EMTB MAGAZINE 04/18 – FIRST LAB TEST
IN THE PRACTICAL TEST (RIDING) THE NEW DRIVE S-MAG WAS ABLE TO CONVINCE US. BUT WHAT DOES IT DO IN THE E-MTB LAB?
For 2019, Brose brings a new engine that will not only be stronger and more efficient, but also smaller and lighter. The Berlin motor specialist wants to achieve this quantum leap through a magnesium housing. At 2.9 kilos it is at the level of a Shimano Steps E8000 and clearly under the weight of a Bosch, Yamaha or TQ drive. For our test, we use a sample-bike of the company Brose, which we could not only try out in practice, but also undergo a detailed test on our test bench.
We applied the same test procedure used for our engine comparison in Issue 2/2018. Thus, we have exact comparison values for the Brose predecessor and the competitive drives of Shimano, Bosch, Yamaha and TQ. Important to know: In contrast to Shimano or Bosch, for example, the software control of Brose is subject to the bike manufacturer. The Brose engine of a Specialized bike can therefore be distinguished from the Brose engine of a Bulls bike.
Now for the results. The Brose Drive S-mag not only feels stronger, it is too. With a maximum power output of 493 watts, it clearly sets itself apart from its predecessor on our test drive, but also leaves the competition of Bosch, Shimano and Yamaha behind (see table below). The elasticity is also excellent: at neither low nor high cadences does the performance break down. The performance is continuous and is at a high level for all cadences.
