Bosch Performance Line CX-R: More power for e-mountainbikes

With the Performance Line CX-R, market leader Bosch is launching its most powerful e-mountainbike drive to date. At the same time, anyone riding the current Performance Line CX can make their existing motor just as powerful.

With 750 watts and 100 Newton meters of torque, the Performance Line CX-R achieves significantly higher values than the 600 watts and 85 Newton meters of the Performance Line CX. This brings Bosch closer to the power leader DJI Amflow with 850 watts and 105 Newton meters and brings it into line with the Hepha drive, which also achieves 750 watts and 100 Newton meters at its peak. Both newcomers gave the top dogs from Bosch and Shimano a run for their money in our most recent comparison test. The new Bosch mid-motor supports muscle power by up to 400 percent, while the CX leaves it at 340 percent. At the same time, the motor has become around 100 grams lighter thanks to different materials. The CX-R also has an exclusive new riding mode called Race, which is not available for the previous Bosch systems.

However, anyone who has just bought an e-bike with the Performance Line CX presented last year need not fret, as the normal CX drive will also be more powerful. The existing motor can be upgraded to the exact same performance data of the new CX-R via the Bosch E-Bike Flow app. Bosch is therefore simply removing a previous firmware throttle. The new drive then has no more power than the current one. The only advantages of the CX-R are the lower weight and the slightly lower pedal resistance resulting from the higher quality materials.

However, Bosch explicitly points out the consequences of the increased power. According to the manufacturer, the increased power puts more strain on the mechanical components and affects the battery range. It is therefore important to weigh up when and to what extent you use the motor power.

First new wheels in the fall

Bosch plans to deliver the free update for the Performance Line CX in July. From then on, Bosch cyclists will have the opportunity to tickle more power out of their motor. The first models with the Bosch Performance Line CX-R are expected in fall 2025. It is quite possible that some manufacturers will announce corresponding bikes at the Eurobike trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of June.

(sht)