Mahle’s latest hub motor setup, the X20, has been launched. A lighter and more powerful system than the X35, it has been put to use in the new Scott Addict eRide.
Scott and Mahle first worked together on the Addict eRide e-bikes released in 2020. The latest model is striking for its weight of just 10.6kg and the fact it would be pretty damn hard to spot that it’s an e-bike if you weren’t already aware. (Okay, maybe the big old power switch on the top tube is a bit of a giveaway.)
And those, really, are the two main selling points of the Mahle X20 system. The new rear hub is just 1.399kg (weird that they didn’t round up, hey?) - a full 500g lighter than the previous version. That brings the total weight of the system down to 3.2kg.
Impressively, this downsizing comes with a significant increase in claimed maximum torque from 40Nm to 60Nm. The hub also switches to a standard 142x12 thru-axle and can take a full range of freewheels from Shimano, Sram and N3W. A plug system means that removing the rear wheel is as easy as on a regular bike
“Mahle's X20 system is not just the lightest e-bike system on the market,” commented Mahle head of strategy and business development, Marco A De La Sernia. “We have always said our systems are almost invisible, but X20 goes beyond that.
“You don't just not feel the weight, you also don't perceive it visually, nor the sensation of being assisted. It brings the cycling experience to a whole new level."
There are software updates too. Mahle bills X20 as “a true smart system” that can make adjustments based on feedback from a range of sensors, including a new torque and cadence sensor in the bottom bracket.
They say the system will interpret the power you apply through the pedals and provide an appropriate response based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. “The system learns from you and adapts to your needs and the environment at every moment, leading to a better riding experience,” said a spokesperson.
You can also customise how the power is provided through the Mahle One app – more assistance for steep slopes, say, or perhaps you want to scale things back to little more than a light tail-wind effect so that you’re still getting a solid workout.
The drive unit is billed as being “dragless” too, meaning you can switch it off to save battery when descending or cruising along on the flat.
There will be five versions of the new Addict eRide with prices from £5,399.
