slickrock
Well-known member
Getting a separate thread started for this new ECVT Motor to differentiate from the Avinox Gearbox announcement.
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/first...emtb-arms-race-with-a-1500-w-150-nm-ecvt.html
There's quite a bit to unpack here and not just the motor. Will give full take later.
[Edit: Actual Review of the motor: Revolutionary Gobao X1P Gearbox Motor Review: Is This the Future of eMTB Drive Systems?]
[Edit: full take below:
The Gobao XP1 is perhaps as much a consequential introduction as the Avinox MG motor, but for different reasons. Most importantly though, both of these announcements not only inject excitement into the glacially slow uptake of mid-drive motor-gearbox bikes EMTBS, but they both cross-validate ECVT transmission technology as the best way forward for a life without derailleurs for the EMTB crowd.
I can’t stress enough how important it is for both of these companies to abandon typical complex spur gear-laden carriages of gearbox solutions like with Pinion and go instead with ECVT. There many, many advantages to using ECVT, which I’ll save exposition here since I’ve fully expounded and explored a year ago on this thread dedicated to ECVT tech: https://www.emtbforums.com/threads/could-e-cvt-save-the-motor-gearbox-unit-mgu.42671/
What’s interesting is other companies have announced ECVT motors, but for varying reasons they have yet to see daylight. Revonte, which is really the first progenitor of ECVT tech when bankrupt years ago, though sold its IP to some unknown company (hmm). Next is Owuru/E2, which came out with ECVT, but is only currently used on a Decathlon city bike and not really built for the gear range and torque needed for EMTB. Then came Villager Dynamic which announced a ECVT 2 years ago with a built-in tensioner, but they have since gone silent. Last year at Eurobike Owuru/E2 made similar waves with an update motor geared for EMTB, and generated interest but there were rumblings that their motor would not be available until 2028. And both Shimano and SRAM announced MGU patents in 2025, both of which are based on Pinion-like gearbox designs, so it was looking like ECVT tech would languish as well. Well, today changed everything and ECVT is now in the spotlight.
What makes the XP1 (ignoring the X1 version for now, since it seems more geared for city bike use) a compelling announcement would include the following:
- Gobao, has been in the background making OEM-branded ebike motor systems for some years now, perhaps even longer than DJI itself. This not a fledgling company jumping into new motor tech, like Revonte did years ago.
- The XP1 system appears more fleshed out compared to the Avinox MG and seems closer to production. More clear specifications are provided and influencer ride demos are not embargoed for Eurohik, unlike with the MG. It’s quite possible this system will hit the market before Avinox.
- While internals have not been shown, this is being advertised as a true ECVT, with two internal motors and planetary gear system which are the hallmarks of ECVT design.
- The battery system as advertised is super compelling on its own, but should be seen as level of sophistication for the overall Gobao platform rather than the motor tech, specifically.
- Rob actually demoed the motor and pretty much went bonkers over it. In a way, I’m not surprised because older testaments from people who have tested Revonte, Owuru, etc. have posted impressive demo takes on those ECVT alternatives. But this is the first time I’ve heard how refined the performance from an ECVT motor.
- There’s just something about the announcement that feels like a full-fleshed out solution that harks back to when DJI hit the market with their motor years ago.
- Rumors about Specialized branding this motor and jumping straight into the MGU market with this system, since Gobao specializes in custom OEM branded solutions. If so, Gobao would act like a MGU-Brose for Specialized, instantly validating Gabao as a major player in the MGU space.
- The rear sprocket is pretty large, which means the internal gearing to step down the motor RPM is lower, so implicitly will be quieter. This is the same approach Rivian/ALSO TM-B took with their pedal-by-wire bike.
- Gear ratio is 500%, which is less than the 525% ratio of the Avinox MG. However in the scheme of things with the more powerful motors and greater torque, the benefits of greater range diminish somewhat.
- Power and torque parity with the Avinox MG, which in turn has parity with their powerful M2S.
- Weight is lighter than the Pinion MGU and about 200g net more than similarly equipped Avinox M2S system with AXS transmission. Still waiting for a compared weight against the MG motor.
- The battery energy/weight density is better than Avinox, so batteries have more capacity and weigh less comparatively.
- Battery form factor a bit up I the air. Sample bikes have the chubby down tube, not knowing what size battery is in them. Aesthetics of the MG system appear better at this time.
- Battery charging time is off the chain with a 30A charger. For many this would be extremely compelling on its own.
- Spindle location a bit higher than expected in this motor. With the pictured 39T Gates front sprocket, it sets higher than the bottom of the motor. Then again gates sprockets are around 20% smaller than an equivalent chainring by tooth count, so this may be the best gauge. The MG looks tidier on the underside. Both still require bash guards. Avinox is notorious of not having support for them, unlike Bosch. Let’s hope Gobao has something in mind.
- Belt tensioner looks decent so far: not too large and properly tucked behind the motor. Some of those MG tensioner prototypes look horrendous.
- Controls, touch displays, and software look to approach the level seen with the Avinox platform.
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