Howto
Guide to optimal e-bike tuning
In the E-Bike Tuning Shop you will receive high-quality tuning products that have been tested and proven by us. Many of these items are exclusively available from us. Here we show you how to find your ideal tuning product:
I. Find out the exact designation of your e-bike motor!
II. Find the right tuning product with this guide and the configurator!
III. Order the best tuning product for your needs and install it!
Or: Go directly to the shop and select your motor!
1. The designation name of your motor
Positive list - "E-bike motors that can be tuned":
Bosch Gen4: Smart System 2022 (BES3)
Bosch Gen4: Performance Line (+ CX) or Cargo Line from 2020
Bosch Gen3: Active Line Plus from 2018
Bosch Gen2: Active or Performance Line (+ CX) as of 2014
Bosch Gen1: Classic or Classic+ Line from 2011 to 2014
Yamaha Powerdrive: PW-X, PW-X2, PW-SE, PW-ST or PW-TE
Yamaha Syncdrive: Giant SyncDrive Pro 2
Yamaha Syncdrive: Giant SyncDrive Life, Core, Pro or Sport
Yamaha Syncdrive: Giant SyncDrive C mid-motor as of 2014
Shimano STEPS: E8000, E7000, E6100, E6000, E5000 with and without Di2
Brose: mid-mounted motors, Drive C, Drive T Drive S, Drive TF or Drive S Mag
Panasonic: mid-mounted motor, Multi Speed Assist, X0 or GX0 (Ultimate)
Impulse: 1, 2 & EVO & EVO RS mid-mounted motors
Haibike Flyon: TQ mid drive motors
Powerplay: Rocky Mountain Dyname Powerplay
BionX: Drives from June 2009 with CanBus System
AEG: Eco Drive, Sport Drive or Comfort Drive
If your e-bike motor is in the positive list, please start the “Configurator” or narrow down your search with our “Comparison”.
Negative list - "E-bike motors that can NOT be tuned":
Many rear motors (except BionX, Neodrives & Xion as well as Heinzmann), and basically all front motors, cannot be freed from the speed limit. For e-bikes with automatic gears (except Di2) and/or Dual Battery, the tuning may only work to a limited extent. In general, all e-bike motors that are not on the positive list cannot be optimised.
2. Buyer's guide: Which kind of e-bike tuning is right for me?
A) Is there only one or are there a number of tuning solutions?
If there is only one compatible e-bike tuning product for your motor on the market, the decision is inevitably easy. However, today there are often many different tuning options to choose from, especially for particularly common motors.
If there are several tuning products for your e-bike, you should weigh up the respective advantages and disadvantages. To do this, you should check which tuning categories exist - and finally decide according to your personal preferences:
B) Types of tuning
What kind of tuning do I want to use for my e-bike?
a) Software tuning which manipulates the motor control, usually via control unit or display,
b) Attachable boxes which are plugged onto speed sensors without contact in order to split the speed signals,
(c) Embeddable modules (chips) which are located in the engine compartment and are capable of modifying the transmitted signals,
d) Dongles, which are also connected to the engine and have detachable active components,
special solutions, such as e) kits, whole f) controllers or g) sensors (complete replacement of sensors).
C) Activating the tuning
How can I activate and control my tuning tool? There are different approaches here:
a) Via app, conveniently controlling and programming the (basic) settings (optional) via a smartphone,
b) Via the display, meaning the entire handlebar area with walk, light and other possible buttons,
c) With an external control unit to connect, adjust and disconnect,
d) Use a PC to carry out modifications at the module,
e) A module equipped with an activator, take action by pressing a button,
f) A motor-installed module that is always on (Still On),
g) Control via the magnetic sensor on the rear wheel,
h) A plug (dongle) or
i) An attachment (box) for contactless tuning via the sensor.
D) Correct data indication in the display
How are the values shown in the display (for example the current speed)?
Correct, divided / halved or frozen (mostly before reaching the 25 km/h limit).
E) Maximum speed
How high is the maximum speed?
Some tuning tools remove the speed limit completely; others even allow the maximum speed to be set to an individual value (adjustable). From a maximum speed support of the engine above 40 km/h, we have classified the tuning tool as "cancelled (speed limit removed completely)", as the maximum speed that can actually be achieved depends on many other factors.
F) Summary
If you consider the points mentioned above, the decision to buy your own tuning product should be made quite quickly. Now you should think about tools and other accessories:
3. Tools: When buying an e-bike tuning device, pay attention to the necessary tools!
Which parts of your e-bike do you need to work on to install the tuning? If you only need to change the display, connect or mount something, your tool requirements will be limited. Therefore our tip: Please make sure which tools you need to open the engine compartment (or whether it is necessary to open the engine compartment at all). If you have decided to buy a module (chip), sensor, kit, dongle or controller, you will have to reach into the professional toolbox. But once you have the tools you need, you have the advantage that “useful tools and accessories” are always at hand.
A) Standard tools
We recommend always having a multitool at hand. We have put together a range of “standard tools” in the shop.
B) Special tools
Important: For many e-bike motors, “special tools” are needed to install the tuning. This is usually the case when the engine compartment has to be opened. The “crank puller” is used to loosen the crank arm so that the motor cover can be opened (variations possible). For almost every e-bike motor that needs to be opened, a high-quality “crank puller” should therefore be included in the shopping basket as standard.
With some motors (such as the Bosch Classic), an additional motor-specific spider tool is obligatory to open the lock ring on the chain ring - because here the chain ring must be loosened so that the motor cover can be removed to get access to the engine. If you want to change the chain ring (because of wear, or to change the gear ratio), you often need a spider tool as well. You can find the necessary “special tools” in our shop. For Bosch e-bikes Gen1 and Gen2, we recommend the “EBikeSpider”, which combines both spider tools in one product.
4. Further optimisation options!
A) Smartphone holders
Every e-bike, whether tuned or not, should be equipped with a proper smartphone holder for the handlebar. We also have many app-enabled tuning solutions in our shop - so a smartphone mount for the handlebar makes even more sense. Our tip: A mount that fits firmly and offers optimal support is the new Vacuum System from “Fidlock”. This mount not only offers optimal grip and performance, it also comes with an excellent, high-quality smartphone case.
B) Larger chain ring
Recommendation: In most cases, you will notice that the cadence increases strongly in higher speed ranges after the tuning has been installed: At about 35 km/h in the highest gear you have to pedal as fast as at 15 km/h in first gear. This is generally not very pleasant. Here a larger chain ring with considerably more teeth can help (see “chain rings”). You can find a detailed overview in our “chain ring comparison”. Caution: This actively changes the transmission ratio.
C) Longer chain
If you have chosen a different chain ring with more teeth (and thus a larger diameter), a new chain is usually obligatory for your e-bike (see “chains”), because 1-3 chain links are usually missing (example: the previous chain ring had 15 teeth, now there is a new chain ring with 18 teeth = the chain should have three more teeth, roughly). To shorten the new, longer chain, you need either a chain riveter or a multitool with a chain rivet remover.
D) Optimise air pressure
With increasing speed, the rolling resistance becomes more and more important. Regardless of e-bike tuning, adjusting the air pressure (usually increasing it) is essential due to lower rolling resistance. This means that you need a reasonable, preferably “mobile air pump”. Compare the specified values (see tyres or homepage of the tyre manufacturer) with an inflation pressure measuring device (manometer).
E) Vary crank length
For more advanced cyclists, changing the crank length is an option. The crank arm usually varies by 170 mm. This can be shortened to up to 150 mm. A “shorter crank” leads to higher ground clearance, which can be particularly advantageous when riding off-road. In conjunction with a powerful e-bike motor, this also shortens the distance of a crank revolution. Shortening the crank arm should be done carefully and in steps.
F) Theft protection
Connect your own e-bike to an active, smart “GPS transmitter” to be constantly informed about the condition and position of your e-bike.
5. Warning notices!
Please observe the “warning notices”!
