Shimano Electric Bike Review: Pros And Cons

Shimano eBike Review: A Deep Dive into the STEPS Ecosystem

When you hear the word Shimano, you most likely think of the world's leader in the manufacture of bicycle components. Today their gears, shifters and brakes remain the gold standard and silent partners in millions of cycling memories. So it’s perhaps no surprise that when Shimano jumped into the electric bike game, they didn’t start by designing entire bikes; instead, they’re targeting the very heart of the e-bike — the system that gets you moving the fastest and with the least work. A “Shimano ebike Review” is thus a peek under the hood, an examination of the power, smarts and reliability that propels many of the industry’s leading electric bikes. This review is cut through all of this hyperbole; to give you a straight, no bullshit review of what the STEPS ecosystem is really like to live with out in the real world, and whether deciding on a bike with Shimano inside is the right one for you.

Shimano's STEPS (Shimano Total Electric Power System) electric bike systems are more than a line of motors, batteries and displays: it is an entirely integrated and harmonized suite of components that work in unison to optimize the system of the bicycle. They are to be built into frames of bike manufacturers. Here’s a comprehensive list of all their main e-bike drive unit series:

Shimano EP8 (EP801 / EP802) Series

The dedicated E-MTB system designed for high-performance electric mountain bikes.

Shimano EP6 (EP600) Series

High-performance system with close to EP8 power in a more affordable aluminum body.

Shimano STEPS E8000 Series

Older high power e-MTB system and still available on some great bikes.

Shimano STEPS E7000 Series

An intuitive e-MTB system for ultimate trail support and reliability.

Shimano STEPS E6100 Series

A high-end and popular system for city, trekking and urban e-bikes.

Shimano STEPS E5000 Series

A lightweight and completely quiet system designed for casual city and comfort riding.

The Shimano Riding Experience: Power with Refinement

Unfortunately, to really appreciate what makes a Shimano-equipped e-bike special we have to first look past the numbers and dive into the riding experience. Here are two of their best-selling systems. Climbing aboard an EP8–equipped bike is an exercise in refinement. What you experience first is not a jerky surge of power but an intuitive, smooth boost to your natural effort. When you begin to stomp on the pedals to conquer a steep, technical trail, that 85 Nm of torque doesn’t feel so much as you’re being pushed along by some kind of crude motor—it feels more as if you were suddenly made to grow superhuman legs. The power is so linear, and feels so predictable, that you can manage power over loose terrain. The motor is notably quiet, leaving out the unnecessary synthetic humming as it supports your travel. Using the E-TUBE PROJECT app you can customize the assist modes (Eco, Trail, Boost) to better cater to your riding preference or the type of terrain you are riding on that day, taking the bike from a great tool to your perfect partner. At the other end of the scale, a city commute on a STEPS E6100 equipped bike is another kind of brilliant. It just feels like it all runs so smoothly. The power delivery feels zippy and responsive when it’s time to pull away from a traffic light, but it’s all set up for smoothness and battery conservation. What makes it truly incredible, however, is its compatibility with Shimano’s Di2 internal gear hubs. This can provide for automatic gear changes. You pedal, and for the gear changes, the bike does it all for you seamlessly, picking the perfect gear at every moment. It makes the act of riding around the city stress-free, meaning you can just concentrate on the road and relish the ride. This is the Shimano touch: the power, not just the force, but power that is integrated with calm and conviction, power at the command of the click of a finger.

The Shimano Ecosystem: Integration, Support, and Natural Feel

With a Shimano-equipped eBike, your choice doesn’t stop at the motor. You are buying into a whole, harmonized ecosystem and that is one of Shimano’s greatest strengths. Unlike brands that cobble together a motor from one company, a battery from another, and a display from a third, Shimano offers the complete system. This guarantees the tightest tolerances and quality control possible so that all of the support parts have matched dimensions for the rest of the system which provides for the best fit, and so less chance of a part to fail and even better performance. Also important to any would-be owner is how easily and supportable that item is. Shimano are the only brand to have their own dealers and service centres on almost every continent. What this means is that when it’s time for even something as regular as maintenance, or if it is time to get a software update, or possibly even a rare repair, you can find the expertise you need, as well as real parts, almost anywhere in the world. This is a huge perk that offers so much peace of mind for your purchase. Moreover, it rides great, which is huge. Shimano has spent heavily on fancy torque sensors and software algorithms to develop what’s widely considered one of the most “natural” feeling pedal assist systems. It doesn’t feel like a throttle, it feels like you, only stronger. This feature is important for those that love cycling and wish for technology to help, not replace. Finally, the century’s worth of heritage of the brand as a purveyor of engineering excellence and durability is baked into every e-bike system they make, so you know you’re buying a product associated with assured quality and long-term durability.

Here are all the justifications to better separate the hunting model of Shimano, by providing a comprehensive table about some parameters that describes the different major systems of drive unit components. This will allow you to determine which system best suits your type of riding.

For many brands, Shimano gives them the powerful heart, but not everyone is taking the same approach because some forward-looking companies are creating their electric bikes as one seamless entity, from frame to motor to software. A perfect example of that belief is ENGWE, one of the fastest growing e-bike brands on the market with well-designed and feature-filled ebikes. The ENGWE P275 SE, in particular, is an attractive option for the contemporary urban rider. A silent and smooth 250W brushless motor is the muscle behind this innovation but its ingeniously responsive smart torque sensor that has all the brains. As you pedal, this system gives you an incredibly realistic and smooth feel and reacts instantly to your power output. Combined with high capacity DC 36V 13Ah removable battery, the P275 SE offers an impressive maximum range of 100km that makes you worry-free. Power up Long Scrolling commutes or weekend adventures. ENGWE know riding is serious business, and we’ve made sure that ENGWE has all the power and performance to match the most extreme and accomplished rider, the bike features powerful 160mm hydraulic disc brakes, for more control in more terrain, including Technical and high speed sections, and a 7-speed Shimano transmission that provides expert reliability and hardwearing performance, so you can go as hard as you like, for as long as you like. The design is all about comfort and an ergonomic Dutch-style upright ride with an adjustable stem and a shock-absorbing saddle. And smart features like the clear LCD color display with App association/upload bring your ride and rider essentials together. For those who are looking for a full and complete ride with components purpose-built to collaborate in perfect unison, the ENGWE P275 SE is a compelling and stunning option.

For help when it comes to decision making, here are responses to five popular queries Shimano e-bike system users have.

But what is a torque sensor and why does it matter?

The “brains” of a high-quality pedal-assist system is a torque sensor. It detects how hard you press on the pedals in real time. The more pressure you apply to the pedals, such as when you’re beginning to accelerate or climbing a hill, the more help you get from the motor. That's what gives you that silky-smooth, intuitive and natural feeling of ride that Shimano's known for. It’s better than a more basic cadence sensor, which records only whether you are pedaling and can lead to a jerking, on-or-off power supply.

Is it possible to fit the Shimano STEPS kit on my normal bicycle?

No, you cannot purchase Shimano STEPS mechanisms as retrofit kits. These are intended for OEM use by bicycle manufacturers. Bicycles using STEPS systems are designed from the ground up to perfectly integrate the motor and battery within the frame of the bike, ensuring optimal weight-distribution and reliable, long-term performance.

How much attention does a Shimano motor need?

Shimano drive units are completely sealed and intended to be maintenance-free over the life of the bike. They also do not need internal maintenance like you would an oil change. Maintenance is relegated to the other parts of the bike (chain, brakes, tires) and occasional software updates, which any authorized Shimano dealer can do to make sure your system is up-to-date with the most recent improvements.

Let’s talk about the accuracy of the battery range figures.

The quoted range is an optimum theoretical range and is typically achieved in “Eco” mode on a flat and level surface with a lightweight rider. Real-world range is influenced by a host of factors: your weight, the terrain (hills have a dramatic effect on range), wind, tire pressure and most of all which assist level you’re in. A battery that drains relatively quickly when you’re using “Boost” or “High” mode continuously, as opposed to “Eco.” Shimano displays have a dynamic range estimate and it calculates while you are riding - very nice.

What is the Shimano E-TUBE PROJECT for App?

A powerful smartphone app, the E-TUBE PROJECT lets you customize the function of your STEPS system without any hassle or stress, simply enjoying a great experience from your bike. Now you can tailor the behaviour of your assist levels, so if you want a more aggressive “Trail” mode or a more conservative “Eco” mode - you can! It can also help you update your system’s firmware, introduce error diagnostics and display customisation, giving you substantial control over the performance of your bike.

Your Bet on Quality and Support

Because at the end of the day, when you saddle up to the electric bike table and you pull up a seat that has a Shimano system and a motor operating it, you’re placing a bet on time-tested quality, world-class ride feel, and one of the most secure global support systems that is currently making way in the electric bike market.