Which is the best ebike drive? When searching for an answer, many of you may instinctively look at data sheets in search of top values. True to the motto: More of this, more of that – so the logical winner can only be so-and-so. TQ argues along similar lines. However, with its brand-new HPR40, the manufacturer completely flips the logic on its head. According to TQ, this is the best ebike system precisely because it scores very low in many categories. Low power. Little assistance. Low torque. We summarise what approach lies behind this and which ebikes the Bavarian company is referring to in making this statement.
1. What are the characteristics of the HPR40?
2. For which ebikes is the system intended?
3. Which motor is the TQ HPR40 based on?
4. Which battery sizes are compatible?
5. How does the operating concept work without a display?
6. How many chargers does TQ offer for the HPR40?
7. What is the effect of a peak power output of 200 watts?
8. What are the arguments in favour of such an ebike drive?
1. What are the characteristics of the HPR40?
TQ states that this completely newly developed system should ‘not dominate, but accompany’. In our view, these four words sum up the manufacturer’s intention perfectly. So what is the best way to complement this? Well, the HPR40 attempts to do so with the smallest and lightest ebike motor that TQ has ever manufactured, dispensing with bulky batteries, conspicuous displays and control elements when integrating it into the bike. The result is explicitly not intended for people ‘who want to be pulled up the mountain by an ebike without using their own power’. Clearly a bit of an exaggeration. After all, on a pedelec, the motor never starts until the rider starts pedalling. But the idea behind it is clear.
2. For which ebikes is the system intended?
Given this requirement, it is obvious that the HPR40 is not intended to be a drive for every ebike, nor could it ever be. Simply because a large number of ebike fans have a different idea of what the motor should be like on an ebike and express this in their purchasing decisions. According to TQ, the new ebike system is ideal for e-road bikes, e-gravel bikes and particularly lightweight hardtail e-mountain bikes with less suspension travel from the cross-country segment.
At first glance, the focus seems to be on e-road bikes and e-gravel bikes. With the Bikedrive Air from Maxon, the Specialized SL 1.2, the EP801 from Shimano and hub drives such as the Giant SyncDrive Move Plus and the Mahle X35, there are already plenty of systems in these segments. However, none of the drives seem to be mature enough for TQ to believe that they cannot come up with something better themselves. Generally speaking, the existing solutions would still have the following disadvantages:
- changed bike kinematics
- unfamiliar response when pedalling compared to a regular bike
- compromises in frame design due to the additional integration of batteries, control units and displays
- very different riding experience when riding with motor assistance below the speed limit of 25 km/h and above the limit without motor assistance
3. Which motor is the TQ HPR40 based on?
The manufacturer relies on proven technology. As a result, the HPR40 once again features a motor with the patented pin ring gear. This is characterised above all by its excellent power transmission, compact dimensions and low weight. In contrast to the HPR60, whose performance was specifically increased compared to the older HPR50, TQ has now deliberately reduced the parameters. This is already clearly evident in the rated continuous power output. A power output of 250 watts is usually considered standard here. The HPR40 ignores this and instead makes do with 200 watts. As a result, the torque does not skyrocket to unexpected heights, but is limited to a maximum of 40 Newton metres. And while full-power motors such as the Bosch Performance Line CX quadruple your muscle power through the drive, this motor offers a modest 100 per cent.
This downsizing is not without reason, of course. As a result, the weight of the motor unit is reduced to 1,170 grams. A glance at other motors in the light assist drive sector reveals the new categories that TQ is entering with this product. The Maxon Bikedrive Air motor weighs 1.9 kilograms and also generates a torque of 40 Newton metres. At around 750 grams, the motor of the HPS Domestique Watt Assist even undercuts the HPR40 by around 400 grams. However, it only achieves a torque of 20 Newton metres.
Like the HPR50 and HPR60, the HPR40 provides three riding modes: Eco, Mid and High. A walk assist is also available. TQ has not disclosed the Q factor of the system in its initial press release. The manufacturer merely states that it is identical to that of bikes without an electric drive. It is likely to be around 135 millimetres.
HPR40 motor unit at a glance
- Rated continuous power: 200 W
- Maximum power: 200 W (mechanical)
- Assistance up to: 25 km/h / 45 km/h
- Maximum torque: 40 Nm
- Maximum assistance: 100 percent
- Weight: 1.17 kg
4. What size batteries are compatible?
To keep the overall system as light as possible, TQ has limited itself to two slimline battery solutions. The new TQ Battery V03 290 Wh was already unveiled when the HPR60 was launched. This battery can be permanently integrated into the down tube and is the central energy storage device for the HPR40. With a capacity of 290 watt hours, it weighs 1,460 grams. Together with the motor, the control units and a few cables, this results in a total system weight of around 2,700 grams in the best case scenario.
TQ has designed the battery so that, in addition to the motor and lighting system, it can also supply power to an electronic gearshift, sensors such as GPS and other electrical peripherals. This is made possible by an open interface. Part of the capacity is retained as a reserve for all these additional consumers. When the battery charge level is nearing the end, the power supply to the motor is cut off. All other components remain usable for as long as possible.
TQ estimates the range of the HPR40 at a maximum of 130 kilometres and 2,000 metres of elevation gain. That sounds pretty promising. In a test of the Urwahn Straßenfalke, we achieved around 100 kilometres and 1,500 metres of elevation gain for comparison. However, the e-road bike did not have a mid-drive motor, but a Mahle X35 hub drive with a battery capacity of around 250 watt hours.
TQ Battery V03 290 Wh at a glance
- Capacity: 290 watt hours
- Weight: 1,460 g
- Dimensions: 38.2 mm x 63.5 mm x 426 mm
- Compatible with range extender: yes
If you want to increase the range of the TQ HPR40, you can use the TQ range extender. Not only is it compatible with the system, it can even power the system as a stand-alone battery. This option would be most useful if the intube battery could be removed. However, this is unlikely to be the case, at least for the time being.
TQ Range Extender V01 160 Wh at a glance
- Capacity: 160 watt hours
- Weight: 960 g
- Diameter: 76 mm
- Length: 185 mm
5. How does the operating concept work without a display?
As mentioned at the beginning, TQ has oriented itself towards road bikes and gravel bikes without edrive when it comes to the riding experience with the HPR40. This apparently also means that there is no display on the handlebars or top tube to reveal from a distance that this is an ebike. Consequently, there is no display.
Information about the battery status and the selected assistance level is provided by a display that is extremely rudimentary and looks like a handlebar end cap. At the upper edge of the display are five LEDs. These light up in different colours depending on the selected riding mode. The number of LEDs lit indicates the current battery charge level.
You can change the assistance levels by pressing small buttons. These are mounted on the handlebars, hidden under the handlebar tape. Depending on the functions stored in the system by the respective bicycle manufacturer, pressing a button may also activate the lights or trigger a gear change. We do not yet know exactly how this will work. Perhaps it will be similar to the Giant Defy Advanced E+, where Giant has linked the edrive software directly to Sram’s electronic gear shift. With the help of Sram’s Blips, you can change the riding modes by pressing one of the two Blips individually. If you press both at the same time, you shift to a different gear on the derailleur.
6. How many chargers does TQ provide for the HPR40?
TQ has a little surprise in store when it comes to chargers. Among the components for the HPR40, you will find the TQ 2A Charger, a lightweight, compact charger that is ideal for charging your ebike on the go. Due to its charging power of 100 watts and a charging current of two amps, charging naturally takes longer. However, its handy size means it takes up very little space and fits easily into a backpack or a panier.
TQ 2A Charger at a glance
- Charging power: 100 W
- Charging current: 2 A
- Weight: 499 g
The well-known TQ 4A charger is slightly heavier. However, its charging power of 200 watts and charging current of four amps significantly speed up the charging process. Both chargers communicate with the battery management system, monitoring the temperature of the battery during charging and ensuring the usual level of safety. In addition to the TÜV test seal, they are also approved for the US market thanks to UL certification by Underwriters Laboratories.
TQ 4A Charger at a glance
- Charging power: 200 W
- Charging current: 4 A
- Weight: 700 g
7. What effect does a peak power of 200 watts have?
Compared to other mid-drive motors, figures such as torque of 40 Newton metres or maximum power of 200 watts sound remarkably low. And they are. But you will definitely feel the difference. In its accompanying information, TQ uses a clever solution to illustrate this clearly.
To do this, the manufacturer pits Sophie against none other than Tadej Pogačar. As a thought experiment, of course. In this theory, Sophie is an ambitious amateur athlete weighing 65 kilograms. On average, she achieves a power output of 195 watts on the pedals. That’s three watts per kilogram. With a power output of around 5.5 watts per kilogram, Tadej Pogačar, currently the world’s best road cyclist, world champion and Tour de France winner, outperforms her. He also weighs 65 kilograms, but achieves an astonishing average power output of 357 watts. What the exceptional athlete doesn’t know, however, is that Sophie suddenly switches to an e-road bike fitted with the HPR40. The additional 200 watts give her a total of 395 watts, which corresponds to six watts per kilogram. This means that the amateur athlete is suddenly cycling at a professional level, easily outpacing Pogačar and even having time to chat with him while overtaking.
So much for the theory. In practice, the first question would be how long Sophie can maintain her average performance? Was it measured on a smart trainer or on the road? Perhaps Tadej Pogačar would still come out on top in the end. In our view, that’s not the point. What matters is that TQ makes a point that is easy to understand.
8. What are the arguments in favour of such an ebike drive
Basically, a sporty drive like the new TQ HPR40 offers very similar advantages to those that come to mind for ebikes in general. It brings cyclists together. Cyclists whose performance levels are so different that they would never set off on a tour together under other circumstances, on which everyone has an equal amount of fun. This may be particularly true for sporty people who enjoy riding e-road bikes. At the same time, assistance from a lightweight motor that provides only moderate support makes it easier to get started with road cycling in general. Until you are fit enough for longer climbs or have got used to longer distances, 200 “external” watts are very welcome.
Even ambitious cyclists and professionals make use of this. The ebike has long established itself as a training device for people returning to cycling after an injury or a longer break. In addition, those who are already in top shape can use it to expand their range of activities. After all, an ebike featuring a TQ HPR40 will still ride very well even with the drive deactivated.
Pictures: Belgian Cycling Factory nv; Canyon Bicycles GmbH; TQ-Systems GmbH
You appear to have completely omitted the excellent Mahle X20 in this review, which is a far closer alternative than the X35? The X20 is similar in weight, range, power/torque, natural rider feel (slightly higher in most cases) and already well integrated into several top end Gravel/road bikes.
Hello,
Of course, the Mahle X20 suits similiar use case like new TQ HPR40. However, it’s not been integrated by manufacturers that often, so we mentioned the X35 in the first place.
Since both drives use rear hub motors, they don’t qualify perfectly for a mid-drive motor. At least, from our point of view.
Cheers, Matthias