Test: We recently had the great opportunity to test ride the brand new Shimano Steps E-8000 E-MTB drive at home. The first models with the successor to the E-2014 that appeared in 6000 should probably be expected in early 2017. E-MTB fans can already look forward to it; As our test showed, the drive not only impresses with its small dimensions and low weight, but above all with its excellent characteristics.
The Shimano Steps E-6000, the first e-bike drive from the Japanese bicycle giant, is just two years old. During these 24 months, experience and feedback from customers and industry were gathered and tireless work was already being done on the next Steps generation, which will probably be available on complete bikes for the first time at the beginning of next year. The new E-8000 drive is the successor to the E-6000, but a completely new development.
At first glance at the test bike, which still has a pre-series motor installed, the shrunken dimensions of the mid-engine catch the eye: It looks nice and compact, and the small powerhouse is significantly smaller in width than its predecessor. In addition, the crank axle has been moved to the rear of the motor - at first glance this may take some getting used to, but it has a huge advantage: the effective chainstay length is reduced, which noticeably improves the agility of the bikes. But let's get back to the dimensions: The motor is not only significantly smaller than before, but also significantly lighter: the prototype on our bike weighs just 2,8 kg - that's a sensationally low weight. Even if the final version may weigh a few grams more, the new Shimano drive should still be under the magical 3kg mark as a series model.
So while the weight and dimensions are shrinking, the E-8000 is gaining somewhere else, namely in terms of battery performance. While the Steps drives were previously only available with 413Wh energy dispensers, there is now also a durable 500Wh version. If you want to upgrade your existing drive, you can do so with the new battery - the connections are compatible. Some fine tuning has been done with the charging characteristics of the new energy cells: The new batteries are already 2% charged after about 75 hours, and they are fully charged after 4 hours.
The motto 'less is more' was the inspiration for the design of the display and the control unit for the E-8000. While the predecessor was still controlled with a classic display/operating unit combination, the new drive is based on minimalism: A small, inconspicuous color display provides information about the support level, gear used (for Di2 drives), battery charge level and much more. The numbers and symbols are pleasantly large and the support level is also represented by different colors: a cursory glance while driving is enough to get the relevant information.
When it comes to operation, Shimano draws on the experience and know-how that it has been able to gather in the field of electronic Di2 drives over the past few years. So no special remote control is used as with the drives of the competition, but a Firebolt trigger with which the XT(R) Di2 can also be used to operate the rear derailleur and front derailleur. Instead of a shift lever for the front derailleur, you now operate the motor in the same place. This is not only intuitive and ergonomic, but also looks great. In addition, both the control unit and the display are very well protected in the event of a fall.
Shimano is open to manufacturers who want to use the new drive: Apart from a few details, the housing does not have any restrictive specifications and even with the battery, the manufacturers are given the choice of whether to use a battery on the down tube, as with our prototype or want to integrate the energy cells into the frame for a cleaner look.
Driving report Shimano Steps E-8000
Now it's time to get down to business. Before we lose a few words about the riding characteristics of the new Shimano E-MTB drive, a few details about the inner values: The E-80 brings a maximum of 8000Nm onto the trail - that's 20Nm more than the predecessor. Since you don't always need full power, the support can be set to three levels: Eco, Trail and Boost. Even in Eco mode, there is more than enough power for touring, and we can also get along very well with this setting in most situations on the trail. The firm characteristic is striking: the drive does not feel unnatural either when the power is used or when it is locked at over 25 km/h.
We were very impressed by the Trail support mode: In contrast to the other two modes, Boost and Eco, the drive delivers the power dynamically, depending on the pressure that the driver puts on the pedal. That sounds complicated at first, but in practice it is wonderfully intuitive after a short period of getting used to it: if you pedal very gently, the motor only delivers little power and supports the driver gently and almost unnoticed. If, on the other hand, you shift up a few gears and really step on the gas, the drive develops its full power. In practice, this mode of operation has two very decisive advantages: on the one hand, the drive acts very naturally and, on the other hand, the bike remains much easier to control, even on technical passages. Example technical uphill: Here the modern geometry of many MTBs tends to cause the front wheel to become a bit wobbly - if the drive pushes too much, this has a negative effect and makes the bike even more difficult to control than it already is. In Trail mode, you can apply gentle pressure to the pedals and the motor only pushes very gently, without negatively affecting the bike's natural characteristics.
Finally, the boost mode transforms the Shimano Steps E-8000 into an incredible powerhouse. The unbridled power also sets in quite gently, but then increases quickly and decisively: ideal for really nasty steep sections or if you just want to let it rip. For normal trail adventures, the motor almost delivers too much power for our taste. The operation is intuitive and we find it very easy: The Firebolt trigger is very easy to reach while riding and the support level can be adjusted quickly and intuitively using the two levers.
The display is easy to read, even in direct sunlight, and the color coding of the support levels shows Shimano's attention to detail and proves that they have put a lot of thought into it. Especially when things get rough, the activated support level can be easily recognized thanks to the different colors. If you combine the new drive with a Di2 circuit, the display also shows the gear you are in.
Conclusion Shimano Steps E-8000
All in all, the new E-MTB drive from Shimano did not show any weaknesses during the test. It is small, light, powerful and impresses with its natural characteristics, especially in trail mode. The operation via gear lever in combination with the minimalist display is aimed more at those who are used to a normal MTB without an electric drive and less at experienced E-MTB riders, who should also get used to it quickly thanks to the intuitive concept.
The first drives will be delivered to the manufacturers from October of this year and the first complete bikes with Shimano Steps E-8000 should be available in stores at the beginning of 2017.