Software update? Yeah, I’ll do it later… Sound familiar? Then welcome to the club of digital procrastinators. But here’s the thing — this might be the most underrated tuning option on your eMTB. Quietly and without much fuss, updates from Bosch, Shimano, FAZUA, Specialized and DJI are rolling out on a regular basis. And suddenly your bike feels like a different machine. More torque, smoother response, better range – all for free, and just a few clicks away.
But here’s the catch: hardly anyone actually uses these updates. In many cases, the eMTB isn’t even connected to the app after purchase. And if it is, the app often ends up gathering digital dust somewhere between your weather widgets and sleep trackers. The full potential of modern drive systems? All too often left untapped. Yet a simple update could turn your post-work loop into a whole new trail experience – or the opposite: increased power consumption and faster wear..
So it’s time to take a closer look. Which software features really add value? And how much control do we actually want over the character of our motor?
Arms race – the battle of numbers
Higher, further, faster! The world of eMTB motors seems stuck in Olympic mode. Bosch, ZF, DJI and other motor manufacturers are bumping up their performance figures almost monthly. More torque, more peak power, and a handful of new add-on features to go with it. One offers 100 Nm, the next 111, and soon enough it’ll be 140. Just because they can.
But let’s be clear: the numbers alone don’t make a better motor. And trail performance can’t be measured in newton metres – as our big e-mountainbike group test proved. What really counts is how and where the power actually comes through, whether you’re tackling steep technical climbs or loose, slippery trails. So here’s our plea: don’t be fooled by the figures. The best motor isn’t necessarily the one with the highest output, but the one that delivers its power in a controlled, confident way while still pushing you forward with real force. Only when that’s paired with a strong ecosystem, intuitive controls and solid connectivity does the whole system truly come together.
Same motor. Same app. The difference? Your bank balance
What’s long been standard in the car industry has now made its way into the eMTB world: artificial performance limits used to separate products – controlled entirely by software. The reality is that most eMTB motors are capable of more than they actually deliver. Torque, peak power, responsiveness – it’s all managed through software, and increasingly used as a tool to differentiate between models. Same hardware, different class. This means that a software update can quickly turn into a marketing argument. Or even a whole new model.
Take Specialized, for example. On some of their more affordable variants, the very same motor is restricted via software to deliver less power than the flagship model. The new S-Works Turbo Levo 4, for instance, delivers a hefty 111 Nm of torque and 720 watts peak power, while cheaper builds with the same motor are limited to “just” 101 Nm and 666 watts.
Bosch take a similar approach, using the same hardware across multiple models – with the differences lying almost entirely in the software. Torque, support ratio, motor behaviour, even restrictions for specific applications like speed pedelecs and cargo bikes – it’s all down to coding. Whether it’s the Performance Line Speed, Cargo Line or Performance Line CX, they all share the same core hardware.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing – quite the opposite. The idea of improving existing hardware through software and tailoring it to different use cases is both smart and sustainable. The real question isn’t whether performance should come at a cost, because let’s be honest: of course it can. It’s no different to cars – you pay more for the sports car with extra horsepower than for the less powerful estate. What really matters is whether that extra performance is actually worth it.
An overview of the latest software updates from Bosch, DJI, FAZUA and ZF
We’ve rounded up the most exciting free software updates from Bosch, DJI, FAZUA and ZF for you. Here’s what’s new (as of July 2025):
- Bosch Performance Line CX: More power and torque – what does the new eMTB+ mode really deliver?
- Bosch Performance Line SX: New software update for the lightweight motor, now with eMTB+ mode included.
- DJI Avinox M1: Custom boost duration, app-controlled lighting – and a continuous 1,000 watts on tap?
- FAZUA Ride 60: New KickOverrun for technical trails – what difference does the extended support really make?
- ZF CentriX: More power and three new ride modes – here’s what the update includes.
What does the Bosch Performance Line software update MY26 offer?
When it comes to performance, Bosch took a smart and responsible approach – and we fully support the decision not to roll out the increased power automatically via software update. After all, the majority of riders don’t actually need 750 watts of peak power, as shown by our survey of around 17,000 readers.
With the MY26 software update, Bosch responded to current market trends without going overboard. The increase in torque and output is definitely noticeable, but the real benefit lies in the improved traction control of the eMTB+ mode, which works impressively well. It’s a clever move to require riders to actively opt in to unlock the extra power – it encourages awareness and responsible use. Because one thing’s clear: we have to avoid a full-blown arms race. Otherwise, the headline of our think tank article might just become reality.
Bosch Performance Line SX software update
Bosch’s lightweight assist motor, the Performance Line SX, is getting an update, too. With it, the factory settings of 55 Nm and 340% support can be upgraded to 60 Nm and a 400% support ratio – while the peak output remains unchanged at 600 watts.
Almost more exciting than the extra power: with this update, the SX also gets the eMTB+ mode. Nice! This should give the light eMTB motor more traction, better control and a noticeably more confident feel in technical sections. We haven’t had the chance to test the SX with the new mode and increased power out on the trail just yet, but you’ll find all the details about the update here.
DJI Avinox M1 software update via Avinox App version v1.2
With the Avinox update, the Turbo mode can now deliver a constant 1,000 W of power, and the Boost duration is fully customisable. The update also introduces a range of personalisation options for the display and ride modes – including Smooth Shift compatibility for the SRAM X0 Transmission and wireless light control.
The more powerful Boost mode is impressive, but out on the trail we tend to stick with Trail mode, which already delivers more than enough power. The motor system remains efficient, incredibly strong and easy to control. What really stands out is the level of customisation available via the display.
You can read our full take on the update here!
FAZUA Ride 60 software update: KickOverrun & more
Overall, Firmware Bundle 12 is a noticeable and worthwhile step forward, delivering a much improved ride feel. The motor responds more quickly and sensitively to rider input, is easy to modulate, and the KickOverrun feature really helps on technical climbs – even if it takes a bit of getting used to at first. An over-the-air update function via the app would have made the package even better, but all the same, it’s a smart update that every Ride 60 user should install.
You can read the full article here!
New ZF CentriX power update to 750 W and new ride profiles
Until now, the CentriX delivered 90 Nm and 600 watts, all squeezed into a 2.5 kg package. Now the ultra-compact motor gets a serious upgrade: 105 Nm of torque and 750 watts of peak power. There’s news on the software front too – the ZF Ride app now lets you activate three new ride profiles, designed for maximum performance, wet conditions or everyday riding.
Of course, competitive performance figures matter when it comes to market positioning. But in the end, it’s not the numbers on paper that count – it’s the power the system actually delivers on the trail, in harmony with the overall motor ecosystem and its reliability. Over the long term, one thing is clear: more power on its own isn’t enough. You need more than just an “upgrade” in torque and wattage! We’re looking forward to the first test.
All the details on the ZF power update.
Insights from our motor benchmarking: Bosch CX Gen5 vs DJI Avinox M1
Following the latest updates from the motor manufacturers, we headed back out onto the trails with all the updated systems. Here are the key takeaways:
Traction boost
In the initial comparison, the DJI Avinox M1 clearly had the upper hand over the Bosch CX Gen5 – especially on loose surfaces and in technical terrain. The Avinox delivered its power to the rear wheel in a much more controlled manner, resulting in noticeably better traction.
But Bosch caught up with their latest software update. Thanks to the new Dynamic Control function in the eMTB+ mode, the CX Gen5 now responds so sensitively that in our back-to-back test, it managed to outperform the DJI Avinox when it came to traction. On rough, uneven trails with variable grip, the Bosch motor really came into its own, offering confident climbing performance and delivering its power to the rear wheel with even greater control.
More distance. More elevation. Despite increased power?
We put the exact same bike, the AMFLOW PL Carbon Pro through the same test route before and after the update, using an identical setup. Same outside temperature (10°C), same rider, and the same average rider power output (152 W).
Sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it? But after the update, the AMFLOW covered 17.71 km and 2,009 metres of elevation gain in Turbo mode with the max power set to 1,000 W, before the battery ran out. Before the update, it managed just 17.01 km and 1,912 vertical metres. That’s 700 metres more distance and nearly 100 metres more elevation – and it did it faster too: average speed increased from 17.2 km/h to 19.7 km/h. The fact that the DJI Avinox M1 has become not just more powerful but also more efficient shows just how much potential lies in the software.
One thing’s clear: software updates have the potential to completely transform your bike. But not every update is necessarily a step forward, and the added power can put extra strain on your components. So here’s our advice: use the app and get to know your motor. Make a conscious choice based on what you actually need. Because it’s not about whether your motor can do everything, it’s about whether it suits you and your riding style. What’s certain is that no manufacturer is going to sit this one out in the current arms race. The next update is just around the corner.
Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: multiple
