Automatic Gear Shifting for everyone?
Connectivity is evolving fast with e-mountainbikes, and automatic shifting is the latest hot trend. Now, motor colossus Bosch just jumped on the automatic shifting wagon and complemented their Smart System with the eMTB-specific eShift function. But how does it compare to the strong competition from Shimano and SRAM?
Although automatic shifting is nothing new in the eMTB segment, it hasn’t yet conquered the market. However, the race has begun: in 2022, component giant Shimano introduced their XT Di2 groupset with Autoshift function, and a year later, SRAM followed with their new Powertrain motor system with an integrated, automatic drivetrain. Now, Bosch have entered the game in the eMTB segment, offering a fully automatic shifting system for eMTBs and e-Gravel bikes with chain-driven drivetrains called the eShift. The German tech giant knows one or two things about electronic shifting, and introduced their first system back in 2014, enabling fully and semi-automatic shifting in urban settings. Alongside existing solutions for urban use, like the Rohloff 3X3 and Enviolo, there are now new drivetrains from Shimano (daily commuting) and TRP (eMTB) that are compatible with Bosch’s eShift function.
How Does Bosch eShift Automatic Shifting function work?
For MTB-specific applications, Bosch have teamed up with Taiwanese component colossus TRP. Bosch provide the software with the eShift function, while TRP supply the necessary hardware in the shape of the new electric, 12-speed E.A.S.I. A12 drivetrain. The latter draws its power directly from the bike’s main battery and has 520% gear range, matching existing solutions from SRAM and Shimano, which have the same gear range. In purely visual terms, the system ensures a clean cockpit. The wireless shifter is discreetly positioned on the right-hand side of the handlebar and communicates with the derailleur. The TRP groupset is only compatible with Bosch’s Performance Line CX and SX Smart System drives.
The software allows you to choose from different shifting functions, including shifting without pedaling and fully automatic shifting. In the fully automatic mode, the system selects the appropriate gear according to the riding situation using a shifting algorithm. By holding down the middle button on the Bosch Mini Remote, you can set the cadence between 40 and 120 RPM in increments of 5. For gear changes, the motor automatically turns the chainring – shifting happens automatically, both up and down. However, the system doesn’t change gears when stationary, as the motor only turns the chainring when the rear wheel moves.
