You don’t talk about your own weaknesses. You eliminate them. Admittedly, that sounds a bit martial. But that could be the motto under which TQ is now launching its new HPR60 ebike drive.
Whether there were any real weaknesses to eliminate or whether the manufacturer was simply responding to the wishes of the target group is probably of secondary importance in the end. The fact is, the HPR50 is getting a successor. We have summarised everything you need to know about it for you.
1. Where will the new TQ HPR60 be positioned in the future?
2. What are the motor’s performance data?
3. What leads to the performance gain of the motor unit?
4. What is the technical principle behind the HPR60 motor?
5. Does the riding behaviour of the TQ HPR60 change?
6. Which batteries are available for the HPR60?
7. Which charger does the ebike system use?
8. Are there new control units and displays?
9. For which areas of application is the drive suitable?
1. Where will the new TQ HPR60 be positioned in the future?
Manufacturer TQ sees the HPR60 as the next generation of the HPR50. Both are therefore more likely to follow one another than to exist side by side. All attention will therefore be focused on the new drive in the near future.
This is especially true when it comes to convincing ebike manufacturers that this is the best ebike system to integrate. However, the HPR50 will not disappear overnight. This is partly due to orders placed by ebike manufacturers some time ago.
2. What are the motor’s performance data?
A glance at the performance data reveals that the TQ HPR60 has earned its position as the new top model. With the same volume and only slightly more weight, it offers an increase in both motor power and torque. Its maximum mechanical power has been increased by exactly 50 watts, from 300 watts to 350 watts. That is a whopping increase of 17 percent. At the same time, the rated continuous power remains at the usual 250 watts.
The increase in torque is even more impressive. It has risen from 50 Newton metres to 60 Newton metres, which corresponds to an increase of 20 percent. This puts it just above the Bosch Performance Line SX and closes the gap to the Fazua Ride 60.
More power, more torque. This sums up the signals that TQ has received from the market. Nevertheless, the HRP60 remains a long way behind full-power motors such as the Bosch Performance Line CX, DJI Avinox or Brose Drive 3 Peak. In our view, this is a comforting sign. The variety among mid-drive motors for ebikes can only benefit from this. After all, this means that riding experiences and ebikes will continue to differ noticeably in the future, and very different needs can be met at the highest technical level.
HPR60 motor unit at a glance
- Rated continuous power: 250 W
- Maximum power: 350 W (mechanical)
- Assistance up to: 25 km/h; 45 km/h (depending on model)
- Maximum torque: 60 Nm
- Maximum assistance: 200 percent
- Weight: 1.924 kg
3. What leads to the performance gain of the motor unit?
Companies are generally reluctant to reveal exactly how improvements have been achieved. The bicycle industry is no exception. We tried to get some details out of TQ with a few corresponding questions. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful. Officially, the manufacturer cites an improved cooling concept as one of the reasons for the leap in performance. Apparently, it has succeeded in stabilising the thermal regulation in such a way that it enables slightly higher performance without the motor overheating.
The corresponding press release also mentions a demonstrably higher efficiency and quieter motor noise during operation. Upon request, TQ quantifies the improvement in efficiency at five percent, depending on the load point. The manufacturer cites further developments in the gearbox and electric motor as reasons for the improvements. Only test rides with different models from different manufacturers will reveal whether the drive has actually become quieter.
4. What is the technical principle behind the HPR60 motor?
The three letters HPR in the name of the drive indicate that this motor also utilises a harmonic pin-ring gear. As a reminder, this gear does not require numerous gear wheels, spur gears or planetary gears. Instead, there is only a double tooth ring. Many teeth engage with each other simultaneously, transferring relatively large forces to a few parts and thus ensuring very direct, low-loss power transmission. Due to the small number of components required, a harmonic pin ring gear requires little space. Just compare pictures of an ebike fitted with an HPR50 and an ebike fitted with a Bosch Performance Line CX. You will see clear differences. Even a DJI Avinox cannot match this level of compactness.
Less required space not only gives ebike manufacturers more freedom for integration into the bike frame, but also has an impact on weight. Compared to the HPR50, the HPR60 weighs around 70 grams more, bringing its total weight to 1,924 grams. However, that is a good 600 grams less than a DJI Avinox and a good 900 grams less than a Bosch Performance Line CX.
5. Does the riding behaviour of the TQ HPR60 change?
According to TQ, the weight-to-power ratio was the primary focus during the development of the new unit. The focus was explicitly not on achieving the highest possible maximum power. At the same time, however, the manufacturer emphasises that the HPR60 has the highest torque density in its class. It seems that they don’t want to be completely without a top rating after all. Incidentally, he defines the corresponding class as ebike drives with mid-mounted motors whose torque is between 30 Newton metres and 60 Newton metres.
At this point in time, we have not yet been able to test an ebike with the new drive. Therefore, we cannot make any reliable statements about its riding characteristics. However, TQ has obviously increased the power and brought forward the point at which you can fully access this power. A performance curve shows that a cadence of around 55 revolutions per minute is sufficient to achieve 350 watts. With the HPR50, you need a cadence of 57 revolutions per minute for the motor to deliver its maximum 300 watts. Given this change, the system loses some of its sporty character. On the other hand, it may attract new fans from a larger target group who found such a moderate drive too demanding and who want higher torque even at lower cadences.
6. Which batteries are available for the HPR60?
With three energy storage devices of different capacities and a range extender, the HPR50 already offered a good range of batteries. This will also apply to the new HPR60. A new addition to the range is a battery with a capacity of 290 watt hours. Weighing around 1,460 grams and based on 21700 battery cells, it represents the new entry-level size. This means that none of the three permanently installed batteries offers a smaller capacity. Previously, the lowest value was 250 watt hours. With 360 watt hours and 580 watt hours, the two sizes above remain unchanged. In the medium size, TQ still uses 18650 cells. The battery with the largest capacity comes with 21700 cells as well.
The familiar range extender is therefore also compatible with the HPR60. Weighing 960 grams and with a capacity of 160 watt hours, it is one of the smaller models of its kind. Thanks to its compact dimensions, the battery, which is designed to resemble a water bottle, can also be fitted into a frame triangle that offers little space.
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
TQ Battery V01 360 Wh at a glance
- Capacity: 360 watt hours
- Weight: 1,835 g
- Dimensions: 48 mm x 63.5 mm x 370 mm
- Compatible with range extender: yes
TQ Battery V05 580 Wh at a glance
- Capacity: 580 watt hours
- Weight: 2,695 g
- Dimensions: 60.5 mm x 65.5 mm x 416.6 mm
- Compatible with range extender: yes
TQ Range Extender V01 160 Wh at a glance
- Capacity: 160 watt hours
- Weight: 960 g
- Diameter: 76 mm
- Length: 185 mm
7. Which charger does the ebike system use?
Everything remains the same in regard of charging. The HPR60 uses the familiar TQ charger with a charging current of four amps. It features the usual safety precautions such as temperature monitoring and overvoltage protection, and has not only been certified by TÜV, but also holds UL certification from Underwriters Laboratories for the US market.
TQ 4A Charger at a glance
- Charging power: 200 W
- Charging current: 4 A
- Weight: 700 g
8. Are there new control units and displays?
In terms of the basic operating concept, TQ has remained true to its previous approach. The HPR60 is also pleasantly simple. The manufacturer has opted for the familiar small control unit on the handlebars, the HPR Remote V02, in combination with the HPR Color Display V04, a display which can be integrated into the top tube.
On the control unit, you can use the arrow keys to switch between the three support levels: Eco, Mid and High. You can also use it to activate the walk assist and the lights. If any of you would like to customise the buttons with additional combinations, this can be done in the TQ app.
At first glance, the HPR Color Display V04 looks like its predecessor. However, as soon as you switch it on, you will notice a significant difference. The display’s two-inch high-resolution OLED screen can now display multiple colours. It permanently displays the battery charge status. If you are riding with a range extender, its remaining range is also displayed, separately from the main battery. In the actual display field in the middle, you can view the following current riding data via various screens:
- battery charge status in percent
- range in kilometres
- drive power in watts
- rider power in watts
- speed
- cadence in revolutions per minute
If you have connected your ebike to the TQ app, the time will also be shown on the HPR60 display.
9. For which areas of application is the drive suitable?
- low overall weight
- low volume
- balanced level of assistance
- e-mountain bike
- e-gravel bike
- e-road bike
- e-trekking bike
- e-city bike
Regardless of the segment, the riding experience with an HPR60 should be noticeably different from that with a full-power system. TQ continues to appeal to more sporty people who are looking for a riding experience that closely resembles that of a bicycle without motor assistance. This includes the option of either wanting to ride longer distances on the ebike without electric assistance or not having to worry about the moment when the battery capacity is depleted before reaching the actual destination.
To maximise what we call the originality of the riding experience with an HPR60, the aforementioned key figures of the motor, its responsiveness, the tuning of the riding modes and the weight of the batteries all play a role. Two additional features that further emphasise this approach are the Q-factor of the motor and the total weight of the ebike system. The 135 millimetres of the Q-factor illustrate how narrow the motor is and how small the distance between the pedals is as a result. Firstly, this allows you to keep your legs close to the frame while pedalling, which promotes an efficient pedalling motion. Secondly, this is a measurement that is typical for many bikes without electric drive and makes it easier to switch to an ebike.
TQ specifies a minimum system weight of 3.5 kilograms. For comparison: Bosch specifies the weight of a Bosch Active Line Plus motor of development stage 2, the BDU350, as 3.2 kilograms. Of course, weight is not everything. But if an ebike can weigh about the same as its comparable counterpart without a motor and battery, that speaks volumes. Daily use, including taking it out of a bike cellar or loading it onto a bike rack on a car, requires the same amount of effort. And when riding, it behaves in many situations just as you are used to with a regular bike. This means you can concentrate almost entirely on getting used to the new motor assistance.
First e-mountain bikes fitted with the new TQ HPR60
Pictures: Propain Bicycles GmbH; Simplon Fahrrad GmbH; TQ-Systems GmbH; Yeti Cycling, LLC
Hello!
20% more energy efficiency sounds intriguing.
Do you know, is it enough to get new motor only to upgrade from hpr 50? Or some other modules need to be upgraded to be compatible with new motor (for example display, etc.)?
Thanks in advance,
Valentin
Hello Valentin,
As far as we know, both drives should be compatible. However, drive units are not sold to consumers. So, you would need to manage such a project in collaboration with a workshop to swap the motor.
Cheers, Matthias
Guten Tag,
können Sie schon sagen ab wann die Trek EmTB als Lightversion Exe mit dem HPR 60 lieferbar sind ?
PS. Läßt sich der Motor später austauschen wenn man sich jetzt für einen HPR 50 entscheidet ?
Lieben Gruß
S. Herzog
Hallo Herr Herzog,
in die Planungen von Trek haben wir leider keinen Einblick. Ob der Hersteller demnächst ein Modell mit dem HPR60 vorstellt, wissen wir nicht.
Allerdings wissen wir von TQ, dass die Motoren von HPR60 und HPR50 sich grundsätzlich tauschen lassen. Je nach Rahmen, müssen dafür allerdings die Kühlrippen des HPR60 entfernt werden. Das hat zur Folge dass auch die Spitzenleistung von 350 Watt auf die 300 Watt des HPR50 sinkt. Das höhere Drehmoment und alle weiteren Vorteile blieben jedoch erhalten. Wie die Konditionen für einen solchen Tausch aussehen werden, können wir jedoch nicht sagen. Der Umtausch wird auch nur von einer Fachwerkstatt vorgenommen werden können. Es erfolgt keine Lieferung von Motoren an Privatpersonen.
Sportliche Grüße, Matthias
IS THE BATTERY SAFE, BMS?,
Hello,
Regarding TQ’s industry background these batteries count among the ones we would rely on most. They meet all the currently required European und US standards in terms of battery safety.
Cheers, Matthias