Italian motorcycle and scooter component manufacturer Polini has weighed in on the growing e-bike market with its own mid-motor drive system - the E-P3.
Lighter than Shimano's excellently reviewed STEPS mid-motor drive system, but identical in performance, the Polini's introduction to the market is sure to turn some heads.
The company's 250W motor - or drive unit - weighs an incredibly light 2.85kg. In comparison, the STEPS motor weighs in at 3.2kg, while outputting the same 250W and 36 volts that its Italian equivalent does.
Both motors output 70Nm of torque through the pedals, and assist riders in much the same way. These are pedal assist motors, of course, so they augment the output of energy the rider is putting through the pedals.
The amount of support the motor gives the rider is adaptable, and cuts out when the rider reaches a certain speed. There's also a walking mode which supports the rider when he or she is pushing the bike up to a speed of 6km/h.
The E-P3 battery also weighs in a shade under Shimano's ~2.6kg downtube mounted STEPS battery. Polini's battery is available in a 400 or 500Wh model and comes with a frame-integrated battery holder that's designed to reduce the invasive visuals we're used to seeing from other e-bike batteries, and weighs in at 2.5kg.
The display which mounts conveniently to the handlebars handles levels of power assist, monitors your power levels, and controls an integratable lighting system.
The E-P3 is set to come in four models, each specified to a different kind of bike. Each model will be specified to fit either a road bike, a dual suspension or hardtail mountain bike, or a variety of bikes that require fewer design considerations - like city bikes or dutch bikes.
Polini, the Italian company responsible for the E-P3, is a 71-year old bicycle-workshop-turned-motorcycle-component-supplier which gained relevancy during Italy's industrial development wave in the '50s.
The company entered the motorcycle market around then, but this move takes it right back to its roots - producing components for bikes; *ahem* e-bikes.
