Shimano’s long-awaited update to their ebike motor line has arrived, with the EP810 motor boasting more power in a lighter package.
Shimano’s new EP810 motor sits behind the Avinox and Bosch motors in terms of outright power, but for many, 100Nm and 750Wh peak power is plenty.
Key features:
- 100Nm torque
- 750Wh peak power
- 720Wh battery (4.1kg)
- True Auto (Auto Shift/Auto Assist)
- Lift and Shift hill assist
- 2.3kg (drive unit)
Shimano’s EP8 range of motors started life in the whirlwind that was 2020. Four years later, the motor gained race-specific software to become the EP801 and added a more budget-friendly EP6 motor. The 2024 update seen somewhat as a stop gap between the original motor’s offerings and a motor more in line with the current trend of performance.
With 100Nm torque, 750Wh peak power and having lost 400g in the process, it lacks the raw punch of the third generation motors, but is still in line with the likes of the Specialized 3.1 motor. At 2.3kg for the drive unit, it is lighter than the Avinox M2S and Bosch CX Gen 5 motors, and considerably lighter than the Specialized unit.
As it stands, the EP810 will be mated to a 720Wh battery, meaning that anyone looking for a lighter weight package will certainly have their eyes on the new Shimano offering. Whilst the classic controls remain, there is also a sleek SC-EN700 integrated top tube control unit. That 720Wh battery is relatively dense compared to the larger 800Wh+ units of other manufacturers but is available with standard and fast chargers.
What the new system might lack in out right grunt, the press release states that the EP810 system offers a “balanced, natural riding experience that delivers the ideal blend of power, control, efficiency, and durability in a lightweight package.”
Auto Assist adds a dynamic assist to Auto Shift, meaning that not only do the gears change as you ride, but also the assist level, combining seamlessly with the range of Di2 MTB groupsets. The gen 3 Auto Shift has been refined to work with you and the trail better, with the ability to customise your cadence range.
Whilst climbing, Auto Assist adapts to maintain traction and keep the front wheel planted before reducing for descents and maintaining efficiency and battery life on the flats. Hill Hold will keep the bike steady on steep climbs, doing away with the need to swing off the brake levers, whilst Lift and Shift lets you seamlessly shift by use of the power modes whilst stationary. Assist Remain helps the rider when inputs become uneven, whilst Carry Over is the customisable over run to suit your riding or racing.
We look forward to swinging a leg over an EP810-equipped bike in the near future and will deliver our verdict on the latest Shimano ebike platform once we do.
