Japanese component manufacturer Shimano has released two new electric bicycle drive units 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, empowering riders to explore further, connect more deeply and experience the natural joy of cycling”.
The new EP5 and EP5100 systems join Shimano’s existing EP8 and EP6 e-bike drive offerings aimed at mountain biking, while the EP6100 and E5000 systems are better suited for urban commuting and commuting.
Commuting e-bikes and urban mobility are increasingly terms that go hand in hand with more people turning to e-bikes as a solution for getting around town and getting to work. It seems that Shimano has targeted its latest drive units specifically in this corner of the cycling community.
We expect to see these systems on hybrid and commuter electric bikes (Image credit: Shimano)
EP5: Beam Balanced Power
The EP5 system offers riders a great deal of customization and the ability to tune the feel and characteristics of each of the three assist modes, eco, trail and boost via Shimano’s E-Tube Project Cyclist app. The 3-kilogram EP5 system can deliver up to 60Nm of torque and is compatible with disc, roller or roller brake systems.
Although range is a tricky thing to calculate accurately for an e-bike system. Shimano is confident that the EP5, on a ‘mostly flat course of travel’ can provide assistance of up to 270 kilometers on a single charge. If riders don’t mind trips of 270 kilometers, that means the system could last a week or more between charges.
Another feature of the EP5 is its Auto-Shift compatibility for bikes 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 to always keep you in the most appropriate gear based on your cadence, rider input and engine support.
In regions where regulations allow, the EP5 drive unit is able to provide assistance up to a maximum speed of 28 mph. However, in regions such as the United Kingdom and the EU, all classes of e-bikes are governed by a maximum support speed of 25 km/h (15 mph).
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The EP5 provides a range of 270 km (Image credit: Shimano)
EP5100: Built for everyday e-bikes
Joining the EP5 is the EP5100 which the brand says is a more accessible drive unit. Tipping the scales at 2.4kg and delivering 50Nm of torque, the engine is slightly less underpowered than the EP5. Aimed at ‘everyday trips and adventures’ the EP5100 is designed to bridge the gap between traditional cycling and pedal cycling.
The EP5100 is designed to provide riders with a smooth and natural assistance platform. Like its more premium sibling, the EP5100 is also customizable via the E-Tube Project Cyclist app.
For riders who want to use the brand’s Auto Shift technology, the EP5100 is only compatible with internal derailleurs, rather than the traditional internal hub gears and external derailleurs that the EP5 system can handle. Like the EP5, it is also compatible with disc, roller and coaster brakes.
Ahead of its launch, Shimano said the EP5100 was, “Inspired by more than a hundred years of cycling history, the E5100 bridges the worlds of cycling and e-bikes, offering a lightweight and responsive support system while offering riders a natural nature. reliable feel and performance with every shot.”
We don’t have pricing for the new units yet, but expect to see them specced on commuter and hybrid electric bikes in the near future.
Steering systems are easily loaded (Image credit: Shimano)
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