Bosch Smart System, eBike Flow App, PowerTube 750

Bosch eBike Systems announced their new Smart System products for model year 2022 at their annual press event. The new hardware includes a refined display called the Kiox 300, LED button pad (which can be used independently), high capacity PowerTube 750 battery pack, Performance Line CX, and 4 amp charger. The new software will be offered on iOS and Android smartphone devices, which will connect to the LED button pad using Bluetooth. None of the older Bosch ebike hardware will be compatible with the new Smart System hardware or software.

In this video, I present my observations, reflect on Bosch electric bike products from the current generation, and read through the official press releases. I've overlaid screenshots of the new hardware, and included a concept video shared by Bosch. I'll be answering as many questions as possible in the comments, and relying on my marketing contacts at Bosch to clarify anything that I cannot directly infer. Bosch appears to be creating a digital backbone for bicycle manufacturers, lights manufacturers, and other software and services providers to engage on a safe platform. They are promoting the IOT (internet of things) concept here, showing smart augmented reality glasses, as well as vehicle to x and bike to x communications that could improve safety (alerting drivers and riders to each other). While some of the concepts may not play out in the immediate future, it's exciting to imagine this ecosystem growing from a foundation of hardware and data supported across all future Bosch powered electric bikes.

0:00 Bosch eBike Systems Model Year 2022 Press Event, new Smart System hardware
0:20 Overview of existing non-compatible Bosch eBike hardware (motors, batteries, displays)
2:43 Introducing Kiox 300, LED Remote, eBike Flow App, IOT Platform (V2X, B2X, others)
8:23 Communications backbone concept, supporting third party apps and hardware
9:04 Bosch ebike history in North America, my own reliability and support experiences
10:55 Thoughts on scope of Bosch ebike products, simplifying and lowering price?
12:50 Purpose of video, staying objective, getting good answers to questions
13:27 Bosch Smart System official concepte video
15:13 Press release 1: high level overview, reading with examples and my thoughts
25:08 Press release 2: Smart System vision, reading with examples and my thoughts

[ElectricBikeReview]

Questions and answers:
- The 5 dots do represent 10 steps because each dot can change from green to orange when it is half drained
- The new PowerPak 750 battery is 36 volt, 20.1 amp hours, 723.6 watt hours
- Riese & Müller, CUBE, Haibike, BULLS, Centurion, Ghost, Pole all have Smart System models listed now
- LED Control Pad does not appear to be dimmable

[lvonbeethoven]

Thanks for this, Court! I’ve really appreciated your reviews, and last week, after exhaustive research, I ordered a Riese and Müller dual-battery Homage vario - and I was able to do this at a local bike shop! I’m still researching Bosch systems to learn more about what my bike will have, and was a little concerned about the bike (which will not be here for a couple months), already being obsolete with the “older” Bosch technology. Your detailed explanation here has helped me confirm that I made the right decision. I know in this day and age technological advancements are made quickly, and everything we buy is rushing headlong into obsolescence. We live in an exciting time! Your videos/reviews of the many bikes you’ve covered over the past few years have helped me decide all the features and the kind of quality I want in a bike. Thanks again for your thoughtful and detailed explanations!

[emma]

If only Bosch had a throttle option! Ugh I started with a Bosch (based on your Haibike vid) and LOVED it. But with my worsening knee arthritis, some days I need to do throttle only. I know they're banned in Europe, but I keep hoping the US market will be big enough for them to add class 2 options. Particularly for people in my parents' age (60s), I feel like many would be more comfortable with a throttle option in case their mobility decreases so this seems like something they should work on for markets that allow it. (And, frankly, if we want to reduce our reliance on cars, and include people with disabilities while doing so, having the option to use a throttle should be an option everywhere.)

[GregF]

This is great! With all the connectivity Bosch will know exactly where you ride, the speed you ride, and can share the information with the government if they ask for it. Imagine the possibilities....on a trail where you aren't allowed to use an ebike, the Bosch system shuts off the motor against your will, because they know where you are thanks to your phone's GPS.

I would rather have a non-connected system.

[nagele]

Nice to see you in a video without a helmet 🙂👍🏻
Great video! Nice new products from Bosch

[MrBaptista]

Hope Bosch doesn't go that super techie route. Overcomplicating things will only make them harder to work with, more expensive to maintain and more things to brake that you need to fix.
Sure, some improvements are welcome, but why everything these days needs to be "connected"? One thing I love about going for a bike ride is the opportunity to disconnect. I don't want to be notified for every freaking thing and I certainly don't want to be bothered with system updates and having to fiddle with buttons, displays and menus.
Simplicity is what made bikes so awesome and future proof. Let's keep it that way.

[chargeriderepeat]

Dont like the battery, too long to carry as a spare.

Very wary of bosch, why make it simple when you can make it complicated, should be written over the company door.

[johnpeter]

Way to much for my old brain to digest but a great report Court. I remember your early videos and after my first ebike an IZip I went back to pedal power. 😃
I'm going to have to be happy with the Yamaha Cross Core.

[CycleCalm]

A speedometer and battery level/range estimate is all I've ever needed, from commuting or relaxing on my purion bike and delivering for work on intuvia cargo bikes 🤷‍♂️.
I bought a bosch because of the natural feeling motor and the reliability, not for it to be an oversized smartphone (that I already often have mounted on my bike anyway)

[ericjohnson]

I was in the process of buying a top of the range R&M but due to C19 they have only the old technology 2021 models in stock, so after your excellent video I think I will wait for the new ‘Smart’ models to come in

[M_E_T_R_O__]

Great content, very informative and clear thanks ;)

[cwitham]

Very good review as usual Cort. I'll stay with my 52v Bafang BBSHD 1500+watt 160nm 'dumb' drives though...

[readyplayer]

I also completely agree that the number of motors in the Bosch line is absurd. I can’t keep track of which one is good at what. The naming scheme also sucks and offers few clues as to which one is more or less powerful.

[snowfalleon]

I still like bosch but this is just a dumb move to do this right after they release the new nyon. New nyon is now old nyon. Nonsense. I just doubt it's going to be very intriguing for many people. Sounds like classic planned obsolescence as they gave no reasons why they can't be reverse compatable. The motors are already synched up to the bosch computer screens. They're being greedy. I think it makes bosch look less professional in an industry that's already replete in vehicles that have no spare parts or assurance of available parts for the life of the vehicle. Ebike motor systems like bosch are leaving the door wide open to competition from a company similar to bosch with bigger batteries and consistent reverse compatibility.

[Syemyonov]

I was wondering if this new powertube 750 will suits my 2021 Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 SL which is currently equipped with 625w powertube?
Thank you

[Kevin-hyok]

Very nice review! Is there any info out yet on whether Riese and Muller or Gazelle will be utilizing the new Bosch system in 2022?

[darrellsaturnbigfoot]

Always appreciate your videos, thank you.
My new smart system has been nothing but problems with connectivity. The Intuvia isn’t connecting to the controller. My bike shop is going to install the hardwired Kiox 300 to solve this problem. Anyone else have this problem?

[emtbtrailrider]

The backwards compatibility issues, always makes me mad. Shimano at least understands this concept, making it Backwards compatible. Take a look at the EMBN episode about pedal assist motors at EuroBike 2021, I want to see more of this NEW pedal assist motor which has the same hole pattern as Shimano, 90nm of torque, and 130 RPMs Oli [Motor Edge]

[jimbojones]

Bosch has always been a fantastic company with great products. I have my dad's old Bosch drill...not cordless. It's a tank. Can't kill it. Made in Germany. The bike that your uncle has....i have the almost exact different colours without the white ring around the motor cover. I've only done 1, 800 kilometres on it so just over 1, 000 miles. It's like brand new. And the battery is still in great condition as i always bring it inside with me and leave it on 50% charge for longevity. I wonder if i can still get a battery for that bike? And will i be able to get the same pattern on the battery? I will enquire.

The only thing i wish i could do is add a second battery to it so i could get more range and/or use the bike in a higher level of assistance for longer. I considered upgrading to a newer generation ebike but i will lose a lot of money in buy and sell. Maybe i can make a simple modification where i can add a second battery? Or even add a throttle function somehow? I imagine this would be near impossible with the Bosch electronics. Love your content mate. Cheers from Australia.

[ForbinColossus]

COLOUR is over-rated! Intuvia display with more voltage for charging is all I really need. *I want to RIDE the bike NOT READ the bike.*