New entrants into the ebike motor market

[Captain Slow]

Recently we saw DJI (drone makers) came out with an ebike motor and now we see automobile parts manufacturer ZF has come out with a small powerful motor.

The motor appears significantly smaller than offerings from Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano, Brose, etc .... yet it's quite powerful.

ZF might have an easier time having their motor spec'ed on ebikes with their reputation for decades in manufacturing auto parts. I suspect all other things being equal a bike company would lean towards working with ZF rather than DJI.

 

[Captain Slow]

Here's a review of the motor

Exclusive first test 2025 ZF Bike Eco System – what is the new ZF ebike motor capable of?

The new ZF CentriX ebike motor boasts some very exciting facts and features. Here’s everything you need to know about it, along with our first riding impression.

ebike-mtb.com

 

[Deacon Blues]

I wonder how long it will take to see this motor, along with Bosch's SX, installed in a carbon road/gravel bike.

 

[Captain Slow]

I wonder how long it will take to see this motor, along with Bosch's SX, installed in a carbon road/gravel bike.

I'd settle for an aluminum frame, but I would like to see these small motors installed on a drop bar bike. I'm hoping not long, but I guess we'll see.

I am really wanting to get an ebike again. But I keep seeing these newer motors like the Bosch SX, DJI, ZF and think hmmmm, maybe I'll wait bit longer. I said that for the TQ motor as well ............

I know at some point I have to stop waiting and just purchase a new ebike, but I'd hate to buy one and then soon after something that better fits my criteria comes out.

 

[Deacon Blues]

E-bike progress is moving so rapidly whatever you buy now will be outdated in 2 or 3 years. It's mind-boggling how fast ebikes are evolving.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I know at some point I have to stop waiting and just purchase a new ebike, but I'd hate to buy one and then soon after something that better fits my criteria comes out.

If I were in the market for an ebike, I'd feel exactly the same way. But ebikes are evolving really fast right now. Gotta assume that a better-suited bike WILL come out — probably before your credit card's even had a chance to cool.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Recently we saw DJI (drone makers) came out with an ebike motor and now we see automobile parts manufacturer ZF has come out with a small powerful motor.

The motor appears significantly smaller than offerings from Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano, Brose, etc .... yet it's quite powerful.

ZF might have an easier time having their motor spec'ed on ebikes with their reputation for decades in manufacturing auto parts. I suspect all other things being equal a bike company would lean towards working with ZF rather than DJI.

Even now with the current crop of SL emtbs, it’s becoming slightly more difficult to distinguish some of them apart on the trail from conventional mtbs and the list of sub 20kg FS emtbs keeps getting longer. Slimmer integrated batteries and smaller, quieter powerplants that are able to charge faster will seemingly become the norm with the latest breakthroughs from ZF and DJI almost to a point where we may not even be aware if we’re being passed by an ebike with the only tell-tale sign perhaps being the hint of an integrated top tube display.

 

[Captain Slow]

If I were in the market for an ebike, I'd feel exactly the same way. But ebikes are evolving really fast right now. Gotta assume that a better-suited bike WILL come out — probably before your credit card's even had a chance to cool.

lol so true. I guess I’ll have regret regardless.