“Performance values” of the Performance Line CX/CX-R can be increased to up to 600% support and 120Nm of torque.
Will Bosch be ‘avin’ Avinox? It will certainly have its work cut out, if our Amflow PX Carbon review is anything to go by (which it most definitely is). With a performance upgrade 2.0 available from May 4th as a free over-the-air update Bosch CX Gen5 motors will be able to offer 600% assistance. Although there’s no explicit mention of watts, one has to assume that Bosch hasn’t strayed over the 750w figure that features prominently in the recent calls to review e-bike regulations.
What else will be the update? Adjustable overrun, a new 12A charger and something called ‘Trick Check’ (part of the Bosch Flow app; it detects and records jumps, wheelies, manuals and endos). There’s also a new ‘drivetrain tensioner’. Details below.
We have a suitably Bosch-equipped bike in (details in Fresh Goods Friday later) so we’ll be updating its firmware on Monday and will let you know how it goes.
Highlights from the Press Release:
From May 2026, Bosch eBike Systems is offering riders the free performance upgrade 2.0 for the Performance Line CX and Performance Line CX-R, expanding the brand’s dynamic ecosystem. The eBike Flow app can now be used to increase the maximum torque and maximum support to master the steepest climbs with ease, ride technical accents with full control, and overcome challenging trail sections. The intelligent riding software recognises technically challenging situations and automatically delivers full power precisely when it is needed. Combined with the now customisable Extended Boost, the Drivetrain Tensioner, the new Trick Check feature, and the 12A Charger (arriving late 2026), these innovations provide a significantly more powerful and refined package for performance riders.
Using the eBike Flow app, performance riders can increase the torque of the Performance Line CX and the Performance Line CX-R to up to 120 Nm in any riding mode, with the maximum setting value being defined by the respective bicycle manufacturer. Starting from the basic setting of 85 Nm, there is a wide adjustment range for personalised tuning. In addition, the maximum support can be increased up to a speed of 15km/h, alongside up to 600% support, now provided in certain riding situations.
This functionality relies on dynamic rider input. For those who drive more power through the pedals, the system delivers a decisive boost and rewards that effort with a new sense of achievement. Immediately afterwards, the system adjusts back to an efficient level. This intelligent, short-term power peak reduces wear and tear on components, particularly the chain, cassette, and freewheel, while maximising the range.
Extended Boost gives eMTB riders the decisive boost they need to overcome obstacles on a trail, even if a full pedal stroke is not possible. The system delivers an intuitive, residual boost of up to two metres. From mid-2026, a new slider in the Bosch eBike Flow app will make it possible to set the length of the overrun for each riding mode. Some modes, such as eMTB, eMTB+, or Race, already have a predefined boost length by default that matches the characteristic of the respective mode.
Bosch eBike Systems is introducing the Drivetrain Tensioner for the Performance Line CX and Performance Line CX-R, bringing maximum control in technical riding situations. The software optimisation closes the freewheel between the motor and rear wheel, reducing the free travel on the pedal to a minimum and eliminating delay whilst pedalling. The result is almost instantaneous traction, even quieter freewheel, and the rider’s input converted directly into precise propulsion. This direct power transmission enables superior control and noticeably more agile riding behaviour, particularly on demanding sections, such as when starting off on a step or accelerating out of tight bends. In combination with the performance upgrade 2.0, the Drivetrain Tensioner can protect the freewheel, ensure a longer service life, and lower repair costs.
Flow smoothly through a curve on the rear wheel or take the next jump a little further – with the new Trick Check function, every successful move becomes an achievement. The sensor technology automatically recognises Jumps, Wheelies, Manuals, or Endos, records duration, height, distance, or angle, and confirms success with an audible signal. The last trick is shown on the display for eight seconds – a moment that visualises the rider’s personal achievements. Once the ride is over, the eBike Flow app shows all personal best performances at a glance. Riders can track progress, compare attempts, and generate additional motivation for the next ride.
The new 12A Charger now significantly shortens charging breaks. With a charging power of around 500 W, it charges around three times faster than the familiar 4A Charger. A PowerTube 800 can now reach a battery level of around 50 percent in approximately one hour, made possible by modern GaN technology. Since it generates significantly less heat than conventional semiconductors, it enables efficient and intelligent thermal management. Despite its high performance, the charger is compact, weighs less than 1kg, and fits in a backpack or small bike bag. For performance riders, this means spontaneous recharging, a range buffer before their after-work ride, and more time on the trail instead of at the power outlet.
It’s mastering the steepest of climbs with ease what cycling is supposed to be about? I acknowledge that some people need some assistance to enable their enjoyment of riding but ebike marketing is starting to sound like Top Gear 15 years ago, “Moar powaaaar!" I’d like to say that ebikes can get in the sea, but the batteries would just add to the pollution.
Can we have an Ebike bingo card for these threads?
A lot of people use the new FF ebikes as shuttle bikes really. They work well at a lot of the semi-official / off-piste places that are becoming a much bigger part of MTB in the UK. Personally, as an avid ebiker I don’t think all the extra is needed or a good idea really. It’s a marketing arms race and we face enough problems with the press using ‘ebike’ as a catch-all name for everything from a Surron to Deliveroo type conversation kits. Not to mention, batteries haven’t grown that much bigger, so you can use your mad power ebike to do the boring up-hill bits super-fast, but you’ll be heading home after an hour, or begging a cafe to let you plug your bike in with your 1kg / 12A charger in your pack.
Bosch Ambassador Hans Rey right now…
What does this increased output do for motor reliability?
Surely it’s like remapping a car: making the motor work harder without upgrading any of the hardware/parts. Bosch would’ve designed the motor around a maximum output but now they’ve decided it’s safe to increase the maximum output? Just going to end in tears earlier, no?
I have a Bosch equipped EEB and I don’t use the extra 15nm from the last upgrade! Not because I’m some super tech climber, quite the opposite, but I’m yet to come across a situation where I need it or where I think the rinsing of the battery and wear to components is worth it for a reduction of effort.
YMMV.
Tears for the riders but more money for Bosch when people have to replace the motors.
I’m sure the increases are all within safe operating limits of the motors though.
Sort of, but electrical motors are far simpler than car engines, there’s no cooling or oiling system, just sealed bearings in a sealed environment with grease. Even with 1300w (on the Avinox) they’re not spinning that fast, nothing like a power drill. Based on what I’ve read on EV motors, making more power is easy and reliable, it’s all the car bits around it that are harder to support more power.
It’s water / dirt ingress that kills ebike motors, but they seem more reliable than before, my friends with older bikes seem to be on their 2nd, 3rd, 4th even motor (all replaced free, even out of warranty regardless of brand).
Not sure I’d want to run £300 SRAM cassettes with all that torque and power, I’d want a full steel Deore for the sake of robustness and cost, they won’t come with those because they’re also fighting over weight.
Avinox did it to attract attention and press for a new motor, and it’s become the thing they’re all competing on now. Easy to drive the motor a bit harder at the expense of efficiency/motor life. Far harder to make a motor thats lighter/more reliable/rides more naturally. According to this the Bosch was already dropping its power off quickly before this update. Admittedly that’s nearly 9 minutes at full power but if you’re using it to shuttle up big fire roads at full speed you’ll hit that.
https://www.ebike-lab.de/en/thermik
I’m trying to work out what this is describing?
So it’s maintaining enough spin to *just* engage the free hub on the rear wheel?
Assistance multipliers are starting to become a joke. The required input is getting so low they may as well just have a throttle.
I did say on another thread that DJI hadn’t made some technological leap forward. They just did what all the other manufacturers could have done anytime they wanted.
And now they all will.
Great.
The other problem is that sooner or later this is also going to invite regulatory action. Problem IMO is that ‘off road’ is a widely-abused loophole.
Assistance multiplier at 600% – what’s that as peak output, have they gone over the 750W they suggested as a sensible limit?