It’s been four years since Shimano updated its electric mountain bike motor system, which is an eternity in this fast-moving space. The new Shimano EP810, which officially breaks cover today, closes the gap with competitors on power and torque, drops a good chunk of weight, and adds a handful of smart features, from automatic assist to a USB-C port for charging accessories.
When the EP801 launched in 2022, automatic shifting was the headline. Now, Shimano is letting the bike decide how much assist to give, too.
More power, more torque, and less weight
The EP810 drive unit puts out up to 750W of peak power, up from 600W for the EP801 and 500W for the original EP8. That matches Bosch’s current Performance Line CX, though it’s still well short of the Avinox MS2, which can briefly hit 1,500W in boost mode. In the US, e-bike definitions limit motors to 750W of power output, though motor companies have interpreted that limit in different ways. For now, it appears both Bosch and Shimano are treating it as a maximum.
Torque gets a bump too, from 85Nm to 100Nm. Weighing 2.3kg (5.1lb), the new motor is 500g (1.1lb) lighter than the 2.8kg EP801. It’s also more compact, which Shimano says makes it easier to integrate into frames and improves ground clearance. In addition, Shimano claims to have reduced the mechanical noise from the motor.
Let the bike pick the assist level
A new Auto Assist feature reads the terrain and the rider’s input and adjusts motor support on the fly. “On climbs, support increases in a controlled way to help improve traction and reduce the risk of wheel slip or front wheel lift,” Shimano says. Support drops on descents and is kept to a minimum on flat ground to save battery. This is a big shift from early e-bike systems that felt unnatural, and it should deliver both performance and battery-life improvements.
Auto Assist lives in a new mode called Trail+, which suggests riders will still be able to choose an assist level manually using the new wireless SW-UT600-LR switch. It looks more like a shifter or dropper remote than a typical assist controller, and it can be mounted on either side of the bar.
Pairing Auto Assist with third-generation Auto Shift on a Di2 drivetrain gives riders what Shimano is marketing as “True Auto.”
A third hand for stalled climbs
It’s tempting to gun it uphill on an e-bike in a high gear, but that generally results in a mid-climb stall in a gear that’s too hard. When this happens, it’s tough to get going again. With a new Lift & Shift feature, riders put the bike in walk mode, lift the rear wheel, and double-tap the assist-down button. The system then shifts into an easier gear, ready for the rider to start pedaling again.
A related feature, Hill Hold, uses the motor to keep the bike from rolling backward when walk assist is on, so there’s no need to hang onto the brake while securing your footing or getting set to pedal again.
Shimano also added Assist Carry Over, which keeps the motor running for a moment after you stop pedaling. That should help when ratcheting through rock gardens or over ledges, and riders can adjust how long the extra push lasts. This feature sounds similar to what I experienced testing Specialized’s S-Works 3.1 motor and is key to making an e-bike pedal more naturally, which today’s e-bike riders expect.
Finally, a USB-C port
A new USB-C module plugs into the EP810 system and puts out 5V at 1.5A. That’s enough to keep a phone charged on a long ride, and it should be enough to power a bike light, too.
Shimano added a new top-tube display, the SC-EN700, for riders who want a clean cockpit. A new full-color handlebar display is also available.
On the software side, there’s a new Shimano Connect app for adjusting settings, updating firmware, and tracking rides. Shimano hasn’t said whether it replaces the E-Tube Project app. EP810 also uses a new wireless protocol called D-FLY+, which Shimano says transfers data faster and more securely. The protocol isn’t compatible with the original D-FLY, and it only works with EP810 and newer systems.
Pricing and availability
Shimano hasn’t announced pricing or a release date for EP810, saying only that both will vary by market. A new Honda e-bike announced earlier this week, the RN0, features the new EP810 system as does the updated Orbea Rise.
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