This year, the Eurobike Awards particularly honoured innovations that meet the desire for more sustainability and greater safety when cycling. The functions and durability of existing components have been significantly improved. So evolution instead of revolution? Well, not only.
The expert jury from the bike and mobility industry selected a total of 45 products from over 300 submissions, which were honoured in the following categories: Bicycles, e-bikes, light electric vehicles up to 45 km/h, mini electric vehicles, components, accessories, clothing and accessories, digital solutions and mobility solutions and infrastructure.
The special "Green Award" went to the Schwalbe Green Marathon tyre because its rubber compound is based 100% on carbon black from recycled bicycle tyres. The second "Startup Award" honour went to the young Swiss company Monopole for its cargo bike Toolbike No 01. The top "Gold" award was presented a total of 9 times. Of the award-winning products, here are the top 5 for mountain bikers.
Eurobike 2023 Gold Awards - Top 5 for mountain bikers:
Pinion GmbH: Pinion E-Drive Motor.Gearbox.Unit (MGU)
The new motor-gearbox unit from Pinion combines motor and gearbox in one (motor-gearbox unit, MGU for short). The spread of the twelve-speed gearbox of 600 per cent even beats the competition from Shimano and Sram. The electronic control makes automatic shifting possible. The powerful motor with 85 Newton metres and 600 watts will appeal to fans of high-performance e-bike drives. Low maintenance, minimised wear and ideal weight distribution on a new level! After an initial test, the Pinion MGU is for us "an absolute cracker at Eurobike 2023 and could become a milestone for frequent riders and friends of carefree e-bikes."
Robert Bosch GmbH: Bosch eBike ABS
The new Bosch anti-lock braking system for e-bikes is a quantum leap for riding safety on e-MTBs. This is because the Bosch eBike ABS is now also specially designed for off-road use and is therefore also used on sporty e-mountainbikes. It can prevent the front wheel from locking and slipping, and the intelligent rear wheel lift-off control reduces the likelihood of a rollover under extremely heavy braking. In our test, the system was convincing across the board: "The new ABS from Bosch acts with impressive aplomb. It sustainably increases control when biking - less experienced riders benefit from more riding safety, experienced riders from more riding performance."
Scott Sports SA: Scott Lumen 900 SL - Eurobike Gold Award 2023
The Scott Lumen eRide is hardly recognisable as an e-MTB from the outside. The shock, battery, display and cables are so skilfully integrated into the frame that it resembles its non-motorised counterpart, the Scott Spark, almost down to the last detail. The extremely quiet TQ HPR50 drive system delivers a maximum torque of 50 Nm and a battery capacity of up to 520 Wh. In the sinfully expensive top version, the eRide 900 SL, the Scott Lumen weighs a whopping 15.5 kilos! With the motor switched off, the lightweight e-bike rides: ...like a lightweight bike without an E! Read more about the Scott Lumen in our first ride report.
Shimano Europe: Auto Shift & Free Shift - Eurobike Gold Award 2023
With Auto Shift, Shimano is now transferring what has long been part of everyday life in cars to mountain bikes: automatic gear shifting. The Deore XT Di2 and Cues Di2 shifting systems specially developed for e-bikes can change gears automatically based on changes in speed, cadence and torque. In theory, the gear lever no longer needs to be touched. With Free Shift, all you have to do is press the Di2 lever and the motor rotates the drivetrain even without turning the pedals. As long as the bike is rolling, you can change gear without pedalling. Our Conclusion after an initial check: "The functionality of the new Di2 is impressive, and the ergonomics are particularly pleasing. [...] Super: The robust Linkglide chain and cassette shift crisply enough for even the sportiest E-MTB use and could significantly improve the service life of the drivetrain."
Sram Corporation Europe: Sram XX Eagle Transmission - Eurobike Gold Award 2023
The new electronic Sram AXS derailleurs do without a derailleur hanger and are mounted directly on the frame. They still offer 1x12 gears, but simplify the adjustment process enormously and are extremely robust. Total derailleur damage or breakage should therefore be a thing of the past. The smooth shifting performance of the Eagle Transmission under load is particularly exciting for e-mountain bikers. You get the feeling that the chain is gently placed on the sprocket instead of simply being pushed from sprocket to sprocket. You can read all about the Sram Eagle Transmission in this article.
More about Eurobike 2023 in Frankfurt
Sebastian Brust
Editor
