Shimano modes
Shimano’s new EP8 motor has three modes of assistance, as well as their E-Tube Project and E-Tube Ride apps. The E-Tube Project app allows users to customise the assistance levels of their motor, while the E-Tube Ride app acts like a cycling computer by connecting with your smartphone and allowing you to push ride data to third party apps like Strava.
The E-Tube Project app is more relevant to this article, as each ride mode can be modified in three areas. The first area is the assistance level the motor provides, which can be moved up or down across ten increments. Secondly is the maximum torque that can be reached in that mode, which is adjustable from 20 – 85Nm. Lastly, the E-Tube Project app has five separate modes for how quickly the motor will respond to pressure at the pedals, from mild to quick. The standard setting is for the motor to react quickly, and unless the bike is pulling away from you, I’d recommend sticking to this setting.
Whilst the E-Tube Project app means that you can customise each mode to your liking, I’ll give you a rundown of what each stock setting on the EP8 motor provides.
First up is Eco mode, which gives 3/10 assistance, paired with a maximum available torque of 49Nm. This mode is comparable to the stock Eco mode from both Bosch and Specialized, however in my experience Shimano’s Eco mode offers a touch less assistance. Whilst this is a benefit for riding with riders on regular bikes, on the trail Shimano’s Eco mode feels a touch more sluggish compared to Bosch and Specialized.
The second Shimano mode is Trail, which is similar to Bosch’s EMTB mode as the mode I predominantly use off road. As standard this mode offers 7/10 assistance paired with all 85Nm of torque. This mode feels similarly intuitive to Bosch’s eMTB mode; however, Shimano’s Trail mode modulates the power all the way from Eco through to Boost mode. Despite my overall positive assessment of Shimano’s Trail mode, it lacks the absolute top end power feel of both Bosch and Specialized.
Lastly is Shimano’s Boost mode, which gives you all the motor assistance and all the torque. Once again, it’s best reserved for whizzing up road climbs and on your way to the trail, as the power isn’t as cleverly regulated as it is in Trail mode. Despite this, I use Shimano’s Boost mode occasionally on steep off road climbs where power is required to get you up and over obstacles, as I find it a touch easier to control than the Turbo mode on both Bosch and Specialized.
In terms of adjustments to the Shimano assistance modes via their E-Tube app, whilst everyone will have their personal preference, I find that that Shimano’s stock settings are most of the way there. Shimano EP8’s three levels of assistance offer everything you need, and the E-Tube Project app means you can further refine the motor’s settings to your personal circumstances.