Bosch presented various digital innovations at Eurobike 2024 in Frankfurt am Main in July. Some of these will now be implemented with the update of the Bosch eBike Flow app to version 1.23. In addition, the new software release includes something that was not yet mentioned at the trade show. Here you can find out which functions will soon be available to you.
Two important notes at the beginning. Firstly, the majority of the functions require that you have the eBike Flow app as a Flow+ subscription. These are simply not included in the free model. Secondly, your ebike needs a Bosch ConnectModule to support the functions, i.e. the GPS tracker for the Bosch Smart System. This is either included as standard in your ebike or the bike is suitable for retrofitting this component to the ebike system. You can find out how to install the GPS tracker on your ebike on our YouTube channel.
1. Extended navigation
2. Check the current charge level remotely
3. Additional statistics
4. Install riding modes yourself
5. Cloud-based data storage
1. Extended navigation
Bosch is now making the most of what is currently possible from its map display on the Kiox 300 and Kiox 500 displays. Roads and paths are displayed in as much detail as the Bluetooth connection to the app allows. Compared to the times when only the planned routes and a few intersections were displayed in a very simplified way, this is a considerable step forward. With the help of the additional information, orientation and navigation on an ebike with Bosch drive has never been so comfortable. In view of the rapid technical development in this field, this is unlikely to be the last word either.
- Subscription to Flow+ required: yes
- Bosch ConnectModule required: yes
2. Check the current charge level remotely
Knowing the percentage of charge of your ebike’s battery at any time thanks to the app not only sounds advantageous, but also becomes a reality with the update. Some of you may be surprised that the Bosch ConnectModule contributes to this function. The information reaches your smartphone via the communication module contained in it. The data connection required for this is included in the scope of services of the Flow+ subscription. Consequently, you can also track the charging progress from anywhere else while your bike is in the basement and charging.
- Subscription to Flow+ required: yes
- Bosch ConnectModule required: yes
3. Additional statistics
Cycling should be fun first and foremost. For some, this includes being able to look at and compare a few data after the ride. For example, who actually contributed the most to moving forward – the motor or me? The app will soon solve this puzzle for you with the help of a pie chart. This shows what percentage of the pedalling power is due to the motor and how much is due to you.
The proportions that are shown here also depend on the support levels you have used during the ride. After a completed tour, you usually have a certain feeling for which mode was your favourite that day. Whether that is true can now be checked in the ‘Riding mode usage’ display. This time, Bosch is using a bar chart. It lists the individual riding modes with the corresponding percentage shares in the familiar way. This function is not completely new. However, the display was previously only accessible while riding.
Important: To view the distribution of riding modes, the app must be connected to the ebike while you are riding. If this was not the case, the display is not available. The same applies to rides that took place before this update was installed.
- Subscription to Flow+ required: yes
- Bosch ConnectModule required: yes
4. Installing riding modes yourself
At Eurobike, Bosch presented a new riding mode, the Eco+, among other things. This will be installed as standard on some new ebikes. But what about all the ebikes that already have a Bosch Smart System and were delivered at a time when this mode did not even exist? In that case, you can now easily install the support level on your ebike using the app. This also applies to future new modes.
In general, Bosch will use this method to make such innovations available for older ebike systems as well. All selectable modes will then appear in the corresponding view in the app. You can upload a maximum of four of them to your ebike. Most of you will probably have even more available. This means that if you feel like it, you can regularly swap them around. And you won’t have to queue up at the dealer’s workshop even once in the future.
Certain limits remain
However, the selection is not completely unrestricted. For example, some riding modes are linked to certain motors by default. For example, Bosch only provides the Cargo mode for ebikes with a Bosch Cargo Line. The Race mode is also reserved exclusively for the Bosch Performance Line CX Race.
In addition, bicycle manufacturers can exclude selected riding modes from the configuration. Experience shows that they do so. For example, you will rarely find eMTB mode on an urban ebike. The manufacturer simply assumes that an urban ebike will not be ridden in terrain that requires this level of support. If you still want this, it is best to contact the bicycle manufacturer directly. In response to your request, the manufacturer may authorise a specialist workshop to install the desired mode. This has already happened in individual cases.
- Subscription Flow + required: no
- Bosch ConnectModule required: no
5. Cloud-based data storage
With the change to version 1.23 of the eBike Flow app, Bosch is also changing the way and, above all, where certain data from the app is stored. Previously, this all happened on your smartphone. From now on, all settings and connections to ebikes that you have established via the app will be stored in a cloud. This is a great advantage if you switch to a different smartphone. With the new device, you can seamlessly continue where you left off. Personalised displays, complex configured riding modes and the like do not have to be set up again. Instead, you take the new smartphone, download the app and log in with your account. No need to pair with the ebike again. Just get going. At least that’s the plan.
If it doesn’t work out that way, you should be able to simply uninstall the app without hesitation and then restart it. That’s a good tip for some failed attempts to update the app. All the central information will then be restored from the cloud. Nevertheless, we hope that you will have to choose this path as rarely as possible.
- Subscription Flow + required: no
- Bosch ConnectModule required: no
Pictures: Bosch eBike Systems; Elektrofahrrad24 GmbH