E-Bike Tuning Tutorial - how can I tune an electric bicycle?
In this episode of our e-bike tuning series Stefan demonstrates the complete A-Z of e-bike tuning. We explain how to determine the type of E-motor fitted and how to go about obtaining a complementary tuning module. Then we install a tuning module from Speedbox on to our test-bike and introduce you to the operational details of the corresponding smartphone application. Finally, we will then take a quick test-ride and draw our conclusions.
We will answer such queries as: Which e-bike do I own? Which motor is installed? How do I find the correct tuning module, how is it correctly installed and what difference does this derestriction of the motor make to the riding experience?
Which motor is my e-bike equipped with?
This is relatively simple to establish. For example, this particular e-bike has a BOSCH motor fitted. In this case an example of their Performance Line CX range. These motors were produced in a number of generations till now. Most people are aware of this term, which generally relates to the products year of manufacture. This is a model from 2020 fitted with a fourth generation BOSCH Performance Line CX motor. If you are still not entirely sure, check the bill of sale and the date will reveal the production year and consequently the corresponding model generation. The motors in the Performance line CX range also differ slightly in their appearance, so they can be identified by comparison with the motors displayed on the manufacturers website. So, we wish to increase the performance of this power unit – a BOSCH Performance Line CX motor of the fourth generation. Apparently, this motor type was supposed to be 'impossible to tune' when introduced, four weeks later the first aftermarket tuning chips were already available! So, we have managed the first step:
This is a BOSCH Performance CX Generation 4 motor, produced from 2020 – Now lets find a suitable tuning module!
How do I find a complementary tuning module?
When tuning an e-bike its self-evident that the motor plays a far more important role than the bicycle itself. First we must establish the make and model of motor we wish to derestrict. There are numerous tuning chips available suitable for derestricting the motors produced by almost all well-known e-bike motor producers. These include Giant, Bafang or Brose and also, in our particular case, BOSCH. All of these tuning chips are aimed at the individual generations of these various motor types. In other words, you require exactly the right chip for every generation of each motor type.
How can I find the correct chip for my motor? We have sorted each chip on our www.ebiketuningstore.com website according to the type of motor and its year of production, along with listings of the individual features each module enables.
Selection in our Webshop www.ebiketuningstore.com
In our example case, we have a BOSCH Performance Line CX, Generation 4. There are currently two Speedbox modules that fit this fourth generation motor exactly. The Speedbox 3.0 is available with and without Bluetooth. And so that we can show you the complete feature set, we will take the version with Bluetooth.
Speedbox 3.0. B. Tuning
As always with SPEEDBOX: A really nice unboxing experience. Firstly, we have the Speedbox 3.0 with all the connections. Secondly, an instruction manual. And thirdly, an instruction manual for the app, because we ordered the module with the integrated Bluetooth function.
Installation of the Speedbox Tuning Chip
We have already opened up the motor here on the high-bike. Basically we have three connectors: the wide one here is the battery, we don't care about that. These two connectors here are the two we need. The colours are completely prepared by SPEEDBOX to match, unplug, plug in. In the video we show you the process in detail. Now the system is complete again. We have integrated the Speedbox into the Bosch circuit. And now we can actually stow the Speedbox where there is space and screw everything back together.
Activation of the E-Bike Tuning Chip
How do you activate the thing? Simply turn on the display. The walk button has the function of switching back and forth. If I press the walk button once, 9.9 appears, which means that tuning is activated, which stands for the fictitious 99 km/h. If I press the walk button again, I'm back in the locked mode at 25 km/h. If I press the walk button again, I am back in the locked mode at 25 km/h. This means that I can always switch back and forth. This way I can always switch back and forth. In addition, I have the option of switching on a speed limit. I can select this to an accuracy of up to 5 km/h. Either on the display or by turning the rear wheel. After we have installed the SPEEDBOX B.Tuning with Bluetooth function, we will show you how you can also set the speed limit in the app.
Setup of the SPEEDBOX App
We have now downloaded the SPEEDBOX app from the Apple Store or Google Play and now we will take a look at the whole thing. When my e-bike is switched on, it is displayed here in the app. Then I have to enter my pin, which I assigned beforehand. Now we have several screens available. In the first screen we have all the rider data, just like on a classic bike display: average speed, maximum speed, distance, motor power, cadence, etc. All this is recorded here. All this is recorded here. In the second screen we have three user top features. One is Tuning ON/OFF. This means that tuning can be switched on and off in the app, similar to what we showed earlier on the display with the walk button. In addition, there is the function "Tuning invisible". If I switch the tuning invisible, it looks on the display as if the bike is not tuned. This means that it can no longer be activated there, but I have to activate it again via the app. So I have a neutral display. And last but not least, I can lock the motor in this screen. This means that the motor does not start and does not provide any pedalling assistance. I can use this as an additional anti-theft device, for example. The thief can drive the vehicle away with the pedal, but does not get any engine support. In the last screen we have two more options. Here we can set the speed limit, for example. We already announced this briefly before when we showed how this setting is possible via the display. Here in the app, I can now set up to how many km/h the motor should support me. Here, for example, 50 km/h is set. With the speed warning, I can tell the app from what speed I want to be warned. You can adjust this using these sliders. I'll set the speed limit to 50kph and the speed warning to 30 kph. And then I'll say we'll try it out and get on the bike.
Testride: on the road with the tuned e-Bike
Now let's see how the e-bike runs with the tuning module and without speed limit! With a bicycle helmet, of course!
The very first thing I do is switch my tuning back on via the app. We had switched it off before. Engine lock out. Tuning visible. Walk button. Here you can now see the 50 km/h top speed that I previously set in the app. I will now correct this again. Speed limit is out. 9.9 is correct. Mode: Turbo. Nice!
Worked like a charm, no lockup, nothing. Supported to the last. The track was a bit short here, of course, but 43-44 km/h were already possible. And there's certainly more to come on the straights. It was really fun today with the Speedbox 3.0, the B.Tuning chip and the app. Do you have any questions? Write us in the comments under our YouTube video!
Click here to go to the shop for all our e-bike tuning modules.
