Test: The name Gobao is still largely unknown in this country, but the Chinese manufacturer is no stranger to the two-wheeler industry. As the global market leader for e-controllers, the company boasts decades of experience in electromobility. Since 2022, Gobao has also been active in the e-bike mid-drive motor segment with the so-called P series. In Germany, the technology has become particularly well-known through the Hepha brand, which installs these drives in its e-bikes. We subjected the powerful Gobao P100, which is used in current bikes as the slightly improved P101, to a comprehensive test on the test bench and in the field to determine whether it represents a serious alternative to the established systems from Bosch, Shimano, and others.
A giant in the background: Who is Gobao?
Even though the name Gobao may be new to many e-bikers, chances are you've already come into contact with the company's technology. The Chinese manufacturer is the global market leader in e-controllers for all types of electric two-wheelers. The company has been in existence for over 20 years and began expanding its expertise to include e-bike drive systems in 2019. This development culminated in the market launch of the P-Series, Gobao's first mid-drive motor, in 2022.
In Germany, Gobao's drive technology is primarily found in Hepha brand e-bikes. While the exact corporate ties between Gobao and Hepha aren't relevant to the end customer in every detail, the technical basis is identical. If you buy a current Hepha bike, you'll get Gobao's drive technology, even if the motor itself bears the Hepha logo.
The Gobao P101 in detail: The technical data
The drive we tested is the Gobao P101, a slightly improved version of the P100, which is also used in Hepha's current e-bikes. The fundamental differences, however, are minor. Gobao already presented an even more powerful successor, the P100 Pro, at Eurobike, which, however, was not yet available on the market at the time of testing.
The key data of the P100/P101 is impressive and places it on par with the most powerful engines on the market.
- Maximum torque: 100 Nm
- Maximum Performance: 750 watts (according to manufacturer's specifications)
- Weight 2,8 kg
- Housing Magnesium
- Tension: 36 volt
With these values, the Gobao P100 is exactly on par with the current Bosch Performance Line CX. The motor's design is also unobtrusive; it's neither particularly compact nor overly large, fitting into the frame on par with the well-known Bosch or Shimano drivetrains. It is mounted to the frame via three mounting points and has a standard Q-factor, neither particularly wide nor narrow.
Under scrutiny: bare numbers
For an objective performance evaluation, we tested the drive, installed in a Hepha Mountain 7 Carbon, on the test bench at PT Labs.
Brutal top performance
The first measurement determines the pure motor power at a sporty rider input of 250 watts. Here, the Gobao P100 impressively demonstrates its capabilities. In our comprehensive comparison table, it ranks exactly on the same level as the Sachs RS (BMZ RS), known for its extremely powerful performance. This puts it ahead of established powerhouses like the new Bosch motor or the Specialized drivetrain, making it undoubtedly one of the most powerful motors on the market.
Also interesting is the power output at a lower input power of just 100 watts, which corresponds to a typical touring riding style. Here, too, the motor delivers an impressive 512 watts at the highest support level – more than almost all other motors in the comparison. To achieve this power from a Bosch drive system, a significantly higher level of effort from the rider would be required.
Power development: High performance, low effort
The power curve, which represents the ratio of input to output power, confirms this impression. The curve climbs extremely steeply from the start and reaches its maximum power at an input power of only around 140 watts. This means that the motor delivers its full power even with minimal pedal pressure from the rider. This behavior is ideal for riders who want maximum assistance with minimal effort. The downside is that the riding feel is no longer particularly natural in this setting. Hardly any other mid-drive motor on the market is as powerful with such little input.
The thing about cadence
A more differentiated picture emerges when analyzing power output across different cadences. Here, the Gobao P100 reveals a very characteristic power curve, reminiscent of a hump. Power increases steadily, reaching a good level even at a cadence of 60. The sweet spot is in the range of 75-80 revolutions per minute.
However, weaknesses become apparent at higher cadences: As the cadence approaches or exceeds 100 rpm, the motor's power drops. At a cadence of 120 rpm, the power drop is already significant, which, in direct comparison, only the Shimano EP801 experiences to a similar extent. This range is generally irrelevant for touring riders. However, sporty e-mountain bikers who briefly require very high cadences on technical uphill sections to overcome obstacles may reach the limits of the motor here.
In a class of its own: Temperature management
The Gobao P100's absolute highlight is its heat management, also known as derating. This is where the motor impressed us most on the test bench. Even under continuous load with 250 watts of input power over a period of 15 minutes, which puts maximum demands on the motor, the Gobao showed virtually no reduction in performance. It remains stoic and consistently delivers its impressively high performance. Even in the extended 20-minute window, it is among the best we've measured so far, especially in this high performance class. In practice, riders of a Gobao P100 don't have to worry about a drop in motor performance, even on long, steep climbs under full load.
The ecosystem: Battery, display and app in check
A drive system is more than just the motor. Gobao delivers a well-thought-out complete package.
Compact power plants: The batteries
Gobao offers various batteries, including models with 600, 700, and 800 watt-hours. The 800 Wh battery we tested impresses with its very compact design for its capacity. With a weight of just under 4 kilograms (3,97 kg) and a robust aluminum casing, it performs very well, comparable to its Bosch counterpart. The 600 Wh battery is particularly interesting for light and slim frames; it is not only significantly lighter (approx. 3 kg), but also has a narrower and longer design. The matching charger, with 6 amps, is also compact and modern and fully charges the 800 Wh battery in around 4 hours, which should be absolutely sufficient for most applications.
Modern command center with a small weakness
The system offers two display options. The sporty version we tested sits next to the stem and impresses across the board: It's bright, colorful, very legible, and its animations give it a modern feel. The corresponding control panel is a bit lacking in tactile quality. While the pressure points are decent, the rubberized buttons feel a bit spongy and don't quite convey a crisp, modern feel. Nevertheless, the controls are perfectly acceptable and functional.
Gobao also offers a 3,5" display for use in the touring and trekking segment. This is mounted in front of the stem and appears to have the same interface and functionality as the display we tested.
App control: Solid basics
The accompanying app (available as a Gobao or Hepha version) has a modern design and offers the most important functions after a mandatory registration. The highlight is the ability to customize the three support levels (Eco, Tour, Turbo). Riders can adjust the maximum torque, the percentage of support, and the starting assist to their preferences. However, while the adjustment range is noticeable in practice, it is not so large that it would completely change the character of a level. Other useful features include over-the-air updates for the entire system and the ability to use the smartphone as a digital key to unlock the bike.
The Gobao P100 in practice
What matters is how you feel on the trail. Here, the Gobao P100 proves to be an unobtrusive yet very powerful companion.
Unobtrusive, but emphatic: The driving experience
The best way to describe the ride is "unobtrusive" – and that's a compliment. The motor does its job without being too obtrusive. Especially in Turbo mode, it develops an enormous punch, reminiscent of the venom of a Sachs RS when accelerating. Those who prefer a smoother ride can soften the acceleration via the app. The power control is good, but on slippery, technical terrain, it doesn't quite match the sensitivity of the latest Bosch CX. This is where the lack of a progressive assistance mode, which dynamically adapts its power to rider input, becomes noticeable. The motor has a smooth, pleasant trail, which helps maintain flow on the trail.
The Achilles heels: noise and delay
However, two aspects have been noticed negatively in practice. First, the motor has a noticeable delay of about half a second before assistance kicks in when accelerating. This delay becomes particularly problematic when you briefly stop pedaling on a technical trail and the trailing has ended. Resuming the ride then takes a crucial moment too long.
The second and biggest drawback is the noise level. While the assist noise is audible under load and its tone is reminiscent of a Shimano EP8, the rattle of the gears in freewheel mode is extremely noticeable. The motor rattles loudly even on flat paths with slight bumps, unfortunately setting a negative benchmark. For riders sensitive to noise, this is a significant disadvantage.
Conclusion: A challenger with a clear profile
The Gobao P100/P101 is far more than just another alternative. In core areas such as sheer maximum performance and, above all, outstanding thermal management, it not only keeps pace with, but even leaves established competitors behind in some areas. The overall package, consisting of a motor, compact and powerful batteries, and modern display and app integration, is absolutely competitive.
The drive's strengths are particularly evident in touring use, whether on a trekking bike or a touring e-mountain bike. Here, you benefit from the enormous power, the smooth handling in the middle gears, and the peace of mind provided by the virtually non-existent derating.
For very sporty and technically skilled e-mountain bikers, however, the weaknesses become more apparent: the loud rattling, the noticeable acceleration delay, and the drop in power at very high cadences. Those who can overlook these issues or who prefer a different riding style will find the Gobao to be an extremely powerful and impressive drive system. Gobao is a name worth remembering for the future.