Bosch's decisive contribution to the development of the VAE
Present on the VAE market since 2011, Bosch is today a major VAE player.
Thanks to a complete technological ecosystem - combining motor, battery, control, screen and app - the brand has helped to make the cyclo experience more reliable and richer, particularly in the mountains. The application, the system's true control center, enables all the bike's parameters to be customized to the user's preferences. Since the arrival of the intelligent system in 2021, the focus has been on connected functionalities such as navigation, route planning and bike safety, all of which contribute to making the use of the VAE more intuitive, efficient and serene.
The introduction of central motors: a revolution for VAE
For a long time, the majority of VAEs operated with hub motors located in the wheels. Bosch was one of the main players to democratize the central motor (crankset), which offers numerous advantages:
- Better bike balance: the motor is placed at crankset level, lowering the center of gravity and improving maneuverability.
- More natural assistance: thanks to the torque sensor, the rider's effort is taken into account in real time.
- Better energy management: assistance is optimized according to the cyclist's real effort, increasing range.
A wide range of motors adapted to every riding style
Bosch has developed several ranges of motors to adapt to the different needs of cyclists:
- Active Line and Active Line Plus: designed for urban and trekking bikes, offering smooth, progressive assistance.
- Performance Line: designed for all-round use, it offers a more dynamic assistance, ideal for touring bikes.
- Performance Line CX: specially designed for VTTAE and mountain routes, it is one of the most powerful motors on the market, with high torque (up to 85 Nm*) to tackle steep slopes.
- Performance Line SX: light and compact motor, thought for sport practices like Gravel.
- Cargo Line: optimized for utility and cargo bikes, with high torque for carrying heavy loads.
Each motor incorporates assist modes tailored to the rider's needs and type of terrain.
*NM stands for Newton-Meter, the unit for measuring motor torque
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Powerful batteries for greater autonomy
Bosch has also revolutionized the EAB with high-performance lithium-ion batteries, offering:
- Various capacities (300 Wh to 800 Wh, even 1600 Wh in DualBattery) to meet the needs of different uses.
- Intelligent energy management, optimizing consumption according to cyclist effort and terrain profile.
- The DualBattery system, allowing two batteries to be added to double autonomy, a major asset for mountain roaming.
- High reliability: Bosch batteries are renowned for their longevity, stability and protection against overheating.
These advances have made it possible to push back the limits of EAB travel, with autonomies that can exceed 150 km on mixed terrain.
Advanced electronic management with the Bosch eBike system
Bosch doesn't limit itself to motors and batteries: the brand has developed electronic management that optimizes the rider's experience:
- Intelligent sensors (torque, cadence, speed) analyze the rider's effort more than 1,000 times a second to adjust assistance in real time.
- Ergonomic displays and controls (Purion 200, Intuvia 100, Kiox 300 and 500) offer a clear readout of data (range, assistance level, pedaling cadence, etc.).
- Advanced connectivity with the Bosch eBike Flow app, which lets you customize assistance, track your rides, manage GPS navigation and secure the bike with eBike Lock and Alarm functions. More details are available on the page dedicated to Bosch's connected universe.
- An automatic eMTB mode that automatically adjusts assistance according to terrain, ideal for technical mountain bike or road climbs in the mountains.
Safety, durability and future innovations
Bosch has also contributed to improving the safety and reliability of EABs:
- Bosch eBike ABS system: this anti-lock braking system has been designed to improve cyclists' safety by regulating braking force, particularly at the front wheel. It helps prevent sudden lock-ups that can lead to a fall, whether downhill, on slippery surfaces or in unexpected situations. The system thus helps maintain the bike's stability and control in a variety of conditions. More information on the ABS system presentation.
- Digital anti-theft: the motor can be locked via a mobile app, a feature that helps deter theft. This type of protection, like the eBike Lock function offered by Bosch, deactivates assistance when the bike is locked. More details on the page dedicated to this feature.
- Continuous performance improvement: Bosch is developing new features, such as compatibility with GPS navigation and even more optimized energy management.
If we recommend Bosch equipment for long-distance alpine touring, it's because this brand has profoundly transformed the VAE by providing high-performance, reliable and adapted solutions. Thanks to its central motors, long-range batteries and advanced electronic management, the brand has made bicycle touring and mountain biking accessible to a wider public. Its commitment to innovation continues to enhance the cycling experience and push the boundaries of electrically assisted travel.