Japanese component manufacturer Shimano has released two new e-bike drive units in the form of the EP5 and EP5100. The brand says the new power units “represent a significant step into a new era of e-bikes, enabling riders to further explore, connect more deeply and experience the natural joy of cycling.
The new EP5 and EP5100 systems join Shimano’s existing range of e-bike drives, the EP8 and EP6 aimed at mountain bikes, while the EP6100 and E5000 systems are more suitable for urban mobility and commuting.
E-bikes for commuting and urban mobility are increasingly concepts that go hand in hand as more and more people use e-bikes as a solution for urban travel and commuting. Shimano seems to have aimed their latest drivetrains specifically at this corner of the cycling community.
We expect to see these systems on hybrid and commuter e-bikes (Image credit: Shimano)
EP5: Power balanced with range
The EP5 system offers riders a wealth of customization and the ability to tune the feel and characteristics of each of the three support modes, eco, trail and boost, via the Shimano E-Tube Project Cyclist app. The 3kg EP5 system can deliver up to 60Nm of torque and is compatible with disc, roller or track brake systems.
Although the range is a complex thing for an e-bike system to calculate accurately. Shimano believes the EP5 can assist up to 270 kilometers on a single charge on “mostly flat commuting”. If riders don’t have any 270km rides in mind, this means the system can go a week or more between charges.
Another feature of the EP5 is its Auto-Shift compatibility for bikes with internal hub shifting or rear derailleur setup. As the name suggests, shifting is out of the rider’s hands, allowing the bike to shift gears for you to always maintain the most appropriate gear based on your cadence, rider input and engine support.
In areas where regulations permit, the EP5 powertrain is capable of assisting up to a maximum speed of 28 mph. However, in regions such as the UK and EU, all e-bike classes are governed by a maximum support speed of 25 km/h (15 mph).
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The EP5 provides a range of 270 km (Image credit: Shimano)
EP5100: Built for everyday e-bike riding
The EP5 is joined by the EP5100, which the brand says is a more affordable power unit. At 2.4kg and 50Nm of torque, the motor has slightly less boost than the EP5. Focused on “commuting and everyday adventure,” the EP5100 was designed to bridge the gap between traditional cycling and pedal-assisted cycling.
The EP5100 has been designed to provide riders with a smooth and natural assistance platform. Like its more premium sibling the EP5100 is also customizable via the E-Tube Project Cyclist app.
For riders looking to take advantage of the brand’s automatic shifting technology, the EP5100 is only compatible with internal hub gears, rather than both the internal hub and traditional external derailleurs that the EP5 system can handle. Like the EP5, it is also compatible with disc, roller and track brakes.
Before its launch, Shimano said the EP5100 was: “Inspired by over a century of cycling history, the E5100 bridges the worlds of cycling and e-bikes by offering a light and responsive support system while giving riders a natural feel and reliable performance with every stroke.”
We don’t have pricing for the new units yet, but we expect to see them on commuter and hybrid e-bikes in the near future.
Propulsion systems are easy to charge (Image credit: Shimano)
