Bosch eBike ABS: braking for the big mountain passes
On a route as committed as the Route des Grandes Alpes® or on certain sections of the P'tites Routes du Soleil®, the descent is never a simple moment of recovery. Tight bends, steep slopes, stretching kilometers, sometimes uneven road surfaces: in the mountains, the quality of braking directly conditions control... and therefore safety.
Avoid blockages, maintain stability
And then there's the unexpected. An animal suddenly crossing the road, a hole spotted at the last moment, a gravelled area hidden at the end of a bend: on an alpine hike, as in town with a door that suddenly opens, braking can become reflexive, instinctive, sometimes a little too hard. It's precisely in these emergency situations that the risk of the front wheel locking up increases.
The ABS system for VAE, developed by Bosch eBike Systems, adapts technology from cars and motorcycles to the bike to manage these sudden, unpredictable braking maneuvers. It intervenes automatically to regulate the pressure exerted on the front brake, avoiding lock-up and preserving stability, all without altering riding sensations.
Why does ABS change the game in the mountains?
Downhill, everything accelerates. The greater weight of the EAB, the steep gradient, the tight bends and sometimes a wet or gravelly surface demand precise, measured braking. A little too much pressure on the lever can be enough to lock the front wheel and throw the bike off balance.
The Bosch eBike ABS intervenes automatically to avoid this scenario. Thanks to speed sensors placed on the wheels, the system constantly analyzes their rotation. If there's a risk of locking, an electronic unit instantly modulates the hydraulic pressure exerted on the front brake. Intervention is extremely rapid (a few milliseconds) and virtually imperceptible from the handlebars. Braking remains powerful, but grip is maintained and the trajectory stabilized.
Understanding how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uDE59-2yeA
An intelligent safety net
On descents that can exceed fifteen kilometers, such as the Galibier, Iseran or Bonnette, braking is continually called upon. Kilometer after kilometer, fatigue sets in and concentration can wane. It's precisely at these moments that ABS comes into its own: it makes hard braking safer, even in the event of a sudden reaction to the unexpected.
It's no substitute for technique or vigilance. But it does act as an intelligent safety net, particularly valuable for touring cyclists with panniers, less experienced riders or those riding in changing weather.
ABS Allroad or ABS Trail: two responses adapted to the terrain
The ABS Allroad version is designed for mixed routes, alternating between asphalt and rolling tracks. Its progressive intervention preserves natural steering while effectively securing descents.
The ABS Trail version is designed for more technical terrain: stony tracks, irregular sections, variable grip. In both cases, the objective remains the same: to maintain trajectory and stability without limiting the sensations.
Downhill with confidence: the logical evolution of the VAE
In the mountains, climbing impresses... but it's often the descent that arouses the most apprehension. Speed, length, commitment: stress can quickly alter the pleasure.
The VAE has already transformed the experience by making it possible to go further, higher, longer. It was only natural that safety should progress at the same pace as performance. After powerful motors and long-range batteries, ABS is a logical next step.
It makes riding smoother and allows you to tackle long Alpine descents with greater relaxation. The mountains remain demanding and that's what makes them so beautiful, but they can be experienced with greater serenity.
The Bosch eBike ABS, in Allroad or Trail versions, is a discreet ally that boosts confidence, preserves pleasure and accompanies the mountain journey without diminishing its intensity.
.
