Brose finally has some nice looking controllers/displays

Max-E

Active member
Apr 30, 2019
193
109
UK
Hmmm, kind of fuggly IMHO. I like the simplicity and look of no display built in stealthy Levo style or if you want all the bells and whistles use an app on the phone but good to have more choices I guess. :)
 

MattyB

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Jul 11, 2018
1,266
1,279
Herts, UK
When your wrote "inspired" I assumed it would be tucked under the bar near the stem, as IMO that is the thing Shimano got right above all else - it is less prominent for those who want a "stealth" look and makes the display pretty hard to damage. Instead they have used Shimano-esque graphics but put the biggest display in the most vulerable spot (top centre of the bars) whilst the smaller screened version is on top at one end of the bars (still likely to get smashed in a crash). The smallest one indicating batt and assist levels is less vulnerable due to the absence of a screen, but it doesn't seem that offers anything more than the top tube indicator on the 2019 Levo. All a bit strange IMO.
 

Fire_2

Member
May 11, 2019
34
28
Kent
Really looking forward to these upgrades, Shimano was making them look a little silly in that department imo.
 

Dax

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 25, 2018
1,453
1,812
FoD
I like the smallest one, it still offers a bit more functionality than I need, but it's close enough
 

Peter Hill

Active member
Dec 31, 2018
84
102
Derbyshire
I damaged my bar switch in a crash and had to replace it, and it would have definitely smashed one of these. The specialised app is quite good but the bluetooth connection is really hopeless and drops out all the time. I gather they have designed a new tcu, let's hope it's got better connectivity.
 
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Rusty

E*POWAH BOSS
Jul 17, 2019
1,513
1,673
New Zealand
The current top tube display would be good enough - if they just had it change colour to show what mode you are in.
I do however like the Shimano display nicely tucked in next to the stem and occasionally find the indicator showing how much load is on the motor but not 100% necessary. I just want battery level & mode displays.
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,103
4,633
Weymouth
I am not interested in any additional information or display but I do think the existing handlebar controller and TCU could be improved. The simple + and - switches are fantastic but I find very little use for the Turbo button and if the + and- are in the ideal thumb position the walk assist button is very awkward to use. So I would like the handlebar remote re designed with just the + and - very much as now and a 3rd button for walk assist alongside them....all 3 on the same face. Secondly the blue light battery display on the TCU is not helpful....trying to count how many blue bars are left is difficult. I do not see why it could not simply state the % battery remaining. The mode display on the TCU is OK as a circle but different colours for each of the 3 modes would be easier to see at a glance.
 

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
Author
Subscriber
Mar 29, 2018
10,496
10,686
the internet
Do Shimano have a patent on the safely tucked away next to the stem position of the E7000/8000 display? ;)
I guess Brose didn't want to blatantly copy Shimano (although they still totally did) but fitting a display anywhere else on a mtb is a complete FAIL in my eyes. (crashing)
 

Peter Hill

Active member
Dec 31, 2018
84
102
Derbyshire
On a Specialised EMTB all the info you really need is on the TCU neatly positioned on the top tube out of harms way. If we are honest what other info do you need visible other than mode and battery life. More time spent concentrating on the trail ahead has way more benefits in my opinion, especially with my record! :)
 
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R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
9,185
Surrey
I run my Shimno bikes without the display, all I have is the E7000 minimal controller and the readout on the battery itself - I much prefer it, as I never realised how much I was looking at the display until took it off.

I never run any sort of display or cycle computer on my normal bikes as I hate having anything on my bars that isn't necessary
 

Rostle32

Member
Sep 26, 2018
83
89
Uk
I for one, bought my spesh kenevo for the no frills cockpit arrangement, simple ➕&➖ ! If I wanted a display I would buy a stupid iPhone mount and plonk it on the bars ( yes we’ve all seen em)!
How about Brose/Spesh spend the cash in the R+D dept and fix the BIG issue like motor reliability!! ?????s
 

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