With the launch of lightweight mid-drives being one of the main trends in 2023 expect to see them on more lightweight e-bikes in 2024 – the e-mtb market has been particularly keen to feature the new crop of mid-drives as there seems to be an insatiable demand for high quality, lightweight e-mtbs with steep price tags.
UK-based Whyte were one of the first to announce the use of the new Bosch SX mid-drive with their E-Lyte lightweight e-mountain bike platform. The new neat looking motor claims an impressive 600W peak with a 36.2lb / 16.4kg build on the lightest builds. A 400Wh battery is standard with some models offering the optional extra of a 250Wh PowerMore range extender.
Other notable lightweight e-mtbs already here or arriving early 2024 include the Pivot Shuttle SL (Fazua Ride 60 mid-drive) and the Rotwild R.X275 which claims to weigh only 33.7lbs / 15.3kg and uses the TQ-HPR50 mid-drive which is also used by the hugely versatile Scott Lumen.
The lightweight Maxdrive mid-drive has been around a while but this brand new e-mtb from Canada’s Spherik has chosen to use it on their E-SMA / SME / SMT range that start at 36.8lbs/16.7kg and it’s a welcome extra option in the ever expanding mix of premium-priced lightweight e-mtbs.
And if it’s pure power you want rather than light weight then the Haibike HYBE range will appear in 2024 and the top of the line HYBE11 will be one of the most powerful EU-legal e-mtbs out there as if packs the Bosch Performance CX Race motor with 400% pedal assist.
Pinion MGU E-bikes
German-based Pinion revealed their MGU (motorbox-gear-unit) at Eurobike 2023 and it was immediately snapped up by several premium brands for e-bikes to appear in 2024.
What’s the big deal with the MGU? Pinion’s MGU is revolutionary insofar as it completely does away with any kind of separate gearing system that you would normally find between the pedal cranks and the rear wheel. By effectively placing the bike gears within the mid-motor housing, the MGU system promises plenty of advantages; extremely low maintenance (one oil change every 6,000 miles or so), total protection from knocks, better weight distribution (especially as against heavy hub gear systems such as the Rohloff), the option to use a belt drive with multi-gearing, electronic shifting and less wear on the chain or belt itself.
The Flyer Goroc TRX uses the Pinion MGU and will be one of the most anticipated e-bikes in Europe as it really uses the system’s huge gear range and low maintenance to it’s full advantage with a belt drive and full equipment for a full-suspension mountain touring machine. Other brands that will be using the Pinion MGU in 2024 include Rotwild, Simplon, Bulls, Kettler, Flyer, Tout Terrain, Pegasus, Zemo and i:SY on some of their 2024 models.
Will there be competition for the MGU in 2024. There are certainly an increasing number of combined motor and gear units out there, including the AT80 from Okawa and Scotland’s Intradrive system. As yet though we don’t have info if they will actually be appearing on e-bikes in 2024. Also see below for news of Decathlon’s remarkable sounding B’Twin LD920 E.
Pashley Going Chainless
The UK’s Bikebiz revealed ‘Pashley has revealed a glimpse of the future with its prototype, chainless drive Multi-trike…….designed to safely and efficiently carry light goods, shopping and young children. Unlike conventional electrically assisted tricycles, which have a chain drive coupled with a hub or mid-drive motor, the Multi-trike employs a generator at the pedal crank which activates battery driven motors on each of its rear wheels.’ Apparently it is expected to enter production in the first half of 2024 with retail prices expected to be in the region of £6,500.’
Europe’ Decathlon Broaden their Offer in 2024
Decathlon are a major European outdoor retailer with their own budget e-bike range (often with the moniker B’TWIN or Elops). 2024 will see them move away their traditional and highly competitive budget models to more sophisticated offerings.
First up will be the Speed 900E, a single speed that uses the highly regarded Mahle rear hub motor system. The quoted weight for the Speed 900E is a very respectable 33lbs / 15kg. It will also feature Tektro TKR R280 hydrauilc disc brakes, hardwired LEDs (the front one with a 40 lux rating), mudguards and frame-routed cabling.
But as a symbol of Decathlon’s ambition look no further than the B’TWIN LD920 E. This actually went on sale in France in 2023 but UK readers will be eager to learn if and when it arrives in the UK – we will keep you posted. Like the Pinion MGU it combines gears and motor in a single mid-drive unit that goes under the name of Owuru (developed in partnership with Belgian firm e2Drives) but note it only has a respectable 265% gear range range compared to the Pinion MGU options which all have several times this. Price and weight are impressive for a bike with this spec; 2999 euros and 26.1kg / 57.5lbs respectively.
E-bikes Teased in 2023
Porsche were mentioned in several articles in 2023 as aiming to produce their own motor and e-bikes at their own factory (they already own Fazua) but it seems mid-decade may be a more realistic target for anything to roll off the production line. There are already Porsche-branded models out there but they are in fact re-badged Rotwild models. Even vaguer announcements were made in early 2023 by US electric auto specialist Rivian who hinted they would make e-bikes but nothing has been said on the matter since.
On a more definite note the UK’s e-folding specialists Gocycle teased news of an e-cargo that should definitely appear in 2024:
‘We are excited to share the news that we will debut a new Family Cargo Electric Bike in 2024. The Gocycle Family Cargo will complement the award-winning fast-folding G4, G4i and G4i+ models in Gocycle’s 2024 product line-up.’
The cargo model appears to be just the start of a range of new models – as Richard Thorpe, Gocycle Designer and Founder, commented:
‘ In the years ahead, we’ll be expanding the G4 Gocycle range with additional new models across diverse market segments including both non-folding and non-electric.’
Most intriguing of all is perhaps the question: will Nightshade get off the ground? Gary Fisher was instrumental in the conception of the modern mountain bike and the Californian now has a new pet project in Morelle.
Some of the claims in this BikePerfect interview may seem optimistic – such as the claim for new lithium-ion battery technology that is said to increase energy density by 50 percent, offer five times more power and charge faster than traditional batteries – but bear in mind Morelle is a division of electric aircraft Ionblox where high energy density batteries are the holy grail.
Apparently Morelle plans not to sell their e-bikes, but to offer them by subscription, possibly $100 per month.
Other touted features include ‘ Bafang motor, SRAM wireless shifting, Reserve carbon wheels and a 300Wh battery and total bike weight of 22 – 25lbs (10 – 11.5kg).’ The article also mentions ‘a planned cargo bike design that would “have everything you’d have in an SUV, great lights, awesome sound and screens if you were carrying kids”. ‘
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