Bosch’s e-bike motors have been the best on the market over the past few years in our opinion. A key feature on hugely popular bikes like Trek Rail+, Santa Cruz Vala and Orbea Wild, they offer smooth and consistent power delivery that enhances your ride, without dominating it.
But just a matter of weeks ago Chinese manufacturer DJI dropped a bomb that left Bosch looking like the straggler, with its new Avinox M2S hitting up to150Nm of torque and 1500W of peak power.
Leaving aside the debate about whether more power is a good thing or not, the move put the German powerhouse in a position where it simply had to step up. Having released the 85Nm to 100Nm upgrade on its Performance Live CX range in July 2025, Bosch has now responded to the power wars by unlocking a further 20Nm.
This upgrade will be available for many bikes that are already out on the trails and many in our showroom. Let’s look at how you can unleash this greater power and which bikes can get it.
What the Bosch Performance Upgrade 2.0 delivers
Performance Upgrade 2.0 is a free over-the-air update for selected Smart System e-bike motors that increases power output and refines ride performance without requiring any hardware changes. It enhances Bosch’s Performance Line CX and CX-R Smart System motors with a significant uplift in output and refinement of power delivery.
Key improvements include:
Rather than simply increasing peak figures, the update focuses on making the motor feel more immediate and controlled, particularly in low-cadence, high-load trail situations.
Santa Cruz Vala is powered by the Bosch Performance Line motor.
Which bikes are compatible?
The update applies to selected e-mountain bikes fitted with Bosch Smart System drive units. Here’s a (non-exhaustive) list from the brands we stock:
Trek
Santa Cruz
Orbea
Please note that we’re getting reports that some model variants are not accepting the full upgrade to 120Nm.
What does Performance Upgrade 2.0 mean on the trail?
On the trail, the Bosch Performance Upgrade 2.0 is less about chasing headline numbers and more about how the bike actually feels when the terrain gets challenging. The additional torque and refined power delivery give riders noticeably stronger support on steep climbs, especially when tackling slower, more technical sections where maintaining momentum can be difficult.
Acceleration out of tight corners also feels sharper and more immediate, with the motor responding faster under load and delivering power more naturally as you push through the pedals. In technical terrain, whether that’s slippery roots, rocky climbs, awkward ledges or tight switchbacks, the updated system offers a more controlled and confident feel, helping riders maintain traction without the power delivery feeling abrupt or overpowering.
Overall, the upgrade makes compatible bikes feel more capable and more responsive in demanding conditions, particularly on trails where cadence, grip and rider input are constantly changing.
How to install the upgrade
One of the key advantages of Bosch’s Smart System is how simple updates are to apply. If your bike is compatible, the upgrade can be installed in a few steps:
No workshop visit is required and the entire process is completed wirelessly via the app. However, if you need help going through the process and you bought your bike from us, please pop in and we’ll help you out.
To find out more about which new bikes we have in stock with the 120Nm capability and to enjoy a test ride, visit our showroom in Southgate, Pickering.
