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DÜSSELDORF, Germany – Shimano launched this week in Germany its brand new components range for electric bikes. The company enters the e-Bike market with a system called STEPS. The acronym stands for Shimano Total Electric Power System.

The Shimano parts for e-Bikes show some interesting features. In particular, the torque sensor used stands out, while the same goes for the regenerative power capabilities, easy to use handling, and battery characteristics. But, what sets STEPS apart from many other electric bike systems is a basic principle in its development. According to Shimano, that principle is that first and foremost, an e-Bike has to be a bicycle.

For the introduction of STEPS Shimano set up camp in Düsseldorf Germany in mid-June. During the introduction week the major European OEMs were invited to get acquainted with Shimano’s new e-Bike components. About 250 bike manufacturers and/or suppliers were oriented to the new products, learning about all aspects of the system.

STEPS includes of a front wheel mounted 250 W brushless and geared hub motor, a bottom bracket integrated torque sensor, a crankset with rotation sensor, a rear carrier integrated battery with tail light, and system management unit, an integrated, electronic shifting 8-speed gear hub, headlight, cycle computer/display, and brake levers with buttons to control the system, as well as the power regenerative capabilities of the STEPS system.
  
What is in particular interesting about Shimano STEPS is the fact it is a fully integrated system. Some examples: the Nexus 8-speed gear hub is coupled with the torque sensor. With that it gets SEIS, which stands for Shimano Electronic Intelligent System for electronic shifting, specially developed for e-bikes. It is operated through buttons controlling a motor unit attached to the gear hub, allowing for fast and smooth shifting.

The front wheel-mounted hub motor is also a generator powering the head light, offers additional braking capability on downhills, and has the so-called E-Gain system for energy saving. These power regenerative capabilities are controlled through the brake levers. They are equipped with sensors that stop the assist power, get into the energy regenerative mode, and control the additional brake capability of the hub motor.

Another interesting feature is the 2.7 kg battery. It is a 24 V, 4Ah Li-Ion unit with integrated taillight and a control unit for the complete system. The removable battery allows for over 3,000 charging cycles. Charging time is only one hour. A full battery brings a range of 40 kms in regular mode and 60 kms in the ECO mode. More on Shimano’s new e-Bike components range is in Bike Europe’s