Japanese parts manufacturer Shimano has released two new drive units for electric bicycles in the form of the EP5 and EP5100. The brand says the new drive units represent “an important step in a new era of e-bikes, allowing riders to explore further, connect more deeply and experience the natural joy of cycling.”
The new EP5 and EP5100 systems complement Shimano’s existing e-bike drivetrain offering, the EP8 and EP6 are aimed at mountain biking, while the EP6100 and E5000 systems are more suited to urban mobility and commuting.
E-bikes for commuting and urban mobility are increasingly terms that go hand in hand with the fact that more and more people are using e-bikes as a solution to move around the city and to work. It appears Shimano has targeted its latest drive units specifically at this corner of the cycling community.
We expect to see these systems on hybrid and e-bikes for commuting (Image credit: Shimano)
EP5: Power balanced with range
The EP5 system offers riders plenty of customization and the ability to tune the feel and characteristics of each of the three assistance modes, eco, trail and boost, via Shimano’s E-Tube Project Cyclist app. The 3-kilogram EP5 system can deliver a torque of up to 60 Nm and is compatible with disc, roller or coaster braking systems.
Although the range for an e-bike system is difficult to calculate. Shimano is confident that the EP5 can provide support for up to 270 kilometers on a single battery charge on a ‘largely flat commute’. If riders don’t have 170-mile rides in mind, that does mean the system will last a week or more between charges.
Another feature of the EP5 is its compatibility with the Auto-Shift function for bicycles with internal hub gears or a rear derailleur setup. As the name suggests, this takes the shifting out of the rider’s hands and allows the bike to shift gears so you can always stay in the most appropriate gear based on your cadence, rider input and motor assistance.
In regions where regulations allow it, the EP5 drive unit can provide support up to a maximum speed of 45 km/h. However, in regions such as the UK and EU, all e-bike classes have a maximum assist speed of 25 km/h (15 mph).
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The EP5 offers a range of 270 km (Image credit: Shimano)
EP5100: Built for everyday e-biking
The EP5 includes the EP5100, which according to the brand is a more accessible drive unit. With a weight of 2.4 kg and a torque of 50 Nm, the motor has slightly less assistance than the EP5. Aimed at ‘commuting and everyday adventures’, the EP5100 is designed to bridge the gap between traditional and pedal-assist cycling.
The EP5100 is designed to provide riders with a smooth and natural support platform. Like its more premium brother, the EP5100 is also customizable via the E-Tube Project Cyclist app.
For riders who want to take advantage of the brand’s Auto Shift technology, the EP5100 is only compatible with internal hub gear drives, rather than both internal hub gears and traditional external derailleurs that the EP5 system can handle. Like the EP5, it is also compatible with disc, roller and coaster brakes.
Ahead of the launch, Shimano said that the EP5100: “Inspired by more than a hundred years of cycling history, the E5100 bridges the worlds of cycling and e-biking, providing a lightweight and responsive support system, while giving riders a natural feel. feel and reliable performance with every stroke.”
We don’t have prices for the new units yet, but expect them to be specified on commuter and hybrid e-bikes in the near future.
The drive systems can be easily charged (Image credit: Shimano)
