Control Mahle X35+

[carvalhon]

Hello,

I have a recent Van Rysel with Mahle x35+. I'm trying to find a way to control the engine, mainly assistance levels, with other device than Pulsar One.
I read in some old threads where Garmin 8xx and 10xx can do some work, however I wasn't able to understand if the assistance level can totally be controlled and this devices are to expensive to my needs.

After some years Anyone has experience with this X35+ with cheaper devices like explore 2 or 540?

Tks
Nuno

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It is doable with Garmin starting from the 540 (Explore 2 might miss the LEV ANT+ capability but I know the 540 supports the protocol). Now, the x35 has the LEV ANT+ protocol built in, so you can connect your e-bike to a Garmin as an E-Bike Sensor.

The primary function of the x35 and Garmin connection is visualising several e-bike parametres on Garmin data screens. Garmin will display the current Travel Mode (which is the assist mode such as ECO) and the ebike battery level. (The third parameter is the Range but it does not always work). I cannot verify the Mahle promises but e-bike speed, your cadence and leg power might be reported on the Garmin as well. (I do not own an x35 e-bike, so I can only say it for other LEV ANT+ compatible motors).

However, you are mostly interested in controlling the motor. According to the information found on the internet, you can change the x35 Assistance Mode in case you also buy a Garmin e-Bike Remote and pair it with the Garmin. I have no idea how you install the Remote on your handlebar (please ask a Garmin dealer).

Importantly, a special E-Bike screen of Garmin devices only works with Shimano motors. You would use native data fields of Garmin such as Speed, Cadence, Power, LEV Travel Mode or LEV Battery % for your setup.
---------------
Perhaps some owner of a Mahle x35 motor could chime in?

 

[carvalhon]

It is doable with Garmin starting from the 540 (Explore 2 might miss the LEV ANT+ capability but I know the 540 supports the protocol). Now, the x35 has the LEV ANT+ protocol built in, so you can connect your e-bike to a Garmin as an E-Bike Sensor.

The primary function of the x35 and Garmin connection is visualising several e-bike parametres on Garmin data screens. Garmin will display the current Travel Mode (which is the assist mode such as ECO) and the ebike battery level. (The third parameter is the Range but it does not always work). I cannot verify the Mahle promises but e-bike speed, your cadence and leg power might be reported on the Garmin as well. (I do not own an x35 e-bike, so I can only say it for other LEV ANT+ compatible motors).

However, you are mostly interested in controlling the motor. According to the information found on the internet, you can change the x35 Assistance Mode in case you also buy a Garmin e-Bike Remote and pair it with the Garmin. I have no idea how you install the Remote on your handlebar (please ask a Garmin dealer).

Importantly, a special E-Bike screen of Garmin devices only works with Shimano motors. You would use native data fields of Garmin such as Speed, Cadence, Power, LEV Travel Mode or LEV Battery % for your setup.
---------------
Perhaps some owner of a Mahle x35 motor could chime in?

Tks for your detailed information.

I have a cheap igpsport that fits my need, but it would be interesting to upgrade to a garmin, so I can control the lights. Doing that upgrade, I can use the remote garmin control or the Pulsar one.
The Garmin control has some advantages, it's cheaper (not that much), can be reused with other bikes, I don't need to remove the hands from the bars and gives a clean cockpit. On the other hand, the Pulsar one is from the brand, should work 100%, and I can use it right now, and wait for a garmin device at a good price.

The best option would be to use only the garmin, but it seems that's not an option.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Can you use the Pulsar to control a Garmin?
I assume your Van Rysel has drop bars? I'm not well versed with mounting remotes on a 25 mm tube.

 

[carvalhon]

Can you use the Pulsar to control a Garmin?
I assume your Van Rysel has drop bars? I'm not well versed with mounting remotes on a 25 mm tube.

No, the pulsar is basic, only connects to the bike. I think there isn't problem with the drops, the remote can me mounted in several positions.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Well, Mahle promises many parametres to display on a Garmin data screen for the x35:

• Speed/Distance (from the rear wheel speed sensor)
• E-Bike Battery Level
• Travel Mode (Assistance Level)
• Travel Range
• Rider Power & Cadence
• Any error messages.

That matches what I could get on a 540 from my Specialized/Mahle mid-drive motor.

I only have no certain information how you could control the assistance mode of your motor.

 

[carvalhon]

Well, Mahle promises many parametres to display on a Garmin data screen for the x35:

• Speed/Distance (from the rear wheel speed sensor)
• E-Bike Battery Level
• Travel Mode (Assistance Level)
• Travel Range
• Rider Power & Cadence
• Any error messages.

View attachment 209732
That matches what I could get on a 540 from my Specialized/Mahle mid-drive motor.

I only have no certain information how you could control the assistance mode of your motor.

That's where the pulsar one may do the job... is expensive as hell, but might be the combination that works the best

 

[Stefan Mikes]

That's where the pulsar one may do the job... is expensive as hell, but might be the combination that works the best

Pulsar does not do the GPS navigation I guess. Does it the ride recording autonomically (not connected to a smartphone) with the integration with popular services such as Strava or Komoot?

 

[carvalhon]

As far as I know, it doesn't. Pulsar one to control the bike and assistance level and garmin to navigate and integrate with apps. Two devices, but maybe the best

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I do agree!

 

[carvalhon]

Looking for explore 2 or 540. I don't need training features of the 540, so I prefer touch screen. Only miss strava segments, but it isn't really important, just explore 2 doesn't have it, if one day I change my objectives. One big worry is some people say they cannot connect to the bike... with pulsar one, I really don't neeed it, but once I'm going to invest, makes sense the device can connect the bike.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Only miss strava segments

Strava E-Bike Segments are still unavailable on any Garmin or Wahoo and I doubt these will be ever made available to GPS bike computer manufacturers. According to Garmin documentation, the Explore 2 has the e-bike connection capability.

 

[carvalhon]

Strava E-Bike Segments are still unavailable on any Garmin or Wahoo and I doubt these will be ever made available to GPS bike computer manufacturers. According to Garmin documentation, the Explore 2 has the e-bike connection capability.

Ok, that"s interesting information... I''m really amateur, so strava segments are interesting if I have it, but not that important. On ebike even less important, as it always depends on the assistance that day.. so that info the ebike segments are not available make my mind to the explore 2. One option is to buy it on Amazon, if I cannot connect to the bike I can always send it back during the 30 days.

Tks for your really nice info.