Bosch strike again. After Avinox raised the bar with the M2S, pushing power figures and spec sheets to new heights, the German manufacturer now delivers its answer to the current ebike arms race. Unlike the competition, Bosch stick with a maximum of 750 W peak power.
That fits their philosophy, as they continue to advocate for self-regulation within the industry. Rather than pushing peak output even higher, Bosch focus elsewhere with the Performance Update 2.0. Torque and support increase, but in a targeted, situation-dependent way.
At the heart of the Bosch software update are the current fifth-generation Performance Line CX and CX-R motors. These are complemented by new features such as an adjustable overrun setting called Extended Boost, a Drivetrain Tensioner for a more direct power transfer, and the already introduced Trick Check. On top of that, the new 12A charger brings a long-awaited hardware upgrade for shorter charging stops.
What does the Performance Update 2.0 actually deliver, and is it more than just a response to growing pressure in the market? We’ve already tested it on the trail to find out.
Bosch Performance Line CX Update 2.0: Key Facts at a Glance
- Maximum torque: increased to up to 120 Nm
- Support ratio: up to 600%
- Peak power: remains unchanged at 750 W
- Drivetrain Tensioner: minimizes play in the drivetrain for more direct response and greater control
- Extended Boost: now adjustable
- New 12A charger: approx. 500 W charging power, available from late 2026
What Does The Bosch eBike Performance Update 2.0 Bring?
Following last year’s MY26 update, Bosch step things up again with the Performance Update 2.0. It will be available free of charge via over-the-air update through the eBike Flow app from the 4th of May, 2026.
Higher Maximum Torque and Increased Support
For the Performance Line CX and CX-R, torque and support can be increased from 100 Nm and 400% up to 120 Nm and 600%, depending on manufacturer approval. These additional reserves are not enabled by default. The bike manufacturer must first approve them, after which riders can activate the settings themselves in the app, just like last year.
Adjustable Extended Boost: More Overrun, More Control
Extended Boost isn’t new for Bosch, but the Performance Update 2.0 adds more adjustability. From the 4th of May onwards, the overrun duration can be fine-tuned in several steps per riding mode via the Flow app. According to Bosch, Extended Boost can push for up to 2 m, within legal ebike limits.
This is particularly relevant on technical climbs, where features such as steps, roots, or rock ledges might not allow a full pedal stroke to clear the obstacle. Depending on riding mode, app settings, and pedal input, the overrun can feel shorter, smoother, or more dynamic.
Drivetrain Tensioner: Fine-Tuning the Drivetrain
With the new Drivetrain Tensioner, Bosch refine the interaction between motor, freehub, and rear wheel. By optimising motor control, drivetrain slack is reduced when using eMTB+ and Race modes.
According to Bosch, the main goal is to protect the freehub, reducing wear and long-term repair costs. The system preloads the drivetrain slightly, keeping the top run of the chain under tension. As a side effect, this cuts down the short gap between motor engagement and rear wheel response, making the bike feel more direct. This should help in situations where it’s hard to make a full pedal stroke, such as riding up steps, round tight switchbacks, or over very rough terrain.
New 12A Fast Charger: Faster Charging, Longer Riding?
Exciting: with the new 12A charger, Bosch also step up their charging speed. Around 500 W of charging power should fill the battery roughly three times faster than before. A PowerTube 800 should reach around 50% charge in about one hour. A full charging test will follow soon.
This is made possible by GaN technology, which allows more efficient heat management while keeping the design compact at under one kilogram. Compared to the 4A charger, the size is almost unchanged, though weight increases noticeably. Charging stop settings, as seen with the Avinox app, or directly on the charger like Specialized, are not available for now.
The 12A charger is a useful upgrade for riders who do multiple laps per day or want to top up quickly. For those who charge overnight anyway, the added value remains limited.
One downside remains: the new 12A charger isn’t available yet. It’s expected to launch at the end of 2026, both in the aftermarket and as standard equipment with selected bikes.
Trick Check: Gimmick Or Genuine Value?
With Trick Check, Bosch introduce a playful feature to the system. The software automatically detects tricks such as jumps, wheelies, manuals, or stoppies and evaluates them, delivering live data including duration, height, distance, and angle. Results are displayed directly on the screen, and stored to view later in the eBike Flow app.
It can be motivating, and it makes your progress visible, but it’s more of a fun extra than a must-have. The question remains how relevant it really is in everyday trail riding.
When And How Is The Bosch Performance Update 2.0 Available?
Performance Update 2.0 is free to install over-the-air using the eBike Flow app, including the option to unlock higher performance figures.
What does that mean in practice?
- Maximum torque: increased from 100 Nm up to 120 Nm
- Maximum power: remains unchanged at 750 W
- Support ratio: increased from 400% up to 600%
Important: The Bosch Performance Update 2.0 delivers the full feature set – including up to 120 Nm of torque, increased support, and more – exclusively for the new Gen5 Performance Line CX and CX-R. Other drive systems such as SX or Performance Line Speed only receive limited features, like adjustable Extended Boost.
Good to know: Older systems such as the Bosch CX Gen4 or CX Race Gen4 also gain selected features, including higher support levels, adjustable overrun, and Trick Check. However, they do not receive the full package or the torque upgrade to 120 Nm. Functionality can also vary significantly depending on the region.
“We want every update to feel noticeably better on the trail, not just on paper,” says Claus Fleischer, Head of Bosch eBike Systems.
Live Data Interface: Bosch Opens Up to Garmin and More
With the new Live Data Interface, the Bosch system becomes more open. Compatible third-party devices can display live data directly from the ebike, starting with Garmin Edge bike computers.
For you, this means values such as speed, cadence, rider power, battery level, total distance, and eBike Lock status appear directly on the Garmin display. This is particularly appealing for performance-focused riders who already train with Garmin, and want all their data, training zones, and range information in one place.
A separate power meter is not required, as rider power is transmitted directly from the Bosch system. In addition, Garmin can display the estimated remaining range based on the planned route using eBike Smart Range.
What Does The New Bosch Performance Update 2.0 Deliver On The Trail?
We tested the update on the Pivot Shuttle LT, a bike that already provides a very stable climbing platform thanks to its central riding position, strong traction, and excellent uphill performance.
The 120 Nm torque output feels less brutal on the trail than the number suggests, and that’s intentional. Bosch control the additional torque in a highly demand-driven way. In normal riding, the motor remains composed, only releasing the extra torque when it’s truly needed. You’ll notice it most in extreme situations, at very low cadences, when you’re close to stalling the motor while grinding up steep, technical sections.
The increased support is much more noticeable, helping you reach the 25 km/h limit faster and providing stronger assistance on climbs.
The Drivetrain Tensioner keeps the chain under slight preload. Mechanically, this means a small amount of torque is constantly applied, eliminating play between cassette, freehub, and chain. The typical delay before the motor engages disappears. The result: especially in eMTB+ mode, assistance kicks in immediately when you pedal, without lag or load spikes.
The bike responds more precisely to pedal input, which is crucial in technical climbs where short, controlled pedal strokes are key. At the same time, the ride feels more controlled as power no longer kicks in abruptly after a dead zone as the chain tightens and the freehub engages.
Drivetrain play isn’t completely gone in every situation, and that’s a good thing. When coasting without load, the effect partially fades. Permanent preload could increase pedal kickback, depending on the rear suspension design.
The Race mode remains too aggressive. Power delivery is overly direct and difficult to control. The eMTB+ mode feels far more balanced, now benefiting from increased torque and support to make it even more versatile.
Bosch have also refined Extended Boost in a meaningful way. The overrun duration can now be adjusted using the app. At the maximum setting, the motor continues pushing significantly longer than before, helping you roll smoothly over steps or ledges without needing to pedal again. At the same time, the effect is easier to control and less dependent on riding style.
As for noise, the motor remains at a familiar level. New, however, are the audio notifications from Trick Check. On the trail, these can quickly become annoying, but thankfully they can be disabled.
One thing to consider: if the motor provides more support, it also draws more energy from the battery. And if the bike goes faster, the rider has less time to contribute to overall energy input. So if you constantly ride uphill using the maximum 120 Nm and 600% support, you’ll pay for it with reduced range and elevation gain. Even Bosch can’t bend the laws of physics.
In the end, it’s up to you when to use the extra power, allowing you to balance riding fun with manageable compromises.
How Much do More Torque and Higher Support Actually Help?
Our measurements using power meter pedals show that with 120 Nm of motor torque, we needed 15% less rider input on a steep staircase, while riding 16.3% faster. The required rider energy dropped by 31.5% compared with the old software. On an asphalt climb, the effect is even more pronounced. At the same speed, rider power dropped from 209 W to 86 W, a reduction of 59%.
Our tests show that even at the same speed, more torque and higher support can significantly ease the effort required from the rider, or even make the difference between riding and walking some particularly steep trails. So yes, it works well, without any extreme superlatives. Chapeau.
Conclusion: Bosch Performance Update 2.0 Review
The Bosch Performance Update 2.0 is good, but it’s not a game changer. Instead of pushing peak power ever higher, Bosch stick with 750 W and instead focus on control, modulation, and durability. That’s a sensible and responsible approach.
Compared to the Avinox M2S, the CX and CX-R still fall short in areas such as drive unit design, battery integration, system weight, and connectivity. From a riding perspective, however, Bosch close the gap, especially on technical climbs where the update delivers noticeably better control, traction, and sensitivity. These are qualities Bosch have already improved significantly with their latest traction control.
Race mode remains too aggressive, but Bosch continue refining their software, improving many aspects while maintaining a strong dealer and service network, and high reliability.
The next big steps will need to come on the hardware side: more compact drive units, better integration, more efficient batteries, lower system weight, and reduced noise levels.
All in all, the Performance Update 2.0 is a successful, free upgrade, but not a revolution.
For more info, visitBosch.de.
Words: Robin Ulbrich, Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Bosch, Tim Eckermann, Benedikt Schmidt
