Bosch Performance Line SX - light and powerful
The new Bosch SX system sees a 2kg motor and 2kg battery combine for a 55Nm torque system with a whopping 600W peak power!
Bosch, the German powerhouse, has just released Performance Line SX, a totally new mid-power e-bike system. It has been designed for light weight eMTBs, e-gravel bikes and e-commuter bikes. It brings known Bosch reliability and performance to a light weight package that packs a punch.
Bosch SX in a nutshell
- 600W peak power
- 55Nm Torque
- 2kg motor weight
- 2kg 400Wh battery
- 160mm Q-factor
"Now that most types of bicycle have been electrified, the individual categories are becoming even more diverse. With the new Performance Line SX, we are primarily targeting sporty riders, for whom a low total weight is important for riding fast and experiencing a natural flow," explains Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems. "Our goal was to maintain the typical Bosch quality, riding performance and reliability and transfer these to light, agile bikes. With the Performance Line SX, state-of-the-art eBike designs and maximum riding fun can be optimally combined."
The benefits of a light weight eMTB system
We have seen it with the Specialized Levo SL, the Orbea Rise and of course the Trek Fuel EXe and Pivot Shuttle SL. A lighter weight motor that is more compact needs less battery, so the bike weight is lower, and the geometry can also be closer to that of a normal trail bike – but with assistance. So these mid-power systems find a great balance of support, plus feeling more intuitive when riding, as the bikes do tend to handle more like many riders want them to.
The Bosch SX system is going to be a treat for riders looking to ride technical trails, with a 600W peak power helping for step ups and hitting lips. Given the EMTB dynamic mode remains, you can expect feedback that really matches your input. 250W is the normalised average power, but 600W is an incredible peak for acceleration – although it really kicks in at high cadences.
The 55Nm of torque should be very reactive, if the Performance Line CX is anything to go by. Support kicks in at around 5 degrees of crank rotation, which makes a huge difference compared to some systems. This sensitivity with a lighter package will be a treat for many who want to challenge themselves on the trails.
Bosch have developed the new CompactTube 400 battery to keep the system running. This is the lightest battery in the Bosch eBike portfolio that can be integrated into the frame down tube, it also features the highest energy density thanks to innovative cell technology. It weighs 2kg, which is far less than the 4500g of the 750Wh SmartSystem battery. If you need additional battery power the new PowerMore 250 range extender (weighing about 1.6 kilograms, with 250Wh), can sit on your frame in the place of a bottle.
On the trail with Bosch SX
We don't know about this part yet, as this has just been released. It is a 2024 product and as such – we'll see it in 2024. It did take a long time for us to finally get onto the Bosch Smart System, which is on the Trek Rail 9.9 that Anna Beck tested over summer. The increase in performance is seriously impressive though over the standard Performance CX. So, we can expect a very refined system in Bosch SX, with all the benefits of the Bosch Flow app for adjustability, firmware updates and security.
We'll have to wait for more details, but it is great to see Bosch enter the mid-power arena!
