits the same note - this gives the wheel significantly better rollover characteristics. The equipment is appropriate for the almost 7.000 euros: In addition to a Fox Factory chassis with 150 mm spring travel, there is also a 12-speed gear system from Shimano and wheels from DT Swiss.
To the detailed article about the Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC7 2021
First Look: Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC7: Shimano EP8 motor and updated geometry
Product news / E-MTB: Husqvarna is relaunching the popular all-mountain e-mountain bike Mountain Cross for the 2021 model year. The focus is on the brand new Shimano EP8 motor (LINK). Other changes include an adjustment to the geometry and a wheel mix. We have already been able to test the Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC7 briefly. At first glance, the Husqvarna Mountain differs […]
Bull's Sonic AMS 2 Carbon
Category: All-mountain
Battery pack: 750 Wh
Suspension travel: 140mm/140mm
wheel size: 29 inch
Price: € 5.999
Last year, the new Sonic model series celebrated its premiere in the Bulls portfolio - initially exclusively with Bosch motors. There is an exciting addition for the 2021 model year: The Sonic AMS models all rely on the new Shimano EP8 motor, whose extremely compact design fits perfectly into the filigree carbon frame of the 140mm all-mountain. Impressive: Despite the large 750Wh battery in the down tube, the Bulls Sonic AMS 2, for example, only weighs a little over 20 kg. For just under 6.000 euros, Bulls has also put together a truly attractive overall package with a RockShox chassis consisting of a Lyrik fork and deluxe damper, both in a Select+ version, Shimano XT 12-speed drive, DT Swiss Hybrid wheels and the 8-pin seat post integrated in the frame.
To the detailed article about the Bulls AMS and ENS e-mountain bikes
Bull's Sonic AMS and ENS: Lightweight carbon E-MTBs with the new Shimano EP8
Product news / E-MTB: With the Bulls Sonic AMS and ENS, some of the first E-MTBs with Shimano EP8 motors see the light of day today. The optically really very successful carbon frame is home to a remarkably large battery and pushes the weight into remarkable regions. With the Sonic model series, Bulls was able to […]
Merida eONE-SIXTY
Category: Enduro
Battery pack: 630 Wh
Suspension travel: 160mm/160mm
wheel size: Mullet mix 29 inch / 27,5 inch
Price: from € 4.499
The Merida eONE-SIXTY, which was completely redesigned last year, will receive a number of other updates for the 2021 season in addition to the new Shimano EP8 motor. These include, for example, the larger 630 Wh battery in the down tube or the mullet mix on the wheels. With the big front wheel it gets an extra dash of smoothness to get the most out of the 160mm of travel. Innovative features such as ventilation via the head tube have been retained.
To the detailed article about the new Merida eONE-SIXTY
Merida eONE-SIXTY with Shimano EP8 presented: Engine update for the successful model
Product news / E-MTB: Last year, bicycle giant Merida gave its successful e-MTB, the eONE-SIXTY, a comprehensive update and continues to do so for 2021: Not only does the bike now come in most equipment variants with the new Shimano EP8 motor, but also gets a larger battery, new aluminum frames and a mix of wheel sizes. Better performance thanks to new […]