Before the first test ride, Bosch expressly emphasizes that the CX Race is a lot more "aggressive" than the regular CX Performance and that you should therefore approach the new drive carefully. And rightly so.

The motor itself is based on the current CX Performance series. Its housing has been given a new surface finish and certain individual parts of the drive are made from a different material. This has resulted in a weight reduction of 150 grams. Bosch has not disclosed any details. The real difference lies in the software and the new race mode.

Support with up to 400 percent of your own power

You can feel how much the motor boosts your pedal power from the very first few meters. The 25 km/h limit is reached in no time. The thrust is pleasant and not as harsh as with other motors. The maximum torque is still 85 Newton meters. The increased support makes it possible to pedal with less power on flat terrain and save it for the climbs. That's where you need the breath to keep up with the engine power. A higher speed can also be ridden over time on long uphills.

Extended extended boost

If you pedal with a lot of power or give it a kick, the extended boost comes into play. This has been extended for Race mode, but remains the same in Turbo mode. This makes it possible to activate the additional support on large steps just before the obstacle so that you can glide over it without pedaling. This makes it easier to master difficult terrain and save energy. This applies to fast passages as well as those where a lot of balance is required at walking pace. This function also has its downside. If you step on the pedals unintentionally, you quickly lose control and the bike literally shoots you out of the saddle. The same happens on technically difficult climbs. If you lose control of your bike due to a riding error or the wrong choice of lane, you often unintentionally trigger the Extended Boost and crashes are inevitable. If the handling is too aggressive in Race mode or if the race course requires it, the dynamics of the support can be reduced via the "Bosch Flow App". If you want to get even more out of your bike, you can increase the factory settings, but only slightly.

Conclusion

Bikers with very good riding technique and appropriate experience with E-MTBs as well as racers can push their limits with the new drive and gain valuable seconds. The CX Race is too aggressive for hobby biking. Bosch has recognized this and is therefore only offering it in limited quantities for E-MTB race bikes.

Manufacturer

www.bosch-ebike.com