Reader Response Draft 4

 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-bike 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 feature 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 motor and gears outperform its predecessor, Active Line Drive 2,  even with its limitations. By using Bosch Active Line drive, cyclists can go faster and further effortlessly.

 

A feature of the Bosch Active Line drive is the motor used. According to Van Dalen (2023), Bosch Active Line drive features a torque sensor embedded into the motor. He also mentioned the 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 a different percentage of assistance. Turbo mode offers the highest assistance, up to 270%, followed by sport mode with 180%. Tour mode will offer the equivalent assistance of 100% while eco mode assist 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 like Australia and Singapore (Ebike.sg, n.d.). With the new Bosch motor, cyclists can choose to go faster effortlessly.

 

Another feature of Bosch Active Line drive is the gear (design) used. It is revamped totally from its predecessors, from gear wheels to gear numbers to materials. Bosch Active Line contains 2 gear wheels, which are 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, when the number of gear wheels is reduced, motor efficiency and transmission ratio are being compromised. To overcome this problem, Bosch came up with a new gear design. It changed the gear design and number of teeth in the input gear. It features helical gear wheel rather than a spur gear wheel found in the previous models. It also features a 5 teeth gear input, rather than 12 teeth gear input found in their previous models (Van Dalen, 2023). Conventionally, gears have 12 teeth due to prevent gear cutting. By having 5 teeth helical gear, Bosch Active Line drive improves its efficiency by reducing power lost. By having teeth offset 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 an also lightweight. With the new Bosch gears, cyclists can choose to go further effortlessly.

 

Bosch’s efforts to re-engineer the motors and gears do come at a cost, making the Bosch Active Line Drive scarce in availability. Bosch only supplies their ebike 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, as it is often it is preinstalled on the ebike. To try out Bosch Active Line drive, they will have to purchase an ebike with that drive. This may push potential cyclists away as they do not see them viable to purchase an ebike just to try out the drive. Bosch can make the Active Line Drive available to purchase standalone to reach out to more cyclists.

 

In conclusion, Bosch Active Line drive is the drive for all cyclists. Ebike enthusiasts can benefit from its features and functions. With the Bosch Active Line drive, going faster and further effortlessly is possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Bosch eBike System. (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

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

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

Ebike.sg. (n.d.). FAQ for LTA Regulations And Approval. https://ebike.sg/pages/lta-regulations-and-approval

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

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

Trek. (n.d.). Bosch e-bike https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bosch/

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