A new Shimano software update brings motor overrun settings for the EP801

Motor
Shimano EP801 and EP600
Shimano just dropped the 4.3.0 update for the EP801 and EP600 motors. I usually don't do articles about software updates, unless it’s something very interesting. The Auto Shift ver. 2.2 might be big news, it remains to be seen. The carry over settings definitely seem interesting.

Motor overrun settings for EP801​

I just did an article and a video about overrun on the EP801. And I had to get it out quickly as there was a rumor about this new update.

■ New functions have been added to the assist settings.
・ The "assist carry over function" has been added to the assist settings. This 3-level selectable function allows you to select the duration that assist continues after pedaling stops.*
・ The "assist cutoff function" has been added to the assist settings. This 3-level selectable function allows you to select when the assist cutoff starts near the maximum speed limit.*
・ An aggressive assist character has been added to the assist settings. The characteristics of the existing assist character Lv15 have been changed to be more aggressive.*
*These settings can be changed on E-TUBE PROJECT Professional ver. 5.3.2. If you wish to make changes, please consult your place of purchase or a distributor. For E-TUBE PROJECT Cyclist, these settings will be available in the version after ver. 5.3.2.

The Yeti / Shimano EP Racing team
Orbea’s OOLab and Rotwild Schwalbe Enduro teams took part in the development too.

Overrun and autoshift​

"Assist carry over" is the Shimano name for overrun and now there are three durations to choose from on the EP801. Next there's the option to set how hard the motor power ramps down as you approach the cutoff speed. This option is also available on the EP600. Finally, level 15 of Fine Tune mode has been altered to be more aggresive. It seems you can now configure the EP801 to be similar to the Bosch Performance CX Race motor. And racing is the motivation for this update. The Yeti and Orbea e-EDR racers have been testing various motor- and autoshift settings in competitions. More than a year after the introduction of autoshift, it seems they've settled down on new settings for both motor behavior and autoshift.

This sounds well and good, but there is an asterisk*. These settings can only be changed in the Shimano Professional software, consult your shop/distributor to perform the changes. That will change with the next Shimano E-Tube Cyclist update though, which is expected sometime this autumn.

Hans Rey showing off his skills!


It seems the EP801 can be configured to resemble the Bosch Performance CX Race. And Racing is an important reason for this update. Yeti, Rotwild and the Orbea e-EDR racers have tested various motor- and autoshift settings in competitions. It's been over a year since autoshift was launched and it seems Shimano has decided how they want the autoshift and overrun to work on customer bikes.

More power available​

When racing, you want maximum assistance as long as possible. The Bosch CX Race saw an increase in power amplification from 340% to 400%. The EP801 always offered 400%. But now the power amplification is available over a wider range of pedaling frequencies. So, this update brings the "extended assist" motor overrun, more power up towards cutoff speed and improved power amplification. These are things that are important for racing, but based on my experience with the Bosch CX Race, I very much appreciated it for my regular riding too.


The Shimano EP801 gets both the auto shift and overrun updates.


Full list of changes​


Shimano EP801 ver 4.3.0

■ AUTO SHIFT has evolved into AUTO SHIFT 2.2.
・ More precise gearshift control for AUTO SHIFT while pedaling that responds to changes in terrain and speed
 - Better gear shifting timing during acceleration.
 - Optimal gear shifting timing for each assist setting.
 - Holds manually shifted gear position in AUTO SHIFT mode, allowing you to continue pedaling in the appropriate gear
 - Self-learning has been added to the AUTO SHIFT function of internal shifting units
・ Improved shifting response for Automatic FREE SHIFT in aggressive riding
 - Improved response to rapid deceleration, achieving faster shifting to a lower gear
■ New functions have been added to the assist settings.
・ The "assist carry over function" has been added to the assist settings. This 3-level selectable function allows you to select the duration that assist continues after pedaling stops.*
・ The "assist cutoff function" has been added to the assist settings. This 3-level selectable function allows you to select when the assist cutoff starts near the maximum speed limit.*
・ An aggressive assist character has been added to the assist settings. The characteristics of the existing assist character Lv15 have been changed to be more aggressive.*
*These settings can be changed on E-TUBE PROJECT Professional ver. 5.3.2. If you wish to make changes, please consult your place of purchase or a distributor. For E-TUBE PROJECT Cyclist, these settings will be available in the version after ver. 5.3.2.
■ Others
General bug fixes.

Shimano EP600 ver 4.3.0

■ AUTO SHIFT has evolved into AUTO SHIFT 2.2.
・ More precise gearshift control for AUTO SHIFT while pedaling that responds to changes in terrain and speed
 - Better gear shifting timing during acceleration.
 - Optimal gear shifting timing for each assist setting.
 - Holds manually shifted gear position in AUTO SHIFT mode, allowing you to continue pedaling in the appropriate gear
 - Self-learning has been added to the AUTO SHIFT function of internal shifting units
・ Improved shifting response for Automatic FREE SHIFT in aggressive riding
 - Improved response to rapid deceleration, achieving faster shifting to a lower gear
■ New functions have been added to the assist settings.
・ The "assist cutoff function" has been added to the assist settings. This 3-level selectable function allows you to select when the assist cutoff starts near the maximum speed limit.*
*These settings can be changed on E-TUBE PROJECT Professional ver. 5.3.2. If you wish to make changes, please consult your place of purchase or a distributor. For E-TUBE PROJECT Cyclist, these settings will be available in the version after ver. 5.3.2.
■ Others
General bug fixes.
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Comments

Currently you cant make use of any of the new features unless you have a Shop PC from a Shimano dealer in your back pocket. Shimano needs to release the user app with the settings possibilities. otherwise this is just a false flag operation! MTB marketing utterly ridiculous. Oh i need to go to a shop to change a setting every time... useless.
 
Currently you cant make use of any of the new features unless you have a Shop PC from a Shimano dealer...
Yeah, visiting a dealer to do these changes is a bit of a hazzle. Shimano says these settings can be changed using the upcoming version of the E-Tube app. It's supposed to drop sometime this fall.
 
I just went to my lbs to get upgraded to this version. However, though it says details of the update in the details of the latest firmware, I can see no indication of it in my app. I'm a bit confused, do I need to go to my lbs to tweak or activate the seatings? Haven't had a chance to try the bike out yet so not sure if it has the new settings as default...
 
On the Shimano firmware release notes it says:

“These settings can be changed on E-TUBE PROJECT Professional ver. 5.3.2. If you wish to make changes, please consult your place of purchase or a distributor. For E-TUBE PROJECT Cyclist, these settings will be available in the version after ver. 5.3.2.”

… so looks like they may be using those that get the update at the workshop as wider (larger population) testing for the update and then once they have confirmed it’s not going to brick your bike they will roll it out via the public eTube app.

I’m pretty happy with that since I like the ep801 as it was, this improvement is a nice extra… but it they could hurry up it would be nicer again.
 
My assumption rather is that they have to update the app for individual users to reflect/tweak these settings so hence the delay but who knows..
 
How will this update effect the 801RS that's used on the orbea rise? All us rs owners are sat wondering if we can now get the full 85Nm out of the motor? Or does the rs tune still stand and can't be altered?
 
On the Shimano firmware release notes it says:

“These settings can be changed on E-TUBE PROJECT Professional ver. 5.3.2. If you wish to make changes, please consult your place of purchase or a distributor. For E-TUBE PROJECT Cyclist, these settings will be available in the version after ver. 5.3.2.”

… so looks like they may be using those that get the update at the workshop as wider (larger population) testing for the update and then once they have confirmed it’s not going to brick your bike they will roll it out via the public eTube app.

I’m pretty happy with that since I like the ep801 as it was, this improvement is a nice extra… but it they could hurry up it would be nicer again.
I am not a bike shop but have downloaded E Tube Pro and installed the update. Too late to ride now sadly
 
Hi guys.
I have "old" EP8 motor on first YETI 160e.
I think the update i've done last days was 4.2.0.
Any news about this update?
Thanks.
 
I am not a bike shop but have downloaded E Tube Pro and installed the update. Too late to ride now sadly
Have you noticed any improvements to battery life/ system efficiency with the update?
 
Have you noticed any improvements to battery life/ system efficiency with the update?
Not ridden it enough yet A22. I have a fault in my display ( can't add my PCE o2 to the spare port) and my dropper post is away for repair. I need a little time to set the parameters to my liking. Can't see it helping the battery life but we will see
 
Hi guys.
I have "old" EP8 motor on first YETI 160e.
I think the update i've done last days was 4.2.0.
Any news about this update?
Thanks.
Like you I have EP800 (2022-23) version and can’t see why this update wouldn’t apply to it as well, other than Shimano/bike mfg wanting to sell you new models.

Theres a couple of things lead me to believe the earlier motor could be updated:
I believe since the EP600 hasn't become “601” and may be updated the EP800 should also be update-able. From what I’ve read the 800 to 801 involved a physical change to an internal gear (quiet the rattle) and a different seal. Also because this is software/firmware update and a consumer e-Tube version is due out this fall I cant see logical reason it wouldn't apply.

You guys have any thoughts on this?
 
The EP600 was introduced alongside the EP801 so they share most of the same design.

The assist carry-over isn’t available on the EP600 though. I don't know whether the EP600 and EP800 would actually work with this functionality or not. But I'm trying to find out.
 
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