It's a surprise! The world leader in e-bike motors hasn't just refreshed its motor range by making them all more powerful. Bosch also had a new product to announce: a Performance Line PX, which will top off almost the entire range except for the CX. For the German motor manufacturer, this PX was a no-brainer, as it seems tailored for certain types of bikes, particularly trekking bikes. Until now, these adventure bikes were either equipped with a Performance Line, the heart of the catalog, or a CX engine that is somewhat oversized compared to the classic use of a touring bike.
But what is this engine really worth? We tried it a few hours before its official launch on a bike "made for Bosch", understand a model that will never be marketed, but which allows us to test a maximum of equipment. Also, a careful look at the images of this hands-on will allow the more curious to notice Shimano MT200 brakes associated with the Bosch ABS system, for example, or even eShift, the gear change system integrated into the engine and which will therefore be compatible with the Performance Line PX.
Heavier than a CX, almost as compact
Before going into the details of this test, let's point out that it might be useful to read our presentation of the Performance Line PX, to better understand the philosophy behind the design of the new motor. Let's start with the obvious: its 100 grams more than the CX are absolutely imperceptible while riding. The difference is obviously elsewhere.
It is to be found in the assistance. From the first pedal stroke, you feel a characteristic first boost that immediately distinguishes it from the Performance Line or the Active Line, more conventional motors. The 90 Nm of torque are definitely there, it's obvious, and they almost give the impression of being on an electric mountain bike.
It's in the following pedal strokes that the behavior of the PX moves away from that of a mountain bike motor. More linear, less aggressive, it is nonetheless incredibly precise. As soon as the terrain starts to bump up, the Performance Line PX will draw on its 700W to help the cyclist. This is particularly noticeable in auto mode when maintaining your pedaling cadence. On this point, the 400% assistance is noticeable, especially when compared to the 340% of the old mid-range motor.
As is often the case with Bosch, the assistance is present, but very muted: it never takes over the cyclist and adjusts to their pedaling cadence in a very natural movement, which almost makes you forget that a motor is supporting the effort.
One last element also changes the game: the operating noise. Bosch doesn't communicate on the number of decibels emitted by its drive units; you have to trust your ear. The sound produced by the Performance Line PX remains perceptible, especially when riding in the countryside and your pedal strokes aren't covered by the noise of cars and the city. The slight whistling is still perceptible, but it seems slightly higher-pitched and a little less loud than before, including when pushing hard uphill.
Careful but ever more customizable settings
The Performance Line PX therefore offers very reassuring behavior, both dynamic and comfortable. It leans more towards the CX side in its sportiness, but should actually be adaptable to a large number of bikes and not just trekking frames. It seems to us, for example, that it could be perfectly suitable for a small cargo ship, its 90 Nm and 700W being quite suitable.
Finally, it is important to keep in mind that, as with the brand's other motors, the Performance Line PX works with the Bosch Flow application and that the latter allows you to adjust the assistance for each mode according to your wishes. Ultimately, this feature makes the default settings almost secondary, as it allows the user to define their own assistance profile.
Performance Line PX: first assessment
After a few kilometers on a bike equipped with Bosch's new motor, it seems that the German company has done things well. Dynamic as a CX when starting and on hills, the Performance Line PX calms down when the rider decides and its behavior then comes closer to that of the Performance Line, its predecessor. It remains noisier than the mid-range motor, but less than the CX. It now remains to be seen which bikes will be equipped with it, and if their price will be a little more affordable than if they had leaned towards the Performance Line CX. But in the meantime, Bosch seems to have succeeded.
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