The Buzz GEAR
WHAT WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS MONTH
MOST WANTED
BOSCH PERFORMANCE LINE SX MOTOR
It had to happen eventually – Bosch has finally entered the ‘lightweight’ world with the new Performance Line SX system. The new motor looks familiar to us, like a shrunken Performance CX unit with a magnesium casing and two-bolt mount. Weight is a reasonable 2kg – not the lightest on the market, but still competitive with the 1.95kg Fazua and Specialized SL 1.2. It’s the output where it really shines though, pumping out an impressive 600W of peak power, putting it on par with most full-fat options and way ahead of its lightweight rivals. At 55Nm, peak torque is more in line with expectations, meaning it won’t be able to crawl up near-vertical pitches like a full-fat.
Supplying power to the SX is a new 400Wh internal battery backed up by an optional 250Wh range extender. This gives it the biggest potential capacity of all the lightweight units. With a battery weight of 2kg, you’re looking at a 4kg system – 3kg lighter than Performance CX – and complete bike weights in the sub-20kg range.
Operating the familiar modes – Eco, Tour+, eMTB, and Turbo – is the existing wireless mini-remote and top tube-mounted System Controller. The latter uses a series of coloured LEDs displaying the current power mode and remaining battery charge.
Friction within the motor has been reduced by a claimed 50% over the Performance CX, and the Q-factor is 15mm narrower to promote more efficient pedalling. That’s an important point because the Performance SX sings most sweetly at high cadences.
Bosch hasn’t neglected the details, either: it’s compatible with the Smart System and that allows you to tune motor characteristics in the Bosch Flow app, as well as giving detailed information on battery status, security features and in-ride navigation.
A brief ride revealed a motor that’s powerful enough to keep up with full-fat e-bikes and a technical climbing prowess that mirrors Bosch’s Performance CX, even down to the extended overrun that lets you ratchet up rocky pitches without clipping pedals. The biggest question mark remaining is range: will all that power burn through the 400Wh battery before you’ve got enough riding in? We’ll let you know once we’ve had more time on the system. bosch-ebike.com
DRY CLEANING
Motul has moved into bikes, it now makes Chain Cleaner (degreaser), Tire Sealant, both dry and wet Chain Lube, and dry and wet Frame Cleaner. The products are all eco-friendly and come in recycled and recyclable packaging, Motul says. Our pick: Dry Clean, which leaves a water-repellent protective layer.
SUUN WORSHIP
With a ludicrous 60 days of battery life and
