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
[blog specific=“136155″]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
[blog specific=“136252″]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
[blog specific=“136264″]Bull's Sonic AMS 2 Carbon
Category: All-mountain
Battery pack: 750 Wh
Suspension travel: 140mm/140mm
wheel size: 29 inch
Price: 5999 Euro
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
[blog specific=“135901″]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.