Developed with the assistance of the largest calves in mountain biking, courtesy of Mick Hannah, Shimano’s EP801 gets race firmware.
Shimano’s top tier ebike motor, the EP801, has received a firmware update that offers customisable overrun and max speed cut off, higher assist delivery and updated Auto Shift. The EP6 motor will be upgradeable to include the max speed cut off and Auto Shift updates.
This is free to download for EP801 and EP6 owners, available currently at dealers and will be available on the eTube app this autumn.
Shimano’s new EP801 firmware update has been developed with Shimano’s world-cup winning Yeti / Shimano EP Racing team and proven by Orbea’s OOLab and Rotwild Schwalbe Enduro teams. The new features include a higher assist level for Boost Mode, a customizable max speed cutoff progression, and extended overrun. The firmware update is available to all current EP801 owners and will be standard on all bikes built after the firmware release.
Higher Assist in Boost Mode
Whilst you don’t get any more power from the motor, this remains at 600W, the assist ratio is 400% and comes in quicker. This provides shorter response times when you put the power down to give you all the help possible.
Customizable Max Speed Cutoff
No this doesn’t mean derestricted motors. What it means is you can tune the way the power cuts off when you do meet the max speed threshold for the motor. Whether you want a more natural wind-down of power for a smooth cutoff or want to maximize the assist all the way to the cutoff point, the choice is yours.
Uninterrupted Power Delivery
Overrun is something that put the Bosch CX Line motor out front when it came to racing ebikes, but the firmware update offers three settings; short, medium and long. This puts the EP801 back squarely in the mix for race motors, although there’s no indication as to how long these three settings last.
One neat feature is the ability to cancel the overrun by back pedalling, something the Bosch motor doesn’t allow and means that you have another option beyond just braking to control the overrun.
SHIMANO AUTO SHIFT Updated
Auto Shist has also received improvements thanks to the help of Mick Hannah. Auto Shift now supports more aggressive riding with faster shifts while braking hard or accelerating quickly and will also pause when a rider overrides the automatic shifting with a manual shift on a descent.
Firmware Availability
The new firmware is available to all EP801 bike owners. Riders will need to visit their local dealer to have the firmware update applied. Any new EP801 bikes assembled after June 25 will roll off the assembly line with these new capabilities pre-installed at the factory.
An update to Shimano’s E-TUBE PROJECT Cyclist smartphone app will be released this autumn and will allow riders to perform this firmware update and customize their EP801 setting on their own.
Until then, please visit your local dealer to update your EP801 bike.
