E8000 & motor drag

[davowood]

Just wondering if the drag that you feel when exceeding 25kph is a software or hardware matter?

If it’s a hardware limitation, then I guess we are stuck with it.
If it’s a software issue - do you think that Shimano will remove the drag in future firmware updates?
Or, do 3rd party apps currently offer a workaround?

I am thinking about occasions when you may want to speed down a fire trail/road, or ride with the motor off, or you run out of battery. It would be great to not have this drag/resistance feeling on those occasions and allow you to roll along more naturally.

 

[GOSBTS]

I don't feel any motor drag above 25kph? Only drag is from the plus size tyres....one of the reasons i chose a Shimano motor e-bike. Motor kicks in and out as you waver around the 25kph mark but it is not significant by any means.

 

[ottoshape]

I feel zero drag when the bike is up on the stand and I'm spinning the cranks by hand, motor off.

 

[R120]

Fair few threads where this topic has been discussed, but really the biggest thing you feel when the assistance cuts out is that you suddenly are pedalling a 20+KG lump with big sticky tyres, so it can feel a bit like you have thrown an anchor behind you.

 

[jabi]

It has been tested with power meters that there is no drag. Finnish magazine tested it this year. Brose, shimano and Yamaha motors did not resist. Measured difference was so few watts that it's under error percentage.

 

[S D]

Same here , no noticeable drag from the motor , but then I usually ride in eco or off that way I get nearly a full days riding from the inbuilt 370wh battery.
I can imagine that someone who rides trail mode mostly and a 23kg bike with plus tyres would feel as though they had thrown out an anchor when the battery runs out.

 

[dirt huffer]

My limiter is at 30kph (US) and if i take it past 20mph and then coast, i don't feel any drag from the motor... just normal wind resistance and tire rolling resistance. This is on tarmac mind you...

 

[Jamsxr]

As others have commented, the only drag from my bike is due to the weight.

 

[suso]

no drag for me.

 

[raine]

Just wondering if the drag that you feel when exceeding 25kph is a software or hardware matter?

It's a "no more motor assist to make up for the 50-lbs. bike weight" matter. If you had the motor completely off and you manually pedalled up to 25km/h with all legs, you'd feel exactly the same "drag" because that's what it is.

 

[Gary]

Just wondering if the drag that you feel when exceeding 25kph is a software or hardware matter?

it's neither

it's a combination of tyre drag, wind resistance and weight (if accelerating or climbing)... oh and a gauge/wake up call as to your true level of fitness

 

[Wernher]

Drag on the Shimano is non existent, but I've ridden a bike with the 25 km/h European limit and you feel a distinct on/off (hunting) at or near the limit. On Shimano bikes with the higher 32 km/h limit as found in the USA, South Africa and some other countries, you don't get that hunting feeling. The power just tapers off towards the limit until you are on your own. Recent software updates may have improved that though.

 

[Gary]

Recent software updates may have improved that though.

Yeah. they have

 

[ottoshape]

it's a gauge/wake up call as to your true level of fitness

Why yes, of course it is... maybe, perhaps, on the right course with the right rider wearing the right helmet and proper shoes.

 

[craig landau]

everyone saying the 2.8 is slow, i say watch this

 

[LawmanMtb]

mine drags but the missus bike does not (same bikes) go figure

 

[raine]

everyone saying the 2.8 is slow, i say watch this

Everyone as in who? LOL

Plus - we're talking drag, not speed. Related? Sure, but not the same.

 

[craig landau]

Everyone as in who? LOL

Plus - we're talking drag, not speed. Related? Sure, but not the same.

a few of the replys were hinting the fat tyres slow the bike down, im sure the electric motor may have some issues if its dragging , i would get it checked out

 

[raine]

a few of the replys were hinting the fat tyres slow the bike down

Well realistically any tire (regular, fat, plus, 29er, whatever) can slow a bike down with the wrong tire pressure.

 

[grim007]

Its the speed limit.
I changed the speed limit to 32km/h and its noticeably better riding experience.

 

[Jamsxr]

Its the speed limit.
I changed the speed limit to 32km/h and its noticeably better riding experience.

What did you use to change the speed limit?

 

[flash]

Everything I've read, until this thread has hinted that the Shimano motor has some small amount of motor resistance (drag??) compared to a normal acoustic bottom bracket. The Brose and Fazua motors have next to none, the Shimano and Yamaha have a bit and the current Bosch has more. Rob even mentions it in his reviews of the bikes.

I have compared my e160 and my Trek fuel on a bike stand and I'm sure there's a bit more peddling resistance from the e160. It's very minor (a few watts maybe?) but it's there. I've also had to ride my e160 off, no battery and on flat ground for an hour. The weight was 90% of the difference but coming out of corners I could feel the bottom bracket a bit before the pedals spun up. I don't think I'm imagining it and I don't think there's anything wrong with my bikes (I have two e800 bikes and they feel the same). Currently I'm on 2.5 rear and 2.4 front, in line with an accoustic enduro bike. I've also ridden my eHardtail with fat slicks on asphalt, downhill and it doesn't feel like I have no resistance there either with the motor in the off position.

I've also done some extensive cycle touring (trans continental in my 30's, short hops now I'm older) and my e160 doesn't feel like a 35kg bike loaded with gear. However I admit they're so different as to be difficult to compare bikes directly.

In July I'm getting a bike with a Fazua motor (gravel) and I'm really interested to see how that compares to the Shimano motor in feel.

Gordon

 

[raine]

What did you use to change the speed limit?

Depending on your Shimano components, there's a pair of similar iOS and Android apps (eMaxMobile and STEPSunlocker) that lets you modify motor/limit settings through a Bluetooth connection. For more info, both have their own threads in this forum.

 

[grim007]

I've used STEPSunlocker on my merida eOneSixty. Changed the market to USA. Super happy with the bike now. Don't feel the drag anymore.

 

[craig landau]

I've used STEPSunlocker on my merida eOneSixty. Changed the market to USA. Super happy with the bike now. Don't feel the drag anymore.

what is this ??

 

[grim007]

what is this ??

android app to unlock shimano motors
Shimano STEPS Unlocker - unleash the power of your Shimano E8000/E7000 motor!

 

[craig landau]

is there one for iphone

 

[raine]

is there one for iphone

Try reading the posts just above:

Depending on your Shimano components, there's a pair of similar iOS and Android apps (eMaxMobile and STEPSunlocker) that lets you modify motor/limit settings through a Bluetooth connection. For more info, both have their own threads in this forum.

eMaxMobile is for iOS.
eMax - english

 

[craig landau]

do you need to purchase a licence key to use these programs

 

[raine]

do you need to purchase a licence key to use these programs

Only if you want the advanced features. Click the two links we posted above, you can read for yourself what each app does.