Reader Response Draft 1

The article “Bosch Active Line GEN3 '' by Gepida (n.d.), introduces Bosch Active Line e-bike drive, its functions, and features. The author also mentions that with the Bosch Active Line drive, everyone can go faster and further. With e-bikes on the rise these days, German engineering company, Bosch, has begun the creation of their first e-bike motor drive since 2009. Bosch’s Active Line drive features a plastic helical gear with a torque sensor. The torque sensor will detect the input torque and relay it into the motor to support cyclists when pedalling. With 5 different modes, cyclists can adjust to their needs accordingly (Cameron, 2019). The helical gears will allow a smoother and maximum efficiency output. Being versatile and adaptable is what Bosch is looking to provide for all cyclists. Bosch Active Line drive is the best choice of e-bike drive for cyclists as its size, weight, and efficiency outperform the others in the market. By using Bosch Active Line drive, cyclists can go faster and further effortlessly.

 

The main difference that differentiates an e-bike from a normal bike is the motor. According to Van Dalen (2023), Bosch Active Line drive features a torque sensor embedded into the motor. He also mentioned inverse magnetostrictive effect was the method to determine the torque. The function of the torque sensor is to read the power input to the drive by the cyclists and assist them with the required power output. The output is dependent on the modes their e-bike is set to. There are 5 modes of the Bosch Active Line drive, sports, turbo, eco, tour, and off (Bosch, n.d.). The different modes have different percentages of assistance. Turbo mode offered the highest assistance, up to 270%, followed by sport mode with 180%. Tour mode will offer the equivalent assistance of 100% while eco mode assists the least at 40%. Bosch Active Line drive also offers cyclists an option to eliminate assistance if they opt to (Cameron, 2019). As the drive requires input from cyclists to move forward, the assistance will not work if they do not pedal. Unfortunately, the embedded torque sensor in the motor will automatically switch off at 25km/h. It will reactivate again once the speed is reduced below 25km/h. Bosch implemented this safety feature as a precaution to reduce the speed limit assistance and adhere to some countries’ local regulations. With the new Bosch motor, cyclists can choose from a variety of modes and enjoy cycling again.

 

 

Another feature of Bosch Active Line drive is the gear used. It is revamped totally from its processors, from gear wheels to gear numbers to materials. Bosch Active Line contains 2-gear wheels, which is an improvement from the previous models of 4-gear wheels (Van Dalen, 2023). The reduction in number of gears will lighten the overall motor weight. Unfortunately, by reducing the number of gear wheels, motor efficiency and the transmission ratio are being compromised. To overcome this problem, Bosch came up with a new gear design. They changed the gear design and number of teeth in the input gear. It features a helical gear wheel, rather than a spur gear wheel found in the previous models. It also features a 5 teeth gear input, rather than the 12 teeth gear input found in their previous models (Van Dalen, 2023). Conventionally, gears have 12 teeth to prevent gear cutting. By having 5 teeth helical gear, Bosch Active Line drive improves its efficiency by reducing the power lost.  

By offsetting teeth from the gear axis in helical gear, the teeth engage more gradually and quietly. Bosch Active Line drive uses a plastic gear output in its gear system (Van Dalen, 2023). By having helical input gear and plastic gears as output, Bosch Active Line drive is silent, powerful, and also lightweight. With the new gears, cyclists will never have to worry about noise pollution or its weight. Giving them peace of mind when riding.

 

Bosch’s efforts to re-engineer the motors and gears do come at a cost, making it scarce in ways such as availability and accessibility. Bosch only supplied their e-bike drives to major bike manufacturers such as Trek (Trek, n.d.) and Canyon (Canyon, n.d.). Cyclists do not have the option to try out Bosch Active Line drive standalone, often it is preinstalled on an e-bike. To try out Bosch Active Line drive, they will have to purchase an e-bike with that drive. On top of its limited availability, Bosch has a limited authorised repair centre for servicing. Cyclists who owned the Bosch Active Line drive, often find themselves in a tough spot when it breaks down. Most of Bosch authorized service centres are in Europe (ebike Motor Centre, 2021), while lacking authorised ebike drive dealers in Asia. Unfortunately, their well-engineered Active Line drive lacks availability and accessibility, resulting in many cyclists seeking options elsewhere.

 

In conclusion, Bosch Active Line drive is the drive for all cyclists. Everyone can benefit from its features and functions. With the Bosch Active Line drive, going faster and further effortlessly will never be a hassle.

References:

Bosch eBike System: the smooth-running Bosch motor for eBikes. (n.d.). Active Line. https://www.bosch-ebike.com/en/products/active-line

Bosch eBike Systems. (n.d.). Product history. https://www.bosch-ebike.com/en/service/product-history

Cycle Volta. (2019, May 30). Bosch Pedal-Assist Bicycle Mid-Motor Description And Specs. https://www.cyclevolta.com/bosch-pedal-assist-bicycle-mid-motor-description-and-specs/

Gepida. (n.d.). Bosch Active Line GEN3. https://gepida.com/technology/drive-unit/bosch-active-line

Bosch Active Line 3. (2023, Mar 14). Van Dalen. https://avdweb.nl/solar-bike/hub-motor/bosch-active-line-3

Electric Bike with Bosch motor. (n.d.). Canyon. https://www.canyon.com/en-at/electric-bikes/bosch/

Bosch e-bike motors - revolutionize your ride! (n.d.). Trek. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bosch/

FAQs - Bosch - eBike Motor Centre (Performance Line Bearings). (2021, October 7). eBike Motor Centre (Performance Line Bearings). https://www.ebikemotorcentre.com/faqs-bosch/