German automotive manufacturer claims that the Mahle X20 lightest e-bike drive system is. Where the Fazua Ride 60 drive is quite light compared to Bosch and Shimano drive train, is the X20 even lighter.
Mahle Smart bike Systems
Mahle Smart bike Systems is one of the business units of the German company that is founded in 1920. It has 12 R&D centres across the globe and 71,298 employees. Because of its international development partnership and supplier to the automotive industry making a drive train for e-bikes is a logical step.
With the X20, Mahle was aiming for as light as possible. The total weight of the drive system is 3.2 kilograms including the battery. Compare it to the Fazua Ride 60 drive with 4.26 kg in total. The Shimano EP 8 motor and battery 5.17kg or Bosch Performance motor and PowerPack battery from 5.4kg the Mahle X20 is indeed the lightest e-bike drive system. At this moment, for sure.
What is the Mahle X20?
If you not have watched the video, what is the X20? The Mahle X20 is a lightweight drive system made for e-bikes. Even better, e-race bikes (or e-road bikes). Besides a battery, motor and controller the X20 has also an optional lightweight battery extender, e-shifters and the wireless PulsarONE display.
55Nm Torque
While Bosch, Fazua, Revonte and Shimano have a middle motor has Mahle choose for a hub motor. Race bicycles need to have multiple gears to climb a hill or take a sprint. Therefore a derailleur is a must, so Mahle developed a hub motor with enough room for an SRAM or Shimano cassette and derailleur. The X20 hub motor has a torque of 55Nm and 250W of power. Again, compare it to the direct competitor Fazua which has 60Nm of torque and 450W of power. The X20 also gets an improved bottom bracket toque sensors to move smoothly and ramp up power to match riders’ input. Assistance stops at 25km/u for Europe and 20M/h for the US.
350Wh internal batteries
Mahle has developed two types of internal batteries, 236Wh and 350Wh. Furthermore, a range extender of 172Wh can deliver up to 200Km. The intelligent fast charging system up to 4A charges the battery up to 80% of full capacity in less than 2 hours. What the distance would be is hard to say because this depends on several circumstances.
Headunit with AI
The slim headunit of the X20 system can be integrated into the top tube of the bicycle or into the cockpit. The X20 System is the first one capable of processing the signals from all sensors and rider movements. Adapting the e-bike’s response to the terrain and user’s efforts and needs. It features machine learning technology to respond in real-time and artificial intelligence when post-processing in the cloud.
Availability Mahle X20
While the new cycling season is already started bicycle manufacturers announcing new bike models. Due to manufacturing and delivery problems, it’s unknown when the new bicycles will be available for the retail. This is not only the case with this system but industry-wide. What is clear that bikes like the Scott Addict and Wilier Filante Hybrid are equipped with this Mahle Smart bike Systems. For sure more bikes will follow.
