New TQ Motor

[Calcoaster]

TQ just announced an updated motor, the TQ HPR 60. It takes the HPR50 specs up from 50nm, 300W peak to 60nm, 350W peak. Also “two battery options: 290Wh or 580Wh. Their promo says the new motor has improved cooling, efficiency, less noise and ”takes up the same space” as the HPR50. So far it’s just in one Mt. Bike, a Yeti. It will be interesting to see where and how it’s used in upcoming models. My HPR50 is so quiet already its hard to imagine even less noise, but that is better than the alternative!

 

[stompandgo]

The Pinarello Nytro uses the TQ HPR50. I'm sure that they'll jump on the HPR60. The large battery, not sure.

 

[Calcoaster]

Yeah, I’m thinking they’ll use the smaller battery on the lightweight road bikes and the larger ones on mt. bikes. I’m curious about their claimed efficiency improvement but my BMC with the hpr50 gives me more range than I could ever use in one ride and I’ve never even used more than half the available power. It’s always fun to watch the improvements that a next gen bike could get, but I’m totally happy with my current bike and its silent motor.

 

[stompandgo]

What kind of bike do you have it on? What sized battery? What is the rage on Mode 1?

 

[Calcoaster]

I have a BMC roadmachine 01 Amp X two. It uses the hpr50 system and a typical ride for me is 25-45 miles, rolling hills with a few climbs. On most rides I use one percent or less battery per mile, but I tuned both eco and mid level down and I turn the assist off for 20% or so of most rides. I only use the mid level for short climbs or big headwinds and I never use turbo. That makes my rides average speed around 16mph, as compared to 13-14 for the same ride without any motor help. Same exertion level but longer rides and more fun than without the motor assist. I’ve never even used half of my available battery on a ride and I don’t think I’ll ever ride far enough in a day to use much more than that.

 

[stompandgo]

Thanks!

 

[stompandgo]

Yeti MTB TQ HPR60 Review

He had some not so nice things to say about the HPR50, and lots of good things to say about the HPR60.

 

[Calcoaster]

I‘ve been reading that some mt. Bikers with the HPR50 have had them replaced with hpr60 motors. It seems that the only difference in fit between the two is that the hpr60 has bolt-on heat sink fins that could make it hard to fit the motor cover over, at least on some brands. Some say that the hpr60 power is being limited to 300 W (down from the 350 they are rated for) and it may be because it‘s expected that the user will remove the fins in order to fit it in their older bikes. Another rider showed his modified motor cover that fits the new motor with the heat sink fins in place. He just cut a window in the bottom of the plastic cover to expose the fins.

The word from these users is they find a noticeable increase in torque and they claim the better efficiency gives battery battery life even with the increased power (or torque, support, or whatever words used to indicate a stronger motor). They also say it’s quieter.

This is just the consensus from a handful of riders but I sure do give TQ a big thumbs up for making their upgrade motor backwards compatible with their current one! That was a big disappointment with Specialized when they rolled out their 1.2SL and said it wouldn’t fit as a replacement for the 1.1. More profits in selling a new bike rather than a replacement motor, I guess. But TQ sure wins (for me) in the brand loyalty category.

 

[stompandgo]

I'm reading the same things that you are. Most of those riders have Trek Fuel+ emtb's and reside outside the USA. From what they are saying, any bike with a HPR50 that is upgraded to the HPR60 will be power limited to 300w based on the bike's serial number, whether the fins are installed or not. This is also not configurable with the service dongle. So there is increased torque, but no change in maximum power.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

So there is increased torque, but no change in maximum power.

You cannot increase torque without increasing the power (at the same reference angular speed). The de-rated HPR 60 will have the same torque as HPR 50.

At the industry standard of 6.28 rad/s, 300 W mechanical produces 47.8 Nm. 350 W gives 55.7 Nm.

The torque values given by manufacturers are just a marketing thing.

To compare, the Specialized SL 1.2 motor of 320 W produces the torque of 51 Nm, which is the most honest for the advertised torque of 50 Nm.

 

[stompandgo]

I understand the mechanical math. I'm talking about the manufacturer's claims. The motor will be detuned to 300w maximum and cannot be adjusted. At least, that is the word on the street. Once I get my dongle registered, I should be able to get the truth straight from TQ.