ABS and trail performance? With the new eBike ABS Pro, Bosch had the ambitious goal to bring more safety and performance to the trail. With faster response times and optimized modulation, it’s aimed primarily at experienced riders. We took the Bosch eBike ABS Pro to the limits on the steep descents and challenging trails of the Dolomites. How did they fare?
Back in 2018, Bosch introduced the first ABS for pedelecs – a milestone in e-bike safety. By 2022, Bosch had released a new ABS system, which quickly found its way on many trekking and touring bikes, like the Bulls Sonic Evo AM3 ABS and Riese & Müller Delite 4 GT Touring. However, despite ensuring better braking control and setting new safety standards, ambitious e-mountain bikers remained unconvinced. The less sporty design and the 2- or 3-finger brake levers didn’t meet the demands of more performance riders. Bosch have now responded:
Leveraging their experience from eMTB racing, Bosch developed the eBike ABS Pro, which was developed specifically for racing and tough trail conditions, while also providing improved control and safety for touring cyclists. Bosch promise a more precise response, optimized modulation, and the ability to shave off valuable seconds in critical situations. But does the system live up to these claims? We put it to the test to see if the Bosch eBike ABS Pro can truly “brake” you to victory.
The new Bosch eBike ABS Pro in detail
The Bosch eBike ABS Pro is compatible with two different braking systems, which were both tested extensively by our sister magazine ENDURO’s in their big brake comparison test: the MAGURA MT7 and TRP DH-R EVO.
The MAGURA MT7 uses an ergonomic 1-finger brake lever, which can be adjusted to your personal requirements – a clear improvement over the previous 2- and 3-finger brake levers used with the older ABS-equipped MAGURA MT C ABS. The lever reach adjustment requires tools but allows for precise fine-tuning of the lever position.
The TRP DH-R EVO features a four-piston calliper too, and combines it with a slightly longer 1-finger lever. Lever reach adjustment is tool-free, making it easier to adapt the position to your needs. However, neither of the brakes have an adjustable bite point.
Important note: The brake feel is determined by the braking system itself, not the ABS. According to the manufacturer, the Bosch eBike ABS Pro can’t be retrofitted to other brakes and is only available for eMTBs equipped with Bosch’s Smart System.
Our test bike was fitted with the MAGURA MT7, which are paired with 200 mm brake discs at the front and rear. The rotors are equipped with a slotted sensor disc with 56 slots (tonewheels), an improvement over the 50-slots of the old ABS system. The additional slots allow for much more precise detection of wheel speed. As a result, the new ABS Pro system can respond more quickly and accurately to braking input, particularly with abrupt traction changes. The ABS mechanism itself is discreetly housed in a small box attached to the left fork leg. Inside the box, the front brake lines converge with the electrical connections for the front and rear wheel sensors. The ABS system draws its power directly from the eMTB’s main battery. Importantly: The rear wheel is not regulated by the ABS; it only serves for speed detection.
The top 3 changes – What’s new in the Bosch eBike ABS Pro?
- Faster ABS response: The ABS now reacts even faster to prevent wheel lock, providing more precise and safer braking, especially at high speeds and on challenging trails.
- Optimised brake pressure modulation: Thanks to the additional slots in the sensor disc, braking force is now distributed more evenly and accurately, meaning that the brakes adapt better to different surfaces such as gravel or loose terrain.
- Precise intervention in the initial braking phase: The ABS Pro kicks in particularly early in the braking process, based on rider input and available grip, helping to minimise early braking errors.
The ABS Pro comes with two new adjustment modes: Trail Pro for ambitious riders and the Race mode for enduro racers.
Trail Pro Mode:
Optimised for technical trails where control and stability are key. The focus here is to keep the rear wheel stable under braking, preventing it from lifting. The ABS intervenes more strongly to prevent rear wheel lift, which is crucial on steep or loose surfaces.
Race Mode:
Designed for maximum speed and aggressive braking. In this mode, rear-wheel lift control is deactivated, allowing the rider to intentionally lift the rear wheel when negotiating tight corners and hairpin switchbacks. The ABS intervenes later and less strongly than in Trail Pro mode, enabling greater adaptation to the terrain. This mode is intended for experienced riders seeking more flexibility and aggressive braking performance.
You can easily disable the ABS system via the eBike Flow app or the settings menu on the display. The Kiox 300, Kiox 500, Purion 200, and Purion 400 displays also show additional information such as braking distance, duration, and the number of ABS interventions. After a ride, you can analyse your braking behaviour in the eBike Flow app and compare the number of braking events with and without ABS Pro. Currently, braking distance and duration are not available on the new Purion 400.
Bosch eBike ABS Pro Test: How does the ABS Pro perform on the trail?
We tested the Bosch eBike ABS Pro for you in the Dolomites, piling up plenty of vertical metres while maintaining our usual braking habits to see how it performed in various situations. The ABS system truly shines on smooth, slippery surfaces and wet roots. Normally, in these situations, the front wheel can lock up easily with conventional brakes, leading to loss of control and, in the worst case, a crash. However, the ABS Pro intervenes in the braking force, preventing the front wheel from locking up. The wheel continues to roll in a controlled manner, allowing the rider to steer safely. While, overall, traction strongly depends on the tires and surface conditions, the ABS significantly enhances safety by improving grip and helping maintain control of the front wheel.
Setting off on the trail in Trail Pro mode, the ABS engages early and smoothly, especially on uneven surfaces and loose gravel. Race mode, on the other hand, ensures a more aggressive braking dynamic: here, the ABS engages later, and by deactivating the rear-wheel lift control, experienced riders can intentionally lift the rear wheel to navigate tight turns more precisely. Even in fast sections, braking torque remains strong without locking the front wheel. This allows for a controlled yet dynamic riding style. However, beginners should familiarise themselves with Race mode first due to the deactivated rear-wheel lift control. In steep sections, strong braking could send you over the bars, so beginners are better off sticking with Trail Pro mode, which offers more safety by preventing rear-wheel lift.
One of the key advantages of the new Bosch eBike ABS Pro over previous versions is the more refined and subtle control response. While the old ABS system often engaged quite abruptly, affecting the riding experience in a negative way, the new system works so smoothly that the intervention is hardly perceptible. Additionally, the new ABS Pro offers more freedom in Race mode, where it engages later and vigorously, with the rear-wheel lift control deactivated. This gives experienced riders more control for dynamic and aggressive manoeuvres without the system dominating the riding feel.
Who should take a closer look at the new Bosch eBike ABS Pro?
As the name suggests, the Bosch eBike ABS Pro is mainly aimed at experienced e-mountainbikers who want to refine their technical skills and improve their best times on demanding trails. The Race mode specifically targets ambitious riders who race with an active riding style but still want a system that provides safety and control. However, those who only occasionally ride on simple trails might not fully benefit from the Race mode of the Bosch eBike ABS Pro and are better off using the Trail Pro mode, which provides more control and safety.
Conclusions about the Bosch eBike ABS Pro
With the eBike ABS Pro, Bosch created a system that combines safety and sporty performance. The fast and subtle control response, as well as the 1-finger brake lever, make it especially suitable for ambitious riders. Unlike the previous model, which was heavily focused on safety, the ABS Pro now brings the dynamic feel that many riders were missing. However, beginners should first get used to the system in Trail Pro mode.
Tops
- Subtle and fast control response
- High performance orientation
- Increases the feeling of safety
Flops
- Beginners should familiarise themselves with the system in Trail Pro mode first
The first e-MTBs equipped with the new Bosch eBike ABS Pro are expected to be available in stores by late 2024.
For more information, visit bosch.com
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of E-MOUNTAINBIKE, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.
Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Mike Hunger
