With the tons of new products that Bosch has just presented at the Eurobike, some people are asking themselves: What does Shimano actually have in store? The answer is: at least as much. The industry giant from Japan is taking shifting on an ebike with derailleur gears to a new level. There are innovations to report in numerous components and parts involved in the shifting process.
With its higher weight and sometimes significantly lower spread, hub gears are sometimes at a disadvantage compared to derailleur gears. However, this does not apply to changing gears. In neutral? No problem. Automatically with the prior selection of a desired cadence? Also feasible on the ebike for some time now. This is exactly where Shimano has come in and transferred this kind of riding comfort to derailleur gears.
1. Shimano Free Shift
2. Shimano Auto Shift
3. Rear derailleurs: Shimano Deore XT Di2 and Shimano Cues Di2
4. Cassettes: Shimano Deore XT and Shimano Cues
5. Motors: Shimano EP801 and Shimano EP6
6. Displays and computers: Shimano EN600 and Shimano EN610
7. Control units: Shimano EN600-L and Shimano SW310
8. ABS: Shimano cooperates with Blubrake
1. Shimano Free Shift
With the Free Shift function you will be able to change gears without pedalling. At least as long as the bike is rolling. To enable this, the crank arm and chainring are briefly decoupled. The motor then only drives the chainring and triggers a shifting process thanks to the electric assistance. The chain and cassette remain in constant motion during this process. Depending on what you have selected on the shifting lever, the chainring and cassette change to the respective gear. Theoretically, this would even work when the bike is standing still. However, with the consequence that the motor moves the bicycle forwards in order to carry out the shifting process. It is obvious to everyone that this can quickly become really dangerous. That is why this is ruled out by the programming.
There are two versions of the Free Shift. In the automatic version, the system decides on the basis of the data received from the speed sensor and your settings in Shimano’s E-Tube Project app. If you want, you can also select the manual version in the app and control everything yourself. Of course, you can override the decision in Automatic Free Shift at any time by pressing the shift lever on your own.
2. Shimano Auto Shift
If you have the feeling that only a last small step is missing from Free Shift to complete automatic shifting, you are exactly right. Shimano has taken this step and developed Auto Shift. With the help of sensors, the system measures the current cadence, torque and speed. If the cadence drops and you slow down at the same time, the torque increases, Auto Shift registers this and shifts to an easier gear. A typical situation for this is riding into the beginning of a climb or turning around a tight bend.
Similarly, the system shifts to a heavier gear when your cadence and speed increase, for example, because you have reached the top and are rolling onto a flat or even heading downhill. The torque decreases and Auto Shift knows that you can now pedal in a heavier gear. Again, you can set your preferences in the E-Tube Project app. Several profiles can be selected. If you take turns riding the ebike with someone else, for example, everyone can use their individual setting.
Different types of bicycles require different characteristics
Shimano provides Auto Shift to bicycle manufacturers in two gradations. One is geared more towards city riding and touring. The other emphasises a sportier, more aggressive riding style and will be found primarily on e-mountain bikes. In both cases, you override what the algorithm has selected by shifting gears manually. If you want, Auto Shift can even learn from these situations and adapt its logic to your preferences. You can make the appropriate setting for this in the app.
3. Rear derailleurs: Shimano Deore XT Di2 and Shimano Cues Di2
This new type of shifting only works with rear derailleurs that have the necessary technology. Consequently, Shimano was forced to act here and develop new components. With the Deore XT Di2 and the Cues Di2, two rear derailleurs expand the already extensive range. Both are not only Free Shift compatible, but also comply with the Linkglide standard introduced last year. Its robust nature had already simplified shifting before and above all counteracts the wear that occurs in the process. Both Free Shift and Auto Shift should noticeably enhance this effect.
The Deore XT Di2 rear derailleur is of a slightly higher quality than the Cues Di2 rear derailleurs. It is suitable for cassettes with either twelve or eleven sprockets. The completely new Cues rear derailleur, on the other hand, has eleven or ten sprockets.
4. Cassettes: Shimano Deore XT and Shimano Cues
The corresponding cassettes are new as well. In the XT version, the improved climbing aids of the Hyperglide technology and the smaller freewheel body called Micro Spline stand out. It allows the integration of a very compact sprocket with only ten teeth.
Shimano CS-M8100-12 cassette
Weight: 470 g
Gradation: 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-33-39-45-51 T
The cassettes with eleven and ten sprockets are somewhat simpler. They combine the Linkglide standard with the new automatic shifting options.
Shimano CS-LG700-11 cassette
Gradation: 11-13-15-17-20-23-26-30-36-43-50 T
Shimano CS-LG400-11 cassette
Gradation: 11-13-15-17-20-23-26-30-36-43-50 T
Shimano CS-LG400-10 cassette
Gradation: 11-13-15-17-20-23-26-30-36-43 T
5. Motors: Shimano EP801 and Shimano EP6
As described above, the motor plays a central role in the implementation of Free Shift and Auto Shift. It provides the impulse that makes shifting possible without moving the crank. The previous generation of motors did not have this capability. Consequently, successors are needed.
One of them is the EP801. It is a further development of the EP8. However, only the electronics are really new. Dimensions, weight, power and torque are the same as those of the unit that appeared in 2020.
Familiar hardware, new software
With regard to the housing, Shimano has also remained true to the previous design. The combination of magnesium housing and numerous cooling fins support fast heat dissipation. As a result, you can reliably push the motor to its upper performance limit for a very long time without risking a breakdown.
At the same time, the motor can still be adjusted very flexibly via the app. Shimano offers a total of 15 different support profiles. With such a wide range, riders with different fitness levels, riding skills and for different types of ebikes should be able to find the setup of their choice. You can also specify, for example, in which range the torque should move in the various riding modes or which riding mode is preset when you switch on the ebike.
Shimano EP801 at a glance
- Weight: 2.6 kg
- Rated continuous power: 250 W
- Maximum torque: 85 Nm
- Rated voltage: 36 V
More bandwidth, more success?
From the same level of comfort, you can benefit on a bicycle with the newly developed EP6. It is almost a copy of the EP801. However, two essential things distinguish it from Shimano’s top model. The first is its housing. It is made of aluminium instead of magnesium. Consequently, it adds 300 grams to the scales and weighs exactly three kilograms, according to the manufacturer. In terms of production costs, this difference should probably have a greater impact. Shimano hopes that the lower price will attract more bicycle manufacturers than before.
In addition, the EP6 does not quite reach the values of the EP8 or the EP801 with regard to power peaks. The rated continuous power is identical at 250 watts. However, in situations where you want to push hard, almost like a sprint, and generate more power for a few moments, both the EP801 and the EP8 are a little more dynamic.
Shimano EP6 at a glance
- Weight: 3.0 kg
- Rated continuous power: 250 W
- Maximum torque: 85 Nm
- Rated voltage: 36 V
In future, Shimano will also provide a version of both motors for cargo bikes. For both the EP801 Cargo and the EP6 Cargo, a specially configured firmware ensures that the motor already develops its power at very low speeds. Among other things, this should make starting easier, especially with a heavily loaded bike.
6. Displays and computers: Shimano EN600 and Shimano EN610
Shimano opens up more options for bicycle manufacturers when it comes to completing the equipment. One is the new EN600 display. Basically, this is the new little brother of the well-known EM800. Its display is quite similar in design. The screen has been reduced from 1.6 inches to 1.4 inches. According to the manufacturer, the information is still easy to read. The most important difference is the EN600’s compatibility with the new automatic functions Free Shift and Auto Shift.
If you want a larger display, you can get it with the new EN610 bike computer. It presents what you want to see while riding on a 2.8 inch screen. It is also a result of the introduction of Free Shift and Auto Shift. You can define exactly how you want the data to be shown on the display in the E-Tube Project app. There are several screen designs to choose from. To install the display, you can choose the central position above the stem. Alternatively, you can have the display protrude centrally over the handlebars.
7. Control units: Shimano EN600-L and Shimano SW310
The EN610 will probably be combined with a control unit called EN600-L on quite a few ebikes. It is similar to what you already know from other manufacturers. It can be used to switch the ebike system on and off, operate the display and activate the light, as well as the push assist. Ant and Bluetooth interfaces allow you to connect to mobile devices and common bike computers if you don’t like the standard equipment.
Mainly on e-road bikes or one or the other e-mountain bike, you may soon come across a new control unit integrated into the top tube. The SW310 has a very spartan design. There is a large button for switching the drive on and off. Above it, five LEDs arranged in a semicircle indicate the current battery capacity. In the lower part of the oval control unit is a second, somewhat smaller button. Its function can be individually defined in the E-Tube Project app.
Important: All components of the drive system of this motor generation are not downward compatible. Since the battery management system has also changed fundamentally, you cannot, for example, exchange the new displays or control units with those on existing bikes that come from a different generation.
8. ABS: Shimano cooperates with Blubrake
Completely detached from the topic of automatic shifting is Shimano’s second truly remarkable innovation. Because in future, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) can also work on ebikes with these drives. For this project, the manufacturer has been actively supported by Blubrake. The Italians brought the first ABS for e-cargo bikes onto the market a few years ago and are therefore well versed in the subject. For a good reason, Shimano emphasises that its new product suits such bikes as well.
According to the description, the way it works sounds very similar to what Bosch has done with the revision of its ABS. A speed sensor attached to the brake disc monitors the wheel rotation. monitors the wheel rotation. As soon as the front wheel decelerates more than the current riding speed would suggest, the ABS is triggered. By means of electronics and hydraulic control, the braking force is regulated so that the front wheel does not lock and the rear wheel does not lift off.
Advantages and disadvantages in comparison with Bosch
According to Shimano, this works on wet and dry tarmac as well as on gravel. For sporty off-road riding, the manufacturer is noticeably reticent with its statements. Its solution is explicitly not suitable “for steep descents or aggressive mountain riding”. Bosch acts much more offensively in this respect. Its ABS Trail is designed precisely for this application. Since we have not yet been able to test either of the two systems in such terrain, we cannot yet make our own judgement as to who may have done the better job here.
In terms of integration, both manufacturers seem to be on a comparable level. From the pictures, Shimano’s control unit seems only marginally larger than Bosch’s. With suitable frames, even complete integration should be possible. Shimano is ahead when it comes to retrofitting the ABS. This can be done here. For the version of the main unit intended for external mounting, there is a bottle cage mount. Under certain circumstances, mounting on the frame or forks is a further option. The wheels of the ebikes in question may be between 16 inches and 29 inches in size.
Pictures: Shimano