Future E Bike Technology Part 3 | The Future Of The Electric Mountain Bike Motor?

We're back with more in-depth discussion from some of the industry-leading brands and creative folk in charge of E-bike development with another look at what the future of electric Mountain Bikes has in store. This time, we're focusing the conversation on the future of e-bike motors, specifically electric mountain bike motors. What will the improvements on efficiency look like? Will we see traction control? What about software to help with energy conservation? Let's find out...

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[kevinshort]

A gearbox that can change under power, built into the motor would be good. Then we can go belt drive, with minimum maintenance.

IMO motors are powerful enough, but more range, lighter, smaller, cooler is always welcome.

A sensible speed limit is the next big change that needs to happen. Just up it to 20mph, and 90% of people would be happy enough.

[markotrieste]

I think the next big thing is the integration of the motor with the gears, on the likes of Valeo. All weight concentrated in the middle, light wheels and the end of hanging derailleurs.

Also, some sort of energy recovery during braking would be appreciated.

[itarry]

When you announced this video was coming in the EMBN show I was really looking forward to seeing some new ideas and speculation about where tech was going, a look at the companies that really are trying to push the motor/gearbox idea, stuff like that. Then after 4 minutes it turned in to a Specialized marketing video. With the Specialpriced rep coping out and basically blaming the rider for not understanding how to use their bikes right, even suggesting that they should control the entire thing themselves and not the rider and owner of the bike. How can a more efficient system, even just by 10% not be a benefit? Just because it can't be done yet and they can make software with fancy names that are cheaper to make but easy to sell. It'd be really nice to get totally honest opinions occasionally. The 1st bloke interviewed was OK and seemed more upfront but then he was only one for 2 minutes.

[MorenoArtStudio]

Will you at some stage do a video on emtb security? It would be nice if the manufactures add some kind of gps tracking to the expensive bikes they sell

[OzyMark]

I’m still riding my 2018 Levo & it’s got all the power I need to play & ride keeping the smile on my face. Having more efficiency or bigger/smaller battery It’s all waffle. Most of us are just weekend warriors. We don’t race, we just go out with our mates & have a blast enjoying the ride. I have no need to upgrade as my bike still gives me everything I need. Even if the shaved 5Kg of a new Levo? It would make any difference to me as I don’t set time I just hate riding uphills & Love going down.

[srfrsean]

Drive train reliability & technology needs to evolve ASAP.

[KingGimo]

Rocky mountain Power Play first video was a beautiful start 😊 powerful beast

[jimbo]

Honda, KTM and Yamaha have just joined together to pool their knowledge and develop a better battery for their e motorcycles. Bicycle companies need to do something similar i think, but right now the bike industry is in a mess, mainly no bikes !

[zdenekkratochvil]

From my perspective it is ideal to have mountain bike with motor which will have torque approximately 80-90 Nm (because it is enough powerfull for mountain biking in any terrain) and battery with capacity about 500 - 600 Wh (because it is enough for common rides) which will be easilt replaceble. And the next target shoulg be to build such bike as light as posible for achieving as best as possible handling (and transport if it is possible). I really want to have possibility to replace the battery due to long day rides for example in Alps which could be in my case about 90-100 km and 2500-3000 m elevation or sometimes even more.

Regarding management of motor performance I think that current settings will be extended by two new modes which I call "ride/mission completing guaranteed" and which will work in the following way. Rider will upload planned route including its profile and bike will intelligently manage level of asistence to be guarated that the rider will have enough energy from start to finish (with some, for example 10%, reserve). I had spoken about two new modes because I think that it would be nice to have possibility to select more "flat" assistance curve or more "steep" assistance curve which will spare more energy for climbs in comparison with "flat" curve.

[JB]

I ride in Tour mode most of the time. Seems to be enough assistance.

[TheLemouria]

1) Solid State Batteries : will allow the bikes to have more range, faster recharge and less weight
2) Better carbon fibers : will allow lighter bikes
3) Active suspensions : so we will eliminate useless and annoying fine tuning
4) Electric seat reguations : so to improve comfort. Lots of people have pain on those saddles
5) Better engines : we will have more efficiencies and even more torque. People are happy with powerful bikes, especially on the alps!

[antifugazi]

Wow a video that made sense, to much emphasis has been on trail riding etc when actually most people just commute or use their e bikes for Deliveroo etc

[nucleardwarf]

You pair of buggers are responsible for me ordering an E-bike! I am a 71 year old who has been mountain biking for decades (stumpjumper 120 full suss currently) but now suffer with a bit of arthritis in both knees. Having stumbled on your youtube site I find myself awaiting the delivery of a Specialized Turbo Levo Comp 29 in the hope that I can enjoy many more years of this activity - but I still hold you responsible!

[johnf]

In my opinion, we will hit the sweet spot when batteries will be twice the capacity at half the price and weight. Regenerative braking should be standard especially if you are paying the upper end prices, £10, 12 even 13k! Antilock brakes maybe? Perhaps even a small hub motor at the front (as well as mid drive) to assist steep loose climbs? Could you even use electromagnetic suspension damping to also put charge back to the battery? Lighter ebikes is a must. Built in lights and inflator please! And security! Puncture proof tyres. Silent motor, yes! Better and stronger drivetrain. Super eco mode that turns the motor off when the going gets too easy. Super safe eco mode that reduces assistance as the bettery nears exhaustion (60-50-40-30-20%)

[diegao]

That guy us always selling the idea of people knowing how long they are gonna ride, I don't get it at all. very rarely do I "know" how long my ride will take.

[Ellerich]

Someone please design a bike that can switch from trail to street. Set it for trail and the max speed is 20mph and lots of torque for climbing the steepest trails. Set it for street and the max speed is 20mph. I don't want to buy two different bikes. Allow me to flip a switch for speed differences so that I don't break the law on the trails

[ShaunWorthen]

I have a SC Bullit. I love it. Just the way it is. No complaints. I get this industry wants and needs to always advance, and that’s fine. Personally only a slightly lighter bike would be nice. I like some of the added weight for jumps. But traction control etc. No interest what so ever. The wBike over an Analog, is so much night and day, I am completely happy as is. All the best!

[rcbigdaddy]

The biggest improvement for me would be efficiency and battery capacity. Current motors make good power. Heavier riders have a big disadvantage going uphill for long stretches. No way around it really, so having more watt-hours and better efficiency would be a huge plus. I weigh 88 kilos and ride a SC Heckler with the 500wh battery. For most rides I have to carry an extra battery as my friends all have Turbo Levos with the powerful Brose motor and 700wh batteries, and all are lighter than me, I am electrically marginalized:)

[XennialGuy]

I personally don't think going for more more powerful motors or higher powered batteries is the direction of the future. I think lighter and more efficient batteries and motors within a smaller footprint is the solution. Also, the derailleur as we know it needs to completely be replaced with a hub gearbox designed by the big brands specifically for e-bikes.

I don't think traction control is something we need or even an issue. I am my own traction control, that's where skill and experience comes in. We don't need to completely idiot-proof mountain biking. Let me use the enhanced tools for getting uphill myself.

[ozoutdorz]

My bike motor is already 6200 watt with a 2000 watt battery and 100klm range. VERY Happy right now !!! Why the fk would you want a SL levo that cuts at 25kph and costs $23, 700 here in Australia..