S.170E Pre-launch
First Look: Range Insights & Field Notes From EMTB Testing
Range matters. It decides how many laps you get, and whether the ride ends when you want it to. We know the obvious question is battery size. We cannot share that just yet. It will be revealed at launch in April.
What we can share now is how the bike performs in real terrain, and how our Avinox setup compares to a system riders are already familiar with: the Bosch Gen 5 motor, with a 750Wh battery.
Why we are benchmarking
Most of the “real-world” range data that we have reviewed is based on uncontrolled riding. Effort, tyres, conditions, cadence and climbing speed all affect how hard the motor works, and what range is achievable.
That makes comparisons inconsistent. Our testing apporach controls as many of these variables as possible. Rider input is normalised independently using power-meter pedals. Tyres, pressures and setup are matched. Climbing speed is controlled. Every test is from full charge to empty.
This work is ongoing, but the goal is simple. A clear, real-world benchmark riders can relate to.
Early results from Dyfi
These are real rides in the Dyfi Valley. If you know the terrain, you know how demanding it is.
Hard, fast laps
We are consistently seeing around 1400 metres of climbing from a full charge. In our controlled testing, the Bosch Gen 5 benchmark bike (750Wh battery) was run in its default tune Turbo mode. The Avinox system on the S.170E was configured to match that output exactly, alongside normalised rider input, ascent speed and bike setup. Under these conditions, both bikes delivered almost identical elevation from a single charge. (Rider weight: 75kg)
Big backcountry days
We have completed multiple rides with over 2900 metre of elevation with the Avinox motor tuned to match the default Eco mode on the Bosch Gen 5. That's over 5 hours in the saddle, and a lot of laps! We are continuing to validate this against our benchmark, but in Dyfi terrain this is a serious day out. (Rider weight: 75kg)
By sharing these early results, we hope to give a clear picture of what this bike is capable of in real conditions. We will continue to release more data as testing develops, including comparisons in dynamic and automatic modes, as well as full power scenarios where we explore the upper limits of the Avinox system's output.
The thinking behind the battery
We did not chase the biggest possible battery. We focused on balance, weight distribution and agility. The goal was a bike that feels like a proper mountain bike first. One you can place and turn precisely or lift the front end when the trail demands it.
Feedback so far
Numbers are one thing. But to give you a sense of how the S.170E rides, here are Dan Atherton’s early thoughts:
“I've been lucky enough to test some great EMTBs over the past couple of years. The S.170E feels more agile and more balanced than anything I've ridden, with more power on the climbs. It’s amazing how close it feels to the S.170 MTB. The chassis is slightly more compliant, which gives even more traction.”
What happens next
This is just the start. We will continue testing across support modes, rider types and terrain, and we will keep sharing what we learn.
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