New motors: is Shimano transmission dead?

[unclezz]

With the trend of new motors being more and more powerful, is Sram T-Type the only or best option for ebikes?
What do you think about Shimano transmissions? Is it going to be kicked out of the game or are they still decent enough to be installed on new ebikes?
What are your toughts?

 

[Streddaz]

With the trend of new motors being more and more powerful, is Sram T-Type the only or best option for ebikes?
What do you think about Shimano transmissions? Is it going to be kicked out of the game or are they still decent enough to be installed on new ebikes?
What are your toughts?

Shimano CUES is great for Ebikes. It's cheap and robust and available in 9 to 11 speeds. You don't need 12 gears on a full powered Ebike. I probably doesn't get specced on high end Ebikes because it doesn't seem like a premium product, but in reality, people don't want $900 cassettes and $500 derailleurs, they just want something reliable and long lasting.

 

[RustyIron]

What are your toughts?

Expect new Shimano drive train by June.

 

[unclezz]

Expect new Shimano drive train by June.

We will see! I am really curious!

 

[unclezz]

Shimano CUES is great for Ebikes. It's cheap and robust and available in 9 to 11 speeds. You don't need 12 gears on a full powered Ebike. I probably doesn't get specced on high end Ebikes because it doesn't seem like a premium product, but in reality, people don't want $900 cassettes and $500 derailleurs, they just want something reliable and long lasting.

This is an excellent perspective! I think that in my next build I will strongly evaluate to go for 11 speed.

Cheap, reliable and maybe even a bit lighter.

Totally agree that the 12 speed is not that critical on ebikes!

 

[emtbeast]

I guess it's going to be out sooner or later...leaks all over the net....

 

[unclezz]

I guess it's going to be out sooner or later...leaks all over the net....

View attachment 160011

They were supposed to be released at the beginning of April already…

 

[John Beedham]

From my experience with 20000 kms on e-mtbs over the last 9 years, you don’t need lightweight, expensive, high end tech you need solid, durable and with lots of teeth on the big cogs. If you are fit or trying to get that way you don’t need the highest torque motors … more important imo is great suspension, wheels and tyres … in Australia with 25 kph limit ..big torque means you hit terminal speed quicker unless you are on a big hill going up. … I don’t derestrict

 

[Gavalar]

With the trend of new motors being more and more powerful, is Sram T-Type the only or best option for ebikes?
What do you think about Shimano transmissions? Is it going to be kicked out of the game or are they still decent enough to be installed on new ebikes?
What are your toughts?

Regardless of hype the Shimano Cues drivetrain is the only bullet proof option on offer for sensible money, I run the Cues system on a Yeti 160e, Shimano XTR on a Pivot LT, I haven't had an issue with either, having owned an Ibis HD4 and HD6 with Sram XX1 I can confidently say that Shimano will always be my go-to drivetrain.

 

[irie]

... I can confidently say that Shimano will always be my go-to drivetrain.

Ditto.

 

[TheKaiser]

Regardless of hype the Shimano Cues drivetrain is the only bullet proof option on offer for sensible money, I run the Cues system on a Yeti 160e, Shimano XTR on a Pivot LT, I haven't had an issue with either, having owned an Ibis HD4 and HD6 with Sram XX1 I can confidently say that Shimano will always be my go-to drivetrain.

Yeah, Cues definitely seems like the smart value setup. And if people really want to spend more money and save a little weight, you can get the same more robust Linkglide cassette design all the way up to the XT level, although I'm not sure how many dealers are stocking it, as opposed to the lighter but faster wearing Hyperglide stuff.

 

[Gavalar]

Yeah, Cues definitely seems like the smart value setup. And if people really want to spend more money and save a little weight, you can get the same more robust Linkglide cassette design all the way up to the XT level, although I'm not sure how many dealers are stocking it, as opposed to the lighter but faster wearing Hyperglide stuff.

Readily available via www.freewheel.co.uk

 

[unclezz]

having owned an Ibis HD4 and HD6 with Sram XX1 I can confidently say that Shimano will always be my go-to drivetrain.

same here after owning a Levo Gen 3 with X01

 

[Sayonara]

I rode 1,5 years with Shimano XT drivetrain on my old 750w bafang bbs02b. Worked perfectly fine even with that power.

Now I have ridden 1 year with Shimano XT linkglide on my new LightCarbon LCE971 with bafang m560 750w and I have ridden almost 3000 km's and still on the first chain.

I think you should avoid CUES..

Edit: in the diy scene I see way more Shimano than SRAM transmissions. Most often set up seems to be combination of XT and deore components. People tend to use deore derailleur with XT shifter because derailleurs often get smashed.

 

[Gavalar]

I rode 1,5 years with Shimano XT drivetrain on my old 750w bafang bbs02b. Worked perfectly fine even with that power.

Now I have ridden 1 year with Shimano XT linkglide on my new LightCarbon LCE971 with bafang m560 750w and I have ridden almost 3000 km's and still on the first chain.

I think you should avoid CUES..

Why would you suggest avoiding Shimano Cues if you have no experience with it, fitted to my Yeti 160e the rear cassette and mech served me for 1300 miles in a typical Yorkshire winter, the equivalent XTR on my Pivot Shuttle served me for slightly longer, granted, XT is the workhorse of the Shimano Stable but Cues should never be written off for the sake of the snobbery associated with the name on your groupset or individual components, and given the price differences it offers excellent value when installed and set up correctly for every riding ability.

 

[emtbeast]

I rode 1,5 years with Shimano XT drivetrain on my old 750w bafang bbs02b. Worked perfectly fine even with that power.

Now I have ridden 1 year with Shimano XT linkglide on my new LightCarbon LCE971 with bafang m560 750w and I have ridden almost 3000 km's and still on the first chain.

I think you should avoid CUES..

Edit: in the diy scene I see way more Shimano than SRAM transmissions. Most often set up seems to be combination of XT and deore components. People tend to use deore derailleur with XT shifter because derailleurs often get smashed.

"I think you should avoid CUES.." either this was a joke or you don't know that Linkglide is just a marketing name for the shifting technology under the ebike CUES drivetrains family.

Just like Hyperglide is under the mtb drivetrains family.

Basically in simpler terms CUES = Linkglide.

And yes CUES drivetrains with Linkglide shift technology are the only market avaliable emtb specific drivetrains and would recommend it to anyone, the downside is that u need an HG freehub body, but most new bikes come with either Microspline or XD bodys.

Linkglide shift technology works just like the competitions t-type, slowing down shifts with cassette shift ramp mapping, it's just mechanicaly.

And guess what, Linkglide was introduced at least a season if not more before t-type.

 

[Sayonara]

"I think you should avoid CUES.." either this was a joke or you don't know that Linkglide is just a marketing name for the shifting technology under the ebike CUES drivetrains family.

Just like Hyperglide is under the mtb drivetrains family.

Basically in simpler terms CUES = Linkglide.

And yes CUES drivetrains with Linkglide shift technology are the only market avaliable emtb specific drivetrains and would recommend it to anyone, the downside is that u need an HG freehub body, but most new bikes come with either Microspline or XD bodys.

Linkglide shift technology works just like the competitions t-type, slowing down shifts with cassette shift ramp mapping, it's just mechanicaly.

And guess what, Linkglide was introduced at least a season if not more before t-type.

@Gavalar I never said I have no experience with CUES. Nor did I say you need XT. If you want cheaper option to with deore it will serve you a lot better.

I'm talking strictly only about the MTB sets I have zero experience with sets outside MTB range.

To start of I think you need a reality check if you think "emtb specific" is a real and needed thing lmao. Same goes for the emtb forks. Don't believe every marketing talking point.

"...cues= linkglide.". Okey... You clearly have no idea what you are talking about. Even though CUES uses linkglide doesn't mean cues= linkglide.

CUES mech and shifter are absolut crap.. I mean you get what you paid for. There is a reason why it's the cheapest version and you can clearly see and feel it.

If you want to choose the cheaper option then go with deore as hg or linkglide version depending which systems pros/cons you value for your personal use. If you want something better then choose XT shifter. Deore mech will work more than fine.

If you want more specific details why you should avoid CUES there are tons of proper reviews everywhere. Even on here. Here's a link to one which is worth a read. Review - Shimano CUES U6000

 

[Gavalar]

@Gavalar I never said I have no experience with CUES. Nor did I say you need XT. If you want cheaper option to with deore it will serve you a lot better.

I'm talking strictly only about the MTB sets I have zero experience with sets outside MTB range.

To start of I think you need a reality check if you think "emt specific" is a real and needed thing lmao. Same goes for the emtb forks. Don't believe every marketing talking point.

"...cues= linkglide.". Okey... You clearly have no idea what you are talking about. Even though CUES uses linkglide doesn't mean cues= linkglide.

CUES mech and shifter are absolut crap.. I mean you get what you paid for. There is a reason why it's the cheapest version and you can clearly see and feel it.

If you want to choose the cheaper option then go with deore as hg or linkglide version depending which systems pros/cons you value for your personal use. If you want something better then choose XT shifter. Deore mech will work more than fine.

If you want more specific details why you should avoid CUES there are tons of proper reviews everywhere. Even on here. Here's a link to one which is worth a read. Review - Shimano CUES U6000

A reality check for what, at no point have I mentioned EMTB specific anything, hence XTR on a Pivot Shuttle, XTR is specific to a bike no matter if it's motorised or not, SLX came as standard on my Yeti e160 and was not fit for purpose, we all have our go-to components, there are those of us that prefer Fox to Rockshox for reasons only known to ourselves, it's all about personal preference in what works for you, as for avoiding CUES, until it fails then I'm more than happy for it to be on my Yeti.

 

[Sayonara]

A reality check for what, at no point have I mentioned EMTB specific anything, hence XTR on a Pivot Shuttle, XTR is specific to a bike no matter if it's motorised or not, SLX came as standard on my Yeti e160 and was not fit for purpose, we all have our go-to components, there are those of us that prefer Fox to Rockshox for reasons only known to ourselves, it's all about personal preference in what works for you, as for avoiding CUES, until it fails then I'm more than happy for it to be on my Yeti.

Sorry I forgot to mention I'm responding to both of you in the same message. Only the first part was me responding to you and rest for the quoted message.

 

[cozzy]

Yes I've never liked sram gears, how they feel, how long they last or how expensive they are. Nor do i feel the need to have a 12 speed wireless setup.
10 speed linkglide cassette that lasts a year at £47 and deore mech cost me £26 recently when i tore it off at the bikepark.
And yes cues u6000 and below mech and shifter is cheap junk to be avoided on an MTB.

 

[emtbeast]

Sweetheart yes u are right , next time try reading better or between the lines or get better in English. After explaining it to you in Full 》》》I finished "in simpler words" CUES = Linkglide.

CUES is a huge family of drivetrain sets from road, Gravel, mtb to ebike, again Linkglide is a marketing term for shifting technology used in the ebike/emtb groupset of CUES drivetrains.

If u used a wrong drivetrain set for emtb, your mistake and that doesn't mean you can downtalk the whole CUES lineup.

Go to the Shimano official homepage and educate yourself as you definitely have no idea what you are talking about.

Quote from the page:

SHIFTING TECHNOLOGY​

SHIMANO CUES × LINKGLIDE​

Shimano CUES is built upon our original LINKGLIDE technology to provide smooth and intuitive shifting that riders can count on in any situation. With up to three times the durability of HG when used with an e-bike, this groupset can stand up to the increased stresses that an assist-powered bike places on drivetrain components.

Forks wise, if you would have ever tested a normal fox 38 vs an e-mtb fox 38 back to back you wouldn't be talking such nonsense.

U need a bit of reading, not just talking...

 

[Bikeflog]

With the trend of new motors being more and more powerful, is Sram T-Type the only or best option for ebikes?
What do you think about Shimano transmissions? Is it going to be kicked out of the game or are they still decent enough to be installed on new ebikes?
What are your toughts?

100% Shimano XT Linkglide.

I've worked on many ebikes where the chain and cassette have been flogged out.

 

[unclezz]

100% Shimano XT Linkglide.

I've worked on many ebikes where the chain and cassette have been flogged out.

I guess you meant Hyperglide, but I see the point…

So far I see XT for “premium” choice or the highest Cues models are still a great option if you care about money.

And I like that! I am also sticking to Shimano. Not a big fan of Sram.

 

[Sayonara]

I guess you meant Hyperglide, but I see the point…

So far I see XT for “premium” choice or the highest Cues models are still a great option if you care about money.

And I like that! I am also sticking to Shimano. Not a big fan of Sram.

No.. Shimano makes XT and Deore as linkglide versions as well as the older hyperglide version.

If you prioritize the cost then get Deore linkglide, if you want slightly better then combine it with XT linkglide shifter. Or you can get full XT Linkglide powertrain. I was able to get my Shimano XT 11-speed drivetrain for about 165€. Shifter, derailleur, cassette 11-50 and chain. All parts XT Linkglide.

 

[Bikeflog]

100% Shimano XT Linkglide.

I've worked on many ebikes where the chain and cassette have been

I guess you meant Hyperglide, but I see the point…

So far I see XT for “premium” choice or the highest Cues models are still a great option if you care about money.

And I like that! I am also sticking to Shimano. Not a big fan of Sram.

Hey, no I did mean Linkglide:

https://bike.shimano.com/stories/article/what-is-shimano-linkglide.html

I removed the Sram junk that was fitted and actually made a small profit.

 

[unclezz]

No.. Shimano makes XT and Deore as linkglide versions as well as the older hyperglide version.

If you prioritize the cost then get Deore linkglide, if you want slightly better then combine it with XT linkglide shifter. Or you can get full XT Linkglide powertrain. I was able to get my Shimano XT 11-speed drivetrain for about 165€. Shifter, derailleur, cassette 11-50 and chain. All parts XT Linkglide.

This is very helpful!! Thanks!

 

[Simon78]

No.. Shimano makes XT and Deore as linkglide versions as well as the older hyperglide version.

If you prioritize the cost then get Deore linkglide, if you want slightly better then combine it with XT linkglide shifter. Or you can get full XT Linkglide powertrain. I was able to get my Shimano XT 11-speed drivetrain for about 165€. Shifter, derailleur, cassette 11-50 and chain. All parts XT Linkglide.

what about the chainring on the motor does that need to be a linkglide or can you use 12 speed one