E-Tube, should I even try it or could it brick my ebike?

pufferjumper

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I started to download the Shimano E-Tube app, then I read the reviews. They are horrible. Multiple references to bricked bikes. Does anyone have any recommendations?
 
I have only good things to say about the Shimano E-Tube app paired with my Shimano 8000 motor.

The latest firmware update was a big improvement. Connectivity is a snap. App is intuitive and makes it easy to adjust assist levels.

Zero complaints here.
 
If you consider "latest firmware update" September 2019...I'm surprised how infrequently Shimano updates their firmware. It sure isn't because they "got it right the first time"...

Three big issues remain for all of the Shimano eMTB drive systems, including the E8000 (which oddly enough did not get a firmware update to support the new larger capacity batteries) that can EASILY be addressed with software/app updates:

1) Requirement to have a dealer make changes to wheel circumference - I run different sizes wheels and tires throughout the year (my bike can run 29er and 27.5 plus, and I run different sized 27.5 plus tires seasonally)

2) Power tapers off steeply at 18.5 MPH, unlike most other eMTB drive systems. This is the achilles heel of the Shimano system, and again, easily addressed with a firmware/software update

3) Remaining battery indication is inconsistent between the battery (the five LEDs) and the display unit. They often do not match up. And the time lag between a low battery warning and shutdown is inconsistent and sometimes nearly non-existent.

Other quirks are inconsistencies in the data available via Bluetooth and/or ANT+ private from the various display units. Also the above mentioned lack of an update for the new batteries and the DU5000 display.

So in short, I do have plenty of complaints about Shimano and their software/firmware.

Thankfully, bricking the system isn't one of them....
 
I bought my bike April 2020. First time I linked, I was told to update firmware. So I don't know when the actual update was released. But the changes it made to Trail mode were easily appreciable.

I have zero problems showing data on my Garmin 830.

None of your gripes really addresses the OP's question, however
 
Yup. It definitely helped, as did the app update which allowed more granular control over assistance settings. But there remain significant issues.

Also, in regarding to Garmin integration, it is very inconsistent across the various display units (E7000 and E8000 for example).
 
can you really tell the difference when switching rear tires?

I've gone from 27.5 "plus" 2.6 and 2.8 (which are same effective circumference as 29) to 27.5 "standard" 2.6 and 2.5 tires. I really haven't noticed any changes affecting the motor or power response
 
Affects assist cutout point, not actual power/boost (I guess indirectly it sorta does). The difference can be substantial, actually. Range of 3-7% depending on tires. So a full MPH difference on average (5% difference).

I'm payin' for 20 MPH top end, I want 20, not 18.5 and certainly not 18. ;-) Where I really noticed this was in an eMTB race - those on non-Shimano systems had a 1-2 MPH advantage in the open sections and though I pedaled my ass off (HR was 156 average for the race!) I still was at a disadvantage.

Not super noticeable on everyday rides, but I did notice the cutoff on places like transfer stages or section of doubletrack/road.

Either way, it should not require a visit to the dealer and the cost/inconvenience. For that I reason, I bought a STunlocker license so I can set it myself. And every time I use it, I do worry about bricking my drive unit!
 
I will chime in, I initially had purchased a Trek Verve+3. This is a Class 1 ebike. I quickly found out that at around 18.5 mph it started to shut down on the assist, still giving me assist but very little. And then when you got to the maximum 20 mph you could feel the motor shut off giving you the full weight of the bike. And the bike weighs about 53 lb so you quickly went from 20 mph to around 18.3, then you had to start the whole process again to try to keep the speed up. A real pain in the arse

I took the bike to a local dealer that handles Bosch equipment and had them check the circumference of the wheel to see if I was in fact getting maximum speed. He said that the Canadian calibration was somewhat different than the US calibration and different Wheels meaning specifically pointing to tire size will have an effect. So he made some adjustments on the Bosch side and I was able to get the bike with some fairly notable assist to 20 mph. But then the controller head unit was bouncing all over the place so I quit.

I called Bosch numerous times and I got the same canned answer, that the assist level does reduce at around 18.5 to 19 mph, which is BS because I'm paying for a 20 mph bike and I want full assist up to 20 mph.

So I sent the bike back to Trek within my 30-day return.

The more I became versed on different motors with different torque levels and class levels I realized that a class 3 here in the US is supposed to be a 28 mph bike.

Now here the dilemma starts because I started test writing brand new 2025 Trek FX + 7s and specialized SL 6.0 carbon fiber all of these bikes and there were others that boasted a 28 mph level.

All of these bikes that I tested were class 3 with a low torque of 50nm. The one unique thing that I found with all of them is that you had to work very hard to get to the 28 mph max.

so I closed the door on all of those and kept looking!

Even the Bosch CX 85 NM mountain bikes were rated at class 1 level but with an extreme amount of torque and push you right to the 20 mph Max! And climb a wall. Very nice! But not fast enough!

Then I rode a Bosch performance line Speed and the word Speed is the real que.

They have 85 NM of torque and have a class 3 limit. They do push you with assist all the way up to 28 very nicely.

I did ride a bulls Evo 2 speed with a Bosch performance Speed motor and that sucker flies all the way up to 28 mph.

I'm not an advocate for any of these e-bikes mentioned I just have been testing e-bikes for awhile prior to my final purchase . I was looking for Pure Energy! Just my personal opinion, hope this helps.
 
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